Best Apps for Book Writing

In this article, we’re going to reverse-engineer your writing productivity. It’s not about sitting down and typing—it’s about creating a sustainable writing system that fits your needs. Whether you’re working on your first novel, a self-help book, or even your memoir, finding the right writing tool can be the difference between success and frustration. We’ll explore the best apps that can turn your idea into a published book, from distraction-free minimalist platforms to robust, feature-packed suites.

1. Scrivener: The Powerhouse for Long-Form Writing

You’ve probably heard this name tossed around in writing circles, and for good reason. Scrivener is the heavyweight champ for book writers, especially if you're writing something lengthy, like a novel or an academic text. It offers a split-pane view, allowing you to reference your notes or an outline while you’re writing. You can break your project into smaller chunks, re-arrange them, and compile them when you're ready. It's perfect if you like non-linear writing (jumping between chapters as ideas come) or if your project requires a lot of research.

But here's the kicker: Scrivener’s learning curve is steep. It’s not a tool you’ll master overnight. However, once you invest time in understanding its functionalities—outlining, footnotes, research management—it becomes a powerhouse that other apps simply can’t match. It’s a favorite among novelists, screenwriters, and academics. If your book involves extensive plotting or research, Scrivener will help you stay organized and on track.

2. Ulysses: Elegant Simplicity for Focused Writers

While Scrivener thrives in its complexity, Ulysses takes a minimalist approach. At first glance, it might seem too simple. There are no unnecessary bells and whistles here. This app is designed to minimize distractions, allowing you to focus entirely on your writing. But don’t be fooled by its sleek design. Ulysses is packed with features, like markdown formatting, an integrated library to store all your writing projects, and iCloud synchronization.

The beauty of Ulysses is in its seamless, distraction-free interface. If you're someone who gets bogged down by too many features or a cluttered workspace, Ulysses might be your perfect match. It's excellent for novelists, bloggers, and essayists who crave simplicity but still want access to powerful organizational tools. Plus, it’s optimized for iPad, which makes writing on-the-go a breeze.

3. Google Docs: Collaboration & Accessibility

If collaboration is a critical part of your writing process, Google Docs is still the gold standard. It’s simple, free, and available on nearly every device. More importantly, it allows for real-time collaboration, meaning you and your editor or co-author can work on the same document simultaneously, from anywhere in the world. This is especially useful if you’re constantly sending drafts to a publisher, editor, or agent.

Google Docs doesn’t offer the robust features of a Scrivener or Ulysses, but its integration with Google Drive and automatic backups make it reliable. The biggest upside? You won’t lose your work due to technical issues. For nonfiction authors working with researchers or editors, or for writers who need constant feedback, Google Docs provides a seamless workflow.

4. yWriter: Built for Novelists by a Novelist

Created by author Simon Haynes, yWriter was specifically designed for novelists. The app breaks your work into scenes rather than chapters, which makes it easier to manage and track plotlines, character development, and settings. While it may not look as polished as Scrivener or Ulysses, its functionality is its strength.

yWriter shines when it comes to plotting. If you’re someone who needs to organize complex narratives, the scene-by-scene breakdown can help you manage subplots and character arcs more effectively. It also tracks word count for each scene, which is great for anyone participating in NaNoWriMo or working toward daily writing goals.

5. FocusWriter: Minimalism to Boost Creativity

FocusWriter is a no-frills, distraction-free writing app designed to keep you locked into your work. It offers a customizable screen where all unnecessary buttons and menus are hidden until you need them. The idea is simple: reduce the clutter, increase the focus. There’s a feature that allows you to set daily word count goals, which is perfect for building a consistent writing habit.

If you’re prone to distraction or procrastination, FocusWriter’s approach is exactly what you need. No pop-ups, no notifications—just a clean writing environment. It’s an excellent tool for those who need to focus on their first draft without getting bogged down by editing or formatting.

6. Reedsy Book Editor: Designed for Self-Publishing

While most writing apps are focused on helping you get your words on the page, Reedsy Book Editor takes things a step further by helping you format your manuscript for self-publishing. With its user-friendly interface, you can format your book for ePub and PDF right within the app. It’s perfect for writers who are planning to self-publish on platforms like Amazon Kindle or Apple Books.

The Reedsy Book Editor also provides a distraction-free writing environment and seamless collaboration features that allow you to share your manuscript with editors and designers. Once you’re finished, you can export your book in a format ready for publishing, which eliminates the need for external formatting tools.

7. ProWritingAid: Perfect Your Manuscript

Every writer needs an editor, but what if you could handle some of the editing yourself? ProWritingAid is a comprehensive grammar and style checker that does much more than catch typos. It analyzes your writing for overused words, sentence length variation, readability, and more. Think of it as your personal writing coach.

While ProWritingAid isn’t a writing tool in the traditional sense, it’s essential for any writer who wants to improve their prose. It goes beyond simple grammar corrections, offering detailed reports on how to strengthen your writing. If you're serious about your craft, this app can help polish your manuscript before it ever reaches an editor’s desk.

8. Plottr: The Ultimate Visual Organizer for Plotters

For the writers who love to plot their stories visually, Plottr is the go-to app. It provides a timeline feature where you can outline your book's structure in a visual format. Whether you’re managing multiple storylines or need to see your character arcs across chapters, Plottr’s intuitive design makes it easy to map out your entire book.

Unlike yWriter or Scrivener, which rely on text-based organization, Plottr’s visual-first approach offers a unique way to structure your work. It’s especially helpful for fantasy or sci-fi authors who juggle complex plots, timelines, or character development.

Why the Right App Matters

The app you choose can either streamline your writing process or slow you down. Finding the right tool for your writing style and project needs will help you write more consistently and effectively. From visual plotting tools to minimalist, distraction-free apps, there’s something out there for every kind of writer.

If you’re serious about writing a book, don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all approach. Explore these apps, test them out, and find the one that helps you write your best work. It’s time to stop struggling with your writing process and start focusing on what really matters: telling your story.