Best Apps For Writing – Top 5 Writing Software For 2024

Writing apps in 2024 do so much more than your traditional word processor. The best of these apps are tailor-made for authors and offer a plethora of tools like integrated AI, story outlines, templates, and more, all in one easy-to-use package. That said, not all writing apps are created equal. Today, I’ll go in-depth into the best apps for writing available in 2024.

Like with any product, there are options when it comes to writing software; some are good, some are bad, and others are somewhere in between. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of your options as a writer, the pros and cons for each one, and my top pick for the overall best writing app. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

1. LivingWriter

The best app for writing, bar none, is LivingWriter. It makes a writer’s life much easier and solves the most common hardships writers experience with user-friendly, intuitive features. While LivingWriter can be used for almost any type of writing, it is a fiction author’s best friend and offers writers everything they need in one spot.

With well-organized manuscripts and screenplays, devoted research sections, and character integration, writing your stories has never been easier. There are also helpful, easy-to-use AI features like “Chapter to Manuscript Conversion” and collaboration tools you won’t find anywhere else.

Regardless of your medium, LivingWriter has everything you need and nothing you don’t. Here is a look at the key features.

Notable Features

• Organized Writing Space: Manuscripts are divided into plot points, chapters, and character sections, with customizable status options and color coding for easy navigation.
• Note-taking and Brainstorming Tools: Includes global notes, standard and free-form plotting grids, mind maps, timelines, plots, and family trees.
• AI Tools: Cutting-edge AI features like outline generation, AI rewrite, tone analysis, and character art images.
• Research Boards: Store reference articles, images, and notes for easy access and organization.
• Smart Manuscripts: Simple, familiar writing space with no learning curve, offering everything a traditional word processor does.
• Story Outline Templates: Choose from various templates when starting a manuscript.
• Easy Exporting: Export to PDFs, DOCX files, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Amazon Manuscript format for KDP. Include elements, notes, and a table of contents.
• Smart Elements: Intuitively links element names in the manuscript to descriptions, nicknames, relationships, and pictures.
• Real-Time Feedback and Collaboration: Collaborate with others and receive real-time feedback on your manuscript.

Pros And Cons

Pros	Cons
User-friendly and easy to use	Not designed specifically for screenwriters.
No program download is needed.
Free 14-day trial available ($9.99 afterward)
Free 14-day trial available ($9.99 afterward)
Companion apps for iOS and Android
Cloud-based autosaving

Writers all over the web feel the same about LivingWriter, too. One such example is Ameredian’s independent The Best Writing Apps and Book Writing Software review.

2. Scrivener

While Scrivener shares some features with LivingWriter, there are notable differences to consider. Unlike LivingWriter, Scrivener isn’t web or cloud-based, limiting device accessibility. Syncing files requires third-party storage services, adding an extra layer of complexity.

One major drawback of Scrivener is its lack of co-authoring and editing capabilities. This means collaborative writing and feedback are more challenging than LivingWriter’s seamless collaboration features.

Another aspect to consider is the user interface. Scrivener’s interface can be confusing and outdated, requiring additional effort to navigate effectively. Unlike LivingWriter’s intuitive design, Scrivener may require users to consult external resources to use its tools.

Notable Features

Despite these drawbacks, Scrivener offers a handful of LivingWriter’s features that writers may find helpful.

• Scene and Chapter Organization: Scrivener allows for the basic separation of scenes and chapters, providing a structured approach to writing.
• Import Options: You can import various file types, including Word documents, images, and web pages.
• Virtual Corkboard and Timeline View: Visualizing scenes and chapters on a virtual corkboard and rearranging them on a timeline offers some of the same flexibility as LivingWriter plotting boards.
• Custom Templates: Scrivener provides customizable templates for different writing formats, from novels to screenplays.
• Export Options: Writers can export their work to various formats, including Microsoft Word and Final Draft. However, KDP isn’t available.

Pros And Cons

Pros	Cons
30-Day free trial	Outdated, hard-to-use interface
Has the most features outside of LivingWriter	Must purchase separate versions for each platform
Available for Windows and iOS	Limited collaboration features
	You have to pay extra to update the software.

3. Dabble

Dabble does a lot right regarding interface and most of the basic features you’d expect. However, while it does have many of the essential features you’d get with LivingWriter, you want some features that aren’t included. The primary features that aren’t included are import options and formatting when you export, requiring some external formatting program.

Despite Dabble not being the overall top pick for the best writing software on the market, let’s look at what it offers.

Notable Features

• Simple Interface: Intuitive and easy to navigate, with clean layouts and minimal distractions.
• Organized Manuscripts: Dabble provides a structured approach to manuscript organization, allowing writers to break down their work into chapters, scenes, and notes.
• Plot Grids: Much like LivingWriter, Dabble offers customizable plot grids that allow writers to visualize their story’s structure, plot points, and character arcs, helping to plot out the narrative and maintain coherence throughout the manuscript.
• Integrated plotting and outlining tools: Dabble provides customizable templates for organizing ideas, plot arcs, and characters.
• Syncing across devices: Writers can access their work from any device with automatic syncing, including desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
• Revision history: Dabble keeps track of all changes, allowing writers to revert to previous versions if needed.

Pros And Cons

Pros	Cons
Available on multiple platforms, including web browsers, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android	Lacks robust collaboration tools, making it less suitable for writers who frequently collaborate with co-authors or editors.
Automatically saves revision history, allowing writers to track changes and revert to previous versions of their work if needed.	Dabble lacks advanced AI-powered tools for outlining or tone analysis
Simplified organization through structured chapters, scenes, and character profiles	Microsoft Word is the only export option.
	No import options besides copy & paste

4. Storyist

Storyist earns a place on the list but not at the top. While it shares some features with LivingWriter and has a smoother interface than Scrivener and FinalDraft, it falls short in many regards. You won’t find any of the smart features, and not having your chapters, elements, notes, etc, linked impacts the overall usability compared to LivingWriter and even the runner-up Scrivener.

Despite falling short of our top spots for the best writing apps, Storyist has some decent options for screenwriters seeking an alternative to the high cost of FinalDraft. Here are some key features of Storyist.

Notable Features

• Folders and Virtual Index Cards: Storyist organizes chapters and subchapters into folders and provides virtual index cards for each scene.
• Auto-Suggest: Auto-suggestions for dialogue, scene introductions, character names, etc.
• Revision History: Storyist offers hourly revision changes and the ability to name them.
• Stylesheets and Word Count Goals: Stylesheets support common manuscripts, screenplay formats, and word count goals.
• Export Options: Storyist allows users to export their work to various formats, including Blurb, DOCX, HTML, RTF, and TXT, as well as compatible formats for Scrivener and Final Draft.

Pros And Cons

Pros	Cons
Boasts a sleeker interface compared to Scrivener and FinalDraft	Available only for Mac and iOS. Can’t be used on Windows, Android, and web platforms
Offers basic tools like storyboarding, outlining, and character sheets	It costs extra to use the iPhone app
Supports importing and exporting of various file formats	Lacks co-authoring and editing capabilities, limiting collaboration
	Doesn’t link chapters, elements, descriptions, or notes to one another
	Primarily for screenwriters

5. Final Draft

FinalDraft is not my top pick overall for writing apps due to its outdated and confusing interface, but it will have some appeal to serious screenwriters. Priced at $250, it’s packed with features specifically tailored to screenplay writing, making it useful for professionals in the field.

Notable Features

• Formatting Tools: Formatting tools tailored to screenwriting, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
• Auto Suggest For Dialogue
• Navigator Window: It is easy to navigate scenes, script notes, characters, and tags, such as script day, location, and cast members, streamlining the writing process.
• Story Map: The Story Map feature displays the length of the script in pages and your current position among those pages
• Beat Board: Final Draft’s version of LivingWriter’s Boards for organization.
• Auto-Save and Revision History: Auto-saves every 15 minutes and maintains a revision history, providing users with peace of mind and the ability to track changes over time.

Pros And Cons

Pros	Cons
Many tools, options, and templates for screenwriters	Much more expensive than other options at $250
	All collaborators must own a copy of the software.
	Doesn’t have good features for writing novels.

Conclusion

There you have it—the Top five best writing apps available in 2024. In conclusion, exploring dedicated writing apps can unlock a world of efficiency and creativity for writers ready to elevate their writing experience beyond traditional tools like MS Word and Google Docs.

While options like Scrivener, FinalDraft, and Storyist each offer unique features tailored to specific needs, LivingWriter emerges as the standout choice.

Combining the best elements from various platforms with innovative, cutting-edge features unique to LivingWriter, this all-in-one solution provides writers with a seamless, user-friendly experience. With no unnecessary clutter or complicated interfaces,

LivingWriter streamlines the writing process and empowers writers to bring their stories to life effortlessly. For writers seeking a comprehensive, reliable writing companion at an affordable price, LivingWriter stands out as the ultimate solution.