Welcome to the Writing App Database

Discover the perfect writing app in just a few clicks.

How It Works

Click here to watch a 2-min tutorial video on how to use the database.

What's Not in This Database

Many authors use many different tools to write their books. I only included apps whose primary purpose is to write fiction and nonfiction (ie. not Evernote or Vellum). The exceptions to this rule are general word processors like MS Word and Google Docs. This way, it makes it easier for you to compare similar writing apps to each other.

Feature Explanations

Here is a quick explanation of the different features you can filter by in the database. The filters are just starting points; use them as a guide to explore these apps further.

Operating System: Pretty self-explanatory, but remember that “Web-Based” apps can be used on any OS as long as you have an Internet connection.

Payment Type: Also self-explanatory, but subscription-based writing apps vary wildly in the types of plans they offer. I believe the best way to share pricing information for subscription apps is on a yearly basis, not monthly. The amount in the database is the most you will pay per year if you choose the most expensive option available–but remember that there may be cheaper plans, so just use this to do your homework.

Ebook Formatting: Apps that can export to EPUB receive a “Yes”, but not all ebook formatting features are created equal.

Paperback Formatting: Apps that allow you to customize margins and your book's trim size (at a minimum) received a “Yes” for paperback formatting. Again, not all paperback formatting features are created equal.

Automatic Backup: This feature autosaves your work and creates backups without you having to do anything. It's an important feature to ensure you don't lose your hard work.

Dark Mode: Apps that allow you to change the background to black or another dark color while you write. Dark mode is easier on the eyes and good when you're writing at night.

Simultaneous Collaboration: This feature allows multiple writers to work on a manuscript at the same time SAFELY without a major fear of losing data. Google Docs has the gold standard of this feature.

Outlining Support: Outlining support comes in many forms, but at a minimum, these apps let you outline, do character work, and other tasks needed before writing your novel.

Distraction-Free Mode: This feature is a separate mode that eliminates buttons and menus so that you can focus on the words.

Splitscreen: Apps that have splitscreen let you divide your screen in half (either vertically or horizontally) so you can work on two documents in the same project at the same time.

Write in Multiple Tabs/Windows: These apps let you create multiple tabs just like in your browser. Or, they let you create multiple windows that you can float around to your heart's desire. Apps that offer either/or both of these experiences received a “Yes.”

Tracked Changes: This feature lets you track what words/characters you or an editor adds/edits/deletes a la Microsoft Word. Tracked Changes is not common in writing apps outside of Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but some apps do have it.

Show Filters

You can filter results based on columns

App Name	Operating System	Payment Type	Pricing	Ebook Formatting	Paperback Formatting	Automatic Backup	Dark Mode	Simultaneous Collaboration	Outlining Support	Distraction-Free Mode	Splitscreen	Write in Multiple Tabs/Windows	Tracked Changes	Website
Bookflow	Web-Based	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$180.00	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	https://www.authorlevelup.com/bookflow
OpenOffice	Linux	Free	$0.00	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	https://www.openoffice.org/
OpenOffice	Windows	Free	$0.00	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	https://www.openoffice.org/
OpenOffice	MacOS	Free	$0.00	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	https://www.openoffice.org/
Writer's Cafe	Linux	Paid - Flat Fee	$45.00	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	http://www.writerscafe.co.uk/index.htm
Writer's Cafe	Windows	Paid - Flat Fee	$45.00	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	http://www.writerscafe.co.uk/index.htm
Writer's Cafe	MacOS	Paid - Flat Fee	$45.00	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	http://www.writerscafe.co.uk/index.htm
Bibisco	Linux	Paid - Flat Fee	$20.00	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	https://bibisco.com/
Bibisco	Windows	Paid - Flat Fee	$20.00	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	https://bibisco.com/
Bibisco	MacOS	Paid - Flat Fee	$20.00	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	https://bibisco.com/
Squibler	Web-Based	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$119.88	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	https://www.squibler.io/
Google Docs	Android	Free	$0.00	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	https://www.google.com/docs
Google Docs	iOS/iPad	Free	$0.00	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	https://www.google.com/docs
Google Docs	Web-Based	Free	$0.00	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	https://www.google.com/docs
Pages	MacOS	Free	$0.00	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	https://www.apple.com/pages/
Write Room	MacOS	Free	$9.99	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	http://www.hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom
LibreOffice Writer	Linux	Free	$0.00	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	https://www.libreoffice.org
LibreOffice Writer	Windows	Free	$0.00	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	https://www.libreoffice.org
LibreOffice Writer	MacOS	Free	$0.00	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	https://www.libreoffice.org
Typora	Linux	Free	$0.00	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	https://typora.io/
Typora	Windows	Free	$0.00	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	https://typora.io/
Typora	MacOS	Free	$0.00	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	https://typora.io/
Byword	iOS/iPad	Paid - Flat Fee	$5.99	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	https://bywordapp.com/
Byword	MacOS	Paid - Flat Fee	$10.99	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	https://bywordapp.com/
Papyrus Author	Windows	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$179.88	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	https://www.papyrusauthor.com/
Papyrus Author	MacOS	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$179.88	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	https://www.papyrusauthor.com/
Write! App	Linux	Paid - Flat Fee	$24.95	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	https://writeapp.co/
Write! App	Windows	Paid - Flat Fee	$24.95	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	https://writeapp.co/
Write! App	MacOS	Paid - Flat Fee	$24.95	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	https://writeapp.co/
FocusWriter	Linux	Free	$0.00	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/
FocusWriter	Windows	Free	$0.00	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/
yWriter	Windows	Free	$0.00	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter7_Download.html
yWriter	Android	Paid - Flat Fee	$5.00	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	http://www.spacejock.com/yWriterAndroid.html
Shaxpir	Windows	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$96.00	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	https://www.shaxpir.com/
Shaxpir	MacOS	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$96.00	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	https://www.shaxpir.com/
WriteItNow	Windows	Paid - Flat Fee	$59.95	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	https://ravensheadservices.com/index.html
Novlr	Web-Based	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$100.00	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	https://novlr.org/
The Novel Factory	Web-Based	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$720.00	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	https://www.novel-software.com/
Living Writer	Web-Based	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$96.00	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	http://www.livingwriter.com
iA Writer	Android	Paid - Flat Fee	$29.99	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	https://ia.net/
iA Writer	Windows	Paid - Flat Fee	$29.99	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	https://ia.net/
iA Writer	iOS/iPad	Paid - Flat Fee	$29.99	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	https://ia.net/
iA Writer	MacOS	Paid - Flat Fee	$29.99	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	https://ia.net/
Storyist	iOS/iPad	Paid - Flat Fee	$19.99	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	https://www.storyist.com/ios/
Storyist	MacOS	Paid - Flat Fee	$59.00	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	https://www.storyist.com/mac/
Reedsy Book Editor	Web-Based	Free	$0.00	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	http://www.reedsy.com
Microsoft Word	Web-Based	Free	$0.00	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	http://www.office365.com
Microsoft Word	Android	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$99.99	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	http://www.office365.com
Microsoft Word	iOS/iPad	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$99.99	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	http://www.office365.com
Microsoft Word	MacOS	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$99.99	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	http://www.office365.com
Microsoft Word	Windows	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$99.99	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	http://www.office365.com
Ulysses	iOS/iPad	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$49.99	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	http://www.ulyssesapp.com
Ulysses	MacOS	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$49.99	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	http://www.ulysses.app
Atticus	Web-Based	Paid - Flat Fee	$147	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	http://www.atticus.io
Dabble Writer	Web-Based	Paid - Subscription (Yearly)	$180.00	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	http://www.dabblewriter.com
Scrivener	iOS/iPad	Paid - Flat Fee	$19.99	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	https://www.authorlevelup.com/scrivener
Scrivener	Windows	Paid - Flat Fee	$49.00	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	https://www.authorlevelup.com/scrivener
Scrivener	MacOS	Paid - Flat Fee	$49.00	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	https://www.authorlevelup.com/scrivener

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**I Wrote The Book On Writing Apps.**

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