Best Writing Tools and Software in 2024: Complete Guide for Authors
By TagTwist Editorial Team10 min readWriting Tools
The best writing software for most authors is Scrivener ($50) for long-form projects and Google Docs (free) for collaboration and simple writing. For beginners, start with free tools like Google Docs or Notion, then upgrade to specialized software like Scrivener or Ulysses as your writing needs become more complex.
Free Writing Tools
Google Docs
- Best for: Collaboration, cloud storage, beginners
- Price: Free
- Features: Real-time collaboration, auto-save, comments
- Pros: Accessible anywhere, excellent sharing
- Cons: Limited formatting, basic organization
LibreOffice Writer
- Best for: Offline writing, Microsoft Word alternative
- Price: Free
- Features: Advanced formatting, templates, export options
- Pros: No subscription, powerful features
- Cons: Steeper learning curve, older interface
Notion
- Best for: All-in-one workspace, project management
- Price: Free (personal use)
- Features: Databases, templates, collaboration
- Pros: Highly customizable, great for planning
- Cons: Can be overwhelming, slower performance
Hemingway Editor
- Best for: Editing and improving readability
- Price: Free (web version)
- Features: Readability analysis, style suggestions
- Pros: Improves clarity, easy to use
- Cons: Limited writing features, web-only
Premium Writing Software
Scrivener - $50 (one-time)
Why Writers Love It:
- • Organize large projects with ease
- • Research and notes in one place
- • Powerful outlining tools
- • Multiple export formats
- • Distraction-free writing modes
Best For:
- • Novel writing
- • Academic writing
- • Non-fiction books
- • Screenwriting
- • Research-heavy projects
Ulysses - $5.99/month
- Best for: Mac users, distraction-free writing
- Features: Markdown writing, goal tracking, publishing
- Pros: Beautiful interface, seamless sync
- Cons: Mac/iOS only, subscription model
Final Draft - $249
- Best for: Screenwriting, industry standard
- Features: Script formatting, collaboration tools
- Pros: Industry standard, professional features
- Cons: Expensive, overkill for novels
Specialized Writing Tools
Grammar and Editing Tools
Grammarly
$12/month premium
- • Grammar and spell check
- • Style suggestions
- • Plagiarism detection
- • Browser integration
ProWritingAid
$79/year
- • In-depth writing analysis
- • Style and readability reports
- • Integration with writing apps
- • More affordable than Grammarly
Autocrit
$30/month
- • Fiction-specific editing
- • Pacing and dialogue analysis
- • Comparison to published works
- • Genre-specific feedback
Distraction-Free Writing
WriteRoom - $19.95
- • Minimal, distraction-free interface
- • Full-screen writing mode
- • Multiple themes and fonts
- • Focus on pure writing
Cold Turkey Writer - Free
- • Blocks other applications
- • Forces you to write
- • Timer-based sessions
- • Minimal interface
Organization and Planning Tools
Aeon Timeline - $50
- Best for: Complex timeline management
- • Visual timeline creation
- • Character and event tracking
- • Scrivener integration
- • Historical fiction and fantasy
World Anvil - $5-15/month
- Best for: Fantasy and sci-fi worldbuilding
- • Maps and locations
- • Character genealogies
- • Timeline and history
- • Collaboration features
Mobile Writing Apps
Ulysses Mobile
Part of subscription
- • Seamless sync with desktop
- • Excellent mobile interface
- • Markdown support
- • iOS only
JotterPad
Free with premium options
- • Distraction-free mobile writing
- • Markdown support
- • Cloud sync
- • Android and iOS
iA Writer
$29.99
- • Clean, focused interface
- • Syntax highlighting
- • Focus mode
- • Cross-platform
Research and Reference Tools
- Zotero (Free): Academic research and citation management
- Evernote ($7.99/month): Note-taking and web clipping
- OneNote (Free): Microsoft's note-taking solution
- Obsidian (Free): Networked note-taking with linking
- Pinterest (Free): Visual inspiration and mood boards
Choosing the Right Tool for You
Decision Framework
- Start simple: Use free tools (Google Docs, Notion) to establish your writing habit
- Identify your needs: Do you need organization, collaboration, or distraction-free writing?
- Try before you buy: Most premium tools offer free trials
- Consider your budget: One-time purchases vs. subscriptions
- Think long-term: Will this tool grow with your writing career?
Recommended Tool Combinations
Beginner Setup (Free)
- • Writing: Google Docs
- • Planning: Notion
- • Editing: Hemingway Editor
- • Notes: OneNote
- • Total cost: $0
Professional Setup
- • Writing: Scrivener ($50)
- • Editing: ProWritingAid ($79/year)
- • Grammar: Grammarly ($144/year)
- • Mobile: Ulysses ($72/year)
- • Total cost: $345 first year
Start With the Right Tools
The best writing tool is the one you'll actually use. Start with free options to develop your writing habit, then invest in premium tools as your needs become clearer. Remember: the tool doesn't write the story—you do.