As a writer myself, I have been asked many times what is the best writing apps for writers and what’s the writing app I am using.
As being both a writer and a blogger, I love trying different writing apps for different purposes.
So in this post, I have listed some of the writing apps which I have used and some popular writing apps which other writers in the same niche use.
I recommend you bookmark this page as I will be updating this page with more writing apps as I discover them. These apps will help you to become a better writer and build a productivity system for yourself.
Table of Contents
The Best Writing Apps And Software For Writers
So you want to know what are the best writing apps for writers which can help you to write faster and produce content (ebook, articles, and novels) effectively.
But before I recommend the writing apps and software that you can use, you should always prefer what works best for you.
I prefer writing apps but that doesn’t mean you can’t start with just a pen and paper.
The main objective should be “to write” by any means.
The only thing these writing apps and software do is streamline the process and helps to get started faster.
So let’s jump to the writing apps list.
1. Evernote
Evernote is my personal favorite app and I have been using it for almost 4 years now for all types of writing.
This is a simple note-taking app but you can customize it to your needs.
I generally use Evernote to write down the ideas for my blog posts whenever something strikes me.
As Evernote is compatible with any device from desktop to Android and iOS, it is my go-to app for note-taking and writing to-dos.
For clarification, I am currently using Evernote to write this blog post while flying to meet my friend.
The biggest feature I admire the most is that the free version offers to create as many separate notebooks as you want. I use this feature to write some small ebooks too.
Evernote also has some other features worth exploring like dictation to transcribe voice notes into text, amazing integration with other supported apps, sync across devices, team collaboration if you are working with other fellow writers or authors, and much more.
It has both free and paid plans.
The paid plan starts at $3.99 per month and $2.99 per month if billed yearly.
Click here to give Evernote a try.
2. iA Writer
If you want a distraction-free app for writing articles and blog posts iA Writer will be your go-to app.
iA Writer is a minimalist writing app suitable for handling smaller projects.
For distraction-free writing this app only highlights the line you are currently typing and fades everything else.
The Focus Mode on iPad, iPhone, and Mac helps writers focus on the current point which is effective for working on creative writing projects.
3. Scrivener
If you are working on a longer form of content, like novels, Scrivener should be your first choice.
I use this book writing app for writing my novels, ebooks, and longer forms of content.
It has much more writing features than regular word apps like MS Word and helps the writers to manage their ideas and manage complicated writing projects.
It has both desktop and mobile app versions so you can work anywhere you want.
This is a more suitable app if you are writing ebooks and novels as it can help you outline chapters properly and even convert your book into ebook format if you are self-publishing it on Amazon or any other publishing platform.
4. MS Word
Microsoft Word is the only software I had when I started writing my first ebook (Short Story).
I’ve written a complete novel using MS Word only.
Though it is paid software, it is worth every penny.
There are many features that you can use to write articles, novels, ebooks, notes, and anything you want.
There are many pre-built templates that you can use to work on.
Apart from that there are some features that are ignored sometimes like text-to-speech, keyboard shortcuts, Synonyms Lookup, Enhanced Proofreading, Researcher toolset, Word count, Linked Notes, and many more.
If you already have MS Word on your system as I had from my college days for preparing presentations and projects, you should use MS Word to write your articles or ebooks and novels.
You could also get the complete MS Office for yourself if you can spend a few bucks.
Office 2019 Home & Business costs $249.99 and Office 2019 Professional costs $439.99 (One-time payment). Alternatively, you can use Office 365 Home which costs $99.99 per year and Office 365 Personal $69.99 per year. These prices are at time of writing and subject to change by the distributor.
5. LibreOffice
Now if you don’t have the budget to get MS Office and you want something similar to MS Office then LibreOffice is your savior.
LibreOffice is the free alternative to MS Office with everything almost similar to MS Office.
For free you can get the word processor, which as a writer that’s all you need. So it will get the things done for you without spending a penny.
All popular formats found in Microsoft Office programs, such as DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX, are fully supported in LibreOffice.
Click here to download LibreOffice
6. Google Docs
Another great alternative to MS Word is Google Doc, plus it is also free.
If you are a writer you will be amazed by the features it has ranging to cross-device sync to working offline and many other features it offers you all for free.
You can even collaborate and work with other people as well.
The fun part which I love the most is that you can share a link with anyone you want, and they can watch the words appear in the document as you type them.
If you’re a writer, this is a fun way to give readers a glimpse into the composition.
As it is an online tool, your changes are automatically saved. So there is no loss of content when some misfortunate things happen with your smartphone or computer. Your work will be always saved and can be accessed from any device.
7. Final Draft
If you are a screenwriter then it should be your go-to app. It’s a default choice for almost every screenwriter.
This is the most effective software, with virtually every necessary and useful tool a writer could ever need.
Final Draft is best if you are a professional screenwriter and do a lot of revisions, reports or collaborate with a writing partner.
It also has a real-time collaboration option which is a boon for writers who always in need of a collaboration partner. It allows multiple writers to edit text and chat simultaneously.
Apart from that it also has some cool features like the ability to insert an image, tagging, boards, speech to script, night mode, and much more.
As I am not a screenwriter I have not reviewed it completely. But it is the most trusted software in the industry for screenwriters.
8. Text Editor
If you are short on budget and don’t want to spend any money on expensive writing apps then you can use a text editor that comes by default on all operating systems.
And if you are writing on smartphone then it also comes with some default notepad app which you can use to get started.
Just open Notepad on Windows and TextEdit on Mac and just start writing on it.
As it is a simple text editor the editing options will be limited. But you can use it for writing some short articles, key points, research, etc.
9. Day One
Day One is the writing app specially designed for people and writers who love journaling.
I am not that much believer in journal writing especially in digital format rather I use a physical journal to write something every week.
If you love journaling in digital format then you can use Day One to write a daily entry about what you are struggling with and what you need to focus on.
You can write anything you wish. It is your journal 😏.
Day One syncs across all devices so even you can work on it from anywhere you like.
10. Dragon Naturally Speaking
It’s a modern-day solution for writers who want to achieve productivity.
It is not a writing app rather it is a dictation writing app and works on the basic principle of speech-to-text.
With advanced speech engine and deep learning technology, it allows the user to create accurate dictation and transcription.
Even support further customization for the generated transcript.
If you are working against a deadline this app will come in handy.
Click here to try Dragon Naturally Speaking
11. The Novel Factory
If you are just a beginner and like to write your own fiction novel then this is an app just for you.
It offers the writer a step-by-step tutorial on writing their first novel by taking them through the scene, characters, themes, and so on. It is somehow similar to working in Scrivener.
It works on the web via a desktop app for Windows.
You can try it for free before you make a one-time payment of £24.99.
Click here to try The Novel Factory
Writing Apps For Writers For Getting Ideas
Writing is not easy and it is not easy to get ideas and inspiration. That’s why there is a term used “the writer’s block”. If you are looking for ways to overcome writer’s block, read my article.
And that’s why you need to have some brainstorming, ideas generating, writing apps that help you solve this problem.
Because without ideas, we, as writers are nothing.
1. MindNode
Available for iOS devices MindNode is a mind mapping app which helps you to create a visual representation of your ideas.
It helps you to organize your thoughts and its clean interface allows you to connect your thoughts together no matter how big, small, or complicated.
This is a great app for writers for visual thinking and you can organize your ideas in an “easy to follow“ format.
You will be able to see the visual representation of your layout whether it’s the character description, story layout, characters back story, or anything complicated like that, which is difficult to connect and follow through.
The app also allows the user to color code, customize, and highlight the branches for easier visualization.
Its a paid app for iOS devices and costs $9.99.
And if you are working on such complex projects which need such visualisation then it will be worth the price.
2. The Brainstormer
The Brainstormer helps the writers overcome their creative block by providing new ideas.
In simple word, it is a spinning wheel with lots of different ideas and you can spin it to get a different combination of ideas which can make a fantastic creative prompt for writing.
You can use these combinations of scenarios suggested by the wheels to get started or fill your brain with some brilliant storyline and get your inspiration back.
Available only for iOS devices.
Click here to try The Brainstormer
3. iMindMap
You can use iMindMap for creating mind maps for articles and book chapters.
This writing app will definitely help you to complete your work much faster.
I use this for creating mind maps for my non-fiction ebooks and some long-form blog posts.
Though you can use this for writing even fiction ebooks or novels.
It is the most advanced mind mapping app for writers – compared with MindNode and Brainstormer.
4. Lists for Writers – Ideas for Creative Writing
This app is said to be the goldmine for writers who are running out of ideas for names, characters traits, their obsession, occupation, action verbs, etc.
This app generates these for you so that you can get inspiration and use these in your creative writing.
Another great feature of this app is that it also supports a dictionary so that you can look for the meanings in the same app without Googling it.
Even it has a simple notepad for writers to collect interesting ideas from the list for writing prompts and editing.
List For Writers is available for both Android and iOS devices and costs $2.99.
5. Daily Prompt
Daily Prompt is one of those writing apps for writers who are struggling with “Writers Block”, will get a new writing prompt every 24 hours.
A simple and easy-to-use app with more than 600+ writing prompts in their collection growing daily.
As of today, there are more than 10,000 writers who are currently using the app.
The best thing I love about this app is that it will not only give you new prompts every 24 hours but you can also request feedback from other members of the community. And you can also collab and write with other authors.
Other than just writing you can also view the writeups of other authors and writers and take inspiration from the same, or just read and enjoy.
Right now the app is only available on iOS devices, but their web app will be launching soon.
So, if you want to improve your writing habit and try something new, you can try this writing app.
Click here to try Daily Prompt
Editing Apps To Use Along with Writing Apps
1. Grammarly
Though Grammarly is not really a writing app as it is basically used for editing and Proofreading. But the premium version of Grammarly offers more than that.
It helps you improve your writing skills by providing suggestions such as where to use passive voice, gives words recommendations and suggestions, where to use short sentences, and so on.
Grammarly is a must-have app along with any other writing app as your writing will not mean anything if it contains a lot of errors.
Grammarly is my personal favorite and I use it every time whether writing a blog post or creating any ebook.
Click here to Sign up for Grammarly
2. Hemingway App
Hemingway way is also an editing app like Grammarly and ProWritingAid but some amazing features.
You just need to paste your text in the software and it will suggest words that you can remove without altering the meanings of your sentence.
It also suggests where you need to reframe your sentences from passive voice to active voice and vice versa.
This is also an amazing app for writers who want to improve their writing as well as self-edit their work.
Click here to try Hemingway Editor
3. ProWritingAid
It is also an editing app but a lot more affordable than Grammarly and Ginger.
ProWritingAid is a grammar checker and style editor for bloggers, novelists, and business writers.
It will also help improve the readability of anything you write.
You can use the editor to check the story or an article for things like Clichés, overused words, incorrect tense, duplicate words, and Overall readability of your content.
So yes ProWritingAid is an amazing app for any writer who wants to do the editing on the go.
Click here to try ProWritingAid
Conclusion
As you can see I have listed a lot of apps that can help you as a writer to get your work done in a much better and effective way.
But!!!!
You can’t use all the apps mentioned above. It’s really impossible.
All you have to do is check out these app and give them a try. Look into their features and see what you need and how it is helping you to become a better writer.
Use that app only. Your main focus is to write and get your work done and not what and which type of app to use.
I use Evernote and Scrivener, doesn’t mean that you should use the same.
This app works for me and maybe it can work for you too. Use the one which fits all your needs.
You can also bookmark this page as I will be continuously updating the article to add more apps for writers.
And if you know or use any other app that helped you, please do mention that in the comment section.
Don’t forget Dabble! It’s like an easier, browser-based Scrivener and has ProWritingAid built-in.
You should really check it out and add it to the list.
Thanks for mentioning this writing app. Will surely check it out and update the list as soon as possible.