The best software for writing depends on what you write. Scrivener suits long projects such as books and theses, Google Docs and Microsoft Word suit documents you share and edit with others, Ulysses and iA Writer suit focused drafting, and Grammarly and LanguageTool suit checking what you have already written. This guide covers ten tools and who each one fits.
Most writers end up with two tools: one place to draft and one way to polish. Picking each on purpose beats forcing one app to do both jobs.
Drafting, editing and organizing are different jobs
Writing software splits into three groups, and mixing them up leads to frustration.
- Drafting tools give you a clean space and structure for getting words down. Examples are Scrivener, Ulysses, iA Writer, Word and Google Docs.
- Editing tools check grammar, clarity and style on what you have written. Examples are Grammarly, LanguageTool and Hemingway Editor.
- Organizing tools hold notes, research and ideas. Examples are Obsidian and Notion.
Think about where your bottleneck is. If you cannot keep a long manuscript in order, you need a drafting tool with structure. If your first drafts are fine but messy, you need an editor.
What to look for
- Platforms. Check that the app runs on every device you write on. Some are limited to Apple devices.
- File format. Plain text and Markdown files are easy to move between apps. Proprietary formats can lock you in.
- Structure. Long projects need chapters, scenes or sections that you can rearrange.
- Collaboration. If others review your work, real-time comments and version history matter.
- Distraction control. A full-screen or focus mode helps if you lose time to menus.
- Export. Check that it exports to the formats your publisher, client or blog needs.
- Cost model. Some tools are one-time purchases, some are subscriptions and some are free. Check the vendor page for the current model.
The 10 best software tools for writing
1. Scrivener
Scrivener is built for long writing projects. You break a manuscript into small pieces, view them on a corkboard or outline, and keep research inside the same project. When you finish, you compile the pieces into one document in the format you need.
It has a learning curve, and most of its power sits in the features you may ignore at first. It is available for Mac, Windows and iOS.
Best for: novels, non-fiction books and theses that need structure.
2. Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is the standard word processor in offices, publishing and academia. It has styles, tracked changes, comments, citations support and a long list of export options, and it is part of Microsoft 365.
Editors and publishers often ask for Word files, so even writers who draft elsewhere end up exporting to it. It is heavy for casual notes, but it is the safe choice when your work goes through other people’s hands.
Best for: manuscripts and documents that editors, clients or institutions will mark up.
3. Google Docs
Google Docs runs in the browser and saves as you type. Several people can edit the same document at once, leave comments and suggest changes, and you can see the version history. It works on any device with a browser, and there are mobile apps.
It lacks the structure tools of Scrivener, so very long documents get unwieldy. For articles, scripts and team drafts, it is hard to beat for ease.
Best for: collaborative drafts, blog posts and work shared with clients.
4. Ulysses
Ulysses is a Markdown-based writing app for Apple devices. It keeps all your writing in one library with groups and sheets, and it focuses on a clean writing screen with goals and a preview and export function. It syncs across Mac, iPad and iPhone.
It is only for Apple platforms, which settles the choice for some writers. It is sold as a subscription.
Best for: writers on Apple devices who want a calm, organized library.
5. iA Writer
iA Writer strips writing down to a minimal screen. It uses Markdown, offers a focus mode that highlights the current sentence or line, and keeps your files as plain text. It is available across Apple platforms, Windows and Android.
It has few features by design. That is the point for writers who want to start typing and nothing else.
Best for: distraction-free drafting of articles, essays and notes.
6. Obsidian
Obsidian is a note-taking app that stores your notes as plain Markdown files on your device. You link notes to each other, which builds a map of ideas, and a plugin system extends what it can do.
Many writers use it as a research and idea base and draft elsewhere. It rewards people who like to build their own system, and it takes some patience if you do not.
Best for: researchers, non-fiction writers and anyone who builds long-term notes.
7. Notion
Notion combines documents, databases and wikis in one workspace. For writing, it works as an editorial calendar, a content tracker and a place for drafts that teammates can comment on.
It is not a focused writing tool, and long documents can feel slower than in a dedicated editor. Its strength is organizing the work around the writing.
Best for: content teams and freelancers who track many pieces at once. For a wider look at note tools, see our guide to the best AI note-taking apps.
8. Hemingway Editor
Hemingway Editor highlights long sentences, passive voice, adverbs and hard-to-read passages so you can simplify them. It offers a web editor and a desktop app.
It does not check grammar in depth, and its rules suit plain, direct prose more than literary writing. Use it as a second pass on blog posts, emails and web copy.
Best for: tightening web copy and business writing.
9. Grammarly
Grammarly checks spelling, grammar, punctuation and tone as you write, in the browser, in desktop apps and through extensions. It also offers AI-assisted writing features.
It works where you already write, including email and web forms, which is its main advantage. Suggestions are advice, so accept the ones that suit your voice. If you want options, see our post on Grammarly alternatives for WordPress.
Best for: everyday proofing across email, documents and the web.
10. LanguageTool
LanguageTool is a grammar and style checker that supports many languages, which makes it useful for writers who work in more than one. It offers browser extensions and integrations, and a free tier plus paid plans.
It is a strong pick if you write in languages other than English, or if you want a checker with a different approach from Grammarly.
Best for: multilingual writers and teams.
Comparison table
| Tool | Main job | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scrivener | Long-form drafting | Mac, Windows, iOS | Books and theses |
| Microsoft Word | Documents and review | Windows, Mac, web, mobile | Editor-ready files |
| Google Docs | Shared drafting | Browser and mobile | Collaboration |
| Ulysses | Organized writing library | Apple devices | Apple users |
| iA Writer | Focused drafting | Apple, Windows, Android | Minimal writing |
| Obsidian | Linked notes | Desktop and mobile | Research |
| Notion | Workspace and tracking | Browser, desktop, mobile | Content teams |
| Hemingway Editor | Readability edits | Web and desktop | Web copy |
| Grammarly | Grammar and tone | Browser, desktop, mobile | Everyday proofing |
| LanguageTool | Multilingual checking | Browser and integrations | Multilingual writers |
Specialist tools worth knowing
Final Draft is a screenwriting program that formats scripts to industry conventions, which matters because producers expect that layout. FocusWriter is a distraction-free editor that hides the interface until you need it. If you are writing a book, our guide to the best software for writing a book goes deeper on manuscripts, formatting and publishing.
How to make the tool matter less
The app is rarely the reason a draft stalls. A few habits help in any of them. Write a rough outline before you open the first page, set a small daily target such as a fixed time or word count, and keep drafting and editing in separate sessions. Draft first with the checker switched off, because stopping to fix every red underline breaks your flow. Then edit in a second pass, read the piece aloud and cut what repeats itself.
Finally, save versions at the milestones that matter, such as the first full draft and the version you sent to an editor. Most of the tools above keep history, and a named copy is easier to find later.
A simple writing stack
You do not need ten apps. Here are three combinations that cover most writers.
- Blogger or content writer: Google Docs for drafts and sharing, Hemingway Editor for a readability pass and Grammarly for a last check.
- Author: Scrivener for the manuscript, Obsidian for research and Word for the editor’s version.
- Apple-based freelancer: Ulysses for drafting, Notion for tracking work and LanguageTool or Grammarly for proofing.
Whatever you pick, keep a backup. Store files in a synced folder or export them regularly, and do not rely on one device.
Where AI fits
Many of these tools now include AI features for suggestions, rewrites or summaries. Treat those as an assistant. You still decide what to keep, and you should check facts yourself. If you want to compare dedicated assistants, see our roundups of the best AI writing tools and AI tools for creative writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best software for writing a book?
Scrivener is the usual choice because it handles long projects with chapters, notes and research in one file. Word and Google Docs also work, especially if your editor needs those formats.
What is the best free writing software?
Google Docs is free with a Google account and covers most needs. Hemingway Editor offers a free web editor, and LanguageTool and Grammarly offer free tiers with limits. Obsidian and FocusWriter are other options to check on their own sites.
Is Scrivener better than Word?
For long, structured projects, usually yes, because you can rearrange sections and keep research beside the draft. For documents that go through editors and reviewers, Word is easier to work with.
What is the best distraction-free writing app?
iA Writer and FocusWriter are built for it, and Ulysses has a calm interface on Apple devices. Pick the one that runs on the devices you use.
Do I need Grammarly if I use Word or Google Docs?
No, but it helps. Word and Google Docs check basic spelling and grammar, and Grammarly adds tone and clarity suggestions that also work in email and the browser.
Which writing tools work on both Mac and Windows?
Scrivener, Word, iA Writer, Obsidian, Notion, Grammarly and Hemingway Editor are available on both. Ulysses is limited to Apple devices.
Should I write in Markdown?
Markdown keeps your files as plain text, which makes them portable and light. It suits blog posts and notes. If you need heavy formatting or tracked changes, a word processor is easier.
Choose and start
Pick one drafting tool and one checker, use them for a month and then decide what is missing. Switching tools often costs more time than the features save.