The Best Writing Apps for 2025: Are you working on finishing your book? Help yourself with the best writing apps we've tested based on ease of use, features, and cost.
While we wish we could tell you there's one perfect writing app for everyone, the truth is otherwise. The best writing app is the one that meets your needs. Do you need an app that reduces distractions? Or do you need one that can publish directly to a website?
Check out our reviews of each app below to find the best fit for your needs.
The Best Writing Apps for 2025
Final Draft (for Mac)
Why We Chose It?
Final Draft is the top choice for professional writers. It's a comprehensive program that offers various viewing options and tools to help you plan your entire story.
Who Is It For?
If you work in screenwriting, Final Draft is the right program for you. It has all the features you need to refine your script in terms of story and technical aspects, and it also provides templates for other types of writing, such as graphic novels.
Features
- Designed specifically for screenwriters
- Powerful tools for writing scenes and overall story development
- Multiple viewing options
- Offers a variety of templates that meet industry standards
- Good collaboration features
Drawbacks
- Auto-save is only every three minutes
- High cost
Ulysses (for Mac)
Why We Chose It?
If you're looking for a distraction-free writing environment that's packed with features, Ulysses is the perfect app. It simplifies the interface and hides unnecessary menus, making your work more organized. It also tracks your writing goals and allows you to publish directly to Medium and WordPress.
Who Is It For?
If you dislike the cluttered menus of traditional word processors, Ulysses is the best choice for you. However, keep in mind that it doesn't guide you through the writing process like some other apps do, and it's only available on Apple devices.
Features
- Beautiful and clean interface
- Abundant features
- Diverse viewing options and simple writing modes
- Tracks writing goals
- Supports direct publishing to Medium and WordPress
Drawbacks
- Available only on Apple devices
- Subscription model is expensive
Scrivener
Why We Chose It?
Scrivener is the best for writing long works like novels and research papers. It provides tools for research, drafting, rearranging, and editing at a reasonable price.
Who Is It For?
For writers working on long projects who need advanced organization.
Features
- Powerful writing and reviewing tools
- A wide range of templates
- Competitive pricing
- Available for Windows, Mac, and iOS
Drawbacks
- No web version
- Lacks direct collaboration features
Fade In
Why We Chose It?
Fade In provides all the essential features for screenwriters at a lower price than Final Draft, with real-time collaboration support.
Who Is It For?
For aspiring writers looking for an economical program without losing essential features.
Features
- Powerful features, including direct collaboration
- One-time fee with free updates
- Supports screenplay formatting standards
Drawbacks
- Auto-save only every two minutes
- PDF import tool needs improvement
iA Writer (for Mac)
Why We Chose It?
iA Writer offers a distraction-free writing experience and supports Markdown formatting for direct publishing to Medium and WordPress.
Who Is It For?
For bloggers and writers who prefer using Markdown.
Features
- Simple and distraction-free design
- Supports Markdown
- Direct export to Medium and WordPress
- Inexpensive
Drawbacks
- No templates available
- Limited organizational tools
Storyist (for Mac)
Why We Chose It?
Storyist offers advanced formatting and integrated planning tools for novel writers.
Who Is It For?
For writers who need advanced features to organize and format their long projects.
Features
- Clean and clear interface
- Includes planning and character tools
- Good export and import options
Drawbacks
- No collaboration features
- Auto-save isn't up to par
- Available only for Apple devices
Novelize
Why We Chose It?
Novelize is one of the few programs that works online directly without the need for installation.
Who Is It For?
For writers who don't want to download software and are working on short to medium-length projects.
Features
- Works through the browser
- Automatic syncing and cloud saving
- Easy to use
Drawbacks
- Does not work offline
- No dedicated mobile apps
- Expensive compared to its features
Script Studio
Why We Chose It?
Script Studio allows you to access famous movie scripts as templates for your writing, with good tools for organizing the story.
Who Is It For?
For screenwriters who enjoy drawing inspiration from previous works.
Features
- Organized and appealing interface
- Includes movie scripts as templates
- Available for macOS and Windows
Drawbacks
- Does not support collaboration
- Lacks features like storyboards and daily goals
yWriter
Why We Chose It?
yWriter helps you write scenes instead of chapters, making it easier to manage the story.
Who Is It For?
For writers who need precise organization and statistics about their work.
Features
- Free for desktop
- Organized interface
- Rich tools for story and character development
Drawbacks
- Does not support screenplay writing
- macOS version is still in beta
- Does not have collaboration features
Frequently Asked Questions
1- What is the best writing app for screenwriters using a Mac?
Final Draft is the leading app for screenwriting on Mac. It offers effective formatting tools, collaboration features, and script structuring, making it the ideal choice for professionals.
2- What is the best writing app for novelists working on long projects?
Scrivener is the optimal app for long-form writing, allowing writers to organize large manuscripts, research notes, and drafts in one place. Its flexibility makes it perfect for novelists.
3- What is the best distraction-free writing app for Mac users?
Ulysses is the best distraction-free writing app for Mac. Its simple design allows writers to focus on their content without any distractions.
4- Is there a suitable alternative to Final Draft for screenwriting?
Yes, Fade In is an excellent tool for screenwriting at an affordable price. It provides professional formatting and instant collaboration at a much lower cost than Final Draft.
5- What is the best writing app for online publishing and blogging?
iA Writer is the best choice for online publishing. It offers a seamless writing interface, Markdown support, and smooth integration with platforms like WordPress and Medium.
6- What is the best Mac-based word processor for strong document formatting?
Storyist is a great choice for writers who need a word processor. It combines manuscript organization, screenplay formatting, and effective editing tools in one application.
7- Is there an online novel writing tool for authors who don’t want to install software?
Yes, Novelize is the best tool for writing novels online. It allows writers to organize their stories, take notes, and access their projects from any internet-connected device.
8- What is the best scene-based writing app?
yWriter is the ideal choice for scene-based writing. It enables writers to break their work into separate scenes, making it easier to organize complex narratives.
9- Can Final Draft be used for writing novels, or is it only for screenplays?
Final Draft is designed for screenwriting and lacks the organizational features needed for writing novels. It's better to use Scrivener or Novelize for writers working on novels.
10- Does Scrivener support screenplay formatting?
Yes, Scrivener includes screenplay formatting tools, but it is not as specialized as Final Draft or Fade In. It is better suited for novelists who write screenplays occasionally.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the best writing apps for 2025. Whether you're a professional screenwriter, a novelist, or a blogger, there's a perfect program for you. Final Draft is the best choice for screenwriting, while Ulysses suits writers working on long projects. If you're looking for a web-based program, Novelize is a suitable option, and for those who prefer minimal distractions, iA Writer is the ideal choice.
