15 Best Book Writing Software For 2025

When it comes to writing a book, the foundation of your work isn’t a great idea—it’s the tools you use to shape that idea into a finished manuscript. 🖋️

Writers gain much from the best writing software catered to their demands, as an architect depends on blueprints to develop a building. The correct book-writing tool will make all the difference whether you are working on your next bestseller, creating a memoir, or writing an objective summary.

From idea organization to tracking your development and improving your grammar, these tools and other writing apps are meant to simplify the book-writing process. But given so many choices, how do you decide which writing app is best?

This article will explore the basic features of book writing software and highlight the best tools to help you realize your ideas and writing goals.

15 Best Book Writing Software for 2025

⏰ 60-Second Summary

Here’s a quick overview of the best book-writing software:

✅ : Best for AI-powered writing, collaboration, and project management
✅ Google Docs: Best for real-time collaboration and accessibility
✅ Microsoft Word: Best for advanced formatting and professional document creation
✅ Grammarly: Best for enhancing writing clarity and correctness
✅ Evernote: Best for note-taking and organization
✅ Scrivener: Best for project management in long-form writing
✅ Hemingway Editor: Best for improving readability and conciseness
✅ Writer: Best for structuring novels with scene and chapter management
✅ ProWritingAid: Best for writing analysis and style improvement
✅ Ulysses: Best for distraction-free writing on Apple devices
✅ Bibisco: Best for structured story development
✅ Dabble: Best for cloud-based novel writing with integrated plotting tools
✅ Vellum: Best for professional book formatting on macOS
✅ Atticus: Best for all-in-one writing and formatting
✅ Freedom: Best for distraction-free writing across devices

What Should You Look for in Book Writing Software?

When selecting book writing software, consider the following key features to enhance your creative process:

User-friendly interface: Opt for writing software with a user-friendly interface that ensures smooth navigation and minimizes technical distractions
Organizational tools: Use tools with outlining features, character development aids, and timeline management to structure your narrative more effectively
Compatibility: Verify that the software works across your preferred operating systems, such as macOS and Windows, and devices
Collaboration features: Select software that supports real-time collaboration and document sharing if you work with co-authors or editors
Export options: Look for options that let you export your manuscript in multiple formats, like PDF or ePub, to meet publishing requirements
Distraction-free environment: Choose a platform with a distraction-free writing experience to help maintain focus and productivity
Budget considerations: Decide whether free tools meet your needs or if premium software with advanced features justifies the investment

🔍 Did You Know? In 1964, IBM released the Magnetic Tape Selectric Typewriter (MT/ST), which merged the functionality of a Selectric typewriter with magnetic tape recording, allowing for text modification and storage.

The 15 Best Book Writing Software

The right book writing and editing software will give you the ideas and writing prompts needed to remain innovative yet disciplined.

This section will explore the top 15 book writing software options that cater to a wide range of writing styles, objectives, and budgets.

1. (Best for AI-powered writing, collaboration, and project management)

is the everything app for work that integrates AI-powered writing, collaboration, and project management features, making it ideal for authors seeking comprehensive book writing software.

brain writing — Create top-notch content with ’s AI-powered writing and editing assistant

Brain is an AI-powered assistant that brings everything together—tasks, documents, people, and tools—in one place.

It streamlines workflows and simplifies your daily tasks. Whether you need help with context, content, or automating routine work, Brain helps you save time and focus more on your creative work.

Docs acts as your creative playground. It’s a collaborative space to draft, edit, and organize your work. With the ability to create wikis, nested pages, and shared documents, Docs ensures you and your team remain focused and productive.

Collaborate with others using Docs — *Collaborate with others in real-time using Docs*

Plus, ’s Collaboration Detection feature makes sharing ideas, receiving feedback, and working together easy in real time—no matter where your team members are.

That’s not all!

also offers a range of brainstorming templates that take the guesswork out of structuring your writing projects. For instance:

Book writing software: 's Book Planning Template — Organize chapters, track progress, and manage deadlines with ’s Book Planning Template

Plot, organize, and easily manage your book using the Book Planning Template. It’s got pre-built views for chapters, novel details, and the entire writing process—making sure your novel is as structured as your best plot twist.

The Book Proposal Template also helps authors create professional proposals with pre-built sections for topics, target audiences, and marketing strategies—perfect for pitching to publishers.

Here’s what Cristina Willson, Director of Content at Graphite, has to say about :

We not only started writing articles, but we decided to do so at scale, so we needed a robust platform that could easily adapt to our increasing number of deliverables. was the best choice.

Cristina Willson, Director of Content at Graphite

best features

Use Chat to enhance communication, enabling real-time collaboration and synchronization with instant messaging and updates
Brainstorm, plan, and organize in real time to boost collaboration with Whiteboards
Organize project schedules effectively using Gantt charts and timeline views
Automate repetitive tasks, track milestones, and keep the team on schedule with Automations
Customize task statuses with to simplify book writing and track each stage from drafting to approval

limitations

New users face a learning curve due to the wide range of features
The mobile app is missing a few desktop features

pricing

Free Forever
Unlimited: $7/month per user
Business: $12/month per user
Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7/month per user

ratings and reviews

G2: 4.7/5 (9,000+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.6/5 (4,000+ reviews)

💡 Pro Tip: Want to turn your recipe collection into a polished cookbook? The Cookbook Template is your secret weapon! With sections for ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and design planning, this template eliminates the hassle of organizing your culinary creations.

2. Google Docs (Best for real-time collaboration and accessibility)

Google Docs is a free word processor that enables users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents in real time. Its cloud-based nature ensures accessibility from any device with an internet connection, making it a convenient choice for writers and teams.

The light and dark modes allow writers to customize the look and feel of the word processor accordingly.

Google Docs best features

Work simultaneously with others on the same document, with changes reflected in real-time
Edit and view documents from any device with internet access
Use the document version control feature to monitor changes and revert to previous versions if needed

Google Docs limitations

It may lack some advanced formatting and editing tools compared to desktop word processors
Full functionality requires a stable internet connection, which limits access in areas with poor connectivity

Google Docs pricing

Google Docs ratings and reviews

G2: N/A
Capterra: 4.7/5 (28,000+ reviews)

💡 Pro Tip: Listen to writing-focused podcasts to get various perspectives and techniques, generate new ideas, and improve your creative process.

3. Microsoft Word (Best for advanced formatting and professional document creation)

Microsoft Word is a widely used word-processing application known for its comprehensive features that cater to basic word processing and advanced document creation needs, whether a book, objective summary, or report.

Its rich formatting options and integration with other Microsoft Office applications make it a preferred word processor for professional writing.

Microsoft Word best features

Access a vast array of formatting tools, including styles, fonts, and page layouts
Use advanced editing features such as comments and grammar-checking
Work with other Microsoft Office applications like Excel and PowerPoint to enhance productivity and data integration

Microsoft Word limitations

Access to the full suite of features requires a paid subscription
The extensive range of features might be overwhelming for new users

Microsoft Word pricing

Microsoft Word ratings and reviews

G2: 4.7/5 (1,800+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.7/5 (2,000+ reviews)

A G2 user says:

Microsoft word comes as part of a monthly subscription to 365 and integrates with 90% of other software both desktop and online. Word is also available in the cloud through Microsoft so you can access you docs anywhere!

4. Grammarly (Best for enhancing writing clarity and correctness)

Grammarly is an AI-driven proofreader, writing assistant, and grammar checker designed to improve the clarity, correctness, and overall quality of your writing.

It offers real-time grammar and spelling checks, style suggestions, and tone detection, making it a valuable tool for polished and professional content.

Grammarly best features

Receive instant feedback on grammar mistakes and spelling errors
Access suggestions to improve sentence structure, word choice, and overall readability
Use the plagiarism detection tool to compare your content against a large database

Grammarly limitations

Certain suggestions may not align with the intended context
Documents exceeding more than 100,000 characters need to be split into smaller parts

Grammarly pricing

Free
Pro: $30/month per user
Enterprise: Custom pricing

Grammarly ratings and reviews

G2: 4.7/5 (9,000+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.7/5 (7,000+ reviews)

5. Evernote (Best for note-taking and organization)

Evernote is a versatile note-taking application that allows users to detail, organize, and easily access information across multiple devices.

It is a centralized hub for personal and professional organizations with advanced features like document scanning, web clipping, and task management.

Evernote best features

Create notes in various formats, including text, images, audio recordings, and web clippings
Sort notes into notebooks and assign tags for efficient categorization
Utilize advanced search capabilities to find text within images and scanned documents

Evernote limitations

The free version limits monthly uploads and device syncing
Evernote Free accounts are restricted to one device at a time

Evernote pricing

Personal: $14.99/month
Professional: $17.99/month
Team: $24.99/month per user
Enterprise: Custom pricing

Evernote ratings and reviews

G2: 4.4/5 (2,000+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.4/5 (8,000+ reviews)

A G2 user says:

Evernote is best for managing schedules! What Ii like on Evernote is that it’s so organized that you can get to separate dates and to do list. It easily reminds me of my future schedules and projects to do. It is free to use, you may use it without upgrading with payment. It’s just like a notepad but with menus tabs and different options for scheduling.

6. Scrivener (Best for project management in long-form writing)

Scrivener is a writing software designed for authors, researchers, and screenwriters engaged in extensive writing projects. It offers a suite of organizational tools that enable the management of complex manuscripts, from initial drafts to final publication.

Scrivener best features

Use the Binder feature to structure your manuscript into chapters and scenes
Employ the virtual corkboard to arrange and rearrange synopses of your sections
Enhance productivity by viewing and editing multiple documents simultaneously using the split-screen functionality

Scrivener limitations

Users must purchase separate licenses for each platform
Extensive projects may experience occasional freezing and slower load times

Scrivener pricing

iOS: $23.99
Educational License: $50.99
Standard License: $59.99
Bundles: $95.98

Scrivener ratings and reviews

G2: 4.6/5 (80+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.7/5 (200+ reviews)

A G2 user says:

Having all my novel writing material in one place is a very neat feature, something a regular word processor can only dream about offering. You have research folders and chapter folders, which you can separate into scenes. These you can move around, so if you ever need to move a scene from one chapter to another or move a chapter to a different location, you can do that easily with drag and drop. I also love the split-screen options.

7. Hemingway Editor (Best for improving readability and conciseness)

Hemingway Editor is a free writing app designed to improve the clarity and readability of your text. This book writing software guides writers toward more concise and impactful prose by highlighting complex sentences and common errors.

Hemingway Editor best features

Identify lengthy or convoluted sentences with suggestions to enhance readability
Detect instances of passive voice and replace them with more engaging language
Adapt content to the appropriate audience with the readability grade level

Hemingway Editor limitations

More optimized for shorter pieces of writing, such as articles
Lacks comprehensive grammar and spell-checking capabilities

Hemingway Editor pricing

Individual 5K Plan: $10/month
Individual 10K Plan: $15/month
Team 10K Plan: $15/month per user

Hemingway Editor ratings and reviews

G2: 4.4/5 (40+ reviews)
Capterra: Not enough reviews

A G2 user says:

I like that it measures as I write. It’s a good gauge and consistent way of writing for a large audience. Makes my writing very accessible.

🧠 Fun Fact: Ernest Hemingway, the renowned author, preferred to write while standing, typically using a typewriter on a chest-high shelf at his Havana home.

8. yWriter (Best for structuring novels with scene and chapter management)

yWriter is a free writing software developed by author Simon Haynes, designed to help novelists organize their manuscripts by breaking them down into chapters and scenes. This structure encourages efficient project management and enhances the actual writing process.

yWriter best features

Divide your manuscript into manageable sections
Set and monitor word count targets for individual scenes or chapters
Maintain detailed records of characters, locations, and items

yWriter limitations

The macOS and mobile versions offer reduced functionality
Not ideal for collaborative writing as it is primarily designed for individual writers

yWriter pricing

Free
Silver Registration: $11.95
Gold Registration: $24.95

yWriter ratings and reviews

G2: Not enough reviews
Capterra: Not enough reviews

9. ProWritingAid (Best for writing analysis and style improvement)

ProWritingAid is a writing program and assistant that offers in-depth analysis to enhance grammar, writing style, and readability. This book-writing software provides detailed reports and suggestions, offering comprehensive solutions for writers to refine their work.

ProWritingAid best features

Access over 20 writing reports that evaluate aspects such as grammar, style, readability, and more
Receive suggestions to simplify complex sentences, reduce passive voice, and eliminate redundancies
Integrate with platforms including Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Scrivener, and browser extensions

ProWritingAid limitations

The free version has a word limit of 500 words per document
Requires an internet connection to function

ProWritingAid pricing

Free
Premium: $30/month
Premium Pro: $36/month

ProWritingAid ratings and reviews

G2: 4.5/5 (40+ reviews)
Capterra: 4.7/5 (400+ reviews)

A G2 user says:

Of the many editing programs I’ve tried, I found PWA the easiest and most thorough. I send all my manuscripts through it and depend on PWA to catch my errors and omissions. It works fast, dependable, and not only fixes my writing, but I learn from their hints as well. I can’t think of another editing aid as efficient and easy to use.

10. Ulysses (Best for distraction-free writing on Apple devices)

Ulysses is a premium writing app that offers writers a clean and focused environment. Its minimalist interface and powerful organizational tools make it a preferred choice for a distraction-free writing experience.

Ulysses best features

Concentrate solely on content with a clutter-free workspace
Utilize a library system to optimize document management for easy categorization
Set word count targets and monitor progress

Ulysses limitations

Available only on macOS and iOS
Lacks built-in real-time collaboration tools

Ulysses pricing

Paid Subscription: $5.99/month

Ulysses ratings and reviews

G2: 4.5/5 (20+ reviews)
Capterra: Not enough reviews

A G2 user says:

My favourite tool for outlining, writing blog posts and taking notesClean interface, excellent integration of markdown, WordPress integration, gorgeous full screen and dark mode. Easy to use on the surface, but so powerful.

11. Bibisco (Best for structured story development)

Bibisco is an open-source novel writing software that helps authors develop and organize their stories, focusing on character and plot development. It offers a range of tools to structure novels effectively, making it valuable for both novice and experienced writers.

Bibisco best features

Use detailed character sheets and interviews to create well-rounded characters
Organize your work into chapters and scenes for easy navigation and restructuring
Analyze the distribution of characters, locations, and other elements across the novel

Bibisco limitations

Offers basic formatting capabilities
The absence of a mobile app restricts flexibility for on-the-go writing

Bibisco pricing

Community Edition: Free
Supporters Edition: $59

Bibisco ratings and reviews

G2: Not enough reviews
Capterra: Not enough reviews

12. Dabble (Best for cloud-based novel writing with integrated plotting tools)

The next book-writing software is Dabble, an online tool for authors packed with features to help you write and plot your book.

Its cloud-based design lets you access your work from desktop to mobile, offering the perfect flexibility and organization for your creative process.

Dabble best features

Utilize tools to generate outlines, develop characters, and maintain detailed notes
Access and edit your work from any device with an internet connection
Set word count goals and track progress for a clear path toward project completion

Dabble limitations

Lacks integrated book formatting for direct uploads to online retailers
Specifically designed for book writing and may not suit other writing forms

Dabble pricing

Basic: $9/month
Standard: $19/month
Premium: $29/month

Dabble ratings and reviews

G2: 4.3/5 (15+ reviews)
Capterra: Not enough reviews

A G2 user says:

When it comes to creating remarkable novels, Dabble is my go-to tool. The intuitive drag-and-drop interface helps me to effortlessly structure my writing, while the mobile app enables me to capture my story ideas on the go. I also appreciate the ability to organize my plot points into story sections, which makes it easier to keep my story on track.

13. Vellum (Best for professional book formatting on macOS)

Vellum is a specialist book formatting program designed for authors who want to make visually appealing eBooks and printed books.

Known for its user-friendly interface and high-quality output, it makes the complex book formatting process accessible to consumers—even those with less technical know-how.

Vellum best features

Use a variety of professional templates and styles to produce visually appealing books
Create various file types, including ePub and PDF, for distribution across multiple platforms and print-on-demand services
Automatically generate a table of contents to simplify navigation and organization

Vellum limitations

Only available on macOS
Requires a significant upfront investment

Vellum pricing

Vellum Ebooks: $199.99
Vellum Press: $249.99

Vellum ratings and reviews

G2: Not enough reviews
Capterra: Not enough reviews

14. Atticus (Best for all-in-one writing and formatting)

Atticus is the all-in-one tool that takes the stress out of writing and formatting your book. This web-based software combines powerful writing features with pro-level formatting, helping authors move from draft to publication hassle-free.

Atticus’ simple interface eliminates the need for various software applications, resulting in an efficient and smooth workflow.

Atticus best features

Generate and format manuscripts within a single platform
Use on various devices and operating systems for added flexibility in different environments
Set targets and monitor your writing habits

Atticus limitations

Needs an internet connection for full functionality
Copying and pasting content from other programs may cause unpredictable behavior due to external formatting issues

Atticus pricing

Atticus ratings and reviews

G2: Not enough reviews
Capterra: Not enough reviews

15. Freedom (Best for distraction-free writing across devices)

Freedom is a productivity program that helps users stay focused by blocking distracting websites and apps on various devices.

Ideal for professionals, students, and writers, Freedom creates a controlled work environment by syncing sessions across devices. This helps users maintain productivity on their phone, tablet, or desktop.

Freedom best features

Synchronize block sessions across all your devices for a distraction-free experience
Create personalized lists of websites and apps to block
Schedule block sessions in advance to help establish productive routines

Freedom limitations

Freedom focuses on blocking distractions and does not provide productivity analytics
Setting up and managing blocklists requires navigating both the desktop app and the online dashboard

Freedom pricing

Monthly Premium: $8.99/month
Yearly Premium: $3.33/month
Forever: $199

Freedom ratings and reviews

G2: Not enough reviews
Capterra: Not enough reviews

🔍 Did You Know? Before the digital age, J.K. Rowling wrote the original Harry Potter manuscript by hand, demonstrating that great stories can begin with pen and paper.

Special mentions

LivingWriter: Offers intuitive planning tools, customizable templates, and cloud integration to help authors organize, write, and track progress
Novlr: Keeps authors organized and motivated with cloud syncing, goal tracking, and customizable writing spaces
FocusWriter: Embrace the clean, customizable interface, letting authors stay laser-focused and productive
Squibler: Helps to organize ideas, set goals, and track progress, streamlining the entire writing process from start to finish
LibreOffice Writer: Offers powerful writing tools, advanced formatting, and multi-format compatibility

Begin Your Writing Journey with

The best book writing software boosts creativity and gives you all the tools to organize and polish your manuscript. These modern innovations are intended to support authors and bring their stories to life.

That said, distinguishes itself by providing more than a writing platform. With its powerful project management capabilities, collaboration features, and customizable content writing templates, it’s the ideal companion for a successful author who wants to keep themselves organized and productive.

Explore ’s features and see how they improve your writing experience and efficiency.