10 Best Book Writing Apps for Writers 2025: Free & Paid!

• Apr 072025
• 5 min read

• Tags: Book WritingFiction WritingNovel Writing

If you’re looking for the best book-writing appswe’ve got you covered! Below are the best book-writing apps that go above and beyondtransforming your writing experience and empowering you to create compelling and impactful content. 

Browse through the pros and cons of every app to choose the best app for writing! We’ve included both free and paid apps in this list. 

What is a book-writing app?

Book-writing app is a comprehensive digital tool that supports writers in craftingorganizingand editing their manuscripts. They have become an indispensable tool for writers. These applications are designed to assist in the creation and organization of booksoffering a range of features that streamline the writing process. 

Irrespective of whether you are penning a novela non-fiction bookor a collection of short storiesapps for book writing can significantly enhance your productivity. By providing tools for everything from character development to plot managementthese applications help writers focus on their craft without getting bogged down by technical details. Additionallythese tools often include research organization capabilitiesenabling writers to store and easily access their research materials.

Features and pricing of apps for book writing

Book-writing app comes with a variety of features designed to support different aspects of the writing process. Common features include word-processing capabilitiesdistraction-free writing modesplot management featuresand collaboration tools.

When it comes to pricingbook-writing apps can range from completely free options to premium versions with advanced features. Free versions often provide basic functionalitieswhich can be sufficient for many writers. Howeverpaid versions typically offer more comprehensive tools and supportsuch as advanced formatting optionscloud storageand integration with other writing apps.

Here are the best book-writing apps of 2025: 

1. Scrivener

Scrivener is a renowned novel-writing software that helps writers create booksstoriesnovelsprofessional articlesetc. Out of all the other book-writing appsScrivener tops the charts as it offers enhanced features to elevate the writing experience.

Its USP lies in its unique distraction-free Composition Mode with a customizable background. It is widely used for book writing and script writing purposes. You can now update to the latest version of the app – Scrivener 3which comes with an improved user interfacebookmarkingtrackingupdated compile tooleasier formattingmetadataand EPUB compatibility.

Pros

• Scrivener excels in editingcomposingand customizing. There are many customizable components in Scrivenerlike the editor settings. In the Editoryou can set up Full-Screen mode or make changes according to your preferences for elementssuch as hide/show ruler or format bar or turn on Page View. If you want to block out distractions as much as possiblechoose Composition Modewhich always displays what you’re typing in the center of the screen. Most likelyyou’ll want to experiment with different settings to find the ones that you prefer. 
• The updated app comes with a user-friendly ‘Compiling’ optionwhich allows you to combine parts of your manuscript that are formatted differentlysuch as the title pageprefacetable of contentsand chapters of a book.
• Users can switch between different viewssuch as corkboard or outline modeproviding diverse perspectives on their writing project.

Cons

• The interface may seem overwhelming for new users due to the numerous features.
• Some users might face challenges with formatting academiceducationalor research work and writing. For examplethe app is not as efficient as MS Word when handling tables. Soeven if you use the copy/paste featureit can result in broken formatting. 
• Users need to purchase separate licenses for different platformswhich can be a consideration for those using multiple devices.

Pricing: Scrivener offers a 30-day free trialwhich offers almost the same features and capabilities as the paid version. The base cost is $59.99 for Windows.

2. Plottr

Plottr is based on the outlining needs for independently published fiction books. Positioned as one of the premier free book-writing appsit offers striking templates and a user-friendly interface. It also has a robust timeline view and layouts in various formats. Plottr is particularly useful for creative writing projectsoffering tools to help organize and visualize your story.

Pros

• One of its key features is the way it lets you easily arrange (and rearrange) your scenesplotand characters with no corkboard required. The app allows you to quickly outline your book with visual story cards and filter your timeline by charactersplacesand tags.
• Another striking feature of the app is that you can color-coordinate your storylines to keep them organized. You can also flip the timeline to view it vertically or horizontally.
• It works on various device types like iPhoneiPadand Android tablets – and online as a standalone online web app.

Cons

• It has limited functionality and demands extra costs for various licenses.
• There is just an annual or lifetime payment option; a monthly model is not offered.
• The plot text fields do not come with an undo/redo option.

Pricing: Offering a variety of features and services for writersthis app comes with 3 lifetime subscription models – $139 for one device$149 for three devicesand $299 for the Pro version.

3. FocusWriter

FocusWriter provides a cleanminimalist interfacehelping writers focus solely on their writing without distractions. Its key features are:

Pros

• FocusWriter utilizes a hide-away interface that you access by moving your mouse to the edges of the screen. It also features fully customizable themeslive statisticsand a portable mode
• It’s available for Linux and Windows and has been translated into 20 different languages.
• The app includes features for tracking writing progresssuch as word count goals and session durations.

Cons

• The app lacks advanced features present in more comprehensive writing tools. For instancewriters cannot save the previous versionsas once changes are madethe older version gets automatically deleted. Another feature that is missing in this app is that writers cannot collaborate or share content with others through the app. Additionallywriters cannot collaborate or share content with others through the app.
• FocusWriter has limitations when it comes to advanced formatting.
• This app is less suitable for complex document structuring.

Pricing: FocusWriter is a free book-writing app.

4. Ulysses

Ulysses uses Markdown for formattingmaking it easy to write in a clean and structured manner without the distraction of complex formatting options. Here are its key features:

Pros

• Ulysses comes with a built-in proofreader and editing assistantoffering grammar and checks that help you avoid mistakes and meet the right tone. Ulysses also offers writing advice to help you improve your manuscript.
• This app is available in more than 20 languages. It offers suggestions for capitalizationpunctuationsemanticsredundancyetc.
• Writers can seamlessly sync their work across multiple devices using iCloudmaking it convenient for those who switch between a MaciPadand iPhone.

Cons

• Ulysses operates on a subscription modelwhich may not appeal to users who prefer one-time purchases.
• While Ulysses is user-friendlyit may have a learning curve for users transitioning from simpler writing apps due to its feature-rich environment.
• It’s only accessible to Apple userswhile a massive number of non-Apple people cannot use Ulysses.

Pricing: Ulysses offers monthly and yearly subscription plans. The monthly subscription costs $5.99while the annual subscription is for $39.99. They offer special discounts for students.

5. LivingWriter

LivingWriter is one of the best apps for book writingwith a clean and user-friendly interface. It has a professional organizational structure that comes with appropriate chapter and scene divisions.

Pros

• There are plenty of formatting optionsjust like a normal word processorand it is easy to insert images. Some of its key formatting features include changing default fontsfirst-line auto-indentadding global notesand installing Grammarly for ChromeFirefoxand Edge.
• You can add charactersimagesand objectsand you can add as many sections as you need to.
• This app has a built-in Story Elements sectionwhich helps writers keep track of story characterslocationsand general notes. 
• LivingWriter also helps you set and track writing goalsensuring you stay productive and on track with your project.

Cons

• It doesn’t let writers select large chunks of text and apply new formatting.
• Writers are unable to create their character templates.
• Another feature that can be troublesome for writers is its bulk editing and formatting optionswhich can make it difficult for them to make large changes.

Pricing: There is no free version of LivingWriterbut they do offer a 14-day free trial. It is a great value at approximately $12 a month$144 for a year. A lifetime one-time fee is also available for $699 once you are registered for your free trial.

6. Storyist

Storyist provides organizational tools like project viewoutliningand index cardsmaking it easier for writers to manage and structure their stories. 

Pros

• The app includes outlining featuresallowing writers to plan and organize their narrative structure seamlessly within the writing environment.
• Storyist offers unique features for plot and character development. Using index cardsStoryist allows you to quickly draft a story and then edit it further using editable characterplotand setting sheets. It aids authors in developing complex plots and fully realized characters.
• Storyist provides a rich text editoran aesthetic manuscriptand screenplay templatesso writers don’t have to worry about formatting.

Cons

• Like many feature-rich apps for book writingStoryist may have a learning curveespecially for writers transitioning from simpler tools.
• It may not promote a distraction-free writing process as it doesn’t have a “Full Screen” or “Focus Mode” to keep the users focused.
• The importing process is not very smoothand users also find it a little more expensive than the other book-writing apps.

Pricing: You can access the editing features by purchasing the app. If you prefer not to start the trial immediatelyyou can do so anytime by returning to the Storyist home screen and selecting In-App Purchases from the More menu. The app sells for a one-time fee instead of a recurring subscription rateand its cost is $59 on Mac. 

7. Lite Writer

This simple yet high-quality application is one of the best apps for writing a book and for drafting and editing text on your mobile phone. 

Pros

• The app allows you to track word and character counts and monitor word trends over the last one well. It also provides full support for ChineseJapaneseand Korean characters.
• This app has a robust Book Shelter and File Management systemwhich helps you personalize your book coversstreamline bulk operationsand conduct intelligent chapter number recognition and sorting.
• Lite Writer automatically backs up your documents to the cloud storage or the internal storage of your mobile phone.

Cons

• Although the app can be downloaded for freepaying for customizable options like a streaming service for writing abilities will be a tough choice for many writers.
• You need an internet connection to use its cloud-based benefitsas these services aren’t available without internet connectivity.
• It can be a little complicated to useespecially when classifying headers and other markups.

Pricing: Lite Writer can be downloaded for free.

8. yWriter

The yWriter app is one of the free apps for writing a book. It is designed to help writers organize their projects effectively. 

Pros

• The app includes tools for managing characterslocationsand other story elementsaiding in creating a well-developed narrative.
• The app focuses on scene-based writingallowing writers to work on individual scenes and easily rearrange them to experiment with the story structure.
• Writers can track their progress using features like word count goals and project statisticshelping them stay on target and motivated.

Cons

• Some users may find a learning curve when getting used to yWriter’s interface and features.
• The user interface might be considered less modern or intuitive compared to some other writing applications.
• It is completely offlineand many users miss integrating online features like Google Docs while using this app.

Pricing: This is a free-to-download book-writing app; registering for services will cost you $24.95.

9. iA Writer

This app features a clean and minimalist designproviding a distraction-free writing environment focusing on the text. 

Pros

• The app includes a focus modehighlighting the current sentence or paragraph to enhance concentration while writing.
• This app utilizes Markdown for formattingallowing writers to apply s without using distracting buttons or menus.
• The app is available on multiple platforms (MacWindowsiOSAndroid)allowing for seamless syncing and accessibility across devicesand it supports various file export optionsincluding PDF and Wordmaking it versatile for sharing or publishing documents.

Cons

• This app’s minimalist approach might be a limitation for writers who require more advanced features for complex projects.
• While it’s excellent for straightforward writingiA Writer lacks a hierarchical organization system for managing complex projects.
• This app has a difficult-to-access document libraryespecially when managing chapters if you’re writing anything long-form like a book. This is why it becomes difficult to differentiate chaptersarticlesand notes from each other without using a proper tagging system.

Pricing: IA Writer for Android offers a 14-day free trialfollowed by a one-time fee of $29.99 for Windows and Android. Alternativelythere’s a subscription option at $0.99 per month or $9.99 per year. For MaciPadand iPhonethe one-time fee is $49.99.

10. Novelist

Novelist is one of the popular free book-writing apps. It’s a valuable tool for authorsnovice writersand screenwriters alike. With customizable templates it aids in structuring your story to suit your preferences. 

Pros

• Novelist shows you what your book will look like before publishing it.
• Your output is available in three different formats – EPUBrich text format or RTFand HTML.
• Another great feature of this app is that it uses a board where you can plot the entire story. It has a simple interface that makes mergingreorderingdeletingand splitting items easy. 

Cons

• Novelist helps transform an idea into a chapter outline; howeveryou cannot type the whole manuscript on it.
• It doesn’t have a copy-and-paste featurewhich makes it difficult for users to add several external features to their content.
• Transferring extensive written content to the app isn’t possiblewhich requires users to manually input each word.

Pricing: This app is entirely free of charge.

Now that you know the best apps for writing a bookyou can select an app for your next masterpiece. Rememberonce you complete your bookopting for professional book editing services is essential. It helps you ensure your work reaches its full potential and achieves the highest standards of quality. 

At PaperTruewe offer expert editing and proofreading services and would love to perfect your work. Here are some other articles you might find interesting: 

Tanvi

With a foundation in Life SciencesTanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggetsshe can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.