20 Best Writing Tools: A Must-Have List for Every Writer
-
By Omar
- Updated on Feb 3, 2023
If you’re like me, you’ve been writing for a while, and you know how tedious it can be, especially when you have deadlines to beat or when you’ve run out of inspiration.
Fortunately, there are now dozens of writing tools in the market to help you achieve your writing goals.
In this article, I’ve ranked and reviewed the best writing tools every writer should have. I’ve also listed my top five to help you choose the best one.
Here are my top five picks.
Jasper is a must-have AI tool that supports you when writing anything, from blogs to descriptions and emails.
Grammarly checks your writing and spelling like a personal editor. It also helps you avoid accidental plagiarism.
Google Docs makes the process of formatting and sharing your documents faster.
QuillBot is a paraphrasing tool that rewrites sentences for different needs.
Freedom helps block certain websites, apps, and other internet distractions.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What Is a Writing Tool?
Writing tools can help make a written piece better. You can use these tools on a computer, in an app, or online to check your grammar and spelling and get ideas for writing.
The best writing tools also help organize thoughts and boost productivity to ensure polished, professional writing. They help you focus on what matters most when time is a factor.
Â
How To Choose the Best Writing Tool
If you are looking for the best writing tools to suit your needs, there are a few factors to consider. Here are some questions to help you narrow down your choices.
- Are you looking to write with a laptop or on your phone?
- Do you need something that works offline or syncs and works across devices?
- How important is organization to you?
- Is collaboration essential to your writing project?
- How important is integration to your writing tools, such as built-in dictionaries, thesauri, wikis, and search?
- Do you want to publish directly from your writing tool?
- How important is language support—for example, does your tool need to support different languages for editing and spell check?
- What format do you need to save and export your documents?
- Are you also looking for productivity tools to boost your writing?
These questions can help you choose the right writing tool that can make all the difference.
Â
20 Best Writing Tools Every Writer Should Have
There are several writing platforms with varying learning curves. They range from simple and popular text editors to complex AI content-generated applications.
Let’s look at the top online writing tools for new and seasoned writers.
Omar's Take
Jasper AI is a robotic writer powered by cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology.
It can curate content 5x faster than the average human copywriter. You will also receive pre-written templates on specific topics.
However, it’s important to make sure that the content stays original after using it. I wouldn’t just rely on this tool blindly without checking it.
-
Best For Curing writer’s block
-
Price Starts at $29 per month
-
Annual Discount Yes
-
Promotion Free 5-day trial
With Jasper AI, you get 100% original content. It writes correctly, has no plagiarism flags, and excels at text manipulation. It also works well for both long and short copy.
Jasper’s biggest strength is its consistency in updating the tool and introducing new features. Thus, it constantly aims to improve customer experience and reduce the need for manual inputs.
Features
- Uses Natural Language Processing (NLP)
- Has process automation and chatbots
- Provides data analysis and insights
Cons
- Dependence on technology
- Complexity and cost may be a problem
Pricing
- Starter: $40 monthly
- Boss Mode: $82 monthly
- Business: Custom price
Omar's Take
Grammarly is one of the most used writing platforms for writers to check their work. It offers features that range from simple grammar and spelling corrections to advanced features like plagiarism checks.
-
Best Overall
-
Price Starts at $25/mo (for paid plans)
-
Annual Discount 40% off on yearly plans
-
Promotion 7-day free trial
This tool is one of the favorite writing tools of students, writers, and businesses. Grammarly has a grammar and plagiarism checker. You can also use their premium features to set goals for your content.
It’s highly accurate, comprehensive, and has a wide range of customizable options like writing goals. Best of all, you get all these features for a relatively low price if you opt for an annual plan!
Features
- Has advanced algorithms for correcting grammar and spelling mistakes
- Has plagiarism detection
- Gives writing style suggestions and vocabulary enhancement
Cons
- Limited features with the free version
- May not catch all errors
- No offline editing option
Pricing
Grammarly has three pricing tiers:
- Free version available
- Premium: $30 monthly
- Business: $25 monthly per member
Omar's Take
Google Docs is one of the most convenient word processors you can use for your documents. You can create and collaborate on your documents in real-time. It’s also free to use!
-
Best For Sharing documents
-
Price Free
-
Annual Discount N/A
-
Promotion Free to use
Google Docs is easy to use for simple editing tasks compared to other office suites. Google Docs has a clean, minimal interface with modern-looking typography and a top-line menu.
It has a simple, minimalistic interface and quick-sharing options for users to collaborate efficiently.
Features
- Simultaneous editing by multiple users
- Can open and save documents in various formats
- Wide range of built-in tools
Cons
- Limited formatting options
- Dependence on internet connection
- Not good for presentations
Pricing
- Free
- The business version starts at $6/month per user.
Omar's Take
Quillbot is a summarizing and paraphrasing tool that helps writers save time. Its AI helps you write more efficiently.
-
Best For Paraphrasing
-
Price Starts at $9.95/mo
-
Annual Discount 58% discount on yearly plans
-
Promotion N/A
QuillBot is a web-based application that combines a content paraphraser, summarizer, grammar, and plagiarism checker. It is an extension for Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, and Google Docs.
With a variety of editing tools in one place, it can improve the quality and clarity of your writing.
Features
- Paraphraser
- Summarizer
- Grammar checker
Cons
- It may not always produce accurate or desirable results
- The free version has limitations—just two modes
Pricing
Quillbot has two pricing tiers:
- Free
- Premium: $9.95 monthly
Omar's Take
Freedom blocks certain websites, applications, and internet distractions to boost productivity, all for a relatively low fee. It also has a task-scheduling feature and is available on all devices.
-
Best For Productivity
-
Price Starts at $3.33/mo
-
Annual Discount 25% off on yearly plans
-
Promotion Free 7-session trial
The Freedom App is a distraction blocker perfect for writers who need help maintaining focus.
It functions as a VPN that sits on top of your existing network. It also restricts access to specific websites at specific times of the day.
Features
- Allows device syncing
- Has customized blocklist options
- Acts as a browser or chrome extension
Cons
- Focus sounds feature only works on browsers.
- The app needs too many permissions.
Pricing
Freedom has three pricing tiers:
- Monthly: $8.99 monthly
- Yearly: $39.96 annually
- Forever: $79.99
Omar's Take
Campfire Pro is the best software for planning. Its features range from plot designs to world-building information. It also has character sheets and timeline narratives.
-
Best For Planning
-
Price Starts at $0.25 per module/mo
-
Annual Discount 16% off on yearly subscription
-
Promotion Free trial, Cheaper Pro and Worldbuilding Pack bundle
Campfire aids in writing a story and collaborating with readers, editors, and fellow writers. You can create characters from the ground up, which works for any author.
Features
- Provides easy character creation and event timelines
- Allows customizable maps
- Has import and export capabilities
- Has online and offline capabilities
Cons
- Not as community-driven as others
- Limited scope and customization options
Pricing
Campfire has four plans:
- Free version: limited modules
- Monthly subscription: modules are individually purchased monthly
- Annual subscription: modules are individually purchased yearly
- Lifetime purchase: modules are individually purchased one-time
Omar's Take
Suppose you’re looking for the perfect platform for organizing notes, documents, or goals. Evernote will be the most effective organizing tool you can use!
-
Best For Organizations
-
Price Starts $8.99/mo
-
Annual Discount 21% off on yearly plan
-
Promotion Free trial
Evernote is a software program for note-taking and archiving that costs less than most writing tools. It’s the perfect pick for organizations since it can tackle various tasks and connect with Google Calendar.
It lets team members organize their notes, writing projects, and schedules in one centralized place. It also works with most operating systems.
Features
- Offers organizational tools
- Allows users to share and collaborate with others
- Integrates with other apps
Cons
- Limited storage
- Some features are only available in paid plans
Pricing
Evernote has four types of subscriptions:
- Free
- Personal: $8.99 monthly
- Professional: $10.99 monthly
- Teams: $10.70 monthly per member
Omar's Take
Mailchimp is an EDM platform that allows you to manage and communicate with your clients.
Their marketing strategy focuses on effective contact management and robust data analysis.
-
Best For Email marketing
-
Price Starts at $13/mo
-
Annual Discount N/A
-
Promotion 15% off for non-profits and charities
Mailchimp is an easy-to-use tool with a strong track record in the email marketing industry. It dramatically simplifies email marketing with features like a built-in survey maker, a landing page builder, and automated drip campaigns.
It offers support for everything email-related, from audience management to email design, so you can craft perfectly tailored emails for your recipients.
Features
- Allows users to import and manage lists of subscribers
- Has email templates and scheduling automation
- Wide range of integrations
Cons
- Limited design options
- Limited customer support
Pricing
Mailchimp has four pricing tiers:
- Free
- Essentials: Starts at $13/month
- Standard: Starts at $20/month
- Premium: Starts at $350/month
Omar's Take
Reedsy gives its users a connection with freelance publishers. It has a large community that can help make your book a success.
-
Best For Book production
-
Price Available upon request
-
Annual Discount Starts at 7% depending on aggregated transactions
-
Promotion N/A
Reedsy is more than a book formatting service. Its wide range of services includes a project management system and assistance for authors in polishing their works. Plus, Reedsy’s book editor is free to use.
Features
- Offers a network of professionals
- Educational resources and a community forum
- Book formatting and design cover services
- Messaging and file sharing
- Collaborative writing tools
Cons
- Limited services for self-publishing authors
- Limited control
Pricing
- Rates are per word
Omar's Take
The Novelist helps you outline and organize your book while setting writing goals. Adding chapters, categories, and characters can create more engaging stories.
-
Best Book writing software
-
Price Free
-
Annual Discount N/A
-
Promotion N/A
Novelist is ideal for new writers. It makes book structuring more manageable with its broad range of outlining and editing tools. It’s free, and you can use all its features.
It also has many features to help you stay motivated and on track with your writing goals. For example, you can set your desired word count goals or deadline, and Novelist will track your progress up to completion.
Features
- Various customizable outline tools
- Enables character database
- Vast import and export capabilities
- Goal setting
- Integrated preview
- Rich text editor
- Backup/Restore system on any available storage provider
Cons
- It may have a learning curve for some users.
- It may not be suitable for all types of writing projects.
Pricing
- Free
Omar's Take
iA Writer is a top-notch online writing and editing tool with markdown. It is one of the most basic text editors currently on the market.
-
Best For Distraction-free writing
-
Price Starts at $29.99
-
Annual Discount 83% off on yearly plan (Android plan)
-
Promotion Free 14-day or 30-day trial
iA Writer is simple to use and allows you to concentrate on your work. It borrows the look and feel of a traditional typewriter and has a clever feature that keeps your focus on the line or paragraph you’re typing.
Aside from this focus mode, it can spot errors, check style, and insert images within your text.
Features
- Minimalistic interface
- Has support for Markdown syntax
- Wide range of text formatting options
- Smooth navigation between various documents
- Focus Mode for highlighting active sentences
- Syntax Highlight for weak sections of writing
- Style check
- Embedding pictures
- Export capabilities
Cons
- No collaboration features
- Limited platform availability
Pricing
The Writer app has four pricing tiers:
- macOS: $49.99 monthly
- iOS and iPadOS: $49.99 monthly
- Android: $29.99 monthly
- Windows: $29.99 monthly
Omar's Take
ProWritingAid can help improve your grammar, writing style, and readability. It’s an excellent competitor to Grammarly when it comes to accuracy.
-
Best For Correcting grammar errors
-
Price $20/mo
-
Annual Discount Yes
-
Promotion Referral System
ProWritingAid helps correct grammatical errors, word overuse, and style inconsistencies. The online platform also gives tips to improve your piece, making your writing easier to read and understand.
Features
- Has a style and grammar checker
- Includes a spelling and plagiarism checker and thesaurus
- Analyzes readability level
- Wide range of customizable tools
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited to the English language
- No document library
Pricing
- Premium: $20/month
Omar's Take
Scrivener is a well-known app that serious writers use and recommend for writing their manuscripts. It also lets you organize your documents and store extra research materials.
-
Best For Publishing manuscripts
-
Price $19-$45 (by device)
-
Annual Discount N/A
-
Promotion 30-day free trial
Scrivener is PCMag Editors’ Choice writing software for long-form writers. Whether you’re writing a research paper, a blog post, or a book, you can enjoy the level of support Scrivener gives you.
It’s packed with features and productivity tools to simplify your writing tasks in terms of creation, editing, and organizing your work.
Features
- Has a corkboard and document planner
- Has research and reference materials storage
- Multiple formatting options, including markdown support
- Has customizable templates
- Full-screen writing mode is available
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- More expensive than other writing tools
Pricing
Scrivener has four pricing tiers:
- Windows: $45
- Mac: $49.99
- iOS: $19.99 (iPhone and iPad)
- Bundles: $95.98
Omar's Take
Rytr offers all the features that you need to create professional-quality content. It includes advanced formatting options and cloud integration.
-
Best For Academic and technical writing
-
Price Starts at $9/mo (for paid plans)
-
Annual Discount 2 months free on yearly plans
-
Promotion Free use available in annual plans
Rytr is one of the best choices for academic and technical writers. It has powerful writing and organization tools and supports collaboration with other writers.
The intuitive interface makes it easy to use for writers of all levels. It also provides excellent 24/7 customer support.
Features
- Easy-to-use interface
- Supports all major file formats for easy collaboration and transfer
- Advanced formatting and styling options for enhanced readability
- Customizable templates and writing tools for increased productivity
24/7 customer support
Cons
- Limited features in the free plan
- Limited availability in certain regions or languages
Pricing
Rytr has three pricing tiers:
- Free plan
- Saver: $9/month
- Unlimited: $29/month
Omar's Take
Anyword is a flexible online writing platform that gives you all the tools and templates you need to make high-quality content.
It’s an AI writer that helps generate and optimize your copy. Thus, it is the perfect choice for writers and editors alike.
-
Best For Optimized writing
-
Price Starts at $29/mo
-
Annual Discount 2 months free on yearly plans
-
Promotion Free trial
Anyword is a beginner-friendly but pro-advanced online writing platform suitable for copywriting. Thanks to the AI copywriter feature, you can optimize your content and tailor it to your customer base.
This platform also has a predictive performance score feature to help you evaluate your copy’s potential for audience engagement. Thus, you can choose the best version for the message you want to deliver.
Features
- Intuitive interface
- Advanced formatting options for enhanced readability and style
- Collaboration tools and cloud integration for seamless team editing
- Customizable templates and writing modes for a personalized writing experience
- Customer Persona creation
- Predictive performance score
- Works with most file formats and media types
Cons
- Pricing may be outside the budget for some users
- Limited access in certain countries or regions
Pricing
Anyword has two pricing tiers:
- Starter: $29/month
- Data-Driven: $99/month
Omar's Take
Copy.ai is another AI-writing assistant that’s perfect for content and copywriting. You can create human-like text in seconds, which improves your writing speed by over 10x. It’s also available in over 25 languages.
-
Best For Copywriters and social media managers
-
Price Starts at $49 per month
-
Annual Discount Yes
-
Promotion Free credits
Copy.ai is the tool to choose if you’re after speed. It’s simple to use, and the interface neatly organizes relevant features.
Copywriters, social media managers, and email marketers would especially appreciate its time-saving features and many available writing frameworks.
Features
- AI-powered content generation
- Wide range of customization options and collaboration features
- Integration with popular writing tools
- Generates content in seconds
- Wide range of industries and topics
Cons
- Limited creativity
- Not suitable for long-form blogs
Pricing
Copy.ai has two pricing tiers:
- Free
- Pro: $49/month
Omar's Take
Marlowe Pro is the perfect tool for fiction authors who want to improve their writing. It’s an AI-driven self-editing tool that provides a comprehensive critique within minutes.
-
Best For Fiction writers
-
Price $29.95/mo
-
Annual Discount 44% off on yearly plan
-
Promotion Free plan
Marlowe is specifically for long-form fiction (>20,000 words). It’s pretty simple to use—just create an account, upload a clean version of your manuscript, and you’ll get a critique within a few minutes.
It’s useful for any genre. You can run multiple versions of your report at various stages in your writing journey. It’s also inexpensive and costs just a fraction of the fee of a human editor.
Features
- Has grammar and spelling correction
- Provides analysis of the structure
- Offers an analysis of character development and narrative arcs
- Provides detailed analysis and metrics
- Suggests comparable novels
Cons
- Subscription required
- Limited scope and subjective elements
Pricing
Marlowe has three pricing tiers:
- Marlowe Basic: Free
- Marlowe Pro: $29.95 monthly
- Single Report: $45 (one-time payment)
Omar's Take
Milanote is a note-taking collaboration software that helps users with content management. It also arranges and plans content for a more efficient experience.
-
Best Project management
-
Price Starts at $12.50/mo
-
Annual Discount 20-50% off on yearly plans
-
Promotion Free trial
Milanote allows quick and easy iteration of ideas. Using their built-in flexible tools, you can organize your ideas into visual boards. It’s easy to use, and you can even add notes and photos from your phone using the mobile app.
Features
- Flexible drag-and-drop interface
- Offers visual project management
- Has collaboration and file integration
- Wide range of customization tools
- Image uploading and saving features
Cons
- Limited free plan
- No offline access
Pricing
Milanote has three pricing tiers:
- Free
- Pay per person: $12.50 monthly
- Upgrade your team: $49 annually (for 10 people) or $99 annually (for 50 people)
Omar's Take
Hemingway is a handy tool best known for its capability to alter long and complex sentences. It helps make your pieces shorter and easier to read.
-
Best For Streamlining
-
Price Free
-
Annual Discount N/A
-
Promotion N/A
Hemingway is a great writing tool to make your writing more efficient. It assesses the complexity and readability of your writing. It even detects the use of passive voice!
Features
- Has writing style suggestions
- Gives readability analysis
- Enables word choice analysis
- Easy to use
- Designed to focus on clarity and conciseness
Cons
- Limited features
- No available mobile app
- No document library
Pricing
- Free
Omar's Take
Mellel is the most dominant and leading word processor for macOS X. It is the current industry standard. Many academic and technical writers use Mellel to make their writing process smoother.
-
Best For Academic writing
-
Price Starts at $19 per month
-
Annual Discount N/A
-
Promotion Free 30-day trial
Mellel is built from the ground up to be the best writing tool for technical writers. Mellel is a dependable companion for working on long or short documents.
Features
- Has advanced formatting options and collaboration tools
- Bibliography and citation management is available
- Compatible with various file formats
- Customizable interface
- Has extensive documentation and resources
Cons
- Only available for Mac users
- Limited support and compatibility with other software
Pricing
- Mellel for Mac: $49.99 (single-user license)
- Mellel for iOS: $19.99 (single-user license)
The Bottom Line
Having quality tools to help you with your writing is key to success. Anyone can improve their writing using the proper writing and editing tools! They are excellent resources for new and seasoned writers to refine their work.
Hopefully, this list has given you a great range of tools to choose from, no matter your level of writing experience.
If you’re looking for more ways to improve your writing skills, read my guide on becoming a better writer.
Omar
Founder of OJ Digital Solutions
