essay editing software free

Free online proofreading and essay editor

A reliable proofreading tool and essay editor for any writer or student, a complete environment.

Typely is more than just a proofreading tool. It's a complete writing environment.

Thousands of checks

More than a thousand checks are being performed and we've only scratched the surface.

Inspired by the greatest writers

Gain access to humanity’s collective understanding about the craft of writing.

A proofreading tool that does not bark at every tree

Typely is precise. Existing tools for proofreading raise so many false alarms that their advice cannot be trusted. Instead, the writer must carefully consider whether to accept or reject each change.

We aim for a tool so precise that it becomes possible to unquestioningly adopt its recommendations and still come out ahead — with stronger, tighter prose. Better to be quiet and authoritative than loud and unreliable.

Relax, focus, write your next masterpiece...

Writing presumes more than simply laying out words on a paper. Typely helps you get in the mood and keeps you focused, immersed and ready to write your story.

Whether you need a distraction-free environment, some chill relaxing sounds or a pomodoro timer to manage your time we got you covered.

Got questions? We have answers.

No. Typely is completely free and we plan on keeping it that way. We are considering some advanced features however that might be available under a premium plan.

The only limit we have applied thus far is on the number of characters you can submit and that is being set at a maximum of 50,000.

In theory yes but that will require a lot of work and professionals dedicated for this job. We are considering a way of letting the community participate somehow.

Typely does not do grammar checking because it's hard and almost impossible to get right. The aim for Typely is to be precise and reliable.

Free writing software: 24 tools to help you create better content, faster

Find the best brainstorming, researching, writing, and editing tools.

As a freelance writer, I try to keep my app costs lean, so I'm a sucker for free writing tools. But with so many writing apps on the market, it's hard to tell which free options are actually valuable.

I've done some of the legwork for you by bringing together some of the best free writing apps on the internet. All of the options listed here are tools the Zapier team or I have used and enjoyed.

For this roundup, I prioritized completely free tools and freemium apps with a forever free plan that was sufficient for actual regular use. Many of the options have paid plans, but those plans are generally geared toward power users.

The best free writing software at a glance

Free writing tools for brainstorming and organizing your thoughts, best free writing software for expanding your ideas.

Best free writing software for creating content outlines

Best free writing software for brainstorming together

You can even use Miro with Zapier (also free), so you can automate your brainstorming workflows. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started.

Create Miro widgets with new Trello cards

Add Miro cards from new rows on Google Sheets

Best free writing software for brainstorming topics

Keyword Research Tool pricing: Free

Best free writing software for brainstorming ideas with AI

ChatGPT pricing: Free; ChatGPT Plus is $20/month

Best free writing software for brainstorming out loud

Your computer's dictation software (MacOS, Windows)

If you process your thoughts best through speaking, there's a brainstorming app already on your computer. Boot up Windows 10 Speech Recognition on Windows or Apple Dictation on Mac to record your thoughts as you brainstorm out loud.

Windows 10 Speech Recognition and Apple Dictation pricing: Free

Free writing tools for research and note-taking

Best free writing software for keeping everything in one place.

Save new tasks in Google Tasks in Notion databases

Add new Microsoft Outlook calendar events to Notion databases

Notion pricing: Free plan available; from $8/user/month for team plans

Best free writing software for finding free copies of paywalled research

Unpaywall pricing: Free

Best free writing software for transcribing interview and video content

oTranscribe pricing: Free

Best free writing software for collecting research from other people

Create Trello cards from new Google Forms responses

Share Google Forms responses in a Slack channel

Google Forms pricing: Free

Free writing tools for solo and collaborative writing

Best free writing software for collaborative writing.

Create new Google Docs from text with new rows in Google Sheets

Create new Google Docs when Trint transcripts are ready

Google Docs pricing: Free

Best free writing software for messages and blurbs

WordCounter pricing: Free

Free writing tools for editing

Best free writing software for finding the perfect word.

OneLook Reverse Dictionary and Thesaurus offers all the synonyms you could dream of like a regular thesaurus, but it stands out in its reverse dictionary capabilities. Enter a phrase—or even a full sentence—to get words that match that meaning. This feature comes in handy when you want to write more concisely or find that word that's on the tip of your tongue.

OneLook Reverse Dictionary and Thesaurus pricing: Free

Best free writing software for finding the right word—anywhere

As a freelance writer, I find myself needing to switch up words when I write on various platforms across the internet. Power Thesaurus gives me synonyms, antonyms, definitions, and other forms of word assistance wherever I like to write. It can do the same for you—put it to use on its website, in your browser, on your phone, in Google Docs, in Word, and in Gmail.

Best free writing software for rewording what you write

Best free writing software for clear and concise writing

Best free writing software for creating compelling headlines

CoSchedule Headline Studio pricing: Free for basic features; from $8/month to buy "Premium Headline" credits that give you access to an SEO score, AI writing features, headline suggestions, and word banks for a certain number of headlines

Best free writing software for finding and removing cliches

Cliche Finder pricing: Free

Best free writing software for finding jargon in your text

De-Jargonizer pricing: Free

Best free writing software for varying your wording and sentence length

Expresso pricing: Free

Best free writing software for comparing your writing to AI content

Free writing tools for proofreading

Best free writing software for catching spelling and grammar mistakes.

Best free writing tool for proofreading short-form content

Best free writing tool for making MLA citations

EasyBib pricing: Free

Free writing software FAQ

Here are some questions lots of people have about writing apps and how to choose the right one.

What's a good free writing tool?

Tools like Google Docs and WordCounter are free forever and very functional. Other apps, like Grammarly or ProWritingAid, have free plans that offer basic features, with more advanced features available via a paid plan.

But there are a lot of free writing tools available that perform a wide variety of functions—everything from brainstorming to research and note-taking to writing to editing to proofreading.

What writing tool do most writers use?

There's a wide variety of writing tools out there, and which one a writer uses really comes down to preference. A lot of writers use Google Docs to write because they already use Google for so many other things—but some may prefer a tool like Notion, where they can combine writing with project management.

What makes a good writing tool?

In short, whatever helps you write! If a blank page and no distraction is what helps you actually get words down, then open a new Google Doc and go at it. If you need to organize your thoughts before you even think about writing, consider adding a brainstorming tool to the mix. Each writer's process is different, and it's all about finding tools that enable your writing, not add another roadblock to your process.

Sharpen your craft with your new toolkit

Related reading:

This article was originally published in June 2015 by Jane Callahan and has also had contributions from Jessica Greene. The most recent update was in August 2023.

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Melissa King

Melissa King is a freelance writer who helps B2B SaaS companies spread the word about their products through engaging content. Outside of the content marketing world, she sometimes writes about video games. Check out her work at melissakingfreelance.com.

• Content marketing
• Google Docs
• Google Forms

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ProWritingAid: The Free Writer Software That Will Transform Your Writing

Hayley Milliman

Have you ever heard the saying, "Books aren’t written, they’re rewritten"?

Here at ProWritingAid, we wholeheartedly agree with that assessment. Editing is an essential part of the writing process. Often, you’ll spend twice as much time editing your work as you did writing it in the first place. At least!

Editing your own work can be incredibly difficult. After all, you wrote your book—you’re so close to and familiar with the text that it can be hard to judge what needs to be changed objectively.

That’s where free writer software like ProWritingAid comes in. Part editing tool, part grammar checker, part writing coach, ProWritingAid provides an objective view of what’s working and what’s not in your text.

Already got ProWritingAid and ready to dive in deeper? Download this free guide to the software to learn how to use all of our integrations, reports, and resources to make your writing the best it can be.

What Do You Get With ProWritingAid?

Realtime editing, summary report, writing style check, readability report.

There are 25 powerful writing reports included in the free version of ProWritingAid.

You can use ProWritingAid’s free editing tool in your Internet browser. If you’d like to follow along with this article, click the button below to get started:

The web editor looks like this in your browser:

To try it out, you can view a sample. Or, if you’re ready to get editing, upload a document.

You’ll see the reports bar across the top of your screen. Let’s look at that in more detail:

Here you’ll find the main reports our writers like to use. Here’s just a taste of what our free writer software will help you identify in your writing:

• Repeated words and phrases that may cause the reader to ask, "Didn’t they just say that?"
• Clichés and redundancies that cheapen your writing
• Pacing issues that might cause you to lose your readers’ attention
• Vague and abstract words that make it difficult for readers to understand what you are trying to say
• Overused words that are too wishy-washy or lead to awkward sentence construction
• Grammar and spelling errors that affect your writing

Our powerful, easy-to-use software will take your writing from amateur to professional with a few simple clicks of the mouse.

Here are some key reports you’ll use.

With the Realtime report in the upper left-hand corner, you’ll get immediate feedback on your work as you type. Grammar, style, and spelling issues will all be underlined in blue, yellow, and red respectively. Click any of the three options from the drop-down menu to go to the first error of that kind. Then hover your cursor over highlighted text for suggestions and explanations.

We find this feature is handy for anyone with quick turnaround times, such as bloggers or students. Simply upload your work, get your feedback, and edit.

The Summary Report is an all-in-one look at the statistics in your writing.

You’ll get an overview of how your writing compares to published writing in your genre in areas like readability level, sentence length variety, sticky sentences, vague and abstract language, pacing, style, and more.

This allows you to figure out the key actions you need to take to strengthen your writing.

As you scroll through the report, you’ll find more details for each report so you can start working on the details. In your personalised summary, you’ll find words you overuse, a visualisation of your sentence lengths throughout your document, readability scores, and more.

The Writing Style Report is one of the most popular and comprehensive reports that ProWritingAid offers. We all know that there is a lot more to good writing than just correct grammar, and these suggestions are based on the same ideas you would learn in a university writing course.

The Style Report highlights several areas of writing that should be revised to improve readability, including: passive and hidden verbs, over-reliance on adverbs, repeated sentence starts, emotional tells, and much more.

These suggestions are the same as a professional copyeditor would give you (in fact, many of them use ProWritingAid). If you are going to send your writing to a copyeditor then, by fixing all these mistakes upfront, your editor will be able to focus on the more important aspects of your work, such as tone of voice. You’ll get a more polished piece of writing as a reward.

Case Study: Improving Your Writing Style

How does improving your writing style increase the effectiveness of your writing? Let’s look at how passive voice affects your writing.

Fixing Passive Voice

The passive voice isn’t grammatically incorrect. It can be useful when used intentionally, but if you over-use the passive voice your writing will be less direct and impactful for your readers.

When you write, you are reporting on the action as you see it in your head. Whether that action is a fictional scene, findings in a business report, or your argument in an essay, you need to take those ideas and convey them to the reader.

Imagine a commentator reporting on the crucial final moments of a basketball game like this:

The ball is thrown into the air by Jessica. It is caught by Zubaida. It is stolen by Hannah at the last second. The last point is scored by Hannah. The game has been won by the Away team.

Okay, we know what happened. But the immediacy of each pass is lost in the passive language. We lose the excitement as we fight to work out who or what the subject of each sentence is, or, in this case, who is holding the ball.

Let’s rework it.

Jessica throws the ball into the air. Zubaida catches it. Hannah steals it at the last second and scores the last point. The Away team has won the game.

Now we know who is holding the ball and what it means for the overall stakes in the game right away.

While you’re writing, ask yourself who is holding the ball. Are they at the front of your sentences? If not, you could be diminishing a subject’s role in a scene or outcome, like in these examples:

Passive: 50% year-on-year growth was achieved by the team.

Active: The team achieved 50% year-on-year growth.

In the active version, the team is front and center, and gets full credit for the work they did to achieve that growth.

ProWritingAid helps you notice where you’ve used passive voice and fix it with a click.

The editor won’t always re-work all of your sentences, but it will help you to think about why you’re using the passive voice to make sure it’s the best choice for your work.

It helps you learn as you edit, making you a better writer every time you use the program.

The best way to find out how much ProWritingAid can do is to try it yourself!

Being a great writer is not about using fancy words—it’s about communicating meaning to your readers. If they have to look up words or decipher your language in any way, they’ll be distracted from your ideas. This report uses the top readability tools out there, including the popular Flesch Reading Ease Score, to analyze your writing and highlight those paragraphs that will be hard for your reader to understand.

As you work through the reports above, your readability will improve. Running the readability report at the beginning of your editing session helps you work out where you need to focus. Running it again at the end lets you see how far you’ve come, and where you may need to keep working.

Most adults like to read at a 7th grade level. This isn’t to say the ideas in your writing can’t be complex. Instead, aim to convey those complex ideas in a way that helps your reader to understand them.

This means:

• Using varied sentence lengths
• Avoiding overused words
• Avoiding sticky sentences
• Avoiding repetition
• Using fewer cliches, redundancies, and jargon terms
• Removing unnecessary words

The list above isn’t exhaustive. There’s a lot to keep track of when you’re assessing your writing for readability.

Fortunately, ProWritingAid has reports for all of the common readability errors above to help you make meaningful edits that will make your readers’ lives easier.

All of these powerful reports are completely free for you to use. So what are you waiting for?

Ready to learn more? Check out our ultimate guide to ProWritingAid to find out how the software can integrate seamlessly into your writing process.

We would love to know what you think about our free writer software! Be sure to tell us in the comments.

Try ProWritingAid’s editing tool today. It will help you edit faster, strengthen your writing, and get your ideas across.

Copy and paste some text into our demo box below and see how you can improve your text.

Write like a bestselling author

Love writing? ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of your stories.

Hayley is the Head of Education and Community at ProWritingAid. Prior to joining this team, Hayley spent several years as an elementary school teacher and curriculum developer in Memphis, TN. When Hayley isn't hunched over her keyboard, you can find her figure skating at the ice rink or hiking with her dog.

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Table of Contents

What Is Proofreading Software?

The 5 types of proofreading tools.

• The Best Proofreading Tools & Editing Software

Final Thoughts

The best free & paid proofreading & editing software (to use in 2023).

If you’re looking for the best proofreading tool on the market, I’ll tell you what it is:

The best proofreading software out there is Grammarly .

But even in 2022, it still has severe limitations.

We at Scribe tested the 8 most popular editing apps on the market in 2022, and none of them could hold a candle to a human proofreader .

But that doesn’t mean proofreading tools are worthless. Not at all.

I highly recommend Grammarly for :

• Flagging possible grammar mistakes
• Finding repetitive words and phrases
• Noticing “picky” details like spacing
• Highlighting basic style issues
• Cleaning up your writing before it goes to an editor
• “Last looks” for typos

I do not recommend Grammarly for :

• Accepting every suggestion
• Blindly altering your writing style
• Skipping a human editor

Why not? Because of writing like this:

“Our team has reviewed and requested our Chrome product team to review the GingerChrome store page again and fix any necessary correction.”

This was an actual comment from the team of the Ginger editing app (not Grammarly), on a negative review of the Ginger Chrome Extension.

As part of our test, we ran their comments through the Ginger app itself, and the app found nothing wrong with it .

Then we ran it through another app. And another. Of all the proofreading apps we tested, most found 0 errors in that sentence.

Even Grammarly, the top performer, only found 2, and one of its suggestions was arguably worse. (I’ll show you those suggestions in the Grammarly review.)

So, before you start using Grammarly , make sure you understand what it is and isn’t good for—in 2022 and beyond.

True editing apps, like Grammarly, apply artificial intelligence (AI) to proofreading.

AI is the science (and art) of programming computers to think and behave like human beings. It’s at the cutting edge of technology, but it has a long way to go.

You might think that Microsoft Word’s spell checker is pretty good—and it is—but it isn’t artificial intelligence. MS Word just checks each word you type against a dictionary.

That’s pretty basic stuff.

Editing apps are far more than spell checkers; they’re true grammar checkers. They’re even style checkers. And those kinds of mistakes are a lot harder to find than spelling errors.

Why? Because grammatical errors depend on context.

Here’s an example:

If I write, “It was the best of time, it was the worst of time,” you know right away that “time” is missing an “s.”

A spell checker wouldn’t flag it because “time” is in the dictionary. The word exists, it’s just being used incorrectly

Human beings see issues like that immediately because our brains are wired for language. But teaching a computer to do the same thing is far more complicated than you might imagine.

In fact, it’s so complicated that even the best proofreading app doesn’t do it very well.

That’s why a good proofreading app needs to explain each flagged issue, simply and clearly, to help you decide how (or even whether) to follow the suggestion.

There are 5 different types of proofreading tools, most of which can be useful to professional Authors. All 5 of them check for spelling mistakes, grammar errors, and style choices, but they’re used in different places.

1. Chrome Extensions

Proofreading extensions for Chrome or other browsers (like Firefox or Safari), evaluate your writing no matter where you go on the web. If you’re typing online, they watch what you type and offer suggestions.

You can install these like any other browser extension, and they add writing tools to your browser that check spelling, grammar, and style.

If you write in Google Docs, you’ll need more than a Chrome extension. You’ll need a grammar tool that integrates directly with the Google Docs app.

2. Online Proofreading Tools

Website apps.

Free online proofreading apps are websites that offer a simple text box where you can paste limited amounts of text to check it for spelling, grammar, and style.

They’re free, but you get what you pay for. The ones we tested ranged from bad to terrible.

Full-service online apps

Some services (like Grammarly) offer true web apps, akin to Google Docs, that let you write and save documents in your own cloud space.

They include a full range of built-in proofreading tools, but their formatting tools are limited. For professional manuscript formatting , I recommend writing in MS Word with a Grammarly addon.

3. Mobile Apps

These are keyboard extensions for phones and tablets that automatically check your writing on every text and tweet.

If you write on an iOS or Android tablet in a mobile word processor, you’ll want a mobile proofreading app.

4. MS Word Add-ons

For writers who compose on MS Word, proofreading addons provide grammar and style suggestions right in your Word documents as you type.

If you write in MS Word, this will be your best choice, but these add-ons only work on MS Office for Windows. Apple users will need to use a desktop app.

5. Desktop Apps for Mac and Windows

Desktop proofreading software provides a native word processor that’s designed for proofreading and editing .

Most of these apps don’t have great formatting options, so I recommend writing in MS Word even if you use a desktop app for editing.

If you don’t have access to an MS Office add-on, you can open any .docx file in a desktop proofreading app to check it.

The Best Proofreading Tools & Editing Software

1. grammarly.

Grammarly is far and away the best proofreading and editing tool on the market. It offers:

• Browser extensions
• A full-service online app
• Mobile apps
• An MS Office add-on for Windows
• Desktop apps for Mac and Windows

It even has a Google Docs integration, but this is a newer offering that seems less robust than the others. It let me type “I eats the pudding” without any complaints, even though the browser extension flagged it correctly.

The MS Office add-on doesn’t work on a Mac, but the desktop app lets you drag and drop a .docx file to open it in the app and check your writing.

The Chrome extension and desktop app were extremely easy to install, and Grammarly’s features (which work the same way across every version) made it the clear winner:

• It has the smartest AI (and best proofreading flags) of every app we tested
• One-click suggestions make it easy to accept good changes
• The clean, intuitive interface requires almost no learning time
• You can filter the suggestions by category with one click
• There’s even a “Change-all” option for pervasive errors

Basic suggestions are free, with advanced grammar suggestions (including tone) in paid plans:

• Premium Version: $139.95 per year
• Business Version: plans starting at $150 per member, per year

Caveat of Grammarly

1. internet requirement.

Grammarly has to be connected to the Internet to work, even with the desktop app. That’s because the AI “lives” in the cloud, not in the app that sits on your desktop.

If the app can’t communicate with the AI, it can’t understand what you’re typing.

2. The AI is still learning

Grammarly was the smartest app we tested, but that only says so much.

For our sample text:

The Grammarly desktop app suggested:

“Our team has reviewed and requested our Chrome product team to discuss the GingerChrome store page again and fix any necessary corrections .”

This isn’t much better. But I’ll let you in on a secret: this is a very hard test for any proofreading AI system.

Why? Because it probably wasn’t written by a native English speaker. “Fix any necessary correction”? Nobody would say that. The construction is just too strange.

Which is exactly the problem.

AI systems get smarter with feedback. They learn which suggestions people did or didn’t accept, and they adjust future suggestions based on that information.

But mistakes that native speakers would never make are, by definition, very rare, so the system doesn’t see them often enough to learn from them.

That’s why we chose this as a test: to push the proofreading AI’s to the limit of their capability.

The fact that Grammarly made any sense of it was impressive.

2. ProWriting Aid

ProWriting Aid was the only other app we tested that had a chance against Grammarly. It works with:

• Google Docs
• MS Office (in Windows)
• Desktop app

Not surprisingly, it also needs an internet connection to work. Powerful AIs need powerful computers. They live in the cloud on fast, dedicated servers and work with your computer (or phone) remotely.

It also doesn’t work with MS Office on Apple, just like Grammarly.

But in the battle of ProwritingAid vs. Grammarly, this one lost because:

• It offered fewer one-click fixes
• The interface was not as clean
• Navigation was not as intuitive
• The suggestions were not presented as well
• Extra features, like reports, cluttered the screen without being useful

3. Hemingway App

We included the Hemingway App in our test because it appeared in other articles on grammar checking software, but it was designed more for bloggers than professional Authors.

And it wasn’t very smart.

The one feature it did have was the ability to work offline, but that’s the tradeoff. If you want an AI that’s smarter than a word processor, you’ll need an Internet connection.

The Hemingway App failed our test because:

• It does not offer one-click fixes
• It gives general writing guidance but no specifics
• It’s designed for WordPress and Medium, not book Authors

It does have a free online tool, but the tool doesn’t save your work. If you get disconnected or you close the tab by accident, you can kiss your work goodbye.

The Hemingway App is good for helping you see things that need to be fixed, but that’s about it.

4. Ginger Software

We loaded the Ginger Chrome extension to give it a try, but the AI didn’t even come close to Grammarly.

These are the folks who wrote our bad test copy, and their own software didn’t correct it.

They did a nice job designing their sales page, but the app doesn’t stand up to the hype.

5. WhiteSmoke

WhiteSmoke is the used car lot of proofreading services.

The sales page extols the virtues of proofreading apps in general, hoping you won’t notice that the “demo” video doesn’t show the product and that they hardly offer any screenshots of the app.

There’s no free version or trial version, and what little you can see of the app doesn’t look great.

This is not the app you’re looking for.

6. PaperRater

PaperRater is a website that’s supposedly designed to help students write papers (not books), but it doesn’t even do that.

• It doesn’t offer any fixes
• The “report” is terrible
• If you click on “advanced analysis,” it takes you to Grammarly

Enough said.

7. LanguageTool

LanguageTool offers add-ons and/or extensions for several browsers and word processors, but the AI just isn’t up to par.

You can try it for yourself for free using the online tool, which does offer one-click changes, but if you hit “undo,” you’ll have to run the check all over again.

It found no errors in our horrible test copy, and it tags people’s names as misspellings.

8. SlickWrite

The free online version of SlickWrite is reasonably smart when it comes to finding issues, but it’s lousy at fixing them.

It doesn’t offer any suggestions, and the explanations it does offer are far too technical. You won’t understand them unless you already have a solid command of sentence structure, grammar, and style, which largely defeats the purpose of the app.

Although it’s far from perfect, Grammarly has a solid place in the professional Author’s arsenal.

It offers a ton of useful features in a simple, clean interface, and it’s the smartest proofreading AI by far when it comes to writing skills.

Authors who want to self-publish ( and 99.99% of them should ), will still need to hire an editor . But that editing will be faster, smoother, and a lot cheaper if you’ve done everything you can to clean up your writing before you get there.

The Scribe Crew

Read this next.

Roundup: The Best Professional Book Editors

10 of the Most Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid (& How to Fix Them)

What are Beta Readers? (& How Authors Can Find Them)

32 Best Free Writing Software for Book, Script & Music Writers

Discover our guide with the best free writing software, ideal for writers, students, and creatives on a budget. Delve into the realm of the written word without costly fees.

Writing is a fulfilling pursuit. It’s an excellent opportunity to explore your creative side, dive deep into your chosen ideas, and entertain your readers while educating them about an interesting topic. There’s one downside: the writing process can also be costly. 

Many writing apps come with expensive subscriptions or purchase fees, which can put new writers completely off starting. But fear not! I’ve done the research and found the very best free writing software available on the market today. 

It’s only fair that writers on a budget have the same freedom to express their ideas and follow their passions, so check out our list and start writing today! For help with your writing, check out our guide on how to write a story outline .

Best Word Processor for Windows

Best word processor for mac, best free word alternative, best distraction-free writing app, best app with markup support, best editing software, best brainstorming software, best research and note-taking software, 31. otranscribe, selection criteria for the best free writing programs, why you can trust us, how can i choose the best free writing software program to meet my needs, is it safe for me to use free writing programs, best 32 free writing software [categorized], 1. windows notepad.

Price: Free Operating system: Windows

Windows Notepad is a simple text editor and writing software that comes free with all Windows operating systems. It’s a staple writer and editor that has been a part of the Windows package for years, allowing Windows users to jot down notes, create lists, or write documents quickly. The simplicity of the free writing app is one of the main reasons why this app has remained popular over the years.

• Manage large projects easily with a high-level overview
• Mobile apps for iPhone and iPad are available
• Publishing, template, and productivity features are available
• Has a steep learning curve
• No application for Android devices
• Formatting can be hard

2. Hemingway Editor

Price: Free Operating system: Mac and Windows

If you want to make your work easier to read, the Hemingway Editor is one of the most effective options. While the program has many features that make it deserving of a spot on this list, the most impressive is the readability score. To learn more about the different editing tools on the market, check out our Hemingway App review .

• Completely free
• Provides advice on a wide variety of writing issues
• Can help you keep your writing concise
• The program is an editor, not a writing software program
• Sometimes highlights adverbs that add value to your work
• Doesn’t always provide context behind some suggestions

3. Apple Pages

Price: Free with Macs Operating system: Mac, iOS

If you use a Mac, then there is a good chance you have heard about Apple Pages . It’s one of the best writing programs for Mac users, and it works smoothly. Similar to Microsoft Word on Windows, you start with a blank document. Then, you can include a template to make the process easier. In addition, Apple Pages comes with numerous features, including spell check, word count, and track changes. To learn more about the different editing tools on the market, check out our post on the best grammar tools

• Straightforward and easy to use
• Automatically saves your work to your iCloud Drive
• Include customizable features such as spell checkers and word counts
• Grammar checker is not the best
• Only available for Mac users
• File type cannot be opened on all applications

4. Apple Books for Authors

Price: Free Operating system: Mac, iOS

Apple Books for Authors is an Apple-exclusive platform that allows authors to write and publish their work with ease. The writing app is free with all Apple products and works with Apple Pages. Writers can create their work with Pages, format it to EPUB for publication and publish it straight to Apple Books. All you need is an Apple phone or Macbook and an iTunes Connect account to get your debut novel on the virtual eBook shelves.

5. Dropbox Paper

Price: Free with a Dropbox account Operating system:  Mac, Windows, Linux

If you have a free Dropbox account, you can use Dropbox Paper . It is a simple word processor, but the application can do much more. In addition to editing documents, you can include YouTube videos, audio files, images, and slideshows. It’s a great writing app if you need to work with others on writing and multimedia. 

• Free to use with Dropbox
• Can handle images and videos
• Strong collaborative capabilities
• Program can be a bit slow
• Requires Dropbox to use
• Can be difficult to learn

Price: Free Operating system: Mac, Windows

If you have issues with writer’s block, you may want to give OneLook a try. This is a straightforward program to use. All you have to do is give a brief description, which can be as short as a single word. Then, you can see all related words, helping you develop ideas for your writing. Plus, it’s completely free to use, which is great for new writers on a budget.

• Can help you overcome writer’s block
• Gives you access to a thesaurus for ideas as well as single words
• Not all suggestions directly related
• Program is limited and old

Price: Free Operating system: Mac, Windows, Linux

If you are looking for a simple word processor to help you with your next writing project, consider AbiWord . It’s a simple, bare-bones word processor that includes the basics, including a grammar checker. It is also compatible with a wide variety of file types.

• Free to download and use
• Very simple and straightforward
• Compatible with multiple file types
• Software program looks outdated
• Can be a bit slow
• You will need another program if you want to print

If you are looking for a program to help you write books, you may want to try Shaxpir . It is available for Mac and PC and has a built-in spell checker. In addition, you can leave comments in the margins and set goals that help you track your progress. Shaxpir has a limited free version available, as well as a premium subscription. Shaxpir 4: Everyone is free and includes everything you need to build and export manuscripts, track goals and more.

• Manuscript Builder allows you to rearrange your manuscript
• Program can handle multiple chapters and scenes
• Compatible with Mac and PC
• The program can be a bit difficult to use
• The margins can be hard to read
• Gets a bit slow if your book gets too long

9. LibreOffice Writer

LibreOffice is a versatile and free office suite that has become very popular with government offices, businesses, and other corporate organizations. LibreOffice includes a word processor, Writer, that functions similarly to MS Word. Writer comes with various templates to create all kinds of documents. Although the interface is rather bland, it works as a simple text editor and can be used for simple and complex documents alike. 

10. WordCounter 

WordCounter does exactly what it says – it counts words and characters. The online editor is designed to help writers improve their work choice and writing style, as well as check for plagiarism. There’s also a built-in grammar checker that can spot an error in your text. It’s a great all-in-one option for when you might be writing an essay or paper where you need to stick to a strict word limit.

11. CoSchedule Headline Studio

CoSchedule’s Headline Studio is a free writing software that creates headlines for all your marketing campaigns and content. The free version allows you to view feedback and analytics on your chosen headline for YouTube videos, Emails, blogs, TikTiks, Instagram posts and podcast episodes. 

The personalized insights give you recommendations for writing engaging titles and captions that align with your content. Using AI technology, the Headline Studio can generate dozens of headlines within seconds, helping you break out of writer’s block with a few simple clicks. 

12. FocusWriter

Price: Free Operating system: Windows, Linux

FocusWriter is a simple program that can help you stop distractions from getting in the way of your work. The screen will look and feel familiar, but you can immerse yourself in your work by minimizing distractions that are elsewhere on the screen. The program is compatible with various operating systems and allows you to focus on the task.

• Distraction-free writing
• Easy to control
• Compatible with Mac OS, Windows, and Linux
• You won’t see your writing template
• You can’t see your previous versions
• You can’t share your content

Price: Free Operating system: iOS, Android, Mac and Windows

Notion is a fantastic writing app for those needing to focus on a writing project. The free version of Notion has some great features, allowing up to ten guests to collaborate on a project, and it can also integrate with chat tools like Slack. 

Notion has a simple and distraction-free interface where users can design their task boards and adjust the layout to their specific needs. It’s also a great software for brainstorming ideas, detailing plot points and creating character profiles. Check out our Grammarly Vs Notion comparison guide.

14. Workflowy

Price: Free Operating system: Mac, Linux

Workflowy is a minimalistic app best suited for note-taking, brainstorming, short-form writing and organizing ideas or tasks. Workflowy has a unique design with only one page that is used infinitely. The rolling page creates a natural rhythm of task completion and idea generation; it’s a great technique for getting creative ideas on the page and working through project tasks. Think of it like a brain dump page that you can use to get things done. 

There’s a useful search tool so that you can search for specific words or tags within your list. It’s also possible to share your page with others to view and edit, which is ideal for collaborative writing tasks. Check out our Workflowy review .

15. Google Docs

Even though there are better options than Google Docs for writing, it’s free and works everywhere with internet access. It’s easy to figure out and automatically backs up all your information to your Google Drive (provided there is enough space.) I like using Google Docs on a tablet as I can pick up writing sessions from where I left off on the go. Check out our guide looking at Grammarly vs Google Docs .

• Free and ubiquitous
• Ideal for collaboration
• Supports document revisions
• It does not come with an advanced grammar checker
• Does not work well offline
• Not a program designed specifically for writers

16. Slick Write

There are a lot of tools that will help you improve your readability, but Slick Write goes the extra mile. It will do a deep dive, analyzing every aspect of your texts and checking for repeated words, misplaced conjunctions, and sentences that are far too long. A convenient settings page allows you to customize this application to meet your needs.

• Contains a wide variety of analytics that you can control
• Can handle a lot of issues that most editors overlook
• Comes with a lot of advertisements
• The program is very slow if you want to analyze longer works
• The suggestions sometimes don’t take content into account

17. Grammarly

Seasoned writers use Grammarly to edit their drafts. This popular free writing program can catch a wide variety of grammar issues. The free version alone can catch punctuation, spelling, and run-on sentences while giving suggestions that can help you keep your writing concise. If you want more editing software options, check out our post looking at the best Grammarly alternatives .

• Free version is compatible with a wide variety of other programs
• Suggestions come with clear explanations
• Useful for all types of free writing projects
• Free version is limited
• Premium version is more expensive than most other programs
• Plagiarism checker can be overzealous

18. ProWritingAid

Price: Free version available Operating system:  

When it’s time to edit your writing, enter ProWritingAid . It’s a grammar program and spell checker that can catch many problems you might overlook. A grammar checker will never replace an editor, but this affordable program can help you replace some of what you would get from a professional editor. ProWritingAid’s free online proofreading tool is excellent for writers looking for a budget-friendly writing app that will enhance their content. Check out our ProWritingAid review .

• Fast and easy to use
• Provides suggestions for grammar and sentence style
• Premium version less expensive than other grammar checkers
• Does not always take context into account with its suggestions
• Premium version is not as intuitive as the free version
• Less suitable for writing drafts

19. WriteMonkey

Price: Free Operating system: Windows, OSX, LINUX

WriteMonkey is a distraction-free text editing software. The immersive full-screen mode is excellent for zoning in and completing long editing projects. There are many useful features like the customizable text options, the built-in writing timer and typing sounds with typewriter scrolling. 

This writing software emulates the simplicity of typing on a typewriter but allows you to write, edit and complete documents. It also has a spell check, thesaurus and all major languages available within the software.

20. Cliché Finder

Cliché Finder is an outstanding free software that eliminates cliché phrases from all kinds of text. Simply add your writing to the online text box, and it will highlight any clichés present. This nifty software can help you identify phrases, expressions and words that feel flat so that you can elevate your writing to make it shine. 

It also has a built-in spell checker, so you can spot any mistakes you might have missed. Overall, this editing software is a great tool for freshening up your work during the final proofreading stages.

21. De-Jargonizer

De-Jargonizer is most suitable for editing essays, research papers or technical articles that might use complex language. When writing about complex or technical topics, it can be challenging to write your piece in a way that makes sense to a wider audience.

Using software like De-Jargonizer can help you simplify your wording and demystify jargon. It has a simple interface that scans your writing and gives it a score of suitability for a general audience while highlighting words that should be changed.

22. Reedsy Book Editor

Reedsy Book Editor is a completely free writing and editing software program that makes it easy for you to coordinate with others. It has several great features, but one of the most important is the “notes” option. You can create notes, edit them, and stick them into your document, allowing you to manage different chunks of your work independently.

• Allows you to collaborate with others easily
• Can handle a long list of file formats and styles
• Lacks many of the advanced features of other options
• Takes a while to learn how to use
• Does not create professional, finished products like other programs

23. Expresso

Price: Free Operating system: Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

Expresso is an online text editor that focuses on simplicity and effectiveness. It’s an online tool that dissects your writing to improve the flow, word variety and impact. Expresso values privacy, so you can be assured that no texts will be saved. 

One benefit of this software is that you can enhance your understanding of English grammar and language while editing your writing. Expresso takes a formal approach by highlighting metrics like synonyms, weak verbs, nominalizations and clustered nouns. 

24. EasyBib

EasyBib’s free editor is available on all browsers. The intuitive interface is a huge selling point for this software, as the editing suggestions are easy to navigate and correct. There’s also a plagiarism check built into the software, but you’ll need to create a premium account to use this. 

Use this software to scan your essays or articles and track your word count while editing it down to one succinct document. You’ll also receive a detailed score highlighting fluency, readability, and grammar. Check out our Grammarly vs EasyBib comparison guide.

25. Zoho Writer

Price: Free Operating system:  

If you are looking for a free word processor that doesn’t necessarily give you access to professional writing and publishing features, you might want to use Zoho Writer . This is the complete package for those who need to write many documents. 

However, it isn’t necessarily meant for book writing. Nevertheless, many people love Zoho because it bears the familiarity of Microsoft Word with some other advanced features. For more, read our Zoho Writer review .

• Provides access to a wide array of group management and writing tools
• Has a short learning curve with the familiarity of Microsoft Word
• Is completely free
• Not a professional writing tool
• The grammar and spell checker leaves a lot to be desired
• Cannot publish for you

26. Evernote

Price: Free Operating system:  Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

When you work on a project, taking breaks occasionally is critical. Maybe you like to go to the gym. Perhaps you want to go for a walk. What happens if inspiration strikes you and you need to write something down quickly?

Evernote can help you do that. It’s an ideal program for those who like to write on different devices because you can sync your work across all of them, allowing you to work from just about anywhere. In addition, you don’t have to worry about emailing your work to yourself. As well as being the ideal on-the-go note-taking app, it’s free! Ideal for writers looking for an app to jot down ideas wherever they are. Read our guide: What is Evernote?

• You can write while on the go
• Sync your notes across multiple devices
• The free version is very limited
• Can get clunky if you work on longer assignments

27. MindMeister

MindMeister helps visualize writing projects and research by displaying concepts and ideas in a colorful mind map. Writers can use it to outline projects and collaborate with others, making it a perfect fit for group writing assignments.

The interactive map allows writers to structure content, connect related concepts, plan plotlines and explore new ideas. It’s a perfect match for writers involved in business writing, fiction writing or marketing campaigns. Check out our MindMeister review .

Miro is an aesthetically pleasing workspace ideal for teams or individuals working on a project. Writers can use it to visualize concepts, display research, build storylines, and develop character profiles. The real-time collaboration feature allows writers to work together seamlessly. It’s a comprehensive software that will enhance your workflow, streamline ideas and get your creativity flowing. Check out our Miro review .

29. ChatGPT

ChatGPT has taken the world by storm. It’s an AI-powered chatbot that can create articles and blog posts and generate ideas. However, it’s also an excellent research tool. By prompting the chatbot to research and provide statistics or facts, you can receive results within seconds, saving valuable writing time. It’s an excellent tool for writers working on complex writing projects like a non-fiction book or a research paper. 

You can also ask the chatbot for suggestions to improve your writing, ideas to continue your storyline and more. The capabilities of this AI software are endless. Check out our ChatGPT review .

30. Unpaywall

Unpaywall streamlines the research process for writing tasks like essays and research papers. With over 48 million scholarly articles and research papers available, writing your next essay has never been easier. It’s free to use without any subscription fees or hidden payments. Whether you’re writing academically or creating an informative document, this helpful software will allow you to quickly source accurate and high-quality data sources.

oTranscribe is a simple software that transcribes audio files or YouTube videos into a written text file. When conducting research for an academic paper, software like oTranscribe can save you many hours of listening and writing time. Simply upload your audio or video file, and oTranscribe will convert it into a plain text file or Google Doc. It’s ideal for when you might need to conduct interviews or surveys to gather data for your research paper or if you’ve been recording ideas about a new book and you need to get the thoughts on paper. The interface is simple and distraction-free, allowing writers to focus on the task at hand.

32. Google Forms

Google Forms is a versatile survey and interview tool that writers can use to gather information for an essay, research paper or non-fiction book. Gathering data can be challenging without the right tools, so utilizing software like Google Forms makes the process much easier. 

There are many helpful features like online sharing and drop-down menus with answer options, including multiple-choice, long text, short text or Yes/No. Share the form by printing and handing it out to research participants or share it online to gain a broader audience.

Final Word on Best Free Writing Software

I use Ulysses the most for writing today, as it’s easy to use and works across all my devices. I also recommend Google Docs to writers and Scrivener. Ultimately, these are just a few free writing programs available. To find the best app for you, you’ll need to think about the type of writing you do, your technological prowess, and how you think the program might benefit you. Make sure you think about the benefits and drawbacks of each option before you decide.

Many great writing programs are out there, and narrowing the list down to just a few choices is difficult. The criteria we used to pick our top free writing programs include:

• Features: The most important factor we considered is the features available. We took a deep dive into the numerous features of the program to ensure they were useful to a wide range of writers with various writing styles. 
• Ease of Use: Then, we analyzed how easy the program was to use. While one program might have the best features, learning might take longer. 
• Value for the Money: While this list includes the top free writing programs, nearly every program can purchase premium features. 

Of course, you must make your own decisions, as the best writing programs for one person might not necessarily be the best for your needs. However, some of the reasons why you should trust my reviews include:

• Experienced Writer: I am a very experienced writer myself. I know what writers like, what they don’t like, and which features will make you a better writer.
• Personal Use: I have used all of the programs on my list. While I will look at what other people think about the program, I also rely on my personal experiences.
• Attention to Detail: When I put together my reviews, I am as specific as possible. My goal is to highlight a wide variety of specific points as I go down the list of programs. 

FAQs About the Best Free Writing Software

First, you need to think about the cost. How much are you willing to spend, and what are you getting for your money? Then, you need to consider how easy the program is to use. Can you learn the program quickly? Finally, you should take a look at a few reviews and ratings.

If you rely on a software program to help you write, you need to think about cybersecurity. For example, you might put some confidential information on your writing programs, and you need to use a program that will protect your information and value your safety.

Meet Rachael, the editor at Become a Writer Today. With years of experience in the field, she is passionate about language and dedicated to producing high-quality content that engages and informs readers. When she's not editing or writing, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, finding inspiration for her next project.

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Best free writing app of 2024

Bring your words to life with the best free writing apps

Best overall

Best for markup, best word alternative, best word processor, best for mac, best online, how we test.

The best free writing software makes it simple and easy to better manage and organize all your ideas, outlines, and projects. 

1. Best overall 2. Best for markup 3. Best Word alternative 4. Best word processor 5. Best for Mac 6. Best online 7. FAQs 8. How we test

Like the best free word processors , writing apps help you get your thoughts on the page without breaking the bank (or your train of thought). But we’ve also made sure they’ll make it easier to save, share, and sync all your documents and keep them safe, whether you need a desktop writing app for work, school, or play. 

If you struggle to stay focused, we’ve tested some of the best free writing apps come with distraction-free layouts or gamification challenges to keep you in the zone. We’ve also reviewed those built for professional document creation, with advanced business features such as speech-to-text transcription and online collaboration tools. 

Our picks cover the best apps for writing on the web, Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS - so you’re always ready whenever and wherever creativity strikes. 

Scrivener: best writing software for authors Scrivener is packed with all the features a novelist needs, helping you track plot threads, store notes on characters and locations, structure your work and (most importantly) get some serious work done. It's not a free writing app like the tools below, but it's well worth the investment if your budget will allow it.

The best free writing app of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

1. FocusWriter

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

FocusWriter helps writers combat one of their biggest challenges: distractions. One of the best free writing software tools out there, it's specifically designed to let you just concentrate on your writing. 

The stripped-back interface is deliciously sparse - ideal for when you just need to get your head down and write - and not dissimilar to a moderately powerful version of Notepad, featuring support for TXT, basic, RTF, and ODT files. 

Even the toolbar is hidden until you actually need it. Just swoop your cursor to the top on the screen to reveal a barren menu, from basic formatting to themes and timers.

Features are light within the software, but FocusWriter isn’t made for heavy editing sessions. It’s designed to make the act of writing flow seamlessly onto the page. 

Elsewhere, the writing app boasts the ability to add themes and your own background images, which can help you stay motivated. 

The Daily Progress tool is a sweet extra, adding Duolingo-style gamification that lets you track your daily writing streak. For when it’s oh-so-easy to slip onto social media when you can’t find the perfect word, it’s a nice way to keep you within the app. 

Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, the writing software also comes as a portable download, no installation required. So, you can pop it on a USB stick and plug it into any computer you’re working on. 

Read our full FocusWriter review .

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2. WriteMonkey

WriteMonkey is another piece of free writing software that cuts down on the clutter to deliver uninterrupted writing sessions. 

The free word processor, cleverly described as zenware, is unbelievably pared back compared to more traditional writing apps. 

There’s very little in the way of distracting ‘screen furniture’, which means you’re better positioned to concentrate on the writing process. And absolutely nothing else. 

But don’t let that stripped-back approach fool you. As one of the best free writing apps, WriteMonkey is still rich with the sort of core features that matter to writers. 

However, most options are hidden in a context menu (so you’ll need to right-click to view it). It also only supports TXT files, which may limit those looking to read, write, or edit across multiple formats. It is, at least, a portable download, letting you take it wherever you need.

If you’ve enjoyed Markdown, the simplified text-editing language that lets you format, annotate, classify, and link as you type, then great. WriteMonkey’s inner workings will instantly chime. 

First-timers should spend a little time with this free writing software, to uncover that intuitive simplicity. 

Read our full WriteMonkey review .

3. LibreOffice Writer

Writer, the open-source, free writing software, serves almost all general writing needs.

LibreOffice is a near-perfect example of free office software - a familiar, feature-rich take on the office suite. What the veteran software package lacks in Microsoft polish (its interface is undeniably old-fashioned, for starters), it makes up for in its price-point: free. For that, you get access to six tools: Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math, and Writer. 

Earning it a slot on our list of best free writing apps is the fact that LibreOffice Writer packs the full editing toolbox. 

This isn’t just a note-taking app for staving off distractions when you’re deep in the zone; it’s for when you’re in pure writer-mode. 

If you’re at all proficient with Microsoft Word, you won’t have any problems using the Writer software. Layouts and functions are almost identical, and there’s support for DOC and DOCX file types, making it efficient to switch out of the Microsoft garden.

This free writing app is ideal if you’re hunting for a tool that almost perfectly replicates the Word experience without the cost. 

Read our full LibreOffice review .

4. Microsoft Word

When it comes to word processors, Microsoft Word is probably the baseline against which all others are compared. It’s the one most of us use at school, home, and work. It’s familiar, comfortable - and it’s available free on the web and mobile devices. 

That may not be the best way to write your masterpiece (unless you’ve hooked up a Bluetooth keyboard). But it’s a great way to jot down ideas on-the-go. When we tested the browser-based version we found it could be a bit slow at first, and we were typing faster than the words appeared on screen. This settles down (mostly) after a minute or so. 

Microsoft’s free writing apps on Android and iPhone had no such issues. Using these was velvety smooth. We especially appreciated the option to switch between mobile view and desktop view, so we could gauge how the document would appear in full-screen. 

As with Google Docs, you’ll need to sign up with a Microsoft account. And, like Google, that also lets you use free versions of PowerPoint, Excel, and the like. While Word offers one of the best free writing app experiences, there’s no denying that the paid-for upgrade is superior, offering more tools, and a true desktop app. 

Read our full Microsoft Word review .

Author promises to make it easier to ‘think, write, and cite’. It’s a promise capably delivered, with a clean interface and bags of writing features designed to make it easy to go from first draft to final copy. 

If you're an Apple user in search of the best free writing apps on macOS, this one demands your attention. 

Concept Maps is one of the best features. It’s a great mind-mapping tool to visualize and lay down all your thoughts while they’re fresh in your head without constraint. You can worry about whipping them into shape later. 

Students and report writers will appreciate Author’s ‘fast citing’ tools - speeding up assignment-writing by correctly adding and formatting citations, references, and contents. 

A paid-for upgrade of the writing software that offers exporting options is available. However, unless you need automatic formatting on export, you can stick with the free version. 

6. Google Docs

Google Docs is a great free writing platform for any writer. It’s an extremely clean, quick word processor available in the browser, on desktop, and phone and tablet apps. So, you can take notes wherever inspiration strikes. 

Docs is more or less Google’s spin on Microsoft Word. The interface is a bit more simple than the professional office software - although it’s no less powerful. 

You’ll find heaps of writing tools, including a pretty accurate speech-to-text transcription tool (just enunciate and don’t talk too fast). Keyboard shortcuts are very well-supported. 

For best results, you’ll need an internet connection, though documents can be used offline. They’ll be synced, and in our experience, that happens swiftly behind the scenes. 

To take advantage of the free writing app, you’ll need a Google account, which may be a deal-breaker for some - but that also opens up the rest of the Google-stuff in the Google-sphere, such as Sheets, Slides, and . With a free account, you get 15GB of storage, which should be more than enough for word documents. A Google One subscription upgrades your storage space, amongst other things. 

Additionally, Google Docs is great if you want to collaborate with one or more other writers. Just be warned to stay in Google Docs for that, because exporting the data into Word or other writing applications can result formatting errors.

Read our full Google Docs review .

What's the difference between a writing app and an AI writer?

AI writers vs writing apps - what's the real difference?

Artificial intelligence is growing in a big way - and when it comes to writing, it's ChatGPT that's been snatching all the headlines of late, with its ability to generate short- and long-form content based on user prompts.

Generally, an AI writer will write your content for you, based on its current learning (although often without 'understanding' the context). A writing app simply lets you write your way, in your own voice. 

Some platforms, such as Canva , have even integrated AI into its Canva Docs and Canva PDF Editor services. However. its Magic Write tool acts as a writing assistant, serving up suggestions and ideas, leaving real writers to work their magic on the content. Though usually hiding in the back-end, you can also find AI integrated in other ways across other the best PDF editor apps (and even the best free PDF editor apps, too).

As always with AI-generated content, whether it's the written word or an artwork masterpiece, human involvement is usually necessary and always desirable. Even if you're using the best AI writers out there, editing and proofreading is essential to give the content accuracy and emotional resonance.

How to choose the best free writing app for you

When deciding which free writing app is best, start by figuring out what sort of writing you want to do. 

Do you need a handy tool for quick scribbles and jotting down ideas here and there, or are you using the writing software to write and edit an epic novel? Tools like FocusWriter and Write Monkey are great for getting thoughts on the page without friction.

It’s also worth considering if you need a writing app with a distraction-free design, so you can concentrate on what really matters to you. Again, FocusWriter performs admirably here, but as a result, you lose core typography and editing functions. Unlike LibreOffice, this isn’t the best Microsoft Office alternative if you need those tools. In that scenario, it may be worth considering looking at some of the best free office software , which includes MS Word-style apps, alongside other tools similar to Excel, PowerPoint, and so on. 

Access is an important factor when using your writing software. A tool like Scribus needs to be downloaded to your machine. Lightweight apps like FocusWriter, however, offer a portable download that can be downloaded to a USB and carried with you. 

Check what file formats your chosen writing app supports, too. While some let you create and edit the common DOC and DOCX files, others only allow TXT or RTF documents.

But most of all, it’s important to choose the best free writing app for your unique creative flow. 

Testing the best free writing apps and software, we assess how easy it is to get your words down on the page with the least amount of friction. Portable writing apps rank high, because they let you use the program on whatever computer or laptop you’re using. 

We also look at performance for its intended audience. For distraction-free writing apps, do they really foster focus? For word processor-style software, does it offer good formatting and editing options? 

Most importantly, we expect to see free writing apps that are genuinely cost-free - no-one wants to stumble across hidden fees and charges in the contracts. 

We've listed the best laptops for writers .

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Steve is TechRadar Pro’s B2B Editor for Creative & Hardware. He explores the apps and devices for individuals and organizations that thrive on design and innovation. A former journalist at Web User magazine, he's covered software and hardware news, reviews, features, and guides. He's previously worked on content for Microsoft, Sony, and countless SaaS & product design firms. Once upon a time, he wrote commercials and movie trailers. Relentless champion of the Oxford comma.

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