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Best Free Writing Apps in 2024

Showing 83 writing apps that match your search.

Reedsy Studio

A powerful writing tool from Reedsy. Write and export a beautifully typeset book. This is the beloved app made for authors, by authors.

Platforms: Online, Chrome

Best for: Outlining, Drafting, Editing, Proofreading, Publishing, Book, Poetry, Story, and Free

Website: https://reedsy.com/write-a-book

Base price:

Premium price:

★★★★★ Performance

★★★★★ Features

★★★ Accessibility

★★★★★ Value

Also rated 4.6 ★ on Trustpilot

The simplest way to keep notes. All your notes, synced on all your devices.

Platforms: Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, PC, Chrome, PC

Best for: Note-taking, Drafting, Book, Story, Journal, and Free

Website: https://simplenote.com/

★★★ Features

★★★★★ Accessibility

Also rated 4.5 ★ on TechRadar

Writer Plus

Writer Plus is a writing application without the fuss and distraction of a traditional word processor, perfect for writing notes, novel, lyrics, poems, essay, draft on your phone or tablet.

Platforms: Android

Best for: Note-taking, Poetry, Story, Essay, and Free

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.easy4u.w...

★★★★ Performance

★★ Features

★★ Accessibility

Also rated 4.6 ★ on Google Play

Learn more about Reedsy Studio .

Cold Turkey Writer

Cold Turkey Writer transforms your computer into a typewriter, which forces you to do nothing but write.

Platforms: Windows, Mac, PC

Best for: Drafting, Book, Story, and Free

Website: https://getcoldturkey.com/writer/

★★★★ Accessibility

Also rated 4.0 ★ on TechRadar

Character Story Planner 2

Every character has stories and every World has histories. Planning and building a story cannot be easier with the help of this app. It helps the writer planning the story and the development of characters, relations, groups, races, creatures, etc.

Best for: Worldbuilding, Book, Story, and Free

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=lfantasia.n...

★★★★ Features

Also rated 3.9 ★ on Google Play

Apple’s App of the Year with over 15 million downloads and 200,000 5-star ratings globally, Day One has reinvented journaling, letting you record your life as you live it. Securely save audio, video, photos, notes, and more wherever you are, whenever you want.

Platforms: iPad, Mac, iPhone, Android

Best for: Note-taking, Journal, and Free

Website: https://dayoneapp.com/

Also rated 4.8 ★ on the App Store

MindMeister

Mind mapping starts with a main idea in the center of your mind map. As your map takes shape, add context to topics with attachments, embedded media and more. MindMeister’s features guide you through your first mind maps onto maximum creativity.

Platforms: Online, iPhone, iPad, Android

Best for: Outlining, Journal, Poetry, and Free

Website: https://www.mindmeister.com/

Also rated 4.7 ★ on Capterra

Campfire Write

Campfire is a versatile writing tool organized into modules, each one offering a different type of story element you can create. Keep track of each character's motives, history, eye color, and more. The Characters Module gives you an easy way to make quick notes or detailed character sheets about anyone in your story. Upload your map to the Maps Module, add pins to integrate it with the rest of your story, and nest other maps to keep things organized.

Platforms: Mac, Windows, Online, PC

Best for: Outlining, Drafting, Book, Story, and Free

Website: https://www.campfirewriting.com/

★★★ Performance

Also rated 4.0 ★ on Reedsy

Correct English

CorrectEnglish® teaches you to write like an A+ student. Train your instincts with instant feedback, and great writing will come naturally the more you use the tool.

Platforms: Online

Best for: Editing, Proofreading, Essay, and Free

Website: https://www.correctenglish.com/

Make mind map documents that flow like your ideas.

Best for: Note-taking, Journal, Essay, Blog, and Free

Website: https://coggle.it/

Also rated 4.5 ★ on Capterra

Take digital handwritten notes for class, work, or fun!

Platforms: Android, Chrome

Best for: Note-taking, Essay, and Free

Website: https://www.squidnotes.com/

Also rated 4.3 ★ on Google Play

Freedom blocks distractions across all your Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and Chrome devices so you don’t have to fight off the temptation of distracting pings, notifications, headlines, and emails.

Platforms: Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, iPad, Chrome, Online, PC

Best for: Productivity, Journal, Book, Story, Essay, Poetry, Blog, and Free

Website: https://freedom.to/

Also rated 4.4 ★ on Google Play

What makes a good writing app?

Put simply, what makes a writing app good for you will depend on the kind of writer that you are. 

• If you’re an author , you might be interested in a writing app with outlining, planning, and formatting functionalities.
• If you’re a student , you’re probably in the market for a writing app that blocks out distractions while you’re writing.
• If you’re a screenwriter , you’ll want a writing app that’s specifically dedicated to writing screenplays.

Or, if you’re none of the above, worry not: that’s why we built this directory of writing apps. Whatever you need, we’ve gathered the outstanding writing apps of 2024 across multiple categories (drafting, editing, note-taking, etc) and platforms (Android, iOS, online browsers, etc) in one place. Feel free to use the filters to make your quest for the perfect writing app even easier!

So what are the best writing apps of 2024?

We can now put an end to the age-old debate of which writing app is best: Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs ? 

The answer, of course, is neither! Hopefully, this directory will point you towards a much better match that actually fulfills your writing needs. We objectively evaluated each writing app based on four metrics.

• Performance: How seamlessly does the writing app do what it’s purported to do? How good is the user experience, from top to bottom?
• Features: How many bells and whistles are built into the app to augment its use?
• Accessibility: Is it widely available on many different operating platforms (e.g. iOS, Windows, mobile, desktop, etc)?
• Value: Is it worth the cost that it would take to download it?

Here are some general recommendations to give you a headstart.

The best writing app for authors

If you’ve been searching for an all-in-one outlining, writing, formatting, and typesetting tool, look no further than Reedsy Studio . Used by over 50,000 authors every month, it’s publishing’s most trusted companion to take them from a first draft to a professionally exported manuscript.

💰 Price:  Free

🚉 Runs on: Web

The best writing app for note-takers

Evernote is the king of written organization. In addition to its free organizational templates, Evernote also gives you impressive tagging capabilities, an omnipresent Web Clipper, and the ability to share notes with collaborators, so that you’ll never forget anything again.

💰 Price:   Free basic plan, $4.99/month for premium

🚉 Runs on: Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android

The best writing app for screenwriters

Along with standard scriptwriting features, Final Draft enables you to measure character traits using its inclusivity analysis feature, and tweak your “beat board” until you find your perfect arrangement. And when you’re ready to bring in editors, you can all work simultaneously in real time.

💰 Price: Free trial for 30 days, $249.99 license fee

🚉 Runs on: Mac, iOS, and Windows

I’ve found the perfect writing app. What next?

Congratulations! Now the fun part begins: actually writing the project that you’ve got in mind.

For authors, this means that you have a long and exciting road ahead. In addition to a writing app, we recommend that you arm yourself with some writing knowledge before you embark on it: whether it’s an understanding of story structure or careful thought put into your character creation, all of it can help you realize your goal of a novel.

If you don’t know where to start, check out the list of free resources below. Good luck, and happy writing!

Free online materials

• How to Plan a Novel
• How to Write a Book
• Story Structure: 7 Types All Writers Should Know
• How to Create a Character Profile
• 500+ Creative Writing Classes
• Plot Generator
• Character Name Generator
• Book TItle Generator
• The Best Literary Agents Seeking Submissions

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

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By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars.

We sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Writing Apps Directory, happy publishing! 🙌

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In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.

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The ship, the stalwart vessel known as 'The Serenity Mariner,' was plunged into chaos as the sky became a swirling maelstrom of opalescent tendrils. The flying jellyfish, their bioluminescent bodies illuminating the blackened sky, descended upon the ship with an otherworldly fury. Their membranous bodies pulsated as they sailed through the air, their long, poisonous tentacles trailing behind them like deadly streamers.

Captain Anabelle "Storm-Eye" Hawthorne stood at the helm, her grip firm on the worn, salt-crusted wheel. Her eyes, the color of the stormy sea itself, narrowed as she watched the spectral onslaught. Years of navigating treacherous waters had hardened her, but she'd never faced a tempest of living, breathing creatures before.

"Steady on, lads!" she roared above the howling wind, her voice carrying a command that could not be ignored. "Don't let the sea's nightmarish ballet scare you! These are just jellyfish, no more than that!"

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37 Best Writing Apps to Improve Your Skills

Our regularly updated list features the best writing apps and software for authors, bloggers, and freelancers.

Writing apps can help you improve your writing skills, stay organized, streamline workflow, and allow you to get into the creative flow. Whether you’re a screenwriter , playwright, novelist, content writer or blogger, these helpful apps allow you to get your ideas out and develop outlines quickly. Our article reviewed the best writing apps and recommended which suits each writing style and project best.

At A Glance: Our Top 4 Picks For Writing Apps

• Best Writing App: Grammarly
• For Planning And Writing Stories: LivingWriter
• Best Alternative: ProWritingAid
• For Long-Form Writing: Scrivener

Grammar Checkers

1. grammarly, 2. prowritingaid, distraction-free writing tools, 5. ia writer, 8. novelize, best apps for novelists, 10. scrivener, 11. autocrit, 12. storyist (for mac), 13. ywriter, 14. the novel factory, 15. hemingway app, organization tools, 16. dynalist, 18. writer.com, 19. livingwriter, 20. microsoft word, 21. plain text, 22. day one, 23. evernote, ai writing tools, 25. wordtune, 26. articleforge, 28. jasper ai, 29. chat gpt, text and speech tools, 30. fromtexttospeech.com, collaboration tools, 32. google docs, 33. zoho writer, screenwriting tools, 34. script studio, 35. fade in, 36. final draft, 37. writerduet, a final word on the best writing apps.

Using the best grammar checkers in your writing allows you to identify and correct grammar as you work. They offer advanced features that can be great for spotting tone differences, trickier grammar errors, and stylistic suggestions. These tools create a seamless writing experience ensuring your writing is ready to go, with little need for proofreading or heavy editing afterward.

Use for:  Grammar checkering Pricing:  $29.99 per month

Grammarly is a powerful grammar checker, plagiarism detector and AI writing assistant. We use it every day to check work on this site. Both the free and premium versions are useful. It provides several editing recommendations, such as avoiding passive voice, using shorter sentences, alternative suggestions for using a broader vocabulary, etc. Many of these features are invaluable when trimming your word count. You can find out why I like this premium grammar checker in our Grammarly review .

We tested dozens of grammar checkers, and Grammarly is the best tool on the market today. It'll help you write and edit your work much faster. Grammarly provides a powerful AI writing assistant and plagiarism checker.

Use for:  Proofreading and grammar checking Pricing:  From free to $25+ per month

ProWritingAid is another proofreading and grammar checker writing app that will help you improve your writing and refine the art of self-editing. ProWritingAid works similarly to Grammarly , but it’s more affordable. I recently published a detailed review and video comparison if you need clarification on this writing software and how it compares to the apps above. Read our ProWritingAid review .

ProWritingAid is a powerful, accurate grammar checker and style editor. It's suitable for non-fiction and fiction writers and doesn't require a monthly subscription. Save 20% per month or year.

Use for:  Grammar-checking Pricing:  $13.99/month

Ginger software is an affordable alternative to Grammarly . Ginger Software is somewhat useful for writers who don’t consider English their primary language. It enables you to translate documents written in Spanish, French, German, and more into English. It will also check for grammar errors. Read our comparison of Ginger Vs. Grammarly .

Use for:  Grammar and spell check Pricing:  $14.99/month

Linguix acts as a spelling and grammar checker. It’s more affordable than Grammarly’s premium plan. It’s ideal for anyone who writes for a living or as a hobby. Students will also benefit from using it to prove their essays or assignments. While it does an excellent job at catching typos, it won’t catch sentences that run on or are challenging to understand. Read our Linguix review .

The best distraction-free writing tools provide a minimalistic space for writers to focus without being side-tracked by too many features, bright colors, or editing options. They offer a focused environment where writers can concentrate on their writing. Often, these tools have full-screen modes, customizable backgrounds, and no alerts. It can be a great way to get into the flow state when writing and let your creativity shine.

Use for:  Writing articles and blog posts Pricing:  From $29.99/month

iA Writer is a distraction-free writing app for short blog posts and articles. This iPad, iPhone, and Mac writing app helps writers overcome distractions through the Focus Mode feature. It also has a full-screen mode highlighting the line you are typing and will fade out everything else on the document. This is one of the most ingenious features for focusing your mind on the current point, which is helpful, especially in creative writing projects. Read our iA Writer review .

Use for:  Productive and focused writing sessions Pricing:  $10/month or $100/year

Novlr is ideal for creating a production workflow and finishing your writing project with time to spare. This app is aesthetically pleasing and browser-based, automatically saving cloud content. It has a “focus mode” that sets the mood for writing without distractions. You can also track stats, write collaboratively, and organize outlines. Use this writing app on any browser.

Use for:  Writing articles and blog posts Pricing:  From $5.99/month

Ulysses is a powerful, intuitive, distraction-free Mac OS and iOS writing app. Windows and Android writers are still looking for a solution. It also has features such as a Markup-Based Text Editor, keyboard shortcuts so writers can work quicker, a library to organize notes and documents, a space to set writing goals, publish directly to WordPress and Medium, etc. It’s a good choice for bloggers and content writers. Read our Ulysses review .

Use for:  Best for writing novels Pricing:  $9/month or $65/year

Novelize is an intuitive web-based app ideal for novelists and creative writers. With a simple workflow, it has built-in tools for managing notes and rearranging sections. It encourages writers to focus and get into the flow state when writing. Cloud-based storage ensures that work is accessible from anywhere, at any time, so it won’t be lost when creativity strikes.

The best writing apps for novelists offer features such as manuscript organization, plot timelines, and character development tools. They’re a great assistant to writers who might need extra help developing their ideas. Many of these tools offer outline templates with various themes, such as Hero’s Journey or Voyage and Return. These apps help novelists easily plan, write, and finish their work.

Use for: Preparing a book to self-publish Pricing:  $199

Vellum is a writing app that authors can use to prepare a book for self-publishing. One of the trickiest parts of self-publishing is creating a book that looks good. Or at least, it was. With Vellum, you can create beautiful-looking e-books and print books in minutes. I prepare all my books for self-publishing with Vellum, and it’s a delight to use. Read our Vellum review .

Use for:  Writing books and longer-form works Pricing:  From $49/month

I can’t recommend Scrivener enough as a writing app for longer-form works. Scrivener allows writers and students to organize their ideas and manage more complicated writing projects using the desktop and mobile writing app. It’s also available on iPad. Scrivener also has plenty of keyboard shortcuts to speed up the writing process. Read our Scrivener review .

Scrivener is our go-to app for long-form writing projects. It's popular with best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, lawyers, journalists, translators and more. 

Use for:  Editing and learning to write Pricing:  Free, paid is $30/month or pro version for $300/year

AutoCrit is a self-editing app built for novelists and storytellers. Beyond just checking for spelling and grammar errors, it includes tools to examine the pacing and momentum of your work, dialogue, and more. It points out instances of passive voice, showing vs. telling, using cliche phrases, and even if you overuse certain words or phrases. Read our AutoCrit review .

Use for:  Organizing plots and developing characters Pricing:  $59

Storyist is a versatile writing app ideal for novelists, screenwriters, and non-fiction writers. Storyist is one of the best story-building apps available for Mac. It has an intuitive workspace that can be used for organizing plots, developing characters, and integrating research. There are also collaborative editing tools available for teams to use. It’s ideal for self-publishing and collaborative projects alike. 

Use for:  Organized and structuring work Pricing:  Free

yWriter is a powerful writing app designed for authors and novelists who prefer a structured and organized approach to writing. This app is on Mac and Windows and mobile for Android and iOS. yWriter allows writers to store details about their work and turn them into data charts and tables – visually representing various statistics within the writing.

Use for:  Fiction writing  Pricing:  $7.50/month

The Novel Factory is a type of novel writing software for fiction writers. It offers a step-by-step tutorial to writing your first novel taking you through scenes, characters, themes, etc. I don’t write fiction much these days, so I haven’t tested The Novel Factory extensively. It reminded me a little of the Scrivener fiction template. Listen to our interview with Katja Kaine of the Novel Factor.

Use for:  Self-editing Pricing:  $19.99

Writers can use Hemingway Editor to improve their writing and self-editing skills. Paste your text into the application, and it will provide suggestions for removing unnecessary words here and there, such as adverbs or tautology. It also suggests reframing specific sentences from passive voice to active voice and much more. Hemingway is beneficial to reducing your word count without leaving out any essential points from your article. Read our Hemingway app review .

Organization tools for writers help writers re-organize their notes, ideas, and plot outlines with helpful features. This can include creating folders, tags, categorizing notes, and building outlines. Intuitive apps can enhance the writing experience by managing research information and organizing the creative process.

Use for:  Outlines Pricing: Free or $7.99/month

Writers can use Dynalist to create outlines for articles and book chapters. This app is helpful if you’re a writer who likes to outline their work in advance. It also supports Markdown and can be used as a to-do list tool. The free version is good enough for most writers unless you value a revision history. Read our Dynalist review .

Use for:  Outlines Pricing:  From $25 – $65/year depending on plan

Plottr is one of the best tools for creating outlines for your novels. Various outlining templates, including The Seven Point Plot Structure and The Hero’s Journey, are available. Following one of these intuitive templates is a great way to get your ideas on paper and get into the flow of waiting. Plotter can be used on Mac or Windows computers and also has a mobile app.

Use for:  Business Writing Pricing:  $11/month

If you write fiction or casual blog posts, Writer.Com is not for you. Instead, it’s intended for marketing teams, brand agencies, social media managers, sales and HR departments, PR, and more. It can act as a style guide-building platform, so team members can mandate and learn rules for style in terms of the language and tone to use when writing. Read our Writer.Com review .

Use for:  Fiction writing Pricing:  $96/year or $9.99/month

.LivingWriter is a new story-writing app for writing stories or a book. Rather than using a word processor, Living Writer is accessible via your web browser. Like Scrivener, it helps writers arrange their plots and stories using boards. Living Writer contains a series of outline templates for famous story structures like the Hero’s Journey. Read our Living Writer review .

Living Writer contains time-saving templates for authors and novelists. iOS and Android apps available

Use for:  General writing Pricing:  $139.99/year or $6.99/ month

Microsoft Word is a classic writing app for all general writing projects. Although it’s a pricey option, MS Word is reliable, versatile, and easy to use. It works well on Mac and Windows PC and mobile on both iOS and Android. MS Word is a standard writing application for creating documents to print, note-taking, and more! However, its grammar checker could be better, so I recommend using it with the Grammarly plug-in.

Use for:  Writing whatever, wherever Pricing:  Free

If you’re a writer on a budget, you don’t need to spend any money buying expensive writing software or apps. Instead, you can use the free text editor with your operating system. Just open up Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on a Mac and get to work! I like plain text editors for writing something short quickly and easily, without thinking about it too much.

Use for:  Journal writing Pricing: $2.95/month

Day One is the best journal writing app on the market today. It’s much more than an online diary. You can also add photos, audio, and video to your entries. You don’t need to sit down and type anything up; you can record directly into your Apple Watch. As journalling is quite a hard habit to stick to, the ease of use makes it much more accessible. It also automatically uses geotags that add location, date, time, and weather to your entries. Read our Day One review .

Use for: Writing articles and blog posts Pricing: Free

Evernote is a good app for saving research and story ideas. I use Evernote to record ideas for blog posts and book chapters during the day. Jotting down notes immediately when ideas come to you is a fantastic way of capturing random moments of inspiration and overcoming writer’s block. It also has integrations, team collaboration, and more. Read our guide: What is Evernote ?

Use for: Markdown text editor Pricing: From $5.99

Byword is a Markdown text editor. It’s mostly aimed at Apple writers. Byword is not ideal for authors, but bloggers and web developers will find it useful. While it offers Markdown support, it can also support keyboard shortcuts to allow you to Preview your work ahead of publishing. It even boasts MultiMarkdown support, cross-referencing and footnotes, and metadata.

If you’re still familiar with Markdown, Byword has a guide to get you started. It’s $5.99 to download for iOS and $11 to download on Mac. Read our Byword review .

Artificial intelligence writing apps leverage the latest AI technology to assist writers when generating ideas, content, and outlines. Using AI in writing has many new benefits, such as conquering writer’s block, fact-checking, structuring outlines, completing paragraphs, and more. Prompting AI tools to assist with writing can improve productivity and generate creative ideas.

Use for: AI rephrasing and writing  Pricing: From $9.99/month

Wordtune can help you to write better sentences. It’s helpful for employees or freelancers sending emails to editors or writers struggling to find the best way to phrase something. This AI rephrasing tool can help you perfect the tone of what you are trying to write. It can also suggest ways to shorten sentences or expand your thoughts. It also has an online editor. Read our Wordtune review .

Use for: Content generation Pricing: From $27/month

Article Forge is ideal for businesses that need to create content. The app uses artificial intelligence to scan existing web pages for keywords or a topic. It will analyze the content and then rewrite it in its language. The article will be generated in minutes. Read our Article Forge review .

Use for: AI writing tool Pricing: $9/month

Rytr is a tool for businesses looking to create content or even bloggers facing writer’s block. Having it create content from scratch could provide better results. However, it does a solid job of rewriting and improving existing posts. It also does a decent job of mocking up product descriptions if you provide the context. Plus, it can function as an editing tool. Read our Rytr review .

Use for: AI copywriting Pricing: From $29/month

Jasper.ai is a godsend for marketers and entrepreneurs looking to create short-form content. This includes email subject lines, product descriptions, blog introductions, social media posts, and video titles. It’s one of the best apps if you’re looking to use AI to boost your content. It can even help bloggers tackle writer’s block too. Read our Jasper AI review .

Use for: Writing blog articles and copywriting Pricing: Free or $20/month

ChatGPT has taken the world by storm with its AI writing capabilities. Use it to brainstorm ideas for your next novel or blog post, build detailed outlines, fact-check, and build world lore. This is a versatile browser application that can adapt to your needs with ease. It’s an excellent option for combating writer’s block and generating fresh ideas. It’s available on Mac and Windows and as a free mobile app. Read our ChatGPT review .

Text and speech writing tools allow writers to convert their text to speech and vice versa. This is an excellent tool for hearing your work during editing to ensure the content flows and makes sense. It’s also a great way to quickly get your ideas on paper when a creative idea strikes.

Use for: Converting writing to MP3 Pricing: Free

FromTextToSpeech.com is a browser-based application that allows you to turn your writing into MP3 files that can be downloaded to listen to. Many authors recommend reading work aloud to ensure it flows well, so using an app like this is a great way to proofread your novel.

Use for: Transcriptions and dictation Pricing: $1.25 per minute of audio

Rev is another useful dictation app for writers. Using the iPhone or Android app, you can dictate a draft into your phone and then upload it to Rev for transcription by a human at $1 a minute. Alternatively, if you interview someone, you can save time by transcribing these interviews to write better non-fiction articles. It’s more accurate than using a dictaphone but at a cost. If you’re on a budget, use an AI transcription service. Read our Rev review .

Collaboration tools are an excellent way for writers to collaborate on a project. This is especially useful when multiple authors work on a novel, screenplay, or presentation. Many of these tools allow for feedback and tracking changes, ensuring smooth communication among the team members. Here are our top recommendations for collaborative tools:

Use for: Word processor Pricing: Free

Google Docs is a free writing app and an excellent alternative to Microsoft Word. It’s a reliable choice if you like collaborating with other writers or an editor online. It works almost anywhere, assuming you have a reliable internet connection. Its functionality for handling large documents, like a book, has also dramatically improved.

Zoho Writer is less known than Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Zoho Writer offers a writing assistant to help with readability, grammar, and more issues. It also allows live collaboration with team members and offline editing in your browser. Plus, there are a decent number of templates or formatting options. It’s split into three workspaces: Compose, Review, and Distribute, where you can write the content, work with collaborations and then publish or share it. Read our Zoho Writer review .

Screenwriting tools are tailored explicitly to screenwriters and playwrights. They peroxide a structured environment for screenwriters with outlines, formatting, and timeline generation. Often, they have built-in templates that adhere to industry standards, helping bring their ideas to life with ease.

Use for: Writing movie scripts Pricing: F$199.95

Script Studio is a versatile app best suited for scriptwriters. However, it can also be used for other works, such as novels. The most notable feature of this app is the inclusion of popular movie scripts that can be used as a model for your work. The templates are an excellent way to learn the format and polish your movie script. Some features allow you to draft, plot, and organize the works, making it a top choice for aspiring movie writers.

Use for: Screenwriting Pricing: $79.95

Fade In is an excellent tool for aspiring screenwriters, with automatic formatting that allows you to bring your scripts to life. It’s best suited for screenwriters looking to create a first draft of their screenplay. With a convenient beatboard feature, writers can map out the beats of their stories and view them on a timeline above the script. 

Use for: Screenwriting Pricing: $99.99/month

Final Draft is the default app of choice for screenwriters. I’ve experimented with Final Draft, and it strikes me as an example of powerful writing software but with a bigger learning curve than your typical word processor. Read our Final Draft review .

Use for: Collaborative screenwriting Pricing: From $9.99 – $13.99/month

WriterDuet is an industry standard for screenwriting, used by millions of screenwriters for TV shows and blockbusters. This highly-rated tool allows writers to collaborate with other writers on their teams in real time. It can also incorporate text and video chat during writing sessions. Other features include locked and colored pages, sharing and publishing feedback, and stats and reports about your writing.

Two of the best writing apps to try today are Grammarly and ChatGPT. For more general writing, Google Docs and Ulysses are both great. Writing apps are a great way to organize your thoughts and express your ideas. Once you’ve started writing, it’s easy to complete with the help of a comprehension app like the one listed in our guide.

It’s time to start on that writing project you’ve been dreaming about. Pick the best writing app that suits your needs from our guide, and start writing. Embrace the power of writing apps to help unleash your creativity and build your next novel, non-fiction book, screenplay, or blog.

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The 10 Best Writing Apps of 2024

Useful tools for novelists, playwrights, editors, and other wordy types

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If you're serious about writing, consider getting serious about your writing tools. These writing apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS , and Android put your words into the right format, adding polish and professionalism to your creations.

Best Word Processor for All Genres: Microsoft Word

Hundreds of templates make creating any document simple and fast.

Easily add charts, graphs, and images.

Built-in translation tools.

Overwhelming interface.

Full app is expensive.

Only one person can edit shared documents at a time.

No writing tool list is complete without Microsoft Word. This word processor is the best option for all genres, complete with hundreds of templates to choose from, endless formatting tools, and a robust online support system. From a poem to an e-book to a novel, Word can help you do it all. You can even create your own Word templates .

Word is available for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. You can start with a free trial of Microsoft 365, which includes other Microsoft applications as well. If you choose to purchase, packages range from $69.99 a year to a one-time payment of $149.99. If those prices are too high for you, you can also use Word for free .

Download For:

Best Tool for Long-Form Content: Scrivener

Keyboard shortcuts make writing a breeze.

Templates are ready-made to jumpstart your creativity.

Easy to manage and rearrange pages and chapters.

Has a learning curve.

Spelling and grammar check are not enabled by default.

Intended for users who have an intermediate understanding of word processing.

Do you write long-form works like novels or non-fiction books? If so, you need a tool that performs some of the low-level tasks for you. Scrivener offers ready-made templates that eliminate the need to spend time on tedious formatting tasks.

This application also includes features for storing details about your characters and other critical background information, writing sections and placing them in your manuscript later, and viewing a detailed outline built from synopses that you write for each chapter. If you don't like the flow, you can move chapters around. When you're ready to publish, Scrivener makes it simple to compile and export a completed manuscript.

Scrivener is available for macOS, Windows, and iOS. You can try it free for 30 days. After the trial, a standard license costs $59.99 or $50.99 for students.

Best Screenwriting Application: Final Draft

It has everything professional screenwriters need to meet industry standards.

Powerful story mapping tools.

Integrates with Storyboard Pro.

May not be great for beginners due to the hefty price and steep learning curve.

You must sign in to the platform each time you use it.

No support for real-time collaboration.

Final Draft is used by 95 percent of film and television productions. Why? There are hundreds of templates to choose from and Final Draft automatically paginates and formats your script to the industry standard, allowing you to focus on writing.

With advanced tools, the program allows you to easily brainstorm and collaborate as well as plan set pieces or store character research with customized visualizations.

Final Draft offers a free 30-day trial. After that, the cost is $199.99. The program works with both macOS and Windows and also offers a mobile app for iOS devices.

Best Organizational Companion: Evernote

Add photos, audio snippets, and more.

Robust collaboration tools.

Search for text in PDFs, images, scanned documents, and handwritten notes.

Only 60 MB of monthly upload space is available for free.

May include more features than you need for simple note taking.

Free version limits you to two devices.

To electronically capture ideas on the fly, use a text-based note app on your device. For an enhanced organizational experience, we recommend Evernote. It enables you to collect many types of input, including whiteboard photos, website screenshots, different document formats, audio recordings, and your handwriting. You can separate items into different notebooks for multiple projects.

Evernote is free to download for both Android and iOS devices, or you can use it online. Users can upgrade to Evernote Premium for $7.99 per month or Evernote Business for $14.99 per user per month.

Best Application for Distracted Writers: FocusWriter

The tool is easy start using as soon as it downloads.

Free with no catches.

Simple, intuitive interface.

There are no editing functions outside of cut and paste.

Need another word processor for editing purposes.

No mobile version.

Given all the distractions in the world and especially online, it's easy to get off track during your writing time. FocusWriter allows you to focus and get your work done. The interface is basic, with all the tools hidden beyond a screen until you need them, so it's just you and the document in front of you. Hidden timers and alarms alert you when it's time to stop.

Best Writing Software for Bloggers: Google Docs

Changes to your documents save automatically, so no more lost work.

View the history of edits and track changes.

Collaborate in real time.

The Google Docs app for mobile devices is slower than the desktop version.

Limited options for adding charts and other visuals.

Fewer formatting features than premium word processors.

One of the best things about Google Docs is how easy the program makes it to collaborate with others. No more "version shuffle" as you send drafts and revisions back and forth in email.

When you share a document with your blog editor, they can insert suggestions, comments, and changes right there. Then, when it's time to implement the changes, accept the revisions and close comments about issues you resolved. You can even use Google to work on Microsoft Word documents.

Google Docs is a free online tool that's also available as an app for Android and iOS devices.

Best Writing App for Novelists: Werdsmith

Keeps track of your writing goals and tells you how close you are to reaching them.

Lots of helpful templates and formatting options.

Publish your writing to the web from the app.

Must purchase a membership to use the novel and screenplay features.

Text formatting tools could be more intuitive.

Not worth the price if you don't regularly use all the features.

Werdsmith is a portable writing studio, complete with instant formatting for novels and screenplays. You can even use it to publish your online writing portfolio. Werdsmith features a clean design, it's easy to use, and it's the perfect place for keeping your notes and finished work. The goals and stats function helps keep you motivated.

Werdsmith is free to download and use for iOS devices. In-app purchases are offered through a membership for $4.99 per month. Members receive four new themes, novel and screenplay writing tools, hundreds of writing prompts, and more.

Best App for Journalists: Dictation

It's designed for one thing: dictation. This simplicity makes it an easy tool to use on the go.

Accurate transcriptions.

Helps prevents strain on your joints and back.

Without the pro version, you'll see an ad after each dictation you create.

Doesn't integrate with word processing apps, so it can be tedious to use.

No word counter.

For journalists who interview individuals for news stories and features, a good dictation tool is a must-have. Dictation is a speech-to-text app that translates voice to text for mobile devices. It can also be used to dictate any voice while on the go. It's perfect for capturing your brilliant ideas as well.

Dictation is free to download for iOS devices. Dictation Pro, which costs $44.99 per year, removes ads and allows you unlimited app usage.

Best Application for Editors: TextEdit

When the full-scale capabilities of a word processing program are unnecessary, TextEdit fills in the gap.

HTML and JavaScript support.

Save files in various formats (.DOCX, ODF, and others).

Only available for macOS devices.

No third-party plugins.

Formatting issues when you copy-and-paste.

This simple tool is perfect for editing documents, including Word files, on the fly and converting them into other formats seamlessly. Need to change a Rich Text Format (RTF) document to another format quickly? TextEdit is the perfect app for that. You can also easily create and edit HTML documents for the web.

TextEdit comes standard with macOS.

Best App for Song Writers: Lyric Notepad

Record yourself performing and attach the file to your song.

Counts syllables and tracks rhyme schemes to help you maintain your flow.

Inexpensive pro version.

The interface is a bit clunky.

No way to back up your lyrics to the cloud.

No search tool.

For poets, rappers, songwriters, and lyricists, inspiration can strike at any moment. That's why it's important to have a tool available at your fingertips. Lyric Notepad goes beyond typical word processing tasks to track rhyme and syllable schemes, help you find new words, and record your lyrics, all in one app. The built-in notepad allows you to add notes about your songs as you write and the metronome helps you easily keep time.

Lyric Notepad is free to download for both iOS and Android devices.

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Top 7 Writing Apps: Game-Changers for Writers [Inc. AI]

Table of contents

Chelsea Forsyth

There are days when even the best writers need a little assistance getting into their creative flow. So, when one of those days strikes, you want to ensure you have a toolkit of the best apps for writers to rely on.

Writing apps can provide inspiration, improve your writing style, and help you organize your thoughts. They can also help with research, tracking your progress, and sharing drafts with editors, making them a great resource for both aspiring and established writers. Plus, many apps are even available for free!

If you’re looking for some tools to help streamline your creative writing processes, check out our list of eight handy tools. 

1. Wordtune: Using AI while keeping your content human

What kind of list of best apps for writers would this be if we didn’t start with Wordtune? 

Wordtune is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps you improve your writing by providing real-time feedback on grammar, punctuation, and style. It can be used for everything from academic writing to business emails and blog posts, making it a brilliant tool for a variety of writers. 

Wordtune can also help you to find the right words for your writing. It can provide synonyms, antonyms, and other words related to the topic being written about. It also offers definitions and other contextual information to help writers better understand what they’re writing about. For instance, Wordtune highlights words used in the wrong context, or suggests more suitable words or phrases in its place.

Plus, you can use Spices — these are tools developed to enhance your writing even further. You can ask Wordtune to “explain” the topic you’re writing about to help give your reader further clarification, or “emphasize” to help reiterate your point. These are especially useful if you’re struggling to add further detail to your writing, or if you need some help understanding a topic

Try Wordtune for free > Try Wordtune for free >

2. Scrivener: Best for writers who write long-form

Scrivener is a must-have tool for long-form writers. Both an “outliner” planning tool and a word processor, Scrivener allows you to meticulously plan your novel or screenplay by breaking down your writing into sections and ‘outlining’ what each bit will include. You can also organize notes, concepts, research, and whole documents into its “Binder” for easy access and reference. 

Scrivener differs from other apps on this list in that it won't assist you with your writing style — but it will provide everything you need to keep writing. For instance, if you’re writing a novel or a screenplay, you can write when inspiration strikes without worrying if it's in chronological order, as the drag-and-drop interface allows you to easily move sections to another place at a later date. You can also add synopses and overviews to each chapter, which helps when you want to ‘zoom out’ and look at your novel or screenplay as a whole. Plus, Scrivener allows you to keep all your notes and research in one place, supporting photos and audio files, too.

Scrivener also syncs across devices — whether it’s your Mac, Windows, or iOS device — and you can easily compile everything into a single document when you’re ready to export, with popular formats such as Word document, PDF, Final Draft, and plain text supported.

To get started, download Scrivener from the website for a free 30-day trial. Once this is up, you can either purchase it on Mac or Windows for a one-time payment of $49, or on iOS for a one-time payment of $19.99.

3. ChatGPT: Everyone's using it, but writers use it differently

The AI language model ChatGPT is a great tool for sparking inspiration and outlining ideas — just ask it a question, or command it to write something, and see what text it generates. 

ChatGPT can assist in producing high-quality content that’s grammatically correct and coherent. It also processes and analyzes information quickly, generating text much faster than a human. This can be especially useful if you need to write a large amount of content in a short amount of time — you can ask it to generate an explanation of a complex topic, for example, instead of needing to write this out yourself.   

However, as listed in the image above, ChatGPT’s responses can sometimes be factually incorrect or can include biases. Its creator, OpenAI, has also warned users that ChatGPT’s arguments can be logically flawed. And while the tool is known for its supposed versatility, we don’t recommend using it to generate creative writing. There’s only so much an algorithm can do, and thankfully humans win when it comes to being uniquely creative. 

Overall, ChatGPT is a great tool for quick, surface-level overviews; idea generation, summarizing information, and creating outlines are all made simpler by the tool. However, if you want an all-round writing assistant that helps you to construct your narrative, take a read of our article on choosing the right AI writing tool .

4. Evernote: Saving your wonderful thoughts for reference

Most writers carry a notebook to jot down ideas when inspiration strikes. But in the smartphone era, there’s a much simpler and more efficient alternative to capture fleeting thoughts — enter Evernote . Syncing across all your devices, Evernote automatically saves notes online, allowing you to keep everything that’s on your mind organised and in one place. You can add images, illustrations, and to-do lists, handwrite notes, and tag items with keywords, allowing you to always find anything you need. 

Available for free on iOS and Android devices — and accessible from within your browser — Evernote also provides offline access, so you can access your notes even without wifi.  

Take notes, plan projects, and find whatever you need at the touch of a button. Evernote is the perfect companion to a writer’s messy brain.

5. Daily Prompt: Your inspiration injection

Need a nudge to write consistently? It’s time to try Daily Prompt: Creative Writing .

Available as both an iOS app and as a web-based writing tool , Daily Prompt encourages you to get creative every day with a new prompt every 24 hours. You can let Daily Prompt provide you with a prompt, or you can browse existing prompts. Choose from genres such as horror, adventure, romance, or crime, and opt for different types of prompts like “story starters” (a creative prompt encouraging you to contine the story) or “writing obstacles” (an instruction designed to challenge you to write more creatively). 

You can use a limited version of the app on both your phone or web browser, or alternatively, you can pay a yearly subscription of $19.99. This gives you premium access, with free range over the back catalogue of prompts, early access to new features, and a seven-day money back guarantee if you change your mind. Plus, you get to join Daily Prompt’s community of aspiring authors improving their writing skills on a daily basis, and even read their stories.

6. Power Thesaurus: To find the word on the tip of your tongue

Every writer needs a thesaurus to lean on now and again. While a lot of AI writing tools provide synonyms as part of the package, there’s no harm in having a dedicated thesaurus app to rely on if you need alternatives to an overused word. 

One of the best is Power Thesaurus — available as both an iOS and Android app, and as a website. It’s quick, it’s powerful, and it provides a list of synonyms longer than any other thesaurus I’ve used. Plus, you can find the definition of the word you’re searching for, as well as see it used in a sentence, or choose from a list of antonyms. 

7. Hemingway App: Because readability matters more than you think

Hemingway App is a powerful tool for streamlining your writing style. The free online editor enhances the readability and clarity of your writing by highlighting and correcting grammar, fluency, and sentence structure. 

The platform is ideal for editing shorter pieces. If you tend to write longer sentences, Hemingway will encourage you to be clearer and more succinct in your writing by highlighting sentences that are hard to read, or phrases that have simpler alternatives. 

As well as being online, you can also download a desktop version of the app. This requires a one-time payment of $19.99 on both Mac and Windows. 

Time to write

Using a writing app or two is a great way to enhance your creativity, edit your writing, or just make your writing process more enjoyable (and productive) in general. 

Tools like Google Docs and Scrivener are brilliant for keeping you organized and efficient, whereas an AI writing assistant like Wordtune can help you to level up your language and explore ideas you hadn’t previously thought of.

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51+ Best Writing Apps for 2023 (Free & Paid) – Ultimate List

by Skyler Benson | Jan 16, 2022

When it comes to different writing apps, tools, and software, writers have more choices than ever.

But, it may also be a distraction to help you do the most important thing: write. 

Are you a content writer, blogger, author, novelist, screenwriter, or entrepreneur? You want to make sure you have the best writing apps available.

A Writing app should help you be more productive and creative.

I used to make many excuses for not writing. One of them was that I needed the ‘perfect writing software’ before I could get started. 

I tried almost every writing app available and switched between them many times.

I even thought about learning how to code to create the perfect and best writing app. 

Talk about trying to do anything to get out of actually writing!

Are you looking to find the best writing app in 2023? I’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. 

What Are Writing Apps?

Writing apps are software programs that help you write more efficiently. They can offer a range of features, such as outlining tools, templates, and writing prompts.

Affiliate Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links for some products I am recommending. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

What Are The Best Writing Apps?

Here is a list of the best writing apps, software, and tools for Mac and Windows in 2023.

1. Scrivener

Use For: Long-form writing

Available On: Mac, Windows, iOS 

Price: Mac $49, Windows $49, iOS $19.99, Bundle: macOS, & Windows $80

Scrivener is the best writing app for long-form writing and is best suited to novelists. It contains all the tools you need to write your first draft. Scrivener keeps your work organized to give you flexibility over your ideas, research, and writing.

There are many templates to choose from and endless formatting customization options.

Scrivener is one of the most detailed writing apps, and it can be overwhelming the first time you open it. 

It has a steep learning curve, but many tutorials and online courses get you up and running.

Scrivener allows you to sync your work between Mac, Windows, and iOS mobile devices via Dropbox. Although, you need to buy a separate license for each, which is a one-time payment instead of a subscription.

Try Scrivener with a 30-day free trial.

Use For: Markdown Editor

Available On: Mac, iPad, iPhone Only

Price: $4.99 /month or $49.99 /year

When you first see Ulysses , it may look a little light on features compared to other writing apps and a more stripped-down version like Scrivener. But once you’ve had a closer look, you’ll see that there are many powerful features. 

Ulysses is the best writing app for markdown, plain-text and simple formatting.

You can use it for anything from notes to blogging to long-form novels. Ulysses lets you upload directly to WordPress and Medium for streamlined publishing.

The minimalist interface allows for a distraction-free writing experience, but any tool you need is only a click away. The design is gorgeous and matches the Apple look and feel.

As an example, instead of seeing bold text, it will instead be displayed as **bold**

It may appear strange at first, but many writers prefer writing in markdown. It lets you write instead of wasting time tweaking settings and formatting for hours.

Ulysses has keyword labels, writing projects tracking, and a sidebar to organize your sessions.

Ulysses has a monthly or yearly subscription and is available for Apple users on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. 

3. Google Docs

Use For: Word Processing

Available On: Browser extension, Mac, Windows, iOS App, Android App

Price : Free

Google Docs is quickly becoming the go-to writing app for writers instead of Microsoft Word. 

There is almost no learning curve, as it is similar to Word. But best of all, Google Docs is a free writing app. 

It is an online word processing tool that you can use anywhere and on any device. 

One downside is that you need to be connected to the internet to use it. However, there is a setting in your Google Drive where you can enable offline use also.

Docs is great for real-time collaboration. It allows many users to make suggestions or changes that instantly update.

You never have to worry about losing your work again. Google Docs has an autosave feature, which saves your work as you type.

4. Microsoft Word

Available On: Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android

Price: Microsoft 365 Personal $69.99 /year or $6.99 /month or Office Home & Student 2021 $149.99 one-time purchase.

Microsoft Word is the most well-known word processor. After all, it has been around since 1983. As a result, many people have used Word for school and work.

There are now more alternatives to Microsoft Word than ever. But, Word is still the ‘industry standard’ amongst writing apps, especially in the publishing industry.

When I worked as a freelance content writer, most of my clients still requested that I submit work as a Word document.

Word is available as part of the Office 365 subscription and includes an online version and collaboration tools.

5. Final Draft

Use For: Screenwriting

Available On: Mac, Windows, iOS (sold separately)

Price: $249.99

Final Draft is the industry standard amongst the best writing apps for screenwriters. It is used by 95% of the entertainment industry.

While expensive, if you are serious about pursuing a screenwriting career, Final Draft is a must-have.

You can be up and writing within minutes from the first time you open the app. 

Final Draft formats your script to strict entertainment industry formats to allow you to focus on your story instead. 

There are over 300 templates available for screenplays, teleplays, graphic novels, and more.

Final Draft has a 30-day free trial.

6. Grammarly

Use For: Checking Spelling and Grammar, and Editing

Available On: Desktop, Browser, Windows, Mac

Price: Free Basic Plan, Premium Plan starting from $12 /month

Grammarly is essential for every writer and is the best writing app for editing your work.

It is an online writing assistant to help you check your writing for spelling and grammar mistakes.

Grammarly integrates with all the most popular writing apps, email clients, and social media sites. These include Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail, Google Docs, Word, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Whether you are editing a blog post, a novel, writing an email to a client, or a Tweet, Grammarly has got you covered.

It provides powerful editing suggestions, which help make you a better writer. These include replacing repetitive or common words and avoiding passive voice. 

The free plan is good for the casual writer. But for people who do a lot of writing or are professional writers, the Premium plan is worth the investment. It is like having your own personal editor.

7. Hemingway Editor

Use For: Checking Grammar and Editing

Available On:  Web, Mac, Windows

Price: Free or $19.99 Desktop App

Writing in a simple way is easier said than done.

Luckily there is an editor named after Ernest Hemingway to help. 

Hemingway App helps tighten up your prose and keep your writing simple.

You paste your text into the editor and see your readability score. You can then see how many times you use adverbs and passive voice. Hemingway also shows if there are words with a simpler alternative. 

Sentences that are hard to read are highlighted in orange. 

Sentences that are very hard to read are highlighted in red. 

At first, the Hemingway writing app can be enough to drive you insane. But, if you follow the suggestions, it does make you a better writer over time.

There is also a desktop version available for a one-time fee of $19.99 for Mac and Windows. 

I have the paid version, and it is the same as the free web-based version, except that it allows you to edit offline.

Use For: Notes, Markdown Editor

Available On: Apple – iPhone, iPad, Mac

Price: Free limited-features, Pro $1.49 /month, $14.99 /year

Bear is another markdown editor like Ulysses, although with limited features.

It was designed as a short form note-taking app but has gained popularity amongst writers due to its beautiful interface. You can also use Bear for writing blog posts and even novels.

It is a more affordable alternative to Ulysses. The main difference is it uses #tags to sort files rather than folders. 

There is a free version. But, syncing doesn’t work across devices, which is fine if you only plan to use it on one device. You also only have limited themes.

The Pro subscription gives you access to sync between devices, access to more themes, greater export options, and the ability to lock notes.

Use For: Publishing eBooks and paperbacks

Available On : Mac

Price : $199.99 for eBooks, $249.99 for eBooks & Paperbacks

Vellum is the best writing app to create beautiful books with ease.

Are you tired of wasting many frustrating days trying to format your eBook? Well, you can do it with Vellum in just a few clicks for Kindle, Kobo, and Apple Books. 

Choose your trim size, and leave the rest to Vellum to magically create eBooks.

Vellum is very expensive. But, it pays for itself, with how much time it saves formatting your books and how beautiful they look.

It is a one-time price of $199.99 for Vellum eBooks or $249.99 for Vellum Press to create eBooks and paperbacks.

10. Evernote

Use For: Notes & Organizing your life

Available On: Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, Web

Price: Free limited-features, from $7.99 /month or $69.99 /year 

Evernote used to be the note-taking app. 

People use Evernote to plan their entire lives – for notes, tasks, and their schedules.

Evernote is still an excellent option for taking notes. But, many alternatives, such as Apple Notes, Notion, One Note, and Bear, are now available.

There are so many menus and features that it can appear overwhelming.

What makes Evernote so powerful is its web clipper, which lets you save web pages, articles, and PDFs to Evernote. It also has a dictation mode to get your ideas into a note fast and excellent team collaboration. 

A free plan is available, but it only lets you sync between 2 devices and upload 60MB per month. The Personal Plan starts at $7.99 per month and is a good investment if you intend to use Evernote regularly.

11. Scapple

Use For: Mind Mapping

Available On: Mac, iOS, Windows

Scapple was developed by Literature & Latte as a companion writing app for Scrivener. 

It is a freeform virtual sheet of paper that lets you brainstorm ideas. Scribble down all your thoughts and connect them any way you like via lines or arrows.

12. Voice Memos

Use For: Dictation

Available On: Apple iOS

Price: Free

Have a great idea for your book or blog post? Voice Memos is the best way to quickly capture ideas by using either your iPhone or iPad. It is the portable audio recorder that you always have on you.

Voice Memos is free and comes as a pre-installed app.

Use For: Transcription

Available On:  Web

Price: From $1.25 per minute of audio

Have you captured your next great idea as a voice memo? Or an interview as part of your research? Rev provides a great service to transcribe it for you to text. 

Prices start from $1.25 per 1 minute of audio transcription. Rev uses human transcriptions and guarantees 99% accuracy for all transcriptions.

Use For : Transcribe your notes

Available On: Web

Price : Basic Free, Pro from $8.33 /month

Otter provides a free automated audio transcription service. While it isn’t as accurate as Rev, it still provides a great starting point. 

Otter offers 600 free minutes per month. It is a time and cost-effective solution than transcribing your own recordings. 

You’ll most likely have to listen through your recording and correct any errors you find, though.

15. Save The Cat! Story Structure Software

Use For: Structuring your story

Available On: Windows, Mac

Price: From $99 /year

Save The Cat is the book on screenwriting. 

But did you know they also offer story structure software?

Save The Cat! Story Structure Software is built for film, novel, and TV writers. It offers the fundamentals and mechanics of plot and character transformation.

Do you already use the Save The Cat structure? 

Hint: you should. 

If so, Save the Cat software makes a great companion.

16. iA Writer

Use For: Markdown Writing

Available On : Mac, iOS, Windows, Android 

Price: MacOS $29.99, iOS & iPadOS $29.99, Android $4.99 /year or $29.99 once, Windows $29.99

iA Writer is one of the first markdown writing apps. It is perfect for when you just want to focus on the words on the page and the writing process itself.

It features a minimalist interface and stripped-back tools to focus on your words instead of tweaking formatting. 

Unlike other markdown apps, iA Writer is a one-time purchase rather than a subscription. But, you will have to buy it separately for each platform you use.

17. ProWritingAid

Use For: Writing and Grammar Checker

Available On : 

Price: $20 /month, $79 /year, $399 /lifetime

ProWritingAid is like having a professional editor available 24 hours a day.

A writing mentor, grammar checker, and style editor rolled into one handy writing app.

ProWritingAid integrates with other writing apps such as MS Outlook, MS Word, Google Docs, and Scrivener. It also has a Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge extension.

Are you are an author, copywriter, editor, student, or professional? ProWritingAid gives you clear and easy steps to improve your writing skills.

18. Apple Notes

Use For: Note-taking

Available On : Mac, iPhone, iPad

Need to get an idea down fast? Apple Notes is a great solution and comes pre-installed on your iOS and Mac devices. 

While the early versions of Notes was limited, many new features have been added to turn it into a serious note-taking app over the past few years.

Apple Notes sync flawlessly across devices. It also has a minimalist layout and lets you keep your thoughts organized with folders and tags.

19. Apple Pages

Apple Pages is a powerful word processor which allows you to write stunning books and documents. 

It is the Apple equivalent of Microsoft Word. While there are many differences, it is easy to use, and Word users should pick it up quickly.

Pages is free and comes pre-installed on all Apple devices. 

You can use it across multiple devices, including a Mac, iPhone, or iPad. PC users can also use Pages online thanks to iCloud as part of iWork. 

Pages is compatible with Apple Pencil on iPad, and it features excellent collaboration features. 

Are you looking for a great free word processor alternative to Microsoft Word and want to stay in the Apple ecosystem? Apple Pages is an excellent choice.

Use For: Editing, Cover Design, Marketing

Available On : Web

Reedsy Book Editor is a distraction-free writing app that helps turn your draft into a professional-grade book. It has a minimal, sleek, and elegant design and interface. 

Reedsy shines by helping you prepare your book for publication with its advanced typesetting features. Then, with ease, you can upload your file to any eBook retailer or print-on-demand supplier. 

Use For: Visual book planning and outlining

Available On: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

Price: Annual Subscription – 1 Device $25, $3 Devices $45, Pro $79 | Lifetime – 1 Device $99, 3 Devices $149, Pro $249

Having trouble outlining your book? Well, now there is a better solution!

Plottr is the number 1 visual book planning software that makes outlining faster and easy with its great organization features.

You can visualize your plot points without a corkboard to quickly arrange and rearrange your plots, scenes, and character arcs. Plottr also lets you create your story bible and automate your outlines.

There are templates to get you started immediately, from Hero’s Journey to Romancing the Beat and more. Then, when you’re finished with your outline, you can export it to Word and Scrivener to seamlessly begin writing.

22. Aeon Timeline

Use For: Timeline Management

Available On : Windows, Mac, iOS

Price: $64.99 (Includes one year of updates)

Aeon Timeline helps you create complex, personalized timelines for your writing projects. The writing app features customized templates for various industries such as creative writing and project management.

It provides chronological views to help writers avoid plot holes. This lets you perfect the art of storytelling and dive deeper into worldbuilding.

Aeon Timeline is a one-time purchase, letting you use it on up to 5 devices.

23. Notability

Use For: Notes, Annotations

Available On : iPad, Mac, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac (with M1 Chip)

Price : Free Starter with limited features, $11.99 /year

Notability is a simple yet powerful note-taking app. It features a minimal and intuitive interface so you can get started immediately. 

While it started as a note-taking app, you can now use it to create and annotate anything, from storyboards to study guides. It is simple enough to write without its features getting in the way. But the advanced features are only just a quick menu away.

Notability is compatible with the Apple Pencil to give you the most powerful digital notebook experience on iPad.

24. Bibisco

Use For: Novel Writing

Available On: Windows, Mac, Linux.

Price: Community Edition Free, Supporter’s Edition – 18€+VAT one-time payment

Bibisco is a user-friendly fully-featured novel writing tool. 

It is straightforward and has everything you need to write your book. 

You can use it to organize your ideas, create your world, and write in a distraction-free environment. 

25. HubSpot Blog Ideas Generator

Use For: Creating Spectacular Headlines for blog posts and articles

Do you have writer’s block and are out of ideas for your next blog post? Well, Hubspot has got you covered.

The Blog Ideas Generator can instantly give you ideas for blog posts. All you have to do is enter a noun to get started. 

The generator will then give you a week of content ideas. 

If only writing blog posts was this easy.

26. Dragon Anywhere

Available On : iOS & Android

Price: $15 /month, $150 /year

Dragon Anywhere is a professional-grade dictation app. It lets you dictate on your iOS or Android mobile devices fast and easily.

Whether you’re at a local coffee shop, visiting clients, conducting interviews, or just at home, Dragon is always there with you in your pocket.

You can create, edit, format, and share documents directly from mobile devices.

Dragon Anywhere has 99% accuracy. It also features a correction menu to correct any spelling mistakes. 

Over time, you can train Dragon to improve its accuracy based on how you speak.

27. OneLook Thesaurus/Reverse Dictionary

Use For: Reverse dictionary

Are you struggling to find the right word no matter how hard you think? Now there is a much easier way. 

OneLook’s thesaurus/reverse dictionary lets you search for a concept. It then gives you back a list of words and phrases. 

Simply enter a word, phrase, description, or pattern, and OneLook will find what you mean, like magic.

I discovered OneLook a few years ago and have been using it daily ever since.

There is also a free Google Docs Add-On to let you find synonyms, related words, adjectives, rhyme words with ease without having to leave Google Docs.

28. WriteRoom

Use For: Distraction-free Writing

Available On: Mac

Price: $9.99

WriteRoom is a distraction-free writing app for Mac. 

They proudly state that, unlike ‘cluttered word processors,’ WriteRoom lets you focus on writing. 

WriteRoom has a full-screen writing environment to let you focus on your work, clear your mind, and write better. 

Forget page layout, graphs, or insert tables. The entire app has a distraction-free writing environment, which may be good to get your first draft down before moving to another app. 

You can download different themes submitted by other users to customize the look to suit your needs.

29. Freedom

Use For: Block Websites, App & Internet

Available On: Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and Chrome

Price : $8.99 /month, $39.99 /year, $159.99 /forever

Do you find yourself getting distracted? Are you doing anything but writing? 

I used to be guilty of that until I discovered Freedom . 

Checking social media for just a minute can quickly turn into an hour of wasted time before you know it. All without even opening any writing apps.

Freedom lets you get rid of distractions while you are writing. You can choose to block websites and apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android and Chrome, so that you can focus on the task at hand instead. 

Select your devices, choose sites and apps to block, and set your schedule. Then, take back your time, and be more productive.

30. FocusWriter

Use For: Distraction-free writing

Available On: Windows, Linux, Mac

Price: Free, with optional donation

FocusWriter is another distraction-free, simple writing environment. The interface gets out of the way to immerse yourself in your writing and concentrate on the words. When you move your mouse to the edge of the screen, the interface then appears. 

It is excellent for turning your ideas into words and then importing them into another program for editing later. 

FocusWriter is available on both Linux and Windows.

31. Storyist

Use For: Novel writing & Screenwriting

Available On: Mac & iOS

Price: $59 for Mac, $19.99 for iOS

Storyist is similar to Scrivener in many ways. It has excellent organization with long-form writing in mind. 

Unlike traditional word processors, Storyist is intuitive. It is easy to use and helps you keep track of your characters, plot, and settings.

There are many manuscript and screenplay templates. So you can spend more time telling your story and less time worrying about formatting options.

Storyist is not the cheapest writing app with a one-time fee of $59. But, if you are a serious novelist or screenwriter, then it is a good investment.

32. Dynalist

Use For: Outlining

Platforms Available: Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS

Price: Free Plan, or Pro $7.99

Do you like to outline your work before you start writing? Dynalist is great for organizing your thoughts, ideas, and tasks into simple lists. It works well for outlining either an article, blog post or novel.

Dynalist is very easy to use yet extremely powerful. You can nest things infinitely and keep breaking them down into smaller ideas. Connect the dots, and reorganize your thoughts. You can also track your tasks.

The free version has almost everything you need. But, the Pro version includes Google Calendar integration, Dropbox & Google Drive backup, version history, and much more.

33. SelfControl

Use For: Avoid distractions while writing

Sometimes it can be hard to have self-control, especially if you find it easy to procrastinate. 

SelfControl has got your back. While not a ‘writing app’, this free Mac app helps you to avoid distracting websites and email. 

You set a time, choose the sites to add to your blocklist, and click start. 

The best (or worst) thing about SelfControl, is that you can’t access those sites until the timer ends. So even if you restart your computer or delete the app, there is no way to ‘cheat.’

Use For: Storyboards

Available On: Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

Price: Free Basic Plan, from $5 /month Standard Plan

Trello is a great tool for fiction writers. 

As well as managing your to-do list, you can also create a board for your novel. 

You can add chapters and scene cards.

Trello makes it easy to move and rearrange scenes and change the order of your chapters and timeline with ease. 

35. The Novel Factory

Use For: Plot Templates, Character Builders, Writing Guides

Available On: Web, Windows

Price: Basic $75/Year, Standard $198/Year, Premium $600/Year

The Novel Factory is a fiction writing tutorial and writing software all in one. 

The Novel Factory simplifies the novel-writing process whether you’re struggling to write your first novel or want to take your writing to the next level.

It is web-based, and the online version of The Novel Factory works with any internet browser. There is also a Windows Desktop app that lets you work offline, with a Mac Desktop version coming soon.

Available On: Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android, Web App

Price : Pro $10/Month, Ultimate $13/Month

Ayoa is the only mind mapping app powered by AI. You can take your brainstorming to new levels and boost your creativity and productivity.

Ayoa is an all-in-one mind mapping, task management, and collaboration app designed to help you achieve your best work.

You can choose between structured speed maps or visual organic maps seamlessly. Utilize mind maps, whiteboards, workflow, canvas, Gantt, radial working methods.

Ayoa also integrates with Google Drive, iMindMap, Evernote, Dropbox, and many more writing apps.

Use For: Graphic Design

Available On: Web, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Android

Price: Free for Standard, Pro from $9.99 /month

It is no longer about just words. Writers now often need to create graphics as well. 

Luckily, it has never been easier, even if you don’t have a design background.

Canva is a free drop and drag tool which helps you create beautiful, eye-catching graphics. Design a cover photo for a blog post, find stock images, a book cover, or social media content in minutes. 

Canva has templates for everything.

If Photoshop seems overwhelming, or you don’t want to pay for the Creative Cloud membership, Canva is a great alternative.

38. Dropbox

Use For: Online Cloud Backup

Available On: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android

Price: Basic Free, Plans from $9.99 /month

We’ve all been there before, writing the perfect chapter, blog, essay, or work presentation. But then, suddenly the program crashes, or there is a blackout, and all our best work is lost.

Most writing software now includes auto saving every few seconds. As well as auto-recovery to prevent this from ever happening again. 

But, there is still the chance a file may become corrupt, you lose your backup drive, or your hard drive fails. If any of these happen, you can no longer recover your work.

Dropbox gives you peace of mind, as it makes an extra backup in the cloud, allowing you to recover it from anywhere.

39. Day One

Use For: Journaling your life

Available On: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Android

Price: Free To Use. Premium $2.92/year (billed annually)

Day One is the one of the best writing apps for journaling. It even calls itself your journal for life.

It has won many awards, including App of the Year, Apple Editor’s Choice, and an Apple Design Award. 

Day One is a gorgeous app that makes journaling easy. It provides you with your own private space to share your most intimate moments and thoughts. 

Day One uses biometric security, automatic backup, and end-to-end encryption to keep your thoughts safe.

The layout and design let you focus on your writing without any unnecessary bloated features. 

Add photos, videos, drawings, and audio recordings to your journal entries to give them that extra personal touch.

40. AutoCrit

Use For: Editing

Price: Free Forever Basic Plan, Professional Plan $30/Month, $297/Annually

AutoCrit is a self-editing online editing platform for both fiction and non-fiction. 

The platform is built from real, best-selling books. So you can improve your editing with confidence and increase your productivity.

AutoCrit is a membership site. It provides all the practical tools you need to grow as a writer, including world-class editing software. 

Autocrit also offers professional expertise such as peer connection, regular workshops, and events.

There is a free plan which includes essentials for every author. The Professional Plan starts from $30/Month or $297/Annually.

41. Zoho Writer

Price: Free for individuals, Standard $5 /month, Premium $8 /month

Zoho Writer is one of the best online free writing apps. It is an alternative to Microsoft Word, which lets you open and edit Word documents. You can also sync between your Mac, PC, iOS, or Android devices and save your files as MS Word or PDF files.

Zoho Writer is a powerful word processor. It features WordPress integration, a free grammar checker, and real-time online collaboration tools.

42. Minimal

Use For: Note taking

Available On: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch

Price: $4.99 /month or $49.99 /mear

Minimal is a meditation-inspired writing app with simple and elegant typography. It helps you increase focus and write beautifully to create highly-readable and clean notes. 

The powerful tools keep out of the way to allow you to write until the moment you need them.

The ‘Note Lifetime’ feature lets your notes expire after a specific time. This may be the best way to keep your workspace organized and reflective of the current moment.

43. LibreOffice

Available On : Windows, Mac, Linux

LibreOffice is a free, open-source writing tool, which is like Microsoft Office. 

If you want most of the features of Microsoft without the high price tag, then LibreOffice is a powerful alternative. 

It features Writer , which has everything you need for a modern, full-featured word processor similar to Word.

LibreOffice is also compatible with.doc, .docx, and standard Microsoft file formats. You can be sure not to have any compatibility issues when sharing with colleagues.

44. Headline Analyzer from CoSchedule

Use For: Creating Powerful Headlines

Headline Analyzer from CoSchedule is the best free Headline Analyzer tool. Based on data, it gives you suggestions to write headlines to drive traffic, boost shares, and improve your SEO and search result rankings.

Headline Analyzer uses word balance, headline type, sentiment, word count, and character count. It also uses skimmability, clarity, and reading grade level factors to help you craft the perfect headline for your blog post or article.

There is also a free Google Chrome extension.

45. Campfire

Use For: Organization, Create Characters, Timelines & Interactive Maps

Available On: Web, Mac, Windows

Price: Free Version, and & Modules – from $0.25 /month per module.

Campfire provides a platform to build and reach an audience so that you can write better stories faster. It also has organizational tools and educational resources.

Campfire Write helps you create characters, timelines, and interactive maps.

While Campfire Learn features blogs, videos, podcasts, and tutorials to teach about the craft of writing.

Campfire Explore lets you share your work with the Campfire community and read projects by other writers.

Available On:

Use For: Creating a perfect Sound Environment

Available On: iOS, Android, Chrome Extension

Price: Basic Free, Pro $10 /month

Do you find it difficult to write in total silence and prefer background noise and color to keep you focussed? Well, whether you’re in an office, on public transport, or in a library, Noisli is the perfect companion for you. 

It lets you select from many different soundscapes to help you work and relax. They include white noise, forest with birds, water, seaside with seagulls, wind, rain, a lake, and even a coffee shop. 

Best of all is that you can mix sounds and set their volume to choose the perfect soundscape for you, depending on your vibe and feel for what you are writing!

47. Cliché Finder

Use For: Removing clichés from your writing

Do you find yourself using clichés way too often in your writing? 

It is easy to do so without even realizing it!

Cliché Finder makes it easy to improve your communication skills and writing. 

Cliché Finder will identify any words, phrases, or expressions which are overused or stale. It works for copy, creative writing, or poetry.

The free tool finds clichés in your writing and highlights them, making it easy to remove them.

48. Capitalize My Title

Use For: Convert text to Title Case

Platforms Available:  Web

Capitalize My Title is a simple web tool that makes title capitalization easy. 

Save time, and automatically capitalize and case convert your titles. You can choose from Title Case, sentence case, UPPERCASE, lowercase, and more. 

Select the capitalization you want, paste your title, and automatically convert it.

Use For: Cloud-based Book Writing

Price: Basic $10 /month, Standard $15 /month, Premium $20 /month

Dabble is the best cloud-based book writing platform. The easy-to-use novel writing software helps to turn your story into a reality. It includes feature-rich tools to develop your characters, plot your novel, and notation.

Dabble has a similar look and feel like Scrivener, minus the learning curve. You can drag and drop scenes and characters, view your notes while writing, and set word count goals and deadlines.

There is a 14-day free trial available and then a monthly subscription. While it is rather pricey compared to other writing apps, it is money well spent if it helps you achieve your writing goals.

50. Writing Master Academy

Use For: Improve your writing skills

Price: $15/Monthly, $160/Annual

Whether you’re a new writer or have already written a few novels, Writing Master Academy helps you take your writing to the next level. 

Jessica Brody is the author of the best-selling Save The Cat! Writes A Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need.

She teaches how to craft more engaging plots, develop strong characters, and finish first drafts faster. Topics also include how to revise with confidence, boost productivity, brainstorm the perfect idea, and more.

You get unlimited access to all online writing courses and live webinars for a monthly subscription of $15 monthly or $160 annually.

51. WorldAnvil

Use For: Worldbuilding, Plot & Character Development

Price: Free Account with basic features, Journeyman, Master, Grandmaster

WorldAnvil aims to be your complete writing toolset and has everything you could imagine or need to create your world and story. It has many more features than most other writing apps.

The tools to help you every step of the way. They include writing prompts, worldbuilding templates, interactive maps, timelines, family trees, and more.

You can set scenes, keep track of timelines and plots, and follow your characters on their epic quests across your maps.

Create your world bible, and develop your plots and characters. Then write and publish your novel with WorldAnvil’s writing software.

What sets WorldAnvil apart is a community with over 750,000 people. It gives you a platform to publish and monetize your writing as an author.

52. Kindle Direct Publishing

Have you written the next great best-seller? Do you want to self-publish Kindle eBooks and paperbacks for free and reach millions of readers on Amazon? 

Kindle Direct Publishing makes it easy, and publishing takes less than 5 minutes. Within 24-48 hours, your book will appear on Kindle stores worldwide. You can also up to 70% of royalties and enroll in KDP Select to earn through Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library.

You set your prices, make changes to your books at any time, and keep control of your rights. 

Further Reading on SkylerBenson.com

Looking for the perfect gift for the writer in your life? Check out the best gifts for writers in 2023.

Did you know that you can use AI writing software to help boost your productivity and improve your writing?

Want to write the next Hollywood blockbuster? Here are the best apps for screenwriting .

Want to turn your text into speech? Here are the best text-to-speech tools .

Choosing The Right Writing Apps

Choosing the best writing apps can be a difficult decision. 

Unfortunately, it can also be the cause of a lot of procrastination.

Hopefully, this guide has been able to help you choose the right writing software for your needs. 

Try not to get caught up in the features the writing software offers. Instead, look for the one that best suits your workflow. A writing app should make you more efficient and productive.

Many writing apps offer a free trial, so be sure to try a few of them out first before making a final decision. 

It can get easy to get caught up learning new writing software apps instead of doing the most important thing, writing. 

So, choose the best writing apps for you, and keep writing!

Skyler Benson is a full-time blogger. Join Skyler on SkylerBenson.com and learn how to start an online business and create a life of freedom. Before starting this blog, Skyler worked online as a freelance content writer. He worked with digital marketing agencies and B2B companies for four years. Skyler reviews the best software for your online business and teaches you how to write better and start your freelancing career.

About Skyler Benson

I've been working online from anywhere as a content writer for over 5 years, and have now started my own blog too.

My mission is to teach other people how to start an online business, create passive income, and have more time to focus on what they love. It's possible, even with zero experience. All my software and product reviews and how-to guides are based on my own experience (instead of a faceless brand).

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Home / Book Writing / The Best Writing Apps (for Mobile) Every Writer Needs to Use in 2024

The Best Writing Apps (for Mobile) Every Writer Needs to Use in 2024

In general, I recommend Atticus as the number one writing tool for authors. But this article is about the best writing apps for mobile devices , and Atticus is still working on its mobile capability (stay tuned). So while I would normally recommend Atticus, today I will be talking about Scrivener's mobile app, along with a few other writing apps that I categorized by their primary purpose.

Today's world is on the move. From fast food to fast cars, I'm always on the go, making mobile technologies all that much more critical. You need the best writing apps at your fingertips.

When you imagine a writer's life , you might imagine the stereotype: a pair of glasses hunched over a typewriter furiously punching keys and drowning in endless pots of coffee.

Yes, writers tend to drink a lot of coffee, but the world of writing is changing.

Many writers manage their writing projects with mobile devices.

So let’s talk about the best writing apps for those mobile devices.

What do professional writers use to write? Professional writers use a variety of apps to write their novels . Scrivener, MS Word, Final Draft, Google Docs, Plottr — there are so many great apps that bestselling writers use for their writing process.

Here are my recommendations for the best writing apps for Android and iOS. (Nearly all of them work on desktop as well, but I weeded out the apps that only work on desktop.)

• Best Writing App for Novelists
• Best Writing App for General Writing
• Best Free Writing App
• Best Writing App for Emails & Short-Form
• Best Writing App for Screenwriters
• Best Writing App for Productivity
• Best Writing App for Outlining
• Best Writing App for Notes
• Best App for Text To Speech

Table of contents

• Which platforms does Scrivener work on?
• Best used for:
• Other Good Apps for Novelists
• Which platforms does Word work on?
• Other Good Apps for General Writing
• Google Docs Pros:
• Google Docs Cons:
• Which platforms does Google Docs work on?
• Other Free Writing Apps:
• Which platforms does Grammarly work on?

Other Good Apps for Emails & Short-Form

• Which platforms does Final Draft work on?
• Other Good Apps for Screenwriters
• Which platforms does Novlr work on?
• Other Good Apps for Productivity
• Which platforms does Plottr work on?
• Other Good Apps for Outlining
• Which platforms does Evernote work on?
• Other Good Apps for Notes
• Best Artificial Intelligence App: ChatGPT
• Which platforms does FromTextToSpeech.com work on?
• Other Good Apps for Text to Speech

When you use a link in this article, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It just helps with my coffee fund (AKA writer fuel), so I can keep bringing you the content you deserve. Plus, it means I can get you exclusive discount codes!

Why Am I Qualified to Talk about Writing Apps?

Let's face it, there are many people out there that write these kind of articles by just doing some research on what others say, and regurgitating it out without firsthand knowledge of the tools in question (or worse, have AI write it for them). That's not the case here.

As someone who's been publishing books for over 13 years, I've seen a lot writing tools go up and down. Some have been revolutionary game-changers, while others haven't lived up to the hype.

However, choosing the right writing app isn't just about picking the most popular one. Each writer has unique requirements and preferences. What works wonders for me might not for you. For example, Grammarly is hugely popular, but it's not what I recommend for long-form editing.

So, in order to create a top-notch overview of the best writing apps (for mobile devices, remember), I sent out surveys to my readers, and talked to some heavy-hitting authors in the industry – many of which I have been a consultant to as well.

Based on my observations, the results from those surveys, and talking with some of the most well-known authors out there, I feel very strongly that this is a subject I can truly tackle.

So, with that, let's jump into a list of what I think are the best writing mobile apps for authors.

Best Writing App for Novelists: Scrivener

Scrivener is the best mobile writing app for novelists, for now (again, see Atticus ). It’s more organized than any other app. It’s got awesome, ready-made templates for all sorts of genres and layouts. And it works great on iPad and iPhone. (Sorry, Android users.)

What is the best mobile app for writers? Scrivener on iOS is the best app for book writers. If you've read a few of my other articles, you may already know of my absolute love of Scrivener. If I had to recommend a single piece of writing software , Scrivener would be it — including for mobile devices.

Scrivener comes with a steep learning curve because it offers so much customizability and handy features. But there are plenty of free tutorials if you ever need help.

Scrivener for iOS is great for planning, drag-and-drop organizing, and even highlighting types of words. This means you can look for adverb overuse. From corkboard arrangement to keyboard shortcuts to word count goals , this app has almost as much power as its desktop app.

(For a complete review on the desktop software, check out my Scrivener review article, complete with coupon code .)

Once you're done, you can always transfer your work over to your devices with Scrivener via Dropbox . Or you can export to DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, HTML, or even Multi-Markdown.

The only downside: The one-time price is a little steep for a mobile app ($19.99), and you have to buy a separate license for iOS if you already have a license for macOS or Windows.

If you’re an Android user, I’d try Novlr, which is browser-based, so you can use it on any mobile device with an Internet connection.

• Mac (most updated version)

(Sorry again, Android tablet/phone users.)

• $19.99 for iOS
• $49 for Mac or Windows
• $80 for both Mac and Windows licenses
• $41.65 for students & academics

Download Scrivener with this link and get an exclusive coupon code, KINDLEPRENEUR20 , for a 20% discount on your Scrivener purchase.

Follow these steps to use the discount coupon.

Scrivener is great for authors who love organization, distraction-free writing, and ready-made templates. Authors can place audio files, research files, images, and more into Scrivener’s sidebar. This means all your documents and research are in one window — it’s so convenient!

• Ulysses (Mac and iOS only)

Best Writing App for General Writing: Microsoft Word

There’s a reason Microsoft Word is the industry standard text editor: it is versatile and easy to use.

Microsoft Office’s Word works well on mobile devices, running smoothly on iOS and Android. It creates beautiful, professional documents that you can export to multiple file formats.

MS Word is suitable for general writing, but I would not recommend it for novel writing. Although it is perfect for memos, email drafts, and print-ready documents, its organization capabilities are not as robust as Scrivener, Ulysses, or other excellent writing software.

Also, its spelling and grammar checker is not as powerful as ProWritingAid or Grammarly.

MS Word is expensive, but many people can use the app without an extra cost because of work or school giving them access.

Though Microsoft Word comes with some computers, it actually costs a pretty penny:

• $139.99 for Microsoft Word by itself
• $6.99 a month for Microsoft 365, which includes Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is best used for general writing , business-related documents, and print-ready formatting options. It’s great for corporate America, journalism, students, and the like.

• Google Docs
• LibreOffice

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Best Free Writing App: Google Docs

What is the best free writing app? Google Docs is the best free writing app on Android and iOS. If you’re on a budget, Google Docs is the perfect app for everything except proofreading, novel writing, or writing without the Internet.

It lets you customize headers, spacing, fonts — all the things you expect from a professional word processor. Google Docs autosaves every change you make and saves your version history. It exceeds at real-time collaboration, making it ideal for co-authors, bloggers, and ghostwriters .

• Conveniently browser-based
• Real-time collaboration
• Trackable changes
• Autosave functionality
• Export to multiple file types
• Laggy and buggy once you get over 15,000-20,000 word count
• Google Docs proofreader is weaker than Grammarly or ProWritingAid
• You need the Internet and a Google account to access

Google Docs works on all major platforms and on most mobile devices — both Android and iOS.

• FocusWriter
• Reedsy Book Editor
• Apple Pages

Best Writing App for Emails & Short-Form: Grammarly

Grammarly’s browser app is free to use and great for making sure your emails, memos, and other short-form projects look professional and error-free.

Check out my full review on Grammarly .

Grammarly offers a keyboard that checks your spelling and grammar on mobile devices, offering helpful suggestions on how to improve whatever you’re typing.

Not many people realize that Grammarly’s browser app can download your text as a DOCX file. This is great if you need to attach a DOCX file to your email instead of putting the text in the body.

You can also download Grammarly’s browser extension. This editing tool automatically checks your grammar and spelling when on Gmail, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other social media sites and email sites.

Read this article on the Best Email Services For Authors , like GetResponse or MailerLite .

Grammarly’s free version offers robust proofreading features that are way better than Microsoft Word or MacOS’s built-in grammar and spelling checker.

The premium version of Grammarly is fantastic, too. It offers many more suggestions to improve your writing style, readability, passive voice, and dialogue formatting .

However, if you are paying for a premium proofreader, I’d recommend ProWritingAid’s premium version . Its web version can also export to DOCX. Check out this video where I explain how ProWritingAid’s premium version is superior to Grammarly’s.

Grammarly’s browser application and browser extension make your emails, posts, and memos more professional and error-free. It gives you confidence and lets everyone know that you are not a joke.

Grammarly is a browser-based app and extension that runs on:

Grammarly’s free version is a powerful proofreading tool that ensures your emails, memos, or Facebook ads and posts are professional and error-free.

Grammarly’s premium version offers a lot more suggestions about word choice and writing style. It has multiple pricing options:

• $29.95 per month
• $59.94 per 3 months ($19.98/month value)
• $139.95 per year ($11.66/month value)
• Grammarly Business is $12.50/month per member (minimum 3 members)
• Blog posts (WordPress, etc.)
• Social media posts
• ProWritingAid
• Text Expander
• Readable (Android only)

Best Writing App for Screenwriters: Final Draft

Screenwriting is a type of writing apart from a novel or article that is growing in popularity. Final Draft is an iOS-exclusive paid app dedicated strictly to screenwriting.

According to Final Draft’s own research, fewer than 5% of their users use Android mobile devices, so they won’t develop the Android app anytime soon.

Final Draft has a lot of great features, such as:

• Professionally formatted templates for TV, Film, and Stage Plays
• SmartType, which remembers your character's names , scenes, etc.
• The ability to export PDFs to iCloud, Dropbox , or email
• Element-based script searching
• Color-coded ScriptNotes

David Seidler, the Academy Award-winning author of The King's Speech , loves the ability to change his drafts quickly and on the go.

What app do screenwriters use to write? Screenwriters use the Final Draft app on iOS to write their screenplays.

If you're a serious screenwriter or looking to break into the biz, you should definitely consider getting this app. It’s expensive, but it is the industry standard. According to their website, Final Draft is “used by 95% of film and television productions.”

However, if you don't own an Apple device, Celtx Script is probably your best bet.

Final Draft does not intend on developing or maintaining an Android version of their app.

The full license for Final Draft 11 costs a one-time fee of $249.99, but there are usually deals you can snag to earn 20% off.

Final Draft is best used for writing screenplays, even on mobile devices. There’s a good reason it’s the industry standard for screenwriting.

• Celtx Script (for Android or iOS )
• Storyist (iOS only)

Best Writing App for Productivity: Novlr

Novlr is an aesthetically-pleasing, browser-based creative writing tool that automatically saves to the cloud. Its distraction-free Focus Mode is customizable and perfectly sets the mood for writing productively.

How do I start just writing? If you have trouble just getting started writing, consider using a productivity app like Novlr , Daily Prompt , or FocusWriter.

Features of Novlr:

• Minimalist aesthetic
• Track writing stats
• Motivational goals and positive feedback
• Organization and outlining functionality
• Writing style suggestions
• Collaboration
• Day-night color options
• Easy exporting to multiple file formats

Read my full review of Novlr here.

Novlr is a browser-based app that works on all major browsers:

• Microsoft Edge

You can save app.novlr.org to your phone/tablet’s home screen , and it works much like an application.

After a 2-week free trial, Novlr costs:

• $100/year ($8.33/month value)

Novlr is best used for distraction-free writing that encourages productivity in a plethora of ways. It is sleek, chic, organized, and syncs across all your devices.

• Daily Prompt
• Write or Die (This is a funny site.)

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Looking for the Best Mobile Writing Apps? I've got you covered! Check out my list of apps sure to make your on-the-go writing experience better! #amwriting #writingapps” quote=”Looking for the Best Mobile Writing Apps? I've got you covered! Check out my list of apps sure to make your on-the-go writing experience better! #amwriting #writingapps”]

Best Writing App for Outlining: Plottr

With its innovative dashboard functionality, Plottr is a fantastic outlining tool for mobile and desktop. It is a browser-based app, so you can access it from anywhere you have Internet, including from a phone or tablet.

Check out my full review on Plottr .

Read my comprehensive article on The Best Software to Outline Your Book .

You can organize plot points, create colorful characters, and build your world with ease on Plottr. It even comes with ready-made templates.

Plottr offers these intuitive outline templates:

• The Snowflake Method
• The Three Story Method
• The Story Circle
• The Seven Point Plot Structure
• The Hero's Journey

Although you can use Plottr on your Mac or Windows computer, its app is very mobile-friendly. Download Plottr today!

Plottr is an app available on all major platforms:

There are 3 tiers for Plottr:

• 1 Device — $25/year or $99/lifetime
• 3 Devices — $45/year or $149/lifetime
• 5 Devices — $65/year or $199/lifetime

Plottr is best used for outlining novels , but it is an organizational tool at its heart. You can use it to organize nonfiction or even screenplays.

• The Novel Factory
• Plot Factory
• Microsoft Word

Best Writing App for Notes: Evernote

When it comes to note-taking, look no further than Evernote . This award-winning app automatically syncs your notes to every device you have it installed on (only 2 devices with the free version).

Honestly, I am so thankful for my Evernote app. I'm a big fan of jotting down fresh new ideas on my phone. But notes aren't the only thing you can save. You can actually save web clippings, video, PDF, images, GIFs, and more (with a paid upgrade, of course).

On top of that, you're able to share your notes with other people. All you need is to grant the proper permissions to a co-author, friend, or ghostwriter , and voila!

Evernote is always improving. Though I think their table function could use an upgrade, Evernote releases free updates all the time.

The free version of Evernote is robust and useful. Having the “freemium” version of Evernote is still worth getting, even if you don’t plan on spending any money on the premium version.

The premium version of Evernote is separated into 2 versions:

• Premium — $69.99/year
• Business — $14.99/user/month

Evernote’s award-winning app is best used for taking notes in many different ways on many different devices. It is intuitive, versatile, and beyond helpful.

• Simplenote ( iOS or Android )
• Apple Notes
• Google Keep
• Microsoft OneNote ( iOS or Android )
• Plain text editors

When it comes to AI-driven conversation, brainstorming, and writing assistance, look no further than ChatGPT/ChatGPT Plus. This app brings the powerful capabilities of OpenAI's ChatGPT to your fingertips on any device where you have it installed.

For writers, ChatGPT can be invaluable for brainstorming, drafting, and editing text right on your phone. But it's not just limited to generating text. With the browser tool (available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers), it can search the internet, summarize articles, and even help you fact-check or find new ideas. And that's just some of what's available with the paid upgrade of ChatGPT Plus.

On top of that, you're able to share your conversations with others. All you need is to send the session link to a collaborator, friend, or editor, and voila!

Which platforms does ChatGPT Plus work on?

• Android (coming soon)

The free version of ChatGPT is great for a lot of people, and runs on GPT 3.5 technology. However, if you want GPT-4 technology (which is far superior), you'll need ChatGPT Plus.

The premium version of ChatGPT Plus is: $20/month

ChatGPT Plus’s versatile app is best used for generating human-like text, aiding in content creation, brainstorming, or even casual conversation on many different devices. It is intuitive, creative, and an invaluable tool for writers.

Need Help with Your Keywords?

Take my full featured video course on how to select the best keywords and categories for your book.

Best App for Text To Speech: FromTextToSpeech.com

FromTextToSpeech.com is a browser-based app that turns up to 50,000 characters at a time into MP3 files that you can listen to or download. It is simple. Although it looks kind of sketchy, it is entirely safe and legit. It is the best free text to speech service available.

The most natural-sounding voice option is British English Harry. In fact, you will hear British English Harry all across the Internet — on YouTube, Twitch, etc. Many web users utilize British English Harry’s voice because it almost passes for a British human male.

Other text-to-speech apps either cost a lot of money or only allow a few hundred characters.

Read my article on Best Book Transcription Services for Authors .

I know authors who copy and paste in a chapter to FromTextToSpeech.com and listen to it while editing that same chapter. It really helps to be able to hear your words read back to you.

Unfortunately, FromTextToSpeech.com is sometimes down with no warning for upkeep and maintenance.

This is a browser-based application that works on all browsers and operating systems:

FromTextToSpeech.com is free-to-use. There is no premium version.

FromTextToSpeech.com is best used for converting your written word to spoken word. This may help you with editing, experimenting, or simply your own enjoyment.

• Natural Reader
• Amazon Polly
• Google Text-to-Speech
• ReadSpeaker

Which app is the best fit for you?

You use the best tools when you write at home. You should use the best mobile writing apps to take your frantic phone scribbles to the next level.

Gone are the days of jotting down in your notepad, only to have a hard time deciphering it later.

Save time and effort by investing in your craft and selecting the “write” tools for the job. Even if you aren't at your primary workstation.

There may have been a few I missed out on. After all, the world of writing is ever-expanding.

And I know I've said it before: Sorry, Android users. While I understand the pros of being on the Android system, there are just so many more quality writing applications for Apple users.

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

• Other Good Apps for Emails & Short-Form

Related Reviews

Autocrit review for 2024: read this before purchasing, memberdash review 2024: wordpress membership plugin, learndash review 2024: an in-depth look at a wordpress lms, sell more books on amazon, how to title a book checklist.

Titling your book can be hard…really hard. As you go through choosing your book title, use this checklist as your guide and make sure you have a title that will sell!

4 thoughts on “ The Best Writing Apps (for Mobile) Every Writer Needs to Use in 2024 ”

What is the best writing app for non-fiction other than Scrivener? I want the same options, to see my chapters on a side bar and be able to put notes with each chapter. That is the basic requirement but other tools are nice, like word count, grammar, etc. Most of the writing apps I am finding are either simple writing, like Word or Goggle Docs, or for novels with characters, plots, etc. Scrivener is too time consuming to learn. Writing and editing takes long enough. (Novlr looks like the closest to what I want even though the app is based on novel writing). Hoping there might be another that I am unaware of. Anyone can answer!! I am using Word currently but really want to get moving on the writing with more organization.

I’m actually building one – Atticus.io. It’s actually combining scrivener and Vellum together – but we’re making the writing area much easier and intuitive. It’s in final beta now and should be releasing publicly mid July.

How about a review of dictation apps? You’ve got text to speech, but I want that turned around. Dragon, of course, but on a phone?

Good overview, Dave!

Two quick things about Google Docs (which I use): 1. It certainly can be used for full-length novels. I write all mine with it (one is 160,000 words). 1b. And it exports well to .docx and works fine with editors using Word’s track changes and commenting. 2. You can use the Grammarly extension with it.

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7 free writing apps for designers and writers in 2024

Struggling to get words on the page? These 7 free writing apps can help you streamline your writing process and craft improved and refined content.

Build completely custom, production-ready websites — or ultra-high-fidelity prototypes — without writing a line of code. Only with Webflow.

If writer’s block has you staring at a blank page, your next burst of inspiration might be an app away.

With thousands of writing apps available, it’s hard to know where to start. Whether you’re tangled in the brainstorming phase or lost in the editing maze, we’ve handpicked the top free writing apps for designers, writers, and creatives. Follow our lead, and let these digital helpers guide you to writing success.

How do writing apps help?

Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels encounter creative challenges. Writing applications provide useful solutions for everyone, from professional writers and designers to individuals mastering a second language. These apps can transform time-consuming, poorly communicated projects into efficient, high-quality content, enhancing creativity and effectiveness. 

Writing apps can improve your writing process by:

• Speeding up processes
• Improving your designs
• Communicating designs effectively
• Diversifying your services

Speed up processes

Writing apps using generative AI produce large volumes of content quickly. While the initial output might not be perfect, it’s an excellent starting point. Using generative AI can provide inspiration and reduce the time and effort you need to transform a blank canvas into a polished product.

Improve your designs

Effective writing refines designs. Crisp, error-free copy, whether on a website or in a brochure, builds reader trust and boosts conversions. You can leverage writing apps to refine microcopy and UX writing elements, including headlines and calls-to-action (CTAs) — all while ensuring more inclusive language. These apps can help you avoid common SEO writing mistakes and as well as communicate more effectively with your audience, aligning written content with visual elements for a cohesive and user-friendly experience.

Communicate designs effectively

Using writing apps can sharpen design communication by guiding clear and persuasive articulation and enhancing content and presentation. This articulation adds value to tasks like presenting your design portfolio , collaborating on projects, or offering insights to those seeking advice. While they’re not a replacement for comprehensive written communication training, these apps offer valuable tools to help designers communicate more effectively. 

Diversify your services

Integrating writing services into your offerings can expand your creative reach. For example, leveraging tools like Copy.ai can empower web designers to craft marketing materials as part of a comprehensive design and marketing package. Alternatively, they could use app-generated blog post ideas as part of a content marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) strategy.

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7 types of free writing apps for each stage of your project

Today, various free writing software are available, each offering tools to support every aspect of the writing process, including research management, idea generation, writing, editing, and time organization.

Here are our top picks for the best writing apps. Our curated list includes a variety of tools, both AI-powered and traditional. Some of these offer a “freemium” model, providing basic options for free with optional paid plans for more advanced features, while others are completely free to use.

1. Research: Google Keep

If you enjoy having multiple browser tabs open simultaneously, consider using Google Keep to manage everything. With Keep, you can save essential websites, notes, drawings, and images all in one spot. Rearranging your notes is simple with a drag-and-drop feature. Available as a Chrome extension and a mobile app for Android and iOS, Keep offers a practical way to organize your research — like a collection of digital Post-It notes.

Pricing: This app is completely free.

2. Ideas: Ahrefs Content Idea Generator

The Ahrefs AI-backed Content Idea Generator is a powerful ally in conquering writer’s block. Designed with bloggers in mind, this generator refines broad topics into focused articles by suggesting different approaches to the content, allowing complete control of the register (formal, casual, professional, creative, academic, or simplified), the language, and the output length. Ahrefs goes beyond tackling writer’s block by offering free complementary tools — an SEO-optimized title generator and a meta description generator enhance online content visibility.

Pricing: The content idea generator is included in Ahrefs’ free marketing tool set, along with an alt text generator, a title generator, and a meta description generator. Full Ahrefs packages, which include SEO and other website tools, range from $99/month (Lite) to $999/month (Enterprise).

3. Writing short-form copy: Copy.ai

‍ Copy.ai harnesses AI to create marketing materials, including social media posts and captions, marketing emails, digital ads, product descriptions, website copy, and blog posts. It’s perfect for designers marketing their services or those wanting to offer marketing materials to clients. You can tailor the output to your brand voice by choosing a writing style — including friendly, witty, and empathetic — or uploading existing content so the software can analyze and recreate it in your style.

Pricing: The free plan covers one user seat and up to 2,000 words. The Pro plan, which offers unlimited words and five user seats, costs $49/month. 

4. Writing long-form pieces: FocusWriter

While many AI-based apps can produce long-form pieces, they often exhibit inaccuracies and lack nuance. Despite technological advances, the depth and originality of human voices remain unmatched. To harness AI’s potential, many professionals, from writers to designers, benefit from distraction-free environments to enhance their productivity. Desktop apps like FocusWriter offer spaces that minimize digital interruptions, including features like daily goals to maintain productivity, adjustable themes to cater to individual preferences, and typewriter sound effects to enhance the tactile experience.

Pricing: This app is completely free (although donations are welcome).

5. Editing: Grammarly

‍ Grammarly needs little introduction: around 30 million people and 50,000 teams rely on it daily for editing and proofreading. Grammarly’s free version includes grammar, spelling, passive voice, and tone checking, as well as suggestions for decreasing wordiness and increasing clarity. The paid version offers more advanced functionality like plagiarism checking and suggestions to improve readability, tone, and formatting. You can access Grammarly through various platforms, including desktop apps for Windows and Mac, browser extensions for Chrome, Safari, and other browsers, a Microsoft Word plugin, and a specialized mobile device keyboard.

Pricing: The Premium plan costs $12/month, and the Business plan (which includes functionality for teams) costs $15 per member/month.

If you’re part of a collaborative writing team, Bit.ai can simplify the sharing process. This user-friendly platform organizes collections of documents, linked websites, and other resources intuitively. Pre-made templates enable effortless presentation and sharing of documents within your team and with clients. The entire collection remains searchable, and embedding videos, spreadsheets, and other materials in document drafts is a breeze. Bit.ai offers a free limited plan for small teams, monthly pro and business subscriptions, and special pricing for education, non-profit, and startup organizations.

‍ Pricing: The Pro plan costs $8 per member/month, and the Business plan costs $15 per member/month.

7. Time management: Pacemaker Planner

Great writers integrate writing into their daily routine, honing their skills consistently. The Pacemaker Planner app streamlines the logistical side of this habit, allowing you to tailor your writing goals to fit your lifestyle. Using Pacemaker, you can specify a word count target and track your progress with visual aids like graphs and tables. By documenting notes on your daily achievements, you can spot trends or tendencies, potentially discovering which conditions or times of day make your writing sessions most productive.

For the fiercely committed, a “No Excuses” feature ensures accountability by automatically charging a default amount of $10 for each workday you planned but didn’t log. The free version limits you to two plans, making it ideal for longer projects like dissertations or books, or you can link daily or weekly blog posts into one large project.

Pricing: The Premium Lite plan costs $5/month or $55/year (and includes five-year-long plans and email reminders). The Premium Pro plan costs $8/month or $72/year (and includes unlimited plans, time tracking, and high-level organization options).

Transform your content with the right tools

Writing apps can’t run the race for you, but they can give you a head start. Journalist Gene Fowler once wrote: “Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.”

While writing apps might not take all the torment out of crafting compelling content, they significantly streamline the process — guiding both writers and designers toward efficient, profitable creations that resonate deeply with target audiences.

When you’re happy with your content, the next step is to share it with the world. Visit Webflow University to find out how to put your work online with no coding needed. 

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The 7 Best Creative Writing Apps for Capturing Ideas on the Go

1. evernote: organize your thoughts with ease, 2. microsoft onenote: capture and share ideas, 3. scrivener: your all-in-one writing studio, 4. google docs: real-time collaboration for writers, 5. ia writer: a minimalistic approach to writing, 6. ulysses: a powerful writing app for mac and ios, 7. bear: a beautiful and flexible note-taking app.

As a writer, inspiration can hit you at any moment. But, when you're on the go, it's not always easy to capture those creative ideas. That's where the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go come in handy. In this blog, we'll introduce you to seven of the top writing apps that will help you organize your thoughts, collaborate with others, and jot down your ideas—wherever you are.

Evernote is a popular app among writers, and for good reason. It's designed to help you capture and manage your thoughts, no matter how big or small. Here's what makes Evernote a top contender for the best creative writing app for capturing ideas on the go:

• Easy organization: Create notebooks and tags to categorize and locate your ideas quickly.
• Sync across devices: Access your notes on your phone, tablet, or computer, ensuring your ideas are always with you.
• Voice notes: Can't type your idea out? Record a voice note and transcribe it later.
• Web clipper: Save articles, images, or entire web pages to reference in your writing.
• Search functionality: Quickly find your ideas using Evernote's powerful search feature.

With Evernote, you can be confident that your spontaneous thoughts and ideas are saved and organized, making it an excellent choice for writers on the move.

Microsoft OneNote is another strong contender for the title of best creative writing app for capturing ideas on the go. It's a versatile tool that offers many useful features for writers, such as:

• Intuitive interface: OneNote's interface is easy to navigate, allowing you to jot down ideas quickly and efficiently.
• Flexible organization: Organize your notes into sections and pages, making it simple to locate your thoughts later.
• Collaboration tools: Share your notes with others and work together in real-time, making it ideal for co-writing projects.
• Handwriting recognition: If you prefer to write by hand, OneNote can recognize and convert your handwriting into digital text.
• Integration with other Microsoft apps: Seamlessly import your notes into Word, PowerPoint, or Excel for further editing and refinement.

Microsoft OneNote is a fantastic app for writers who want a versatile and powerful tool for capturing and sharing their ideas on the go.

Scrivener is a popular choice for many writers and is often considered one of the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go. It's an all-in-one writing studio, offering a wide range of useful features, such as:

• Outlining tools: Scrivener's intuitive outlining tools help you plan and structure your writing projects with ease.
• Corkboard: Visualize your work using the corkboard feature, allowing you to rearrange and organize your ideas effortlessly.
• Research folder: Keep all your research materials, such as images, PDFs, and web pages, in one place for easy access.
• Templates: Choose from a variety of templates for different writing projects, like novels, screenplays, or academic papers.
• Writing goals: Set word count or deadline goals to keep you on track and motivated throughout your writing process.

Scrivener is an excellent option for writers who want a comprehensive writing app that can help them organize and manage their work from start to finish. It's especially helpful for capturing ideas on the go, ensuring you never lose inspiration when it strikes.

Google Docs is a powerful and user-friendly choice for writers who want to capture their ideas on the go. This cloud-based app is perfect for individuals and teams alike, as it offers real-time collaboration features that make it easy to work together on any writing project. Here's why Google Docs is one of the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go:

• Accessibility: Google Docs is available on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, allowing you to access and edit your work from anywhere.
• Collaboration: Share your documents with others, allowing them to view, comment on, or edit your work in real-time. This is perfect for writers working with editors, beta readers, or co-authors.
• Version history: Google Docs automatically saves your work and keeps track of all changes, so you can easily revert to a previous version if needed.
• Add-ons: Enhance your writing experience by installing various add-ons, such as grammar checkers or writing style guides, to improve your work.
• Offline mode: Even without an internet connection, you can still access and edit your documents, making it perfect for capturing ideas on the go.

With its versatility and ease of use, Google Docs is an excellent choice for writers who want a reliable app for capturing and organizing their ideas, no matter where they are.

iA Writer is a fantastic option for those who prefer a clean, minimalistic writing environment that allows them to focus on their words. This app is designed to eliminate distractions, making it one of the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go. Here's why iA Writer stands out:

• Focus mode: This unique feature dims everything but the current sentence you're working on, helping you concentrate on your writing without any distractions.
• Markdown support: iA Writer supports Markdown, a lightweight markup language that allows you to format your text easily and efficiently, making it perfect for writers who want to focus on their words, not the formatting.
• Universal library: Organize all your documents in one place, making it easy to find and access your work across different devices.
• Export options: You can export your work in various formats, such as PDF, HTML, or Microsoft Word, ensuring compatibility with other platforms.
• Available on multiple platforms: iA Writer is available on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows devices, so you can capture your ideas whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.

For writers who value simplicity and a clutter-free writing experience, iA Writer is an excellent choice for capturing ideas on the go and staying focused on the creative process.

Ulysses is a robust and feature-rich creative writing app designed specifically for Mac and iOS users. It offers a seamless writing experience, making it one of the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go. Here's what makes Ulysses stand out:

• Organized workspace: Ulysses allows you to create folders and subfolders to keep your work organized and easy to find, so you can focus on writing rather than searching for your documents.
• Markdown support: Like iA Writer, Ulysses supports Markdown, which enables you to easily format your text and keep your writing clean and organized.
• Goal setting: Set writing goals and track your progress to stay motivated and on track with your projects.
• Customizable appearance: Personalize your writing environment by choosing from different themes, fonts, and styles to create a comfortable space that caters to your preferences.
• Export and publishing options: Ulysses offers various export formats and even direct publishing to platforms like WordPress and Medium, making it easy to share your work with the world.

If you're a Mac or iOS user looking for a powerful writing app that can handle large projects, keep your work organized, and help you stay focused, Ulysses is an excellent choice for capturing your ideas on the go.

Bear is another fantastic creative writing app, perfect for capturing ideas on the go. With its visually appealing design and user-friendly interface, Bear is a great choice for writers who value simplicity and functionality. Here's what sets Bear apart as one of the best creative writing apps:

• Minimalistic interface: Bear's clean, clutter-free interface allows you to focus on writing without any distractions.
• Easy organization: Organize your notes with tags, which makes finding and categorizing your ideas a breeze.
• Markdown support: Like iA Writer and Ulysses, Bear incorporates Markdown formatting for a clean and organized writing experience.
• Cross-platform syncing: Bear is available for both iOS and Mac, allowing you to access and edit your work on multiple devices.
• Export options: Easily export your notes to various formats such as PDF, Word, and HTML, so you can share your work in the format that suits your needs.

If you're searching for a beautiful and flexible app that can help you capture your creative ideas on the go, Bear is a fantastic option to consider.

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7 Best Creative Writing Apps for Android and iOS

Creative Writing is a skill that develops over time. But, as they say, great ideas come in random places, with just your phone in hand. So, here are few apps that will help your creative juices to flow or pave the way for your writing in the right direction. Creative writing apps are different from the usual writing apps in a way that involves writing challenges and collaboration with other writers. On that note, let’s get to the list.

Best Creative Writing Apps

1. jotterpad.

The most popular writing application for writers is JotterPad. It provides a distraction-free writing interface. It has both free and paid variants. In the free version, JotterPad would give you the vibe of a clean text editor with cloud support. You can only link one of your cloud storage accounts either from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. The cloud storage provides you the option to work on your story either from your computer or mobile devices.

But, the paid variant ($6), is where the creative aspect of JotterPad starts. The pro version lets you change fonts and typefaces. The most notable feature is the ability to form characters and get character prompts suitably when you script.

• Minimal writing interface with no distraction
• Cloud support to maintain a single document for collaboration

Who is it for?

People who just want an app to jot down video ideas or script anywhere on-the-go.

Download JotterPad (Android)

2. Plot Generator

Plot Generator is currently web-only with an app version in the making. But until then, you can create a bookmark shortcut on your home screen for quick access.

It helps you build your characters or storyline. Initially, you choose a story genre. Next, you enter your title, protagonist, and basic adjectives surrounding him. Once you are done, the app will create a story based on your input. The story is more of a first draft and needs a lot of polishing from your side. You can publish your story and share the URL with fellow creators to provide input on it.

Plot Generator is a great application for a novice. But once you get the hang of writing, the suggestions seem pretty basic and cliched. The app also doesn’t provide a native editor for the story.

• Auto-suggestion for your characters, adjectives, etc
• A vast number of genres and plots to choose

People who are new to writing and have no idea where to start.

Visit Plot Generator

3. Narrative Nods

Another app similar to Plot Generator is Narrative Nods. It is a story builder application but with much more advanced options and analytics that really lets your creative juices flow. Firstly, you start by declaring your novel title, its description, and the characters. Further, you have to declare your Protagonist, Antagonist, Dreamer, Opponent, and Chorus. After you have declared the characters,  the app questions your story goals, its structure and the journey of the character and this is where the thinking starts.

After you visit all these points, Narrative Nods will construct a report on your story and some key inputs which will strengthen your story. In case you are working on a single character of your story, you can also try Character Nods .

• Character Development and role assignment
• Story insight
• Questions to help you build your story

People who are still developing a story and need introspection or insights on it.

Download Narrative Nods (Android)

4. Novelist

Novelist is somewhat similar to Narrative Nods with 1 major difference. Unlike Narrative Nods, it doesn’t help in constructing your story. You are all on your own! However, similar to Narrative Nods, the app has 4 sections: Plot, Write, Organize, and Schedule.

Plot is where you declare all your characters, locations, props, etc. Write is wherein you connect all these characters and write your scenes. Organize is where you structure these scenes into chapters and acts. Lastly, you have the schedule section where you can set word count goals or novel due date. This entire bifurcation might feel tedious at the start but trust me, it helps to strengthen your story and keep a track of events.

• Different spaces for plots, scenes, structure, etc
• Option to schedule word count or due date
• Backup and restore via Google Drive

Especially for people working on novels. It won’t be of much use to video scripting.

Download Novelist (Android)

5. Writer Challenges

If you have run out of ideas to write on, you should try Writer Challenges. The underlying concept of Writer Challenges is to provide you topics and plots, so you can build up your own story on it. When I started out to write, I used to join communities and help people with their stories. This would give me wide exposure plus expand my thinking towards topics I wouldn’t have chosen in the first place. This is what the app does for you.

When you open the app, it has a white minimal feed where writing ideas are posted. You can click on Start Writing and directly dive down into the story or choose to Explore other stories. I found out just enough number of people writing in the app. In case you want to be a part of a bigger community, you can visit the Simple Prompt subreddit .

Read: Best Handwriting Apps for Android Note-Taking

• Story ideas and plots
• Enough audience writing on topics

People who just want to flex their writing muscles.

Download Writer Challenges (Android)

At times, you just want to sit back and look for inspiration to write. Here is where Wattpad steps in. It has a huge library of paid and free books by fellow writers on the platform. You can choose your type and start reading or just sit back and enjoy the recommendations. Wattpad also lets you draft your own story with a cover picture. The writer in the app lets you link images, which I couldn’t find in any of the other editors on this list. You can also link YouTube videos in your novel and I’m really not sure why would you do that.

Wattpad has a huge community of writers and I would recommend it as a reading platform.

• Huge community of writers and genres
• Ability to save books for later reads

People who are new to writing and want to draw inspiration from other writers.

Download Wattpad (Android | iOS)

Penana is a similar Wattpad-like social media for writers. But what distinguishes it is the creative contests held on the platform. You get the option to collaborate with other writers on a project. This particularly molds your writing into a specific space. Penana has huge stories on its platform and you can apply for collaboration on any of these stories. It’s subject to the approval of the owner and space available. You can start by trying different genres and see what works for you.

• Huge library of books
• Contests and collaboration opportunities

Who is it good for?

People who are looking for writers to collaborate or projects to work.

Download Penana ( Android | iOS )

8. Flow State

Flowstate is a paid app with a unique concept. Basically, it deletes your story the moment you stop typing. And the weirder it might sound, this concept really works. I have been trying the Pomodoro technique for quite some time and I must say putting a time limit to get your work done really works.

The thing with Flowstate is you have to set a time frame, font, title, and start writing. The moment you stop, the words start fading away and will disappear if you don’t write for the next 5 seconds. On the analytical front, it just gives you the word and character count. Unfortunately, the app is available for Mac and iOS only, with a one-time payment of $4.99.

• Minimal writing interface
• Unique concept to achieve the flow state

People who have a story and an iPhone but cannot initiate writing.

Download Flowstate ( iOS | macOS ) ($4.99)

9. The Brainstormer

The Brainstormer is a paid creative writing app. The main motive of the app is to get past your writing block. So, the app basically has 3 spinning wheels. You roll the dice and it will give you 3 words from the different wheels. The inner wheel gives you the conflict. The middle wheel gives you the style or setting. The outer wheel gives you the subject. Combine them and go ahead with your writing.

Now, you can create your own wheel with your own subjects, scenarios, plot. So, whenever, you are in the middle of a creative block, spin the wheel and go ahead writing. The app also has wheels made by other writers. However, like the app, even they are paid.

• 3 random wheels to provide you subject, style, and conflict to begin writing
• Option to create your own wheel with your own subjects and plot

Everyone! It’s hard to get past a creative block.

Download The Brainstormer ( Android | iOS ) ($1.99)

Wrapping Up

If you are a novice in writing, Plot Generator or Penana would be a good choice. For reading ideas and creative inspiration, do check out Wattpad and Writer Challenges. Irrespective of what genre you are into, Flowstate will definitely bring out the best in you.

For more issues or queries, do let me know in the comments below.

Also Read: Looking for Scrivener Alternatives? Here Are Free Novel Writing Software for Windows

Pratik works as an In-house writer and video host at TechWiser. Former Programmer, Current writer. Loves tech in any form, quite optimistic about AI, data science and IoT. Talks extremely less but you betcha can geek out over anything on Twitter.

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The 14 Best Writing Apps for Android in 2024

If you’re looking for the best writing apps for Android, we’ve hunted far and wide to find the top ones so you can capture your ideas on the go.

As most writers are aware, you never know when inspiration is going to strike. And you need to have something by your side to capture those ideas before they leave your mind.

That’s where writing apps for Android can come in handy. With apps, you’re able to open up your device and get to writing immediately.

With Android writing apps in particular, you’re able to use them on either a tablet or a phone, depending on what kind of device you choose to carry with you. This article outlined writing apps for Android that should work on both Android tablets and phones so you have plenty of writing options on the go.

We’ll go through some of the best writing apps for Android we have found out there so you can pick the one (or multiple ones) that are right for you.

Note: If you’re looking for book formatting software in particular, we have a separate guide for you.

This Guide to the Top Writing Apps for Android Will Cover:

The 14 best writing apps for android.

Keep in mind, as we go through these different apps, you’ll need to think about where you are in your writing career.

Some questions you should take the time to answer:

• Do you need collaborators?
• Is there an editor who needs to look at your work next?
• Do you need professional writing software?
• Do you mainly just need to write ideas and have simple tools on the go?
• Do you need something that can handle bookmarks and images?
• Do you need it to be accessible offline?

Answering these questions can save you a lot of time ahead by picking the better fit for you right off the bat.

The last thing you want is to download a writing app, start writing in it all the time, and then realize you need to move all of your work to another app because it doesn’t have what you need.

Let’s go through each of the available options and the best Android apps for writers.

1. Google Docs

Google Docs is one of the best writing apps for Android. It’s also one of the most popular tools of all time for writers.

As a product from Google, it is stable and has an offline mode if needed. That way, you can write on the go without losing your hard work.

If you haven’t used Google Docs before, you can know it’s similar to Microsoft Word except with the power and speed of Google and behind it.

One of the top reasons to use this as one of your writing apps for Android is its ability to collaborate. If you’re a solo writer, this might not matter. However, if you work with an editor or team, it’s the easiest way to give people access.

Another great feature of Google Docs is its ability to auto-save (if you’re connected to the internet). Most of us know the feeling of accidentally closing something and losing all of our work. With Google Docs, you don’t need to worry about that.

• Free to use
• Compatible on almost any device
• Different ways to format your writing
• Export in a wide variety of formats
• Templates to use
• Easy to use for collaborating

2. Grammarly

While Grammarly won’t help you write, it will help keep your writing sharp and error-free.

Grammarly helps spot errors in your writing from typos to word suggestions to make your writing stronger. It might be a good idea to have it check your work for any obvious errors, especially if you’re nearing the time of a final draft or sending a pitch to a publisher.

This app is a keyboard that you install into your device that allows you to write anywhere but still get writing tips.

• Grammar checking
• Word suggestions
• Free option but paid plans for more extensive features

3. Evernote

Evernote is one of the most well-known writing apps for Android. It offers a wide variety of writing and embedding options. The folder system inside Evernote can help you keep similar notes together. You can also use their tags for a similar reason.

Evernote is an app that has been around for quite some time, so you don’t need to worry about the app crashing or glitching.

Evernote gives you the ability to create multiple notes, do simple formatting tweaks, and write quickly on the go. You can also embed and insert various forms of media into notes so you can pull in all of the research, pictures, videos, and so on that you could possibly need.

• Writing on the go
• The ability to capture not just notes but videos, pictures, web clippings, etc
• Easy organization for all of your ideas
• The ability to tag notes

4. LivingWriter

LivingWriter is an app that lets you write and organize your book all within one easy-to-use application. It’s a visually pleasing app that doesn’t offer an overwhelming amount of features. Instead, it just gives you exactly what you need to get down to writing.

This app helps you quickly and easily organize your book. You can simply drag and drop different chapters and elements around to format your writing just the way you want. With other writing tools, you need to manually move it around or copy and paste it where you want it to be.

LivingWriter also stores your story elements and lets you bring them up as you type, that way you never forget a character or a name.

On top of those features, it also can import famous story outlines, such as the Hero’s Journey , for you to use as a guide to your book’s outline. You can also set your own writing goals so you can stay on track with your deadlines, making this one of the best writing apps for Android.

• Visually-pleasing app
• Lets you drag and drop chapters around for easy editing
• The ability to store characters so you don’t forget names
• See your book in different formats
• Dark mode available
• Cloud-based so you don’t lose your work if you lose your device

5. JotterPad

JotterPad is another excellent writing app for Android. It lets you open up the app and immediately start writing without needing to format each individual part.

Recently, they have been working hard on speed performance as well. It used to take a bit to open large files, but now in the v14 release, it just takes a few seconds.

JotterPad is also partnered with Unsplash so you can search through thousands of images to pair with your writing.

Once you have your writing done, JotterPad has the export options of word, Markdown, PDF, and HTML. That way, you can easily export, print, and edit your work or send it to someone.

• Supports Markdown and Fountain syntax
• Plain text and rich text options
• Character and word counter
• Upload images quickly from Unsplash

If you want writing apps for Android that truly bring it down to the basics, Markor is exactly what you need. It’s a simple editor without any editing UI.

By using simple markup formats, all you need to do is open up Markor, create a note, and get to writing. It also supports offline mode mode so you can write wherever you need to, even without any internet connection.

With a common filesystem folder organization, you can quickly find the drafts you want without having to hunt them down.

Along with easy writing abilities, there is also the option of putting in to-do’s and bookmarks so you can keep all of your reference files, notes, and more in one place, making it one of the best writing apps for Android.

• Simple, easy-to-use writing app
• Works offline
• Compatible with other plaintext software
• Share your writing as HTML or PDF
• Auto-save so you don’t lose your writing

7. Novelist

If you are looking for writing apps for Android that are specifically for novels and short stories, Novelist fits the bill. The app has a convenient timeline feature and an innovative interface that makes it very simple to use. Best yet, this is one of the Android writing apps that is absolutely free.

• Simple and intuitive interface
• Distraction-free writing environment
• Organize writing into chapters and scenes
• Word count tracking
• Basic formatting options (bold, italics, etc.)
• Export to various formats (PDF, DOCX, TXT)
• Cloud sync for easy access across devices
• Dark mode for comfortable writing in low-light conditions

If you are hoping to write on your phone, Notepad is another of the simple writing apps for Android. It has a minimalist dashboard and it protects your data, so you don’t need to worry about plagiarism or leaks of sensitive information. It also allows you to add images and other files to your notes.

Just like Google Docs, Notepad will auto-save your content, so you don’t have to worry about losing any pieces of your writing.

• Simple and easy-to-use interface
• Quick note-taking capability
• Ability to create multiple notes
• No distractions or unnecessary features

9. Scrittor

Scrittor is one of the best writing apps for Android. It has an intuitive user interface and a minimalist, dark background to keep your notes easy on the eyes and free from distractions.

Scrittor doesn’t have some of the capabilities of other writing apps for Android on this list, so it’s best if you just want to do some light note-taking.

• Minimalist design for distraction-free writing
• Clean and intuitive interface
• Auto-save and version history
• Export to various formats (TXT, PDF)
• Support for Markdown formatting

10. Black Note

Black Note is another of the writing apps for Android that is great for taking quick notes. As its name suggests, it is a note-taking tool that has a dark mode.

Using Black Note, you can create plain text content, make a task list, or easily organize your notes. You can even password-protect your content so that no one can steal your next big book idea.

• Dark mode for reduced eye strain
• Customizable fonts and colors
• Markdown support for easy formatting
• Cloud sync for seamless access on multiple devices
• Export to various formats (PDF, TXT, HTML)

11. Writer Plus

If you’re looking for writing apps for Android, Writer Plus is a wonderful option. Google Play. It is a simple writing and editing app that allows you to open, edit, and save plain text files. It has plenty of text formatting tools to help you in your writing journey.

Some other great features of Writer Plus are word and character counting, customizing application styles, and the ability to share files with others. With all these capabilities, you will be excited to hear that Writer Plus is another of the free writing apps for Android users.

• Rich text editing with formatting options
• Customizable themes and fonts
• Focus mode to minimize distractions
• Integration with cloud storage services

12. Google Keep

Google Keep is one of the most helpful writing apps for Android users. You can use it to take notes, capture images, create to-do lists, and even record audio memos.

Google Keep also has the capability to turn your audio notes (or even full audiobooks) into text, which is a huge bonus. You can speak your notes in the car or in the shower and still catch all the important information for your book.

• Support for text notes, checklists, and voice notes
• Color-coded notes for easy organization
• Reminders and notifications for important notes
• Integration with Google Drive for cloud storage
• Collaboration features for sharing and editing notes
• Cross-platform sync for access on multiple devices

13. iA Writer

iA Writer is one of the most powerful writing apps for Android users. It has a lot of amazing features to help you write on your phone. One of our favorites is its focus mode, which turns off push notifications on your other apps so you can write without distractions.

iA Writer can also help with grammar errors and improper word choice, and can even support HTML code!

• Focus mode to highlight the current sentence
• Customizable fonts and themes
• Reading time and word count goals
• Seamless integration with other devices
• Export to various formats (PDF, DOCX, HTML)
• Syntax highlighting for Markdown and code blocks

14. Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is one of the OG writing apps, but it’s still one of the top writing apps for Android. The mobile version still has all the key features of the desktop version you’re used to, and it allows you to open, edit, and share files directly with others. You also get online storage through OneDrive so you can save important documents in the cloud.

• Full-featured word processor
• Wide range of formatting options (fonts, styles, etc.)
• Track changes and comments for collaboration
• Integration with other Microsoft Office apps
• Cloud storage support (OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.)
• Templates for various document types
• Spell check and grammar correction
• Support for tables, charts, and images
• Easy sharing and collaboration options

Put These Android Writing Apps to Use!

Now that you know the top writing apps for Android, it’s time to make good use of them to write your next novel or memoir. If you need help with writing, editing, book marketing , or even how to self-publish a book , the team at selfpublishing.com is here to help. You can book a free strategy call with our team today to get started.

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The 14 Best Writing Apps To Supercharge Your Writing

[Updated February 23, 2024]

There is no shortage of writing apps that promise to remove distractions and make your writing better than ever. 

The abundance of choices can be both a blessing and a curse. With so many choices and so many features within each choice, choosing the best writing apps for you can be tough. You can end up spending more time playing with features than actually writing.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through 14 of the best writing apps available today, from simple free apps to hefty, highly-customizable ones. 

Whether you’re a fiction author or a budding blogger, you’ll find something that will make you feel free from distraction and help you focus on what’s really important — your writing.

The 14 Best Writing Apps 

1. ms word / google docs / pages.

Although it may seem obvious, these standard word-processing apps should at least be mentioned in a list of the best writing apps. All of them can handle all your basic needs and they’re pretty much always available no matter where you are. You can use Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Apple’s Pages on nearly any device today. 

Additionally, both Google docs and Microsoft Word have a large number of plugins available that can add additional functionality. Plus, Google Docs is a great free writing app, and you automatically get Apple Pages for free if you’re a Mac user. 

However, each of these writing apps are meant for use by the masses, and not designed specifically for writers. There are a number of more specialized apps that cater to the needs of a writer, detailed below.

Ulysses is a powerful, distraction-free writing tool that comes with a wide variety of features that definitely set it apart. With apps available for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, along with fast, easy syncing between devices, this one is great for Apple users. Syncing occurs through iCloud, so be sure you have extra space before you buy your Ulysses subscription.

In Ulysses, you can publish straight to platforms like WordPress and Medium, save drafts to an organisable library, or export documents as PDFs or eBooks. You can even set word count goals for yourself so you can stay on top of your busy editorial schedule.

Ulysses is best for prolific writers who are juggling multiple web-based projects at a time. Bloggers and copywriters will find Ulysses’ built-in publishing mechanics helpful and easy. However, at $49.99 per year, Ulysses is one of the more expensive writing apps, especially considering it can only be used on Apple devices). 

• Best For : Busy bloggers
• Price : $49.99/year or $5.99/month (free trial available)
• Available On : Mac and iOS

Reedsy is a free, web-based tool that is specifically designed for authoring books. The free book editor includes a sleek, distraction-free interface that makes typesetting your book easy and fun. With collaborative live editing and the ability to export as an eBook straight to distributors, this tool is excellent for authors who want to write books.

Reedsy also includes a marketplace to make finding collaborators easier than ever, including ghostwriters, editors, designers, and more. Editing is also really simple with track changes, versioning, and commenting. If you’re just starting out, try Reedsy Prompts, which offers five writing prompts each week. You can even submit your responses to the weekly contests where you can win cash!

If you have a varied workload, Reedsy is not the best option, as it’s really meant for book and fiction writers. But for a writer who wants to see their book typeset and pretty, this could be the perfect writing app — and it’s free.

• Best For : Book writers
• Price : Free
• Available On : Web app

4. Scrivener

Scrivener is a robust writing software thoughtfully designed with long form authors and novelists in mind. In addition to writing, the app has a strong focus on helping you organize your writing resources, whether that’s notes about specific characters in a novel or research on a specific subject. 

While it isn’t the prettiest writing tool you’ve ever seen, you’re getting everything you need for a one-time fee of $45. If you write long, complicated pieces, Scrivener makes it easy to section and organize your document with a highly customizable navigation bar.

One distinct benefit to Scrivener is it’s old-school licensing approach. Once you pay, you own that version of Scrivener forever. One drawback? If you switch operating systems or change your mind, you can’t get that cash back.

• Best For : Authors, novelists, and screenwriters
• Price : $45
• Available On : Mac, Windows, iOS

5. iA Writer

iA Writer is all about helping you get down to the business of writing. This simple interface with limited formatting options is perfect for writers who just want to focus on writing and not be distracted by dozens of additional features.

With distraction-free features like full screen mode, and a dark mode that’s great for late-night creators, this tool is really meant to do one thing: help you write. It’s also an inexpensive option with a generous free trial and several options for download.

• Best For : Focused writing sessions
• Price : $29.99 for Mac / $19.99 for Windows
• Format : Mac, Windows, iOS 

6. WriteRoom

WriteRoom is a stripped-down, bare-bones writing app that is about writing and nothing else. In fact, they go so far as to tell you that they’re NOT like Microsoft Word or any other writing tools. 

You can utilize the distraction-free, customizable interface to focus on getting your words onto the page, but not much else. You can export your WriteRoom documents, but there is no preview and you can’t sync with other devices. Without collaboration options or mobile apps, this writing app is best for writers who simply need a place to jot things down.

• Best For : Brainstorming or first drafts
• Price : $9.99
• Available On : Mac

7. Storyist

Much like Scrivener, this writing app is fantastic for helping you organize large, creative writing projects. Even with tons of features, like a script template that prompts you to enter data as you write, the app is intuitive and easy to use.

You can click on your character names to see where they show up in a story, or select a location to peruse all your scenes that happen at that spot. This app really fits well into the creative process itself, since the organization features help you see consistency (or lack of) in your writing.

With a one-time fee of $59.99, this writing app isn’t cheap. But if you’re a novelist or screenwriter, it’s certainly worth considering. 

• Best For : Novelists and screenwriters
• Price : $59.99
• Available On : Mac, iOS 

8. Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was famous for his sparse, pared-down prose, and the Hemingway Editor app is designed to help you cut the fat from your writing. The app is focused primarily on helping you craft better prose and doesn’t have any storage or organizational features. So if you’re working on a complex document, you’ll probably need to use it in conjunction with another writing app. 

You either can write your document directly in the Hemingway Editor app or paste something you’ve already written into it. If you write directly in the app, you need to start in writing mode and then switch to edit mode (unless you want real-time feedback). 

The app will then evaluate your writing and make suggestions to improve clarity, ease-of-reading, etc. For example, if a sentence is too complex or uses the passive voice, it will highlight it. If you’re looking for a full-fledged writing app, this probably isn’t the best choice. However, if you need help with editing for clarity, the Hemingway Editor is a great tool. 

• Best For : Writers who need help editing
• Price : $19.99 or free online
• Available On : Web, Mac, Windows

9. Hubspot AI Content Writer

With HubSpot’s Free AI Content Writer , you can transform your content creation process with minimal effort. Generate blogs, website copy, and more with ease, allowing you to scale your content output without the need for additional resources or budget. Drive lead generation with high-quality content across multiple platforms. Generate engaging content at the push of a button by entering a prompt or topic, and watch as HubSpot’s AI writer generates a first draft for your prospecting emails, landing pages, and blog posts. 

Overcome writer’s block with AI-assisted writing, as the AI content writer churns out outlines or drafts for your next blog or landing page. With the AI content writer, you can create AI-written content that is human-reviewed, ensuring your brand voice and unique expertise shine through. Revolutionize your content marketing efforts with HubSpot’s Free AI Content Writer.

Benefit from the integration with HubSpot’s marketing and sales tools, enabling you to create multi-channel content across email, social media, and landing pages.

Best for: Marketing, Sales, and Writing teams

Price: Free! More advanced content management functionalities are available in paid editions of CMS Hub , too

Format : Mac, Windows, iOS

10. Freedom

Freedom isn’t exactly a writing app per se, but it should definitely be in your writing toolbox. After all, one of the biggest hindrances to making progress on writing projects is digital distractions. And there are a lot of writers out there who can testify to how Freedom has helped them:

Freedom lets you block the websites and apps that distract you the most across all your devices, so you won’t be pulled away by flitting phone notifications while you’re typing on your desktop. You can even have your Freedom app play some calming coffee shop sounds so you can get in the zone.

If you write at a set time every day, you can set up writing sessions ahead of time so that your distractions will be inaccessible when you’re ready to write.

When it comes to blocking distractions, you basically have two options. You can do what novelist Jonathan Franzen did and buy an old, clunky laptop and literally glue the ethernet port shut and remove the wifi card. Or you could use Freedom, which is a tad easier. 

• Best For : Distractible writers
• Price : $30/year or $6.99/month
• Available On : Mac, Windows, iOS, Android 

10. Evernote

Evernote is best for writers with a lot going on. If you need to save a lot of links, collect images or lists, or simply organize your documents, Evernote is the way to go. The interface can be a bit confusing at first, but once you’ve gotten a feel for it, it really is a powerful tool.

If you just want to focus on writing, Evernote Premium probably has more than you need or want. However, even the free plan has plenty of useful features and includes templates for all types of writing. And their Web Clipper tool, which enables users to collect “clips” from anything on the internet, is a huge draw for digitally-minded creatives.

• Best For : Writers with multiple projects
• Price : Free or $7.99/month for premium 
• Available On : Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android 

11. FocusWriter

Opening FocusWriter feels like entering a creative space. With customizable backgrounds, a pleasing interface to write into, and a built-in timer, this writing app is perfect for creatives who need to let the words flow.

Although FocusWriter doesn’t have many formatting options, if you’re simply trying to get the words out, it doesn’t matter. Set your background to something that calms you, set a timer for 30 minutes, and write your heart out.

• Best For: Distracted creative writers
• Price: Free
• Available On: Windows, Linux 

12. Grammarly

For writers who struggle to remember the difference between “who” and “whom,” Grammarly is an extremely valuable writing tool. This app isn’t the best to write in — the adaptive editing format makes it a bit confusing — but it’s a great grammar checker to use after writing.

Simply paste your writing into Grammarly and get instantaneous feedback on passive voice, grammar, style, and clarity. You can also use their browser extension and get the same feedback while writing an email, working in Google docs, or doing just about any other online writing. 

There is both a free and paid version, with the paid version offering additional features such as plagiarism detection, word choice suggestions, formality level, and more. 

• Best For : Writers who struggle with grammar and spelling
• Price : Free or $11.66/month premium
• Available On : Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

13. Dynalist

Though it’s not exactly a traditional writing app, Dynalist is a good option for writers who like to outline their work before they write. Whether preparing to write an in-depth article, novel, or blog post, this app will make it easy to organize your thoughts.

Collaborate on your lists with others, or use the free version to in-depth lists for yourself. Features include an easy-to-organize file library and collapsible lists that will make organization easier than ever.

The premium version of Dynalist includes custom shortcuts, backup to Google Drive or Dropbox, version history, and more.

• Best For : Writers who struggle to organize their thoughts
• Price : Free or $7.99/month for premium
• Available On : Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android 

14. Airstory

Airstory is a unique writing app that merges the research and writing process with a unique drag-and-drop function. If you write non-fiction, or otherwise do a lot of research for your writing, this is a great tool to help you gather all your information and then organize it into a well-written document.

Their web clipper tool lets you save anything you find on the internet, whether that’s a single paragraph in an article or an entire page. All of your notes are organized into cards, which can be dragged and dropped into a document. 

Airstory works in tandem with other writing apps, like Google Docs or WordPress, allowing you to easily export your projects. It also comes with templates you can use to guide the writing process rather than starting totally from scratch. 

• Best For : Writers doing research-backed work
• Price : $25/month
• Available On : Web

Which Writing App Will You Choose?

Choosing the best writing can be tough. Hopefully, this guide has provided you with some clarity and guidance. 

A word to the wise. When picking what you think is the best writing app, it can be easy to get caught up in all the bells and whistles a particular app offers. Ultimately, you’re looking for an app that will help you write more effectively, both in terms of quantity and quality. If a particular feature doesn’t support that ultimate objective, then it will probably be more of a distraction than anything else. 

So, try out some of the writing apps we’ve talked about and find the ones that make the biggest difference in your writing. Just don’t get so preoccupied with trying to find the best writing app that you neglect writing! 

Now get out there and start writing! 

[Updated February 23, 2024] There is no shortage of writing apps that promise to remove distractions and make your writing better than ever.  The abundance of choices can be both a blessing and a curse. […]

About Stephen Altrogge

Stephen Altrogge is a member of Freedom's content team from Indiana, Pennsylvania. Stephen is a husband, dad, writer. He drinks too much coffee and knows too much about Star Wars.

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12 Best Apps for Writing a Book

By Millie Dinsdale

Table of Contents

Features to look for in writing apps, list of best apps for writers, how to select the best app for writing a book.

Writing and editing a book is time-consuming and mind-consuming. A writing app can make the process a bit easier.

Book writing apps can help with everything from ideation, to planning, to drafting, to structural editing, to line editing, to proofreading.

But with so many options on the market, how do you know which writing app is the best one for you?

Here are our top 12 favorite apps for writing a book. For each app, we have assessed the price, features, usability, integrations, and any notable additional resources.

There are many features that are universal to good writing apps, such as an intuitive UI, basic grammar and spell checking, and formatting options. But there are others that are unique to each app, and they will be useful for certain writers but not others.

Working out what features will be useful for you is the first step in choosing a book writing app. Here are a few features for you to consider.

Rephrasing tools can help you simplify, extend, or improve your original ideas. They can also provide inspiration and save authors from writer’s block.

Plot Timelines

Timelines that jump around without explanation are difficult to follow and mean that the reader is less likely to become immersed in the story.

Plot timelines make it easier for writers to prevent this from happening.

There are many forms a timeline can take, from tagging to a full visual timeline. Work out if this is a feature you need and then decide how it would best work for you.

Dialogue Checks

Dialogue can make or break a fiction book.

Dialogue checks can help you track your dialogue tags and ensure they are showing rather than telling. They can ensure you use quotation marks consistently, and some software can even assess if a piece of dialogue matches your character’s profile.

Character Tracking

Imagining a character is difficult when their descriptions change throughout the story or series. If their eyes are emerald green in book one, and sky blue in book three, readers may become confused.

There are character tracking features that allow you create consistency in character descriptions across books in a series.

Customizable Dictionary

A customizable dictionary allows you to add terms that would not normally be recognized. This is especially useful for writers who have created their own language or those who include many made up names or places.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is a novel writing app and editing tool that can help take your manuscript from draft to publish-ready.

The tool offers 20+ reports you can use to help your writing shine. The repeats report keeps your writing engaging. The readability reports provide suggestions to cut vague words, replace clich é s, and remove sticky sentences. Plus, there is a thesaurus, consistency checker, and much more.

In addition to this, you can also see in-tool articles, videos, and quizzes so you can learn and improve your writing experience as you go.

With a Premium Pro license, you also get access to Sparks, which is an AI generative tool that provides more options than almost any other software on the market. With Sparks, you can improve fluency, summarize text, add sensory descriptions, expand from notes, make present or past tense, add dialogue, quotes, emphasis, counter-arguments, and so much more.

Integrations : Windows, Mac, MS Word (Windows & Mac), Google Docs, Scrivener, Final Draft, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge

Price : ProWritingAid has three pricing options: free, Premium, and Premium Pro. The free version allows users to access 20+ reports with a 500 word limit. The Premium plan has an unlimited word count, and it costs just $10 a month. The Premium Pro plan comes with 50 rephrases a day and costs $12 a month.

Conclusion : ProWritingAid is a brilliant all-around writing tool for novelists that helps with the drafting, editing, and proofing stages. Try it for free today.

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Novlr is a writer-owned creative writing app.

The features on offer include a basic writing interface, organizational features, statistics tracking, the ability to set motivational goals, style help, and export options.

There are also free courses and guides available that help writers to improve their craft.

Integrations : Online only

Price : There are three basic plans available: starter, plus, and pro. Starter is free and gives you access to five projects. The paid version, Plus, costs $5 a month and gives you unlimited projects, plus the ability to comment. Pro offers some additional features that are powered by ProWritingAid, including a proofreader, thesaurus, and advanced grammar and style checks.

Conclusion : Novlr is a lightweight tool with a clean, easy-to-use interface, which is a great option for writers looking for a lighter-touch tool.

Atticus is a writing app created by Kindlepreneur. It works online and offline and helps with writing style and formatting.

The writing feature is a word processor with a few novel-specific features, such as chapters and covers.

The formatting feature is where Atticus really shines. There are templates and a custom theme builder you can use to format your book, and then you can publish on Amazon, Apple Books, and more.

Integrations : Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook

Price : There is only one plan available, and it is a lifetime plan. It costs $147 as a one-time fee to format an unlimited number of eBooks and books for print.

Conclusion : Atticus is one of those tools that is good already but will clearly be great in the future. It’s an affordable way to format your book, but for now, you will still need some complementary writing tools in order to give your story the best chance.

Bibisco is a book writing app designed for authors.

It allows you to create a novel structure, use mind maps to track relationships, organize your world-building, visualize your story timeline, and analyze chapter lengths and the points of view throughout.

You can also set writing goals, including words per day and words overall, and track your progress in the app.

The tool is available in 15 languages, including English, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, and more.

Integrations : Windows, Mac, and Linux

Price : There are two plans: community and supporters. The community plan is free and allows you to create unlimited projects. The supporters edition is a one-time payment that also includes mind maps, dark theme, distraction-free mode, and more.

Conclusion : This is a great option for writers that are just starting out and who have a limited budget. 

Srivener is a writing app that helps authors write books, and many authors swear by it. It’s designed for fiction and non-fiction authors and screenwriters.

It offers features like book bibles, character management, plot tracking, formatting and exporting options, and more.

One of the most popular features on offer is the goals and tracking feature, which is especially useful during NanoWriMo. You can set overall writing targets, or targets for a particular session, and there is a handy bar available to track your progress.

Integrations : MacOS, Windows, and iOS

Price : There are two licenses available: a standard license and an educational license. Each license is for lifetime, and they both cost under $50 each. The licenses are specific to MacOS or Windows, so if you would like both, you will need to purchase two licenses.

Conclusion : As long as you are okay with a steep learning curve and minimal learning resources, then Scrivener is a brilliant piece of software with some innovative features and an excellent price.

The Novel Factory

The Novel Factory is a novel writing software that helps writers from outlining to writing.

It has features that help with outlining, plotting, character creation, world-building, writing, and word count tracking. It also has a variety of templates in different genres to help writers plan their novels.

One of the most useful elements of the writing app is the organization. Keep all your notes on characters, plot, and the world in one place, making it easy to search through later.

Integrations : Windows, Mac, Android, iPads, and iPhones

Price : There are three plans: basic, standard, and premium. The basic plan allows you to write one novel a year and costs $75. The Premium plan is designed for writers who publish multiple books a year, and it costs $600.

Conclusion : The Novel Factory is a useful tool for writers of general fiction. However, if you are a non-fiction author, or if you need advanced world-building help, there are more suitable writing apps out there.

Ginger is an AI-powered writing app and proofreading tool designed for all types of writers.

The tool offers basic grammar and spell checking (which you can accept and correct in bulk), a translator, a rephraser, text-to-speech, and more.

The translator is the feature that sets Ginger apart. It allows you to translate into 50 languages, plus it can proofread text in those languages, too.

Integrations : Microsoft Office, Gmail, Chrome, Safari, Edge, desktop, mobile apps, and more

Price : There are six plans: free, monthly, quarterly, annual, 2-year, and teams. The monthly plan is $19.99, and the 2-year plan is $120 overall. The team plan is $4.99 per month per member. Each paid plan offers the same features.

Conclusion : It’s a top choice for English second language (ESL) creative writers because of the translator, but for native English speakers, it doesn’t have as many advanced features as some of the other writing tools on this list.

Fictionary is a writing app and editing software that is specifically focused on developmental (or story) editing.

The tool has 15 different insights, including blurb and synopsis, story arc, word count per scene, characters, and story map.

One of the best things about Fictionary is the onboarding. There are tutorials and articles to help you use every single feature, so you will get the most out of your purchase from day one.

Integrations : Microsoft Word, Safari, and Chrome

Price : There are three subscriptions: StoryTeller, StoryTeller Premium, and StoryCoach. Each subscription is available to purchase on a yearly or monthly basis. The cheapest plan allows you to edit three manuscripts at a time and costs $19 a month. The most expensive plan is $396 a year and is designed for professional editors.

Conclusion : Fictionary is an excellent tool in a writer’s arsenal, especially if you are a visual learner, but it is not a stand-alone software. You will also need a tool like ProWritingAid to help you with line editing and proofreading.

QuillBot is a writing software that is designed for students and working professionals.

QuillBot offers seven features: paraphraser, grammar checker, co-writer, plagiarism checker, summarizer, translator, and citation generator. The best known of these features is paraphrase, which has a variety of modes to suit your needs, including standard, fluency, and creative.

The tool is available in over 20 languages, including English, Spanish, German, and French.

Integrations : Chrome, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and more

Price : There are two plans available: free and premium. The free plan is limited and gives users an idea of what the tool can do. The premium plan includes all the features and is available in three different payment plans: annual, semi-annual, and monthly. The annual plan costs $99.95 a year, and the monthly plan totals to $239.40 a year.

Conclusion : Quillbot is a popular tool for students and business writers, but the features aren’t optimized for creative writers.

Ulysses is a mobile writing app designed specifically for apple users. There isn’t currently a Windows integration.

It has a clean UI for distraction-free writing. The tool also offers dark mode and full-screen writing mode, so you can customize your experience.

It also has brilliant features for organization, including filters, which allow you to find content quickly. Keywords allow you to categorize work, and groups allow you to collate work — for example, different levels of draft for the same writing project.

Integrations : Mac, iPad, and iPhone

Price : There are two plans: personal and business. The personal plan can be shared with up to five family members, and it costs $39.99 per year. The business plan is priced per user and offers the same features as the personal plan.

Conclusion : Although the features are useful, similar ones are available for free in other tools. But if you struggle with organization and like to help everything in one place, it may be worth trialing.

Vellum is a book formatting desktop app, designed for writing projects, available on Mac only.

It offers import capabilities, different book styles, book set creation, previews, layout and design options, eBook generation, and print generation.

The most popular feature in Vellum are the eight book styles. All you need to do is select a style, and the software will change the headings, quotations, paragraph breaks, body text headers, footers, and more.

Integrations : Mac

Price : There are two plans: Press and eBooks. With the eBook plan, you can format eBooks, and with the Press plan, you can format eBooks and paperbacks. Both plans are one-time purchases.

Conclusion : Although it is an intuitive software, there are now other tools that offer more for less.

LanguageTool

LanguageTool is a paraphraser, text editor, and grammar checker.

It can fix punctuation mistakes, help with formatting, and allow you to set up your own style guide. Premium users also have access to unlimited rephrasing, whilst free users are limited to five per day.

Additionally, LanguageTool works in over 25 languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Italian —a lthough it doesn’t offer the option to translate any text.

Integrations : Chrome, Edge, Google Docs, Firefox, and more

Price : There are three plans: free, premium, and teams. The free plan offers basic features, with the advanced features behind a paywall. The premium plan offers four payment intervals, with the cheapest being the two-year plan, and the most expensive being the monthly. The team plan is priced per number of users and offers additional features like team style guide and dictionary.

Conclusion : LanguageTool’s price is on the lower end, and it offers a fair selection of features. However, the lack of a plagiarism checker, tone checker, and structural reports means that creative writers may need to carry out additional edits.

When selecting any software, including book writing apps, consider the price, features, integrations, and ease-of-use. These four elements are the base of any software, so let’s look at each one in more detail.

On our list, the prices range from free to $600 a year, so there’s something for everyone.

We recommend you select your budget before picking a tool, as you don’t want to fall in love with a tool before realizing it’s too expensive.

With hundreds of tools on the market, each with a unique mix of features, there will be a tool that fits your requirements. To help you find it, ask yourself:

Do you want paraphrasing features?

Are you looking for character and plot tracking?

Would you like formatting and exporting options?

Do you need advanced grammar and spell checking?

Integrations

Where do you write, and do you want your new tool to work with your current software?

Integrations can speed up onboarding and reduce the learning curve of a new tool, so it’s important to check what’s available before purchasing.

Some of these book writing tools are fairly easy to learn, and others have a steep learning curve with more complex features.

Consider whether you prefer a tool that allows you to jump right in or if you’re willing to invest time in learning.

If your chosen tool is complex, double-check it has the resources and support you need to get up to speed.

If you’re looking for a tool that can help you with every aspect of the book writing process, from ideation, to drafting, to editing, to proofing, then why not give ProWritingAid a try?

Not only do we offer a trial money-back guarantee for our yearly and lifetime memberships, but we also offer a free plan that will allow you to test our 20+ reports on up to 500 words of your text.

Millie Dinsdale

Millie is ProWritingAid's Content Manager. A recent English Literature graduate, she loves all things books and writing. When she isn't working, Millie enjoys gardening, re-reading books by Agatha Christie, and running.

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15 Best Free Writing Apps To Create Content

Table of contents

Brainstorming, drafting, and editing - Whew! ✍️

Let’s cut to the chase; navigating the world of words, managing ideas, and eliminating errors can be slightly challenging, even for seasoned writers.

But don’t worry!

With the right selection of writing apps, you can simplify the overall process, as they can help you craft, organize, and polish your writing piece smoothly and efficiently.

From jotting down spontaneous ideas to editing and proofreading your meticulously crafted content, this blog post covers the 15 best free writing apps that can help you write better, faster, and smarter.

Ready to transform your scattered thoughts and innovative ideas into a properly structured and amazingly written masterpiece at 10x speed?

Let’s get started. 🚀

Table Of Contents

How do writing apps help.

Ever felt stuck staring at a blank page, not knowing how to start? Or maybe you’ve lost track of your thoughts halfway through? 🤷‍♂️ It happens to the best of us. But guess what? Writing apps can help you! Here’s how:

• Idea generation: Ever run out of ideas? There are various apps to write that can be your source of inspiration, offering prompts, scenarios, and even AI-powered suggestions to kickstart your brainstorming process.
• Organization: If your ideas are all over the place, these apps help you organize them better. With features like drag-and-drop outlines, digital notebooks, and categorization, these apps transform your scattered thoughts into coherent structures, making the process smoother.
• Efficiency and flow: Free writing apps can streamline the writing process through distraction-free interfaces, goal tracking, and progress analytics, enabling you to write more efficiently and maintain a seamless flow of ideas.
• Editing and refinement: Nobody’s perfect, and mistakes happen. From grammar checks to style enhancements, writing apps ensure your final draft is not just error-free but also polished to perfection, reflecting your unique voice and style.
• Collaboration: Working on a group project? Free writing platforms can help! For projects involving multiple contributors, these apps offer real-time editing, feedback tools, and version control, fostering a collaborative environment even when miles apart.

In short, writing apps are like your all-in-one toolkit for writing. They’re there to spark inspiration, tidy up your thoughts, and even catch those sneaky typos. All this, so you can focus on what you do best: creating amazing stories, articles, or whatever your heart desires.

Let’s explore the top 15 free writing tools that you can try in 2024.

Best free writing software for brainstorming

Okay, so you're at your desk, ready to churn out your next piece, and... nothing! The ideas are just not coming, frustrating, right? 😓

No worries! Here are the 4 best free writing software that can turn your brainstorming into a fun, creative process.

These tools are designed to generate fresh ideas, fuel thoughts, and streamline efforts, setting you on the path to creating persuasive pieces.

And here's the best part - they're absolutely FREE!

1. Chatsonic

Have you ever wished for a brainstorming partner available around the clock who never gets tired and, guess what, even does half the job for you?

Chatsonic by Writesonic can be your go-to brainstorming partner! The advanced tool uses GPT-4 technology to generate innovative ideas quickly, amplifying your creative process.

To be precise, Chatsonic is one of the best ChatGPT alternatives with superpowers like generating factual content, understanding voice commands, creating captivating images, and more.

With Chatsonic by your side, it’s like having a thought generator that ensures you never run out of ideas again.

Pricing : Chatsonic offers a free plan with 25 generations/month. You can always upgrade your plan to get unlimited generations.

If you want access only to Chatsonic, you can upgrade to a plan that costs $12/month, billed annually. If you want access to the whole suite of Writesonic products, the paid plans start from $16/month.  

Ready to take your brainstorming sessions from 'Oh no' to 'Let’s go'?

Ready to visualize like a pro? Say hello to Miro - a digital collaborative whiteboard platform where your ideas can spread over a board, and you can see the linkages and connections coming to life.

Miro is an advanced tool that can provide various brainstorming solutions like the mind map, concept map, flowchart maker, sticky notes, wireframe, and more to streamline the overall process.

Moreover, what sets Miro apart is its collaborative nature, allowing you to brainstorm with your team in real time.

Key features of Miro:

• Infinite canvas to brainstorm ideas
• Pre-built templates
• Supports 100+ integrations
• Mouseover collaboration to track and engage
• Super easy screen sharing and presentation

So, if you're a business that is a fan of visually organizing thoughts or believes in the power of collective brainstorming, Miro is your platform.

Pricing : Miro provides a free plan with 3 boards and unlimited team members. The started plan starts at $8/month, billed annually.

3. MindMeister

MindMeister is an amazing software that helps you to organize your thoughts, offering a visual playground where you can map out your ideas, connect the dots, and create a comprehensive picture of your overall creative concept. This is what brilliant brainstorming looks like in practice.

What's even better? MindMeister encourages real-time collaboration, meaning you and your team can contribute to an idea, explore different perspectives, and develop a collective vision in one place.

From mind mapping and brainstorming to note taking and project planning, MindMeister can help you with all. In simple terms, the tool helps to visualize ideas, collaborate with the team, manage tasks, and share with others effectively.

Key features of MindMeister:

• Provides multiple solutions
• Multiple integrations
• Various styling options like line styling, topic styling, and more
• Advanced features like outline mode, focus mode, and more

Pricing : MindMeister provides a free plan where you get up to 3 mind maps. The paid plan starts at $3.50 per user/month, billed annually.

Best free writing software for research and note-taking

After brainstorming tons of brilliant ideas, what’s next?

Well, it’s transforming those creative ideas into well-researched facts and organized notes.  The best part is that even this task becomes incredibly straightforward with the right tools on your side.

Let’s explore the 3 best free writing apps for research that can take your research and note-taking efficiency to a sky-high level.

4. Google Docs

Next up on the list of research and note-taking tools is a reliable old friend - Google Docs. However, don't let its familiar face fool you; this tool packs quite a punch when it comes to functionality and ease of use. 🌟

From drafting initial ideas and conducting and compiling research to finalizing fully-fledged pieces, Google Docs has got you covered at all stages.

What makes it stand out? Definitely, the robust collaboration feature. You can share your document with your team or friends, inviting them to contribute, edit, and comment in real-time.

Moreover, its cloud-based storage automatically saves your work and can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. No panic over unsaved files or working from different devices - all your work stays synced!

Key features of Google Docs:

• Automatic cloud saving
• Tracks document version history
• Seamless collaboration
• Voice typing
• Tons of easy-to-use templates

In essence, Google Docs is more than just a writing space. It's your portable writing desk, your collaborative workshop, and your safe storage all rolled into one.

Pricing : Google Docs is free to use. However, if you need more space and features, you can opt for a paid plan.

Notion is one of the best note-taking and idea-organizing apps that can help you simplify and streamline your research process.

The advanced tool can help you take notes, create a system design, track and manage content, organize and manage project details, and do more.

And guess what? Notion recently launched Notion AI, an AI writing assistant to help you write better and faster. From brainstorming ideas and generating content to summarizing lengthy documents and enhancing the writing piece, it can help you with all.

However, you can check out various Notion AI alternatives for more options.

Features of Notion:

• User-friendly collaboration tool
• Shallow learning curve
• Rich media integration
• Customizable interface
• Mobile app to coordinate easily
• Access to Notion AI - an AI writing tool

Wave goodbye to countless tabs and say hello to focused and efficient research through just one neat interface - Notion.

Pricing : Notion offers a free plan. The paid plan starts at $8/month, billed annually.

Here comes another tool ready to revolutionize your research and note-taking process - ChatGPT. This isn't just your regular tool; it's an AI-powered assistant tailored to smooth your research process.

ChatGPT by OpenAI is an advanced AI tool that can quickly help you find relevant information on any topic - saving you countless hours of research.

Be it brainstorming ideas, generating topics, creating an outline, or coming up with specific information, ChatGPT has got you covered.

If you want more options, check out these ChatGPT alternatives for research .

Features of ChatGPT:

• An AI-powered tool powered by GPT-4
• Generates responses in a human-like manner
• Create content on any topic
• Ability to handle complex tasks
• Contextual understanding
• Multilingual features
• Self-improvement abilities

With ChatGPT by your side, you can say goodbye to endless hours of research, information overload, and unending note piles.

Pricing : ChatGPT has a free plan. However, if you want to access the internet, you need to go for ChatGPT Plus, which costs $20/month.

Best free writing software for creating content or writing

After brainstorming and researching comes the most exciting part - turning those ideas and information into compelling content.

Whether you’re writing a high-quality blog post or creating a compelling social media post, AI writing software goes beyond just keying in words; it facilitates a smooth writing process, enhances your content, and amplifies your message - ensuring your content stands out in the loud digital world.

So, are you ready to transform your thoughts into beautifully penned paragraphs? Here are the 3 best free AI content creation tools to 10x your process.

7. Writesonic - #1 AI writing tool

First on the list of best free writing software is none other than - Writesonic, a powerful AI platform that's here to transform how you write.

Writesonic is the best AI writer , powered by GPT-4, which can help you effortlessly create high-quality and engaging content at a 10x speed.

The advanced AI content creation tool offers 100+ AI templates catering to your requirements, from blog posts and landing pages to email copy and social media posts.

What's even more exciting is how user-friendly Writesonic is. Tech-savvy or not, anyone can smoothly generate professional-grade content using Writesonic. And here’s the best part - Writesonic offers an extremely cost-effective solution for a high-performing AI platform, giving you unmatched value for your buck. 💰

Writesonic isn’t confined to content generation alone. Its diverse range of tools can elevate your entire writing process. Here's how.

Chatsonic , an AI chatbot powered by GPT-4, can help you create up-to-date content, understand voice commands, serve as your personal assistant, and more.

And it doesn't end there! Need eye-catching images? Writesonic's AI image generator - Photosonic can help you.

And if you’re looking to create a customized AI chatbot for your business, Botsonic by Writesonic lets you do just that.

Key features of Writesonic:

• Article Writer 6.0 lets you quickly generate factually correct, SEO-optimized articles with proper citations. Learn more about how to write a blog post using AI writer.
• It offers various SEO tools like the keyword research tool, SEO Checker and Optimizer to make your content rank higher.
• Multiple integrations like Zapier, Wordpress, and more.
• 100+ AI templates to generate various types of content like blog posts, landing pages, social media posts, and more.

Pricing : Writesonic offers a free plan where you get 10k words for free. The paid plan starts at $16.67/month, billed annually.

Ready to try the best writing app and automate your writing process?

8. Jasper AI

Coming next on the list of best apps for writing is Jasper. Formerly known as Jarvis, this AI writing buddy is taking content creation to a whole new level.

Whether you're writing a captivating blog post, crafting a persuasive sales email, or amplifying your social media presence, Jasper can lend a hand.

Key features of Jasper:

• Leverages GPT-3.5 technology to generate content.
• Multilingual capabilities - supports 30+ languages.
• 50+ pre-built templates to create content.
• Offers Jasper Chat - an AI-powered chatbot.

If you are looking for better alternatives, check out these best Jasper AI alternatives you can try in 2024.

Pricing : Jasper AI offers a 7-day free trial, but you need to add credit card details to it. Moreover, the paid plan starts at $49/month, billed monthly.

Next on the list comes Copy.ai, one of the best AI writing tools that can transform and streamline your content creation process. It is a great tool for bloggers, writers, business owners, and more that can help you ace your blog posts, email copies, social media posts, and more.

Tailored to suit the needs of teams looking for an efficient writing solution, Copy.ai boasts over 90 templates to whip out high-quality content.

Key features of Copy.ai:

• Provides 90+ content types.
• Supports 95+ languages.
• Offers Chat AI, an AI-powered chatbot.
• Access to pre-built templates.

However, every tool has its strengths and weaknesses. While Copy.ai undoubtedly is a great tool, some users find the generated content less creative and original. It might also lack some features and integrations compared to some of its competitors and can seem a bit pricey. Don’t worry - alternatives like Writesonic are there to fill any gaps.

Check out Writesonic vs. Copy.ai to get a clear picture.

Pricing : Copy.ai offers 2000 words for free. The pro plan starts at $49/month.

Best free writing software for SEO

Now that we've got the knack for brainstorming, research, note-taking, and content creation, it's time to make sure your well-crafted content reaches the right eye.

For that, you need to take into consideration the SEO aspect.

From identifying perfect keywords with Writesonic's Keyword Research Tool to optimizing your content using the SEO Checker, these tools are game-changers, ensuring your content doesn't just read well but ranks well, too.

Ready to let your content climb the rankings and meet the right eyes? Let’s get started!

10. Writesonic Keyword Research Tool

First on our list of free SEO writing tools is a star performer that’s integral to every solid SEO strategy – Writesonic’s Keyword Research Tool. It isn't simply a tool; it's the most important player in your SEO team that can take your content's visibility to new heights.

The advanced Keyword Research Tool helps you find both short-tail and long-tail keywords, thus amplifying your content's effectiveness and visibility on search engines.

Moreover, the tool gives insights into search volume, keyword difficulty, and traffic potential, helping you craft content in line with your audience. A perfect tool for increasing website traffic and boosting your revenue! 💰

Key features of Writesonic Keyword Research Tool:

• User-friendly interface.
• Provides detailed analysis like volume, KD, traffic potential, and more.
• It helps to find both long- and short-tail keywords.
• Streamlines the overall workflow.

Pricing : The Writesonic Keyword Research Tool comes along with the Writesonic subscription. You can sign up for a free trial offering 10k premium words. The paid plan starts at $19/month. (billed monthly)

So, ready to level up your content game with Writesonic's Keyword Research Tool, one of the best free SEO tools of 2024 and beyond? Let's get started! 🚀

11. Writesonic SEO Checker and Optimizer Tool

Next comes Writesonic's SEO Checker and Optimizer Tool, a powerful tool that can enhance content quality by highlighting SEO gaps in your content and suggest quick fixes to reach the top of Google rankings seamlessly! 🚀

Consider this tool as your personal SEO critic, reviewing your content, comparing it against all known SEO standards, and providing practical suggestions to enhance your content's SEO score.

From tweaking your title to optimizing keyword density and enhancing readability - the advanced tool leaves no SEO stone unturned.

And guess what? The magic doesn't stop with just checking; it goes one step further to help you actively optimize your content. Simply enter your raw content and watch the tool work its magic.✨

Key features of Writesonic SEO checker and optimizer tool:

• A comprehensive tool to make your content SEO-optimized.
• Gives actionable recommendations that you can easily apply to your content.
• Use the 'Improve SEO’ option for the tool to automatically make your content more SEO-friendly.
• Offers a user-friendly interface.
• Integrates with Sonic Editor, allowing real-time checking and optimization of your content during the writing process.

Pricing : The Writesonic SEO Checker and Optimizer come along with the Writesonic subscription. You can sign up for a free trial offering 10k premium words. The paid plan starts at $19/month. (billed monthly)

So, are you ready to give your content the SEO advantage it needs in 2024?

12. Answer The Public

Another exceptional SEO tool is Answer The Public - a mind-blowing platform that uncovers the questions your audience is asking.

The advanced social listening tool lets you tap directly into people’s most common inquiries about your niche, helping you dive deeper into their audience's minds.

It uses the autosuggest data from Google or Bing to come up with insights on queries, concerns, and more. These popular questions and phrases can steer your content creation, giving you targeted themes to focus on in your articles, blogs, and more.📝

Key features of Answer The Public:

• Get insights into what questions the public is asking about your chosen keyword in real-time.
• Presents the data in easy-to-understand, visually appealing mind maps.
• Separates queries into varied categories like who, what, where, why, and how, giving you a well-rounded view of your audience's inquiries.
• It lets you filter the results based on language and region for targeted insights.

With Answer The Public, your content becomes more audience-focused, more pertaining, and, thus, more impactful. Transform your audience's curiosity into compelling content. 🚀

Looking for more such tools to strengthen your SEO game? Check out 16 free SEO tools that you can try out in 2024.

Pricing : Answer The Public offers a free trial. The paid plan starts at $5/month.

Best free writing software for editing and proofreading

13. sonic editor.

Stepping into the editing limelight is Sonic Editor by Writesonic. An AI-powered editor that functions much like Notion AI, Sonic Editor brings many superpowers, such as advanced search engine optimization, AI image generation, keyword research, and more.

What's more, Sonic Editor gives you access to over 100+ AI templates for a quick content creation process, all set to hit the SEO mark. Whether crafting meta descriptions, SEO tags, or content with relevant keywords, Sonic Editor becomes your pillar of productivity and quality. 🔥

Key features of Sonic Editor:

• Provides comprehensive editing capabilities.
• Offers an easy and efficient editing workflow.
• Integrated with SEO tools that can help create SEO-optimized content.
• 100+ AI templates to speed up the content creation process.

And it’s super easy to use. Simply log into your Writesonic account and select 'Create a new document,' you'll find Sonic Editor and its robust features on the left side of your screen.

Pricing: Sonic Editor by Writesonic comes along with Writesonic subscription. The free plan offers 10k premium words, and the paid plan starts at $19/month.

Ready to take advantage of this incredible free SEO tool?

14. Grammarly

Next on the list of editing and proofreading is a tool that hardly requires an introduction - Grammarly, a name synonymous with error-free, polished writing.

Grammarly is more than just an editing tool; it’s your grammar guru that helps you spot grammatical errors, typos, punctuation inconsistencies, and more.

And it doesn’t stop there! The tool also provides style, tone, and readability suggestions, further polishing your content.

Built with an intuitive interface and infused with real-time insights, Grammarly is perfect for writers. From writing an important email to crafting a compelling blog post, it operates seamlessly to scrutinize every word you write, ensuring your content is absolutely top-notch.

Key features of Grammarly:

• Ensures your writing is error-free.
• Edits content effortlessly and efficiently.
• Offers multiple integrations to streamline your process.
• Grammarly’s Generative AI provides various versions to consider.
• Make sure that the language and tone are unique to your brand.

Pricing: Grammarly offers a free plan. The Grammarly Premium starts at $12/month.

Get ready to come up with error-free, clear, and compelling writing with Grammarly.

15. ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is another comprehensive editing tool. It does more than polish your words; it's like having a professional editor and personal writing coach all wrapped in one!

ProWritingAid is designed to fine-tune your text and enhance its impact. It scrutinizes your drafts for any redundancies, errors, or suggestions, all without losing the essence of your unique writing style. And it goes beyond the basic grammar checking; it checks phrasing, overused words, and more.

So, whether you're penning down a novel, drafting an important email, or writing an engaging blog post - ProWritingAid can be your secret weapon in delivering clear, concise, and compelling narratives.

Key features of ProWritingAid:

• It helps you perfect your writing with 25+ reports.
• Offers a rephrasing tool to make your writing formal, longer, shorter, and more.
• Sparks edit to improve readability, fluency, tenses, and more.
• Provides Critique Report (Beta) for custom suggestions for improving your content.

Pricing: ProWritingAid offers a free trial that lets you edit 500 words at a time. The paid plan starts at $30/month.

How to choose the best free writing app for you?

Choosing the right free writing app can seem like searching for a needle in a digital haystack. But worry not, here's your quick guide to finding your ideal match without the hassle.

Understand your needs

First things first, pinpoint what you need the most. Is it organizing chaos, beating writer's block, or cleaning up typos and grammar? Your primary need will guide your choice.

Check for user-friendliness

Opt for a writing app that doesn't require a manual to understand. It should feel like a helpful buddy, not a puzzle.

Essential features

Make a list of must-haves, whether it’s syncing across devices, providing style suggestions, or enabling easy sharing. Match these with what the app offers.

Compatibility check

Ensure your creative writing apps plays nice with your devices. Whether you’re team Android, iOS, or Windows, your writing app should be right there with you.

Look at reviews

A quick glance at user reviews can reveal a lot. They're like getting advice from fellow writers without the need for a meet-up.

By following these steps, you’ll not only save time but also land an app that feels tailor-made for your writing adventures. Happy writing!

Amplify your writing process with Writesonic

And there you go! From brainstorming and researching to writing and editing - the above-mentioned top-notch free writing software can streamline your writing process and amplify your content quality.

But what if you need one tool, a super tool, that can handle it all? Go for Writesonic - your all-in-one writing assistant. From generating SEO-friendly content to polishing it to perfection to optimizing it for higher rankings, Writesonic is the writing partner you need to elevate your content journey.

Ready to create words that ‘wow’ your audience and rank on the top of SERPs! Start your free trial of Writesonic today and transform the way you write.

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Best free writing app of 2024

Bring your words to life with the best free writing apps

Best overall

Best for markup, best word alternative, best word processor, best for mac, best online, how we test.

The best free writing software makes it simple and easy to better manage and organize all your ideas, outlines, and projects. 

1. Best overall 2. Best for markup 3. Best Word alternative 4. Best word processor 5. Best for Mac 6. Best online 7. FAQs 8. How we test

Like the best free word processors , writing apps help you get your thoughts on the page without breaking the bank (or your train of thought). But we’ve also made sure they’ll make it easier to save, share, and sync all your documents and keep them safe, whether you need a desktop writing app for work, school, or play. 

If you struggle to stay focused, we’ve tested some of the best free writing apps come with distraction-free layouts or gamification challenges to keep you in the zone. We’ve also reviewed those built for professional document creation, with advanced business features such as speech-to-text transcription and online collaboration tools. 

Our picks cover the best apps for writing on the web, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS - so you’re always ready whenever and wherever creativity strikes. 

Scrivener: best writing software for authors Scrivener is packed with all the features a novelist needs, helping you track plot threads, store notes on characters and locations, structure your work and (most importantly) get some serious work done. It's not a free writing app like the tools below, but it's well worth the investment if your budget will allow it.

The best free writing app of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

1. FocusWriter

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

FocusWriter helps writers combat one of their biggest challenges: distractions. One of the best free writing software tools out there, it's specifically designed to let you just concentrate on your writing. 

The stripped-back interface is deliciously sparse - ideal for when you just need to get your head down and write - and not dissimilar to a moderately powerful version of Notepad, featuring support for TXT, basic, RTF, and ODT files. 

Even the toolbar is hidden until you actually need it. Just swoop your cursor to the top on the screen to reveal a barren menu, from basic formatting to themes and timers.

Features are light within the software, but FocusWriter isn’t made for heavy editing sessions. It’s designed to make the act of writing flow seamlessly onto the page. 

Elsewhere, the writing app boasts the ability to add themes and your own background images, which can help you stay motivated. 

The Daily Progress tool is a sweet extra, adding Duolingo-style gamification that lets you track your daily writing streak. For when it’s oh-so-easy to slip onto social media when you can’t find the perfect word, it’s a nice way to keep you within the app. 

Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, the writing software also comes as a portable download, no installation required. So, you can pop it on a USB stick and plug it into any computer you’re working on. 

Read our full FocusWriter review .

• ^ Back to the top

2. WriteMonkey

WriteMonkey is another piece of free writing software that cuts down on the clutter to deliver uninterrupted writing sessions. 

The free word processor, cleverly described as zenware, is unbelievably pared back compared to more traditional writing apps. 

There’s very little in the way of distracting ‘screen furniture’, which means you’re better positioned to concentrate on the writing process. And absolutely nothing else. 

But don’t let that stripped-back approach fool you. As one of the best free writing apps, WriteMonkey is still rich with the sort of core features that matter to writers. 

However, most options are hidden in a context menu (so you’ll need to right-click to view it). It also only supports TXT files, which may limit those looking to read, write, or edit across multiple formats. It is, at least, a portable download, letting you take it wherever you need.

If you’ve enjoyed Markdown, the simplified text-editing language that lets you format, annotate, classify, and link as you type, then great. WriteMonkey’s inner workings will instantly chime. 

First-timers should spend a little time with this free writing software, to uncover that intuitive simplicity. 

Read our full WriteMonkey review .

3. LibreOffice Writer

Writer, the open-source, free writing software, serves almost all general writing needs.

LibreOffice is a near-perfect example of free office software - a familiar, feature-rich take on the office suite. What the veteran software package lacks in Microsoft polish (its interface is undeniably old-fashioned, for starters), it makes up for in its price-point: free. For that, you get access to six tools: Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math, and Writer. 

Earning it a slot on our list of best free writing apps is the fact that LibreOffice Writer packs the full editing toolbox. 

This isn’t just a note-taking app for staving off distractions when you’re deep in the zone; it’s for when you’re in pure writer-mode. 

If you’re at all proficient with Microsoft Word, you won’t have any problems using the Writer software. Layouts and functions are almost identical, and there’s support for DOC and DOCX file types, making it efficient to switch out of the Microsoft garden.

This free writing app is ideal if you’re hunting for a tool that almost perfectly replicates the Word experience without the cost. 

Read our full LibreOffice review .

4. Microsoft Word

When it comes to word processors, Microsoft Word is probably the baseline against which all others are compared. It’s the one most of us use at school, home, and work. It’s familiar, comfortable - and it’s available free on the web and mobile devices. 

That may not be the best way to write your masterpiece (unless you’ve hooked up a Bluetooth keyboard). But it’s a great way to jot down ideas on-the-go. When we tested the browser-based version we found it could be a bit slow at first, and we were typing faster than the words appeared on screen. This settles down (mostly) after a minute or so. 

Microsoft’s free writing apps on Android and iPhone had no such issues. Using these was velvety smooth. We especially appreciated the option to switch between mobile view and desktop view, so we could gauge how the document would appear in full-screen. 

As with Google Docs, you’ll need to sign up with a Microsoft account. And, like Google, that also lets you use free versions of PowerPoint, Excel, and the like. While Word offers one of the best free writing app experiences, there’s no denying that the paid-for upgrade is superior, offering more tools, and a true desktop app. 

Read our full Microsoft Word review .

Author promises to make it easier to ‘think, write, and cite’. It’s a promise capably delivered, with a clean interface and bags of writing features designed to make it easy to go from first draft to final copy. 

If you're an Apple user in search of the best free writing apps on macOS, this one demands your attention. 

Concept Maps is one of the best features. It’s a great mind-mapping tool to visualize and lay down all your thoughts while they’re fresh in your head without constraint. You can worry about whipping them into shape later. 

Students and report writers will appreciate Author’s ‘fast citing’ tools - speeding up assignment-writing by correctly adding and formatting citations, references, and contents. 

A paid-for upgrade of the writing software that offers exporting options is available. However, unless you need automatic formatting on export, you can stick with the free version. 

6. Google Docs

Google Docs is a great free writing platform for any writer. It’s an extremely clean, quick word processor available in the browser, on desktop, and phone and tablet apps. So, you can take notes wherever inspiration strikes. 

Docs is more or less Google’s spin on Microsoft Word. The interface is a bit more simple than the professional office software - although it’s no less powerful. 

You’ll find heaps of writing tools, including a pretty accurate speech-to-text transcription tool (just enunciate and don’t talk too fast). Keyboard shortcuts are very well-supported. 

For best results, you’ll need an internet connection, though documents can be used offline. They’ll be synced, and in our experience, that happens swiftly behind the scenes. 

To take advantage of the free writing app, you’ll need a Google account, which may be a deal-breaker for some - but that also opens up the rest of the Google-stuff in the Google-sphere, such as Sheets, Slides, and . With a free account, you get 15GB of storage, which should be more than enough for word documents. A Google One subscription upgrades your storage space, amongst other things. 

Additionally, Google Docs is great if you want to collaborate with one or more other writers. Just be warned to stay in Google Docs for that, because exporting the data into Word or other writing applications can result formatting errors.

Read our full Google Docs review .

What's the difference between a writing app and an AI writer?

AI writers vs writing apps - what's the real difference?

Artificial intelligence is growing in a big way - and when it comes to writing, it's ChatGPT that's been snatching all the headlines of late, with its ability to generate short- and long-form content based on user prompts.

Generally, an AI writer will write your content for you, based on its current learning (although often without 'understanding' the context). A writing app simply lets you write your way, in your own voice. 

Some platforms, such as Canva , have even integrated AI into its Canva Docs and Canva PDF Editor services. However. its Magic Write tool acts as a writing assistant, serving up suggestions and ideas, leaving real writers to work their magic on the content. Though usually hiding in the back-end, you can also find AI integrated in other ways across other the best PDF editor apps (and even the best free PDF editor apps, too).

As always with AI-generated content, whether it's the written word or an artwork masterpiece, human involvement is usually necessary and always desirable. Even if you're using the best AI writers out there, editing and proofreading is essential to give the content accuracy and emotional resonance.

How to choose the best free writing app for you

When deciding which free writing app is best, start by figuring out what sort of writing you want to do. 

Do you need a handy tool for quick scribbles and jotting down ideas here and there, or are you using the writing software to write and edit an epic novel? Tools like FocusWriter and Write Monkey are great for getting thoughts on the page without friction.

It’s also worth considering if you need a writing app with a distraction-free design, so you can concentrate on what really matters to you. Again, FocusWriter performs admirably here, but as a result, you lose core typography and editing functions. Unlike LibreOffice, this isn’t the best Microsoft Office alternative if you need those tools. In that scenario, it may be worth considering looking at some of the best free office software , which includes MS Word-style apps, alongside other tools similar to Excel, PowerPoint, and so on. 

Access is an important factor when using your writing software. A tool like Scribus needs to be downloaded to your machine. Lightweight apps like FocusWriter, however, offer a portable download that can be downloaded to a USB and carried with you. 

Check what file formats your chosen writing app supports, too. While some let you create and edit the common DOC and DOCX files, others only allow TXT or RTF documents.

But most of all, it’s important to choose the best free writing app for your unique creative flow. 

Testing the best free writing apps and software, we assess how easy it is to get your words down on the page with the least amount of friction. Portable writing apps rank high, because they let you use the program on whatever computer or laptop you’re using. 

We also look at performance for its intended audience. For distraction-free writing apps, do they really foster focus? For word processor-style software, does it offer good formatting and editing options? 

Most importantly, we expect to see free writing apps that are genuinely cost-free - no-one wants to stumble across hidden fees and charges in the contracts. 

We've listed the best laptops for writers .

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Steve is TechRadar Pro’s B2B Editor for Creative & Hardware. He explores the apps and devices for individuals and organizations that thrive on design and innovation. A former journalist at Web User magazine, he's covered software and hardware news, reviews, features, and guides. He's previously worked on content for Microsoft, Sony, and countless SaaS & product design firms. Once upon a time, he wrote commercials and movie trailers. Relentless champion of the Oxford comma.

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The app for creative writing

Organize your research, ideas, characters and outline in one place.

Organize the creative, messy part of writing alongside your favourite writing software.

The vast majority of writing software is organized around the idea of a linear document. But for most people, writing isn’t linear. Because thinking isn’t linear. Writing is about gradually getting a jumble of ideas into shape. Milanote's writing app matches the way writers think.

See everything in one place

Brainstorm and experiment

Linear word documents are great for your final output, but on day one you need a flexible space to explore your ideas.

• See the connections between your ideas and characters
• Combine text, images and video
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Bring your characters to life

Use the Milanote Character template to define the specific traits of your characters then map the connections between them. You'll revisit these boards again and again as your story takes shape.

A faster way to research

The Milanote web clipper lets you instantly save text, images, videos or links from any website. It also saves the source of everything you collect.

Outline in a flexible way

Milanote lets you see your story structure at a glance—just like your wall of index cards, but portable. Easily drag and drop to rearrange the key parts as your story comes to life. It's the perfect companion to your manuscript.

Secure and private

Our infrastructure is designed for security, constantly monitored & always available. All of your data is hosted in an environment with world class security and privacy.

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Turn an initial idea into something amazing.

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10 best free apps to improve your writing.

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Regardless of talent or experience level, everyone can use tips to help improve their writing skills. Whether a young student, professional scribe, aspiring author, or somewhere in between, the best writers are unafraid of taking advice and consistently applying it to their work in order to make great creative strides.

Luckily, in 2022 there is no shortage of cost-free digital applications specifically designed to improve a writer's daily process while upgrading the quality of the results. From idea-generating tools and daily writing assignments to helpful visual layouts and minimized workspaces, the best free writing apps currently available offer a little something for everyone.

As every writer knows, practice makes perfect. The more someone writes, the quicker they can become an expert. One great free app to help people get into the daily habit of writing consistently is 750 Words , an app that encourages writers to stay committed by completing 750 words a day (roughly 3 standard pages).

The app automatically tracks a writer's word count and rewards points for each completed assignment, allowing a fun way for the users to compile monthly scores. With over 555,000 free users to date, 750 Words is ideal for those who need extra motivation to stay in the creative process day in and day out.

Sometimes, all a writer needs is a swift kick in the pants to get the creative juices flowing. One helpful free writing app that encourages its users to consistently stay active is Daily Page , which provides prompts and specific writing assignments every day to ensure a writer stays focused and in the groove at all times.

A great tool to get writers into the habit of being comfortable with writing on a daily basis, Daily Pages also forces its users to get used to staring at a blank page, a crippling reality that often deters writers from progressing. Users can either receive daily reminders or emails that provide writing prompts or choose to free-write their own topics, with the app tracking past assignments to monitor improvement as well.

Organization is every writer's best friend. The more orderly they can keep their thoughts, the clearer their writing will eventually become. Enter EverNote , a free app (with monthly limits and paid upgrades) designed for note taking, organizing, task management, and archiving. As such, a perfect tool for keeping a writer's scattered thoughts and important notes in one organized area.

While many use EverNote for checklists, note-taking, to-do lists, and other short-form scribblings, the 60 MB of free ram allows for more expressive long-form writing assignments that users can think of. If nothing else, EverNote is ideal for ensuring writer's meet their deadlines on time.

FocusWriter

Given the multitude of devices, gadgets, and screens that vie for everyone's attention, remaining focused in 2022 is harder than it's ever been. For writers who require deeper concentration to finish assignments and stay focused on the task at hand, FocusWriter is a free app specifically engineered to combat the problem of distractions.

FocusWriter minimizes a writer's workspace by utilizing a hide-away interface that eliminates all outside visual distractions and fully immerses a writer into the page of text and nothing else. The app comes with timers and alarms for those who want to increase writing speed, as well as spell-check, live stats, daily goals, customizable themes, and even a typewriter sound effect to really immerse a writer.

While Grammarly has an upgraded pay option for $29.95 per month, the basic free version is one of the most universally utilized writing apps in 2022. Compatible with Microsoft and nearly every CMS and WordPress, the extremely useful tool provide several helpful tips and editing suggestions that go far beyond a simple spell-checker.

Using color-coded underlining to highlight specific areas of text that need improvement, Grammarly will suggest ways to make sentences flow better, avoid confusing syntax, improve clarity, and collate spelling errors, the corrections for which combine to upgrade the overall grammatical accuracy of the text. While the advanced version offers even more cool features, the free version of Grammarly is easily one of the best free writing tools in 2022.

Graph Words

A writer's arsenal is their vocabulary. The more words they are comfortable using, the more dynamic their prose will inevitably become. An ideal free app to help expand a writer's vernacular is Graph Words , which visually displays synonyms and antonyms like a mind map while one types, functioning as a digital thesaurus of sorts. Writers can simply drag a cursor over any word they write and instantly access a web of related terminology.

Connected to WordNet, a massive lexical database that has a wealth of English-language words categorized by adjective, noun, verb, and adverb, Graph Words will save writers immense time by no longer having to thumb through old thesaurus texts while vastly improving their lexicon. It's even a great tool when paired with some of the best free reading apps for kids .

One of the biggest challenges a writer faces is expressing their ideas clearly and concisely. A helpful tool to improve clarity includes Hemingway , a free app specifically designed to make a person's writing bold and clear.

The app uses color-coding to highlight specific areas of improvement, such as adverbs and weakening phrases highlighted in blue, and passive voice highlighted in green. Red is used to highlight sentences that are too dense and confusing, and yellow is used to denote sentences that are too long and needed to be broken up. A perfect tool for writers and copywriters who want to make their text as syntactically accurate and concise as possible, Hemingway is the place to be.

Hubspot's Blog Ideas Generator

As every writer knows, consistently finding a muse to avoid writer's block is one of the keys to staying creatively productive. For writers who struggle to come up with ideas and concepts to write about, check out Hubspot's Blog Ideas Generator  to help find inspiration for new content.

The free writing app asks its users to simply enter three different nouns into a search bar. Afterward, a week's worth of topics related to the nouns will be generated and displayed on the screen for the writer to explore. The great thing is the topics can be used for any type of writing, not just blog posts, making it useful for every type of writer. To avoid becoming like a movie character with writer's block , give Hubspot a try.

For many writers, visualization is the key to making inroads into a piece of prose. One helpful free writing app that understands this better than any is MilaNote , which allows users to organize their thoughts and concepts into visual boards. Ideal for a screenwriter or director illustrating storyboards or for general brainstorming, MilaNote has tons of options for every type of writer. As such, it's ideal for use with the best free photo collage apps like Canva as well.

Offering a macro glimpse to keep a writer's work on course at all times, MilaNote is exceptional for creative writers as it provides in-depth character templates, story outlines, fast research tips, mindmaps, and all sorts of other useful tools to help visualize and translates their ideas onto the page.

ProWriting Aid

Arguably the best of the bunch, ProWriting Aid is a free app that serves as a digital editor, writing coach, and style guide all packaged as one. Writers can upload documents and get 20 minutes of free feedback. The reports will advise writers on how to improve everything from syntactical flow, overused words, unclear transitions, vague verbiage, and the like.

After the reports are issued, writers will get an in-depth overview of their work replete with key tips for rapid improvement to make the text as clear and strong as it can be. As writers apply the advice to future assignments, pop-up blogs and vlogs will appear and provide even more helpful information on how to become a better scribe.

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Creative Writer - easy writing 12+

Find words for your thoughts, resonanca it d.o.o..

• 3.7 • 265 Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Infinite source of writing ideas! Recycle texts from the greatest writers - combine words into something new, original and beautiful. Forget writer's block forever! Let the writers help you write. Creative Writer provides language expressions for your writing sessions, drawn from actual books: bestselling novels, literary geniuses, traditional and modern poetry, movies, TV series, song lyrics, hip-hop, gangsta RAP and other sources. FEATURED BY APPLE ** Best New Apps (US/UK) ** Say It With Emojis ** Tell Your Story ** Become a Writer ** Unleash Your Inner Poet ** Try Something New ** High School Toolbox ** Tools for Teachers ** Enhanced with 3D Touch ** Type Away EASY TO LEARN. SIMPLE TO USE. You don't have to type a word: just tap on the stream of suggested words, picking words until the sentences come out. Or combine normal typing with predictive writing. You can easily switch among genres: Poetry, Prose, Classics, Dialogues, Lyrics, You & Me, Cooking, Quotations and Romance. GET INSPIRED • Compose songs • Write short stories • Write poems • Smash your writer’s block • Record the stream of consciousness • Learn English - explore, have fun with words WRITER'S PACK An endless source of writing ideas, words, prompts and sentences for your writing sessions. Millions of text segments analyzed and clustered into 7 powerful predictive models: Prose (best-selling novels), Dialogues (movies, TV series), You & Me, Lyrics (popular songs, RAP), Romance, Classics (Shakespeare, Goethe, Joyce, Kafka, Proust, Dostojevski, and others) and Quotations. DICTIONARY PRO Install the Dictionary PRO and throw yourself a brainstorming party! Dictionary PRO puts examples, definitions, rhymes, antonyms, synonyms, and more at your fingertips. ===== • "Unleash the verbal artistry within! It's a fantastic idea, one I haven't seen replicated anywhere else.” — Janel Torkington, AppsZoom • "If you need a little nudge when it comes to figuring out how to say something, Creative Writer needs to be in your writing toolkit." — Best iPad apps for writers, Allyson Kazmucha, iMore • "When the writer needs a voice, he/she creates one with Creative Writer." — Jessica Lares, Customer Reviews ===== Includes a beautiful notepad where you can write your story or collect interesting sentences, edit and share. **No internet connection needed! ===== Some ideas about the app or need support? [email protected] Check us out on Vimeo, resonanca-it.com or hit us up @writing_force

Version 6.4

Ratings and Reviews

265 Ratings

I'm in love with this app

It hits the spot between my geeky interest in computer AI and storytelling. I've only mainly used it for my niche in a niche hobby (solo roleplaying), but now I have the urge to write stories with the creative keyboard. Allowing the creative keyboard to be used in other apps is a brilliant idea. The only thing it's really missing is the ability to import your own texts, which Word Palette does. I would love to be able to import customized data sets exclusively based on Lovecraft, for example. Great app.

Useful, Easy and Rewarding

This allows for creativity to live in a constant state of inspiration. It places new words, ideas and thoughts in a random manor and at the same time gives the tools to effortlessly form lyrics, poetry and more with a few taps. Now this isn't a magic button. You'll still need to bring your own skills to the table, though through it you'll be exposed to new ways of writing than you may be used to. It's incredibly useful for breaking out of a box and freeing your mind to try many new styles and concepts at once, giving a more rewarding result at the end of the writing process. Having purchased the in-app content, as I use them specifically for lyric writing, I have to say I'm very pleased. Two thumbs up. 👍🏻👍🏻

It’s an interesting concept, but something feels off

I tried to use this app many years ago when it first came out and didn’t like it’s suggests. Now I have downloaded it again, purchased the additional language packs, and tried it once more: and although the interface improved and there are like categories and stuff, but the verbal engine still isn’t quite right. Instead freeing me for creativity and empowering me with an arsenal of new words, I feel like this app keeps trying to “put words in my mouth” and confuse me into saying things that I don’t mean. Ultimately, it’s logic is based on texts written by other authors, so it’s bound to draw its inspiration from them, not *you*. And unless we can teach a machine to read our minds, I don’t know if this challenge can be over come.

App Privacy

The developer, RESONANCA IT D.O.O. , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Power Mode $1.99
• Writer's Pack $3.99
• Dictionary PRO $2.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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The 15 Best Writing Apps and Software for Windows in 2023: An In-Depth Guide

• riazul-islam
• August 30, 2024

Table of Contents

Let‘s assess the top writing assistance software available for Windows right now based on capabilities, ease of use and overall value.

What Makes Writing Apps Better Than Traditional Word Processors?

Before diving into the solutions, it‘s helpful to level-set on how writing apps differ from basic text editors like Notepad or WordPad – plus general word processors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Core differences include:

• Enhanced Text Formatting: Modern writing apps allow greater creative flexibility styling font, size, color and alignment beyond the standard paragraph tools
• Smarter Editorial Features: Context-aware spelling and grammar checking plus AI-powered suggestions to improve clarity, concision, readability and flow
• Publishing Integrations: One-click export prepped for major blogging platforms, eBook stores and document sharing sites
• Customized Work Environments: Writing apps tailor interfaces to different creation styles and genres enabling more focus
• Powerful Analytics: Robust stats on readability, engagement prediction, SEO optimization and comparative performance tracking

General word processors handle basic documentation well, but lack capabilities purpose-built for long-form writing challenges like books, scripts, blog posts and reports.

Writing apps bridge the gap through specialization.

Now let‘s see how the top solutions stack up based on core writer requirements…

Comparing the Top 5 Writing Apps

The primary criteria assessed while rating writing assistance software included:

• Effectiveness – How well the app improves writing quality and speeds up output
• Usability – Simplicity of the interface and speed to become productive
• Features – Writing capabilities offered beyond basic text formatting
• Value – Balance of capabilities against license costs

With these criteria guiding rankings, the 5 highest rated writing apps proved to be:

Now let‘s explore the strengths and ideal use cases of each writing app in more detail…

• Overall Rating: 4.7/5
• 2 Billion+ Words Processed Per Week
• Used at 90+ Universities
• 30 Million Daily Active Users

If pure writing enhancement counts most to you, Grammarly leads the pack. As the world‘s most popular automated proofreading tool, Grammarly fine-tunes text across several dimensions:

Grammar – Detects 250+ common grammar issues spanning punctuation, verb tense, pronoun cases, subject/verb agreement, run-ons, fragments and more.

Spelling & Typos – Catches contextual spelling mistakes and typos no matter how well-hidden.

Style & Clarity – Provides vocabulary usage advice while flagging ambiguous, hyperbolic and superfluous phrases.

Tone & Readability – Optimizes formality, positivity, confidence and sentence variation customized per genre from blogs to scientific papers.

Trusted by leading universities and leveraged by 75% of North American universities proves its effectiveness.

For maximum writing improvement regardless of domain, Grammarly sets the standard .

• Any kind of writing aimed at readability & quality enhancement

Try Grammarly Today

ProWritingAid

• Overall Rating: 4.6/5
• 97% Customer Satisfaction Score
• 4 Million+ Words Checked Daily

While Grammarly focuses on fixing issues from grammar to style after writing, ProWritingAid takes more of a writing coach approach even suggesting better ways to phrase ideas while drafting.

It dives deeper into style while keeping overhead lower through period payment plans rather than monthly fees.

So authors and thought leaders who care about developing their voice should shortlist ProWritingAid.

Standout features include:

💬 Real-time Writing Tips

🔎 Contextual Thesaurus Recommendations

📃 House Style Creation & Management

📊 20+ Detailed Writing Analytics Reports

🎓 Writing Academy Video Course Access

The #1 writing app on Capterra for maximizing long-form content quality, ProWritingAid excels for bloggers, authors and publishers.

• Book authors
• Content publishers
• Thought leaders

Try ProWritingAid Here

• Overall Rating: 4.3/5
• Customizable for Any Site
• Creates Personalized Content Guidelines

The hardest part of writing online is knowing what content best resonates with readers and converts visitors.

Surfer accelerates digital writing through deep search and social analytics providing tailored, data-driven recommendations on what to cover for your particular site and audience.

It acts like a strategist for bloggers, marketers and website owners via features like:

🔎 Competitor & Trend Content Gap Analysis

📈 Keyword Optimization Grading

📋 Structural Content Flaw Detection

📋 Headline & Meta Description Tester

📑 Personalized Content Guidelines

For writing blogs, eBooks, articles and web copy informed by concrete reader insights, Surfer is unmatched.

• Bloggers & Content Marketers
• Startup Founders
• SEO Consultants

Try Surfer for Free

Final Draft

• Overall Rating: 4.4/5
• Used to Write Star Wars Franchise
• Trusted by 95% of Writers in Film Production

If your writing calls for proper script formatting, dialogue, scene organization and screenplay editing tools then search no further than the entertainment industry darling Final Draft.

The dominant solution supporting screenwriters, script writers and dramatists for decades helps properly orchestrate models like:

✅ Novels ✅ Stage Plays ✅ Audio Shows ✅ Movies & Series

Robust tools like autocomplete with dynamic context support, customizable outlines and summaries, plus remote collaboration streamline creative story crafting.

Trusted on productions across every major studio from Lucasfilm to Disney, Final Draft removes all obstacles delivering scripts to spec.

For rapid scripting, clear scene visualizion and fluid remote collaboration at enterprise-grade quality, Final Draft delivers.

• Screenwriters
• Script developers

Start Scripting with Final Draft

Microsoft Word

• Overall Rating: 4.5/5
• 1 Billion Office Users
• Pre-installed on Windows devices
• Supported by massive developer/partner ecosystems

Sometimes the best writing app is the one already available for free to you. For Windows users, Microsoft Word needs no introduction as the de facto word processor solution over the past 20+ years.

While Word lacks the robust writing enhancement tools of solutions like Grammarly or custom screenplay functionality of specialist apps like Final Draft, its sheer ubiquity, minimal learning curve and continually expanding capabilities position it as the no-brainer starting point for most.

Coupled with the maturation of its real-time collaboration functionality married to OneDrive access across all devices and even blocks of compute time on Azure via Microsoft 365 bundles, and Word warrants consideration by all writers.

For user documentation, formatting intensive digital books/ebooks, collaborative editing, and basic business writing, Microsoft Word checks all the boxes.

And its software developer kit plus partner integrations enable augmenting capabilities through add-ins and extensions.

• General purpose writing
• Collaborative authoring
• Template support
• Available free to Windows users

Give Word a Shot at Microsoft 365

Key Factors When Selecting Writing Software

With so many high quality writing apps now available spanning free to subscription plans, focus on a few key factors to narrow down options:

Integrations

• What other apps like cloud storage, email, calendars and content management systems will you need to integrate with for central access and collab? Google Suite, Office and Dropbox enjoy broad cross-compatibility.

Learning Curve

• If time is scarce, assess how much ramp up time and complexity is involved driving each shortlisted app. Necessity of tutorials, videos and guides adds friction.

Writing Use Case

• Tools tailored to screenplays, blogging, technical documentation and academic writing for example all offer different strengths. Match app specialties to needs.
• Monthly subscriptions can add up so balance budgets against desired features and long-term usage plans. One-time purchases often suffice for more basic needs.

Evaluating integrations, ease of onboarding, use case alignment and pricing help single out the best fit writing apps tailored to any writer‘s needs and constraints.

The Bottom Line on Writing Software

While core word processing provides a foundation for writing, advanced apps unlock the next level through unbounded environments and enhancement capabilities tailored to every form of writing.

Whether looking to craft compelling fiction, optimize online conversion rates, hit stringent formatting requirements or improve the accuracy of documented processes, the expanding catalog of writing apps delivers.

So why not remove the friction and limitations holding back your writing productivity and progress by test driving one of these top writing apps today?

The above overview and comparisons aim to kickstart your research journey…now‘s the time to experience the capabilities firsthand!

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