What are the best writing apps for 2023?
A lot has changed in the past five years for writers.
If writing convenience is what you’re after, a ton of apps have you covered.
Truth be told, there’s an embarrassment of choices out there, but not all of them are even slightly useful. The ones you’ve used the past year or so may no longer cut it.
That said, we decided to let you in on what we think are the 2022’s best writing apps:
1 – Grammarly
The thing that impresses us the most about Grammarly isn’t the reasonable pricing but its algorithm that sticks to short sentence editing. The app also has a great thesaurus, which is important for writers who want to sound more professional. Overall, we think it’s the best grammar checker right now.
2 – Evernote
Evernote is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to organization and taking notes. It allows you to keep everything in one place, which is great for writers who like to have all their research and ideas in one spot. You can also sync Evernote across all your devices, so you can pick up where you left off, no matter where you are.
3 – Google Docs
Google Docs has progressed immensely, and it is now a go-to choice for writers requiring a dependable writing app. It allows for easy collaboration with others and integrates seamlessly with Google Drive, allowing you to access your documents from anywhere.
4 – Ulysses
We call Ulysses an underrated writing app because it doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
It’s feature-packed and has a great interface that’s perfect for writers who want a more “distraction-free environment.”
It also integrates with other apps so you won’t have issues transferring your work to your preferred format.
5 – Scrivener
This particular writing app is more on the “professional” side, which suggests that it’s packed with features geared toward writers who need more than just a simple word processor.
It includes a corkboard, an outliner, and other tools that make it perfect for long-form writing projects like novels and research papers.
6 – ProWritingAid
Offering both grammar checking and proofreading, the app advertises itself as a great option for both fiction and non-fiction writers.
The fact that it has a “pro” to its name implies that it’s meant for hardcore writers. And it is. We call it an “all-in-one” app and for a good reason.
7 – Wordtune
Starting at $9.99 per month, this app is best known as an AI writing tool, although it does more than that.
It also offers a great grammar checker, style suggestions, and readability scores. The app is still new, but it’s a “must-try” for writers who need assistance when compelled to produce bulk content.
8 – Hemingway Editor
Named after the great Ernest Hemingway, this app is designed to make your writing “bold and clear.”
It does that by highlighting overused words, adverbs, and passive voice. The app also gives you a readability score, so you get to see just how easy (or difficult) it is for people to read your work.
9 – Articleforge
Its purpose is to create SEO-optimized content, so it’s up to you if you want to use it for your next project.
The app employs artificial intelligence to search already-existing web pages for keywords or a topic.
Once it has analyzed the content, it will rewrite it using its algorithm. You’ll find this app useful when you need a bunch of articles in minutes. But don’t expect high-quality writing, as it’s still far from perfect.
10 – Quillbot
This AI-powered app is very similar to Articleforge. It will analyze an article and then rewrite it using an algorithm.
The main difference is that Quillbot produces better results than Articleforge.
However, it’s still not perfect, so don’t expect human-level writing. Nonetheless, it’s a great option when you need content quickly.
11 – Zoho Writer
This one’s similar to Word and Google Docs, albeit a lesser-known alternative.
It’s a good choice for writers who wish to take advantage of live collaboration and real-time editing. Zoho Writer also integrates with other Zoho products, making it a great option for people already using the company’s suite of apps.
12 – iA Writer
For writers on a Mac, this is one of the best options available.
It has a clean interface and supports Markdown, so you can easily format your text. iA Writer also has an iOS version so that you can write on the go. And like other apps on this list, it also integrates with other services.
13 – Canva
If you’re wondering why this app made it to the list, you haven’t used it yet.
Canva is a practical tool for creating visuals, which is important for writers who want to add some pizzazz to their work. With over a million templates and tools available, you can easily create infographics, covers, and other visuals that complement your writing.
14 – Final Draft
If we were to name the best app for screenwriters, this one would take the cake.
The line-by-line formatting and live collaboration combo make it the go-to tool if you’re working on a screenplay.
Its other features include speech-to-script, smart typing, and story maps.
15 – Rev
Rev’s forte is speech-to-text writing, which should be on top of your list of writing aids if you convert interviews or audio recordings into text. It also offers great features such as translation, transcription, and captioning.
16 – Trelby
This one’s for screenwriters, too. Although its interface looks dated, it’s a powerful tool that can help you format your screenplay according to industry standards. It also has features that can help you track revisions and characters.
17 – Vellum
Vellum is an app tailored for writing eBooks.
Not only can you create stunning books with this software, but you can also print them in minutes if you so desire.
There’s even an option to add custom drop caps and ornamental flourishes, assemble box sets and even include store links so that readers can buy your books directly from your website or blog.
18 – Storyist
Available only for Mac and iOS, this app is perfect for would-be screenwriters.
Its user-friendly interface makes up for an outrageous starting price of $59.
But then again, you’re looking at a host of premium perks, i.e., screenplay, manuscript templates, and an index card feature that is an outlining tool.
19 – Highland
This screenwriting app aims to make the writing process faster and easier by automating some tedious tasks, such as formatting.
With its focus mode feature, you can also minimize distractions to stay on track while writing.
20 – Workflowy
Available in multiple platforms and operating systems, this app is what we consider the most intriguing in this list.
Its interface allows for outlining books, research, and even simple blog posts. You can also duplicate templates, share lists, add subtasks, internal links, image files and more!
Aside from the several built-in templates, It syncs automatically and perfectly across all your devices with one login.
Parting Thoughts
One thing you must understand, though: The best writing app is the one that works best for you. So, even if we didn’t list your favourite app here, it doesn’t mean you must abandon it. But for sure, if you haven’t used one of these apps, it’s high time to try them.
Joel Mark Harris graduated from the Langara School of Journalism in 2007. Joel is an award-winning journalist, novelist, screenwriter and producer.
He has ghostwritten numerous books in all types of genres including true life crime, business, memoir, and self help. With over 1,000 blog posts to his name, he has helped hundreds of business owners scale their business and increase their visibility. You can email him at info@ghostwritersandco.com