Nisus Writer is a word processor for the Mac that dates back to 1989. It survived basically every major change the platform has ever seen, but its time as a beloved Mac app may be coming to an end, as Joe Kissell writes:
For more than a year, we’ve heard scattered complaints: problems with Nisus Software’s website, particularly the user discussion forum; slow or absent responses to support requests; assorted bugs; and other issues. But earlier this week, on 22 October 2025, the reports changed to: “Did you know the Nisus website is completely down, and that Nisus Writer is no longer in the Mac App Store? Does this mean they’re out of business?”
On the one hand: The site is back online as I write this. The app still works. I’m writing the first draft of this article in Nisus Writer Pro on a Mac running macOS 26 Tahoe, and it’s fine. You can still download it and buy a license. At least one human being is actively involved in the company. It’s (mostly) alive!
On the other hand: All available evidence suggests that the app, and the company behind it, are on life support, and the prognosis is doubtful. It’s (mostly) dead!
I’m going to tell you what I know.