You open a new tab, and there it is: a blank white screen. No menus, no buttons, no distractions. Just you and your words. That’s Kraa in a nutshell. A minimalist markdown editor that pairs real‑time collaboration with a chat feature, made for people who just want to write without the fuss.
Who’s behind Kraa?
Kraa was launched in 2025 by three makers from Switzerland: Lev Miseri, Josef Moudrik, and Vilém Ries. Their original idea was simple but effective: create a digital sheet of paper waiting to be filled, with styling completely separated from the content. They wanted a distraction‑free writing experience that goes back to the basics.
What stands out is their deliberate choice not to integrate AI. While most of the tech world is stuffing AI into every product, they’re sticking to human writing. They built Kraa with Svelte and ProseMirror, and introduced a unique ‘writer role’ for chat‑like collaboration. The platform is currently still in public beta, which means you’re early to the party if you try it now.
The tool runs on servers in Switzerland and doesn’t even ask for an account before you get started. It’s a refreshing change in a time when every app wants your email address before you’ve typed a single word.
Who is Kraa for?
Kraa is built for writers who want quiet. People who get lost in Notion’s endless possibilities or get frustrated by all the buttons in traditional word processors. It’s ideal for minimalists who just want a blank canvas, and for small communities who want to write together without corporate tools.
But it’s not for everyone. Enterprise companies that need advanced permissions, integrations, and compliance features should probably look elsewhere. And if you’re specifically looking for AI support in your writing process, you won’t find it here. The creators made that choice deliberately, so that’s not going to change.
What can Kraa do?
Kraa is all about simplicity, but don’t let that fool you. Under that minimalist surface is more than you might expect. All features are currently free during the public beta, though that may change in the future.
- Markdown editor: You write in markdown but see right away what it looks like. No complicated codes to remember, just type. Headings, lists, links — it all works the way you expect.
- Real-time collaboration: Multiple people can work in the same document at the same time. You see other people’s cursors move, and changes appear instantly. Like Google Docs, but without all the clutter around it.
- In-line chat widget: This is where Kraa stands out. You can open a chat widget inside your document to discuss things with co‑writers. No context‑switching to Slack or WhatsApp — everything stays in one place.
- Password protection: Share your document with a password. Simple but effective for sensitive content or private projects. No complex permission systems, just share a code with whoever needs access.
- Separation of content and styling: Kraa’s core philosophy. Your content stays clean; the styling comes later. It keeps you from worrying about fonts and colors while writing. First write, then format.
- Mobile web version: No native apps, but the website works on your phone. You can keep working on the go, though the experience is naturally better on a larger screen.
The tool intentionally skips many features you’ll find in other editors. No templates, no databases, no integrations with other tools. That’s exactly the point. Kraa wants you to write, not manage systems.
How much does Kraa cost?
Right now, Kraa is completely free. You don’t even need to create an account to get started. Open the website, start typing, and you’re in. No credit card, no trial that expires, no hidden costs.
That said, the platform is still in public beta. The creators haven’t shared any information about future pricing plans. It’s quite possible that paid options will appear later for extra storage, more collaboration features, or premium functionality. But for now, you can use everything without paying.
If you’re looking for a writing tool and aren’t sure whether Kraa is a good fit for you, this is the perfect moment to try it. No risk, no commitments. Just see if that minimalist approach fits your workflow.
What should you watch out for?
Kraa is still young, and you can tell. The tool is at version 1.0, which means you may run into bugs. The most common issue is inserting images. Reviewers mention that navigation around images feels clunky and that you can sometimes get stuck when trying to add text close to a picture.
The interface also has a lot of white space. Some people find that calming, others feel it’s wasted space. On a 13‑inch laptop you only see a limited number of lines at once, which doesn’t help with keeping an overview. You can’t adjust this, since customization options are limited.
Then there’s the minimalism itself. What’s a plus for one person is a dealbreaker for someone else. If you’re used to Notion’s databases, Obsidian’s backlinks, or Word’s extensive formatting tools, Kraa will feel bare. There’s no version history, no export to multiple formats, no integrations with other tools. You get markdown and real‑time collaboration, and that’s it.
Also important: because it’s a web‑based tool, you depend on an internet connection. No Wi‑Fi means no access to your documents. For people who often work offline or want full control over their local files, that’s a problem.
Kraa alternatives
Kraa isn’t the only player in the minimalist writing‑tool space. Here are the main alternatives and when you’d pick them:
- Notion: Pick this if you need more than just writing. Notion offers databases, kanban boards, wikis, and endless customization. It’s more complex than Kraa, but also more capable for project management and knowledge organization.
- Obsidian: Go with this if you want full control over your files. Obsidian stores everything locally on your computer and is offline‑first. The learning curve is steeper, but you get backlinks, plugins, and an active community. Less suited for real‑time collaboration.
- Google Docs: The safe choice for teams already in the Google ecosystem. Less elegant than Kraa and not built for markdown, but reliable, free, and equipped with collaboration tools everyone already knows.
Each alternative has its place. Kraa stands out through its extreme focus on distraction‑free writing and its unique combination of markdown with in‑line chat. If that’s exactly what you’re after, the alternatives may actually feel like overkill.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Kraa, answered briefly:
Is Kraa free to use?
Yes, Kraa is currently completely free. You don’t even need an account to get started. Just open the website and start writing. Since the platform is still in public beta, paid plans might show up later, but nothing has been announced yet.
Does Kraa have AI features?
No, and that’s a deliberate choice by the creators. They want to keep the focus on human writing, without AI suggestions or auto‑generated text. If you’re specifically looking for AI support in your writing workflow, you’ll need to use another tool.
Where is my data stored?
Kraa runs on servers in Switzerland, within the EU. Your documents are saved in real time, similar to how Google Docs works. There’s no option to save files locally, so you depend on an internet connection and Kraa’s servers.
Conclusion
Kraa is a breath of fresh air in a market full of overloaded writing tools. It does exactly what it promises: a distraction‑free space to write, with just enough collaboration features to be useful for small teams. The intentional choice to skip AI and stick to extreme simplicity won’t appeal to everyone, but for people who want that, it’s a relief.
The tool is ideal if you mainly want to write and don’t want to get lost in features. Definitely give it a try if you’re frustrated by the complexity of Notion or don’t need Obsidian’s offline focus. But keep the limitations in mind: bugs in the current version, limited features, and no offline access. For power users who rely on advanced tools, Kraa is too minimal. For minimalists looking for calm, it’s just right.
