Finest ebook writing apps: 15 instruments for authors

Serious about writing a ebook or sharing your expertise in an e-guide? There’s a software on the market for you. Most ebook writing software program share related core options: they purpose to be minimalistic, supply focus modes, embrace export choices, and sometimes help syncing with weblog platforms so you’ll be able to publish straight from the app.

However every ebook writing app has its personal distinctive strengths. I’ve researched among the hottest ones, and I’m right here to share what I consider are the perfect writing apps available on the market. Let’s dive in.

High ebook writing apps for authors, college students, and self-publishers

Relying in your writing circulation and stage of experience, you most likely have your individual distinctive expectations. On this desk, I’ve gathered the important thing highlights of every app I cowl beneath. 

Ulysses: Authors’ go-to ebook writing app

When writers begin speaking about apps for writing, Ulysses is at all times within the dialog. It’s one of the crucial widespread instruments on the market — for each writing and Markdown modifying. With its easy, smooth design, Ulysses offers you that Hemingway-like focus: simply you and a clear, distraction-free web page.

Sounds good? It will get higher.

After all, Ulysses has a built-in proofreader, grammar checker, instruments for model, punctuation and spell checks. It may even detect redundancies in your textual content. However what actually units it aside are the options designed particularly for writers. You may set every day writing targets, monitor your progress, and get real-time stats on phrase depend and time spent writing. 

 “Ulysses is such a sublime markdown editor and challenge supervisor. I’ve used it for my final 4 books, and I can’t think about writing with out it”, says Jon, a Setapp person.

Ulysses enables you to export your textual content in widespread codecs like PDF, EPUB, HTML, and DOCX — and the outcome seems skilled, like an actual ebook. It additionally integrates with WordPress and Medium, so you’ll be able to publish straight from the app while not having to reformat your publish. Every thing stays clear and intact. 

Customers verify this: 

 “I don’t keep in mind when precisely I found Ulysses, nevertheless it has absolutely been 10 years or extra that I’ve performed practically 100% of my work in it. I like its options, particularly with the ability to publish on to CMSes like WordPress and Ghost. The very fact you’re working in Markdown means it’s simple to ship your textual content to nearly another app or service. Markdown guidelines.”

Finest options:

• Lets you lock the app with a password for added privateness
• Permits you to manage your writing into folders and simply rearrange chapters for higher construction
• Lets you add pictures and information as attachments for fast preview inside your doc
• Choice to set targets (e.g., phrases, characters, sentences, pages) and even deadlines, and Ulysses will present your progress

Execs:

• Appropriate for all types of writing initiatives, together with screenplays, poetry and novel writing
• Constructed-in publishing integration
• The interface is minimalist and clear, no distractions

Cons: 

• No superior AI options
• Restricted collaboration choices

Worth: Out there on  Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You may attempt it free for 7 days.

Bike: E-book writing software program for brainstorming

For those who nonetheless maintain your concepts in your ebook chaotically, Bike shall be your answer. Setapp customers contemplate this ebook writing app “glorious for brainstorming concepts and creating outlines”.

Not like conventional phrase processors that pressure you to assume linearly, Bike enables you to seize ideas as they arrive, manage them into hierarchies, and restructure them effortlessly as your ebook takes form.

What makes Bike stand out is its efficiency. Whereas different outliners decelerate with massive initiatives, Bike handles large outlines with out lag. You may scroll via hundreds of nested rows, rearrange total chapters, and navigate between sections immediately. For writers juggling a number of storylines, analysis notes, or complicated non-fiction buildings, this velocity issues.

Finest options:

• Clear, native Mac design with out pointless complexity
• Keyboard-driven workflow retains you writing as a substitute of clicking
• Open file codecs (.bike, .opml, .txt) imply your content material is not locked in
• Deep hyperlinks create prompt navigation via complicated manuscripts

Execs:

• Extraordinarily quick, even with 10,000+ row outlines
• Easy interface focuses on writing, not options
• Glorious for brainstorming and restructuring content material

Cons:

• Mac-only (no iOS, Home windows, or net model)
• Slim feature-set 

Worth: Out there on  Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You may attempt it free for 7 days.

Paper: Useful ebook writing app for minimalists

My introduction to this ebook writing software program really began with a joke I stumbled upon on Reddit. One man stated one thing like: “It’s hilarious when a developer says they’ve been constructing an app for 9 years… after which reveals a plain white sheet with a blinking cursor.” That’s once I obtained inquisitive about Paper — a minimalistic ebook writing software program.

I checked it out — and sure, you actually get a clean white house to jot down in.

Nonetheless, that does not imply Paper’s characteristic set is poor. In no way.

To discover all of Paper’s options, simply click on the menu within the upper-left nook of your Mac. There, you’ll uncover all formatting choices and that they are often performed utilizing keyboard shortcuts. You can too use these drop-down menus to make modifications to your doc — like switching views or adjusting formatting.

Among the many coolest options is Focus Mode (yeah, you may get much more focus!). It dims all the things on the web page besides the road you’re at the moment engaged on. There’s additionally a Typewriter Mode, the place your present line stays centered, and the remainder scrolls out of view above.

The developer himself says the app’s energy lies in serving to writers get via the primary draft — whether or not it’s an article, weblog publish, or ebook. Completely agree. 

 “Paper helps me keep absolutely targeted once I’m drafting content material — it’s my go-to Mac writing app. I like the built-in phrase depend and studying time tracker, and exporting my work to PDF, HTML, or clipboard is fast and seamless”, says Lokesh Kapoor, digital content material creator and founding father of the DroidCrunch weblog.

Finest options:

• Gives built-in AI help
• Helps exporting on to Medium, WordPress, Ghost, or Micro.weblog
• Export choices embrace PDF, HTML, RTF, RTFD, .docx, ePub, plain textual content, and even PNG
• Permits monitoring writing or studying time, with completely different studying velocity settings

Execs: 

• Extraordinarily clear, elegant writing expertise with zero muddle
• Quick and light-weight — excellent for short- and medium-form writing
• Cross-device help (macOS + iOS) suits properly into Apple-only workflows

Cons:

• The Markdown editor has a little bit of a studying curve
• Restricted to the Apple gadgets (macOS and iOS solely)
• The value might be excessive if bought exterior of Setapp

Worth: Out there on  Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You may attempt it free for 7 days.

MonsterWriter: Should-try for nonfiction and scientific writers

MonsterWriter is often promoted as a software for writing theses or different educational papers, however I can confidently say it’s additionally an excellent alternative for anybody creating non-fiction or scientific content material.

With MonsterWriter, you get a distraction-free interface that feels a bit like Google Docs — however a lot cleaner and extra structured. 

The app is constructed that will help you meet educational and scientific formatting necessities with ease. It helps computerized citations in APA, Harvard, MLA, and IEEE codecs. Your work might be organized utilizing tags, and you’ll insert tables, pictures, references, footnotes, and extra to make your writing richer and extra dynamic.

On the left aspect of the display screen, you’ll discover a to-do checklist. Yep, proper inside your writing house!

When it’s time to export, it can save you your work as a PDF, Markdown, HTML, Microsoft Phrase doc, and even publish it on to a Ghost weblog from inside the app.

 “MonsterWriter helps me keep targeted and arranged whereas writing. I can define, draft, and handle references with out getting slowed down by formatting — it retains my workflow clear and distraction-free”, says Stefan-Radu Gogolan, video editor, digital advertising specialist. 

Finest options:

• Exported information — particularly in PDF — seem like professionally formatted books
• Constructed-in non-distracting to-do checklist retains you targeted
• You may think about writing as a substitute of formatting
• References and citations are dealt with superbly and mechanically

Execs:

• Wealthy formatting with a clear writing interface
• Glorious match for long-form, structured paperwork
• Inline backup/auto-save instruments 

Cons:

Worth: Out there on  Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You may attempt it free for 7 days.

Google Docs: Sensible alternative for brief books or guides 

Google Docs is the apparent alternative in case you are in search of a free ebook writing app. 

It is browser-based, requires zero set up, and anybody with a Google account can begin writing instantly. For brief books, guides, or collaborative initiatives, it really works superbly.

 “I wrote my total 220 web page ebook on Google Docs, no points. You may even obtain the App and entry your stuff from anyplace”, shares Reddit person. 

Our group makes use of Google Docs for all our weblog content material. When three individuals have to work on the identical article concurrently nothing beats it. However here is the trustworthy fact: Google Docs struggles with lengthy manuscripts. As Reddit person admit: “Google docs is okay till you write one thing over 200k phrases, after which it craps out at little over a milion characters”.

Finest options:

• Actual-time collaboration with a number of writers concurrently
• Automated saving and full revision historical past
• Accessible on any machine with a browser
• Constructed-in Heading construction creates navigable desk of contents

Execs:

• It’s free
• Works on any machine, any working system
• Easy interface 
• Excellent for short-form texts 

Cons:

• Grammar checking is fundamental 
• Requires web connection for full performance
• Not designed for complicated manuscript buildings

Worth: Free

Atticus: All-in-one writing and ebook formatting software program 

Not like most authoring instruments, Atticus provides not solely writing but additionally ebook formatting. You need not use (and pay for) a number of completely different software program . For a one-time payment of $147, you get an all-in-one powerhouse.

Nonetheless, customers nonetheless have a tendency to make use of Atticus extra as ebook formatting software program and complain about its performance for writing texts. 

 “General, Atticus is nice for formatting – the output seems skilled, and due to the grasp web page construction, updating earlier books is simple.
Writing in Atticus is a ache – you want a continuing web connection, if it goes down you’ll be able to’t put it aside. The output to phrase, e.g. in your editor, comes out as a spew of unformatted textual content, so I spent perhaps 30 minutes sorting that. And needing to have exterior spell checkers like Grammarly can be a ball ache..”, says Reddit person. 

Finest options:

• Skilled formatting templates for each print and eBook
• Dwell preview throughout a number of machine varieties
• Import from Phrase, Scrivener, and different codecs
• Objective monitoring and writing statistics built-in

Execs:

• One-time buy contains all future updates
• Clear interface with minimal studying curve
• Combines writing and formatting workflows

Cons:

• Writing and modifying instruments are restricted
• Requires web entry for full use
• No free model

Worth: $147 one-time buy

Centered: For a distraction-free writing course of in typewriter-style

Typically, all you want is a distraction-free surroundings that brings again the old-school typewriter vibe. That’s the place I’d suggest utilizing Centered. It offers you a minimalist house the place your present line stays locked within the middle, and former strains blur and scroll upward — identical to on a typewriter. 

For much more focus, attempt Zen mode. It performs ambient sounds and expands the web page to full display screen, so all you see is your writing.

 “Pop-up notifications used to utterly derail my focus — one reply and I’d lose half an hour. Now, once I want to jot down with out distractions, I activate Centered’s Zen mode. It fills the display screen with a clean web page, performs calming music, and helps me get into deep writing circulation”, says Lokesh Kapoor, digital content material creator and founding father of the DroidCrunch weblog.

Finest options:

• Exhibits phrase and character counts as you write
• Has auto-save, together with the flexibility to get better earlier edits
• Integrates AI instruments (powered by Apple Intelligence) for rewriting, summarizing, altering tone, and extra

Execs:

• Actually distraction-free interface
• Quick and light-weight
• Nice for writers who love Markdown

Cons:

• Export choices are restricted to HTML, RTF, and PDF Restricted to macOS, no cellular app out there

Worth: Out there on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You may attempt it free for 7 days.

Learn extra: 

Microsoft Phrase: The standard ebook writing software program

Sure, I am together with Phrase in an inventory of ebook writing software program. Why? As a result of regardless of all the brand new minimalist apps and specialised instruments, hundreds of thousands of authors nonetheless write their books in Phrase. And truthfully, for sure workflows, it makes good sense.

Phrase provides one thing most writing apps do not: common compatibility. Each editor, writer, and collaborator can open your .docx file. The training curve for fundamental writing is zero — everybody is aware of Phrase. 

One of many main benefits and arguments for paying $179 for the software program as a one-time buy is the possibility to make use of Copilot as a sensible AI assistant for writing a ebook. For instance, you’ll be able to ask it to generate first drafts or scene sketches, summarize chapters, or recommend enhancements, synthesize information, and draft sections.

Finest options:

• Trade-standard formatting instruments
• Cross-platform (Mac, Home windows, net, cellular)
• Sturdy commenting system for suggestions
• Skill to make use of Copilot – AI-assistant

Execs:

• Common file format accepted in all places
• Highly effective grammar and spell checking
• Glorious for collaboration with editors
• Deep characteristic set for complicated formatting wants

Cons:

• Can really feel cluttered in comparison with minimalist apps
• Not designed particularly for inventive writing workflows

Worth: $179 one-time buy or $9.99/month with Microsoft 365 Private.

Diarly: For memoirs and reflective storytelling

In case your inventive writing leans towards comfortable, heat, and nostalgic — assume tales, memoirs, or blog-style reflections — I can completely see you working in Diarly. It’s technically a journaling app, however because of its export choices, you’ll be able to simply use it to jot down a ebook.

The 2 issues I like most about it are the attractive look and the instruments it provides for overcoming author’s block.

First, the app is truthfully attractive. You may coloration your textual content and backgrounds — gentle inexperienced, pink, you identify it — use elegant typefaces, add pictures, and extra. Second is the every day prompts. If you open a brand new entry, you may see an inventory of considerate inquiries to spark your writing. Issues like: What act of kindness did I do at present? or I wish to share this with somebody… and even If at present have been the final day of my life, what would I wish to do?

You’ll additionally get a every day affirmation or a candy piece of recommendation. They’re so form and uplifting, I can’t assist however smile each time I see one.

So in case your writing model includes diving deep into your ideas, feelings, and reflections, I believe Diarly is without doubt one of the greatest ebook writing app you would select to pour your coronary heart out.

Finest options:

• Lovely coloration themes like gentle inexperienced, sulfur pool, gentle blue, pink, and extra
• Phrase depend and entry statistics
• Export choices: Markdown, PDF, or RTF
• Password safety
• Constructed-in AI assistant

Execs:

• Excellent for reflective, private writing
• Beautiful interface that makes journaling satisfying
• Sturdy privateness and encryption options
• Syncs throughout Mac, iPhone, and iPad

Cons:

Worth: Out there on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You may attempt it free for 7 days.

Plus: AI-assistant for ebook authors 

Need to test the grammar in your textual content or enhance your writing model? As a substitute of copying the textual content, pasting it into ChatGPT, and writing prompts, attempt Plus. This book-writing software program makes each software you already use smarter. Spotlight any textual content in your Mac, press Possibility-House, and Plus seems with AI-powered help.

You may get AI assist with rewrites, grammar fixes, or concept technology with out leaving your most important writing app. 

 “Plus suits proper into my writing circulation — I simply hit Possibility + House in any app and get prompt AI assist. Whether or not I’m summarizing analysis, proofreading drafts, or utilizing my very own prompts, it saves time with out breaking focus”, shares Lokesh Kapoor, digital content material creator and founding father of the DroidCrunch weblog.

Finest options:

• Works in any app with a easy Possibility-House hotkey
• A number of AI instructions (enhance, summarize, translate, clarify)
• Personalised prompts it can save you and reuse
• Quick and light-weight — would not decelerate your Mac

Execs:

• Saves time 
• Customizable in your wants
• No want to modify apps or copy-paste textual content

Cons:

Worth: Out there on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You may attempt it free for 7 days.

Sudowrite: AI co-author for fiction writers

Sudowrite is a ebook writing software program particularly for fiction. It understands story construction, character improvement, plot pacing. Caught on methods to begin a chapter? The “Write” characteristic generates choices primarily based in your model. Want to explain a Victorian parlor? “Describe” expands sparse particulars into vivid imagery. Written your self right into a nook? “Brainstorm” suggests methods ahead that suit your story.

The software that helps authors most frequently is “Rewrite.” Simply rapidly draft a scene, listening to the appropriate rhythm, however go away the textual content flat for now. Sudowrite rewrites it in several kinds — extra emotional, extra action-packed, extra literary—and allows you to select the model that works greatest. It is like having a co-author who by no means judges your first drafts.

Right here’s what a Reddit person says about his expertise with Sudowrite:

 “Sudowrite helped me repair my plot and now I am writing it by myself on the similar fast tempo I wrote the primary ebook within the collection. It was completely price the fee for the assistance alone”.

Finest options:

• Brainstorm generates plot concepts that suit your narrative
• Describe expands sparse descriptions with vivid particulars
• Rewrite provides a number of model variations of your prose
• Suggestions mode supplies constructive writing strategies
• Beats characteristic helps define scenes and chapters

Execs:

• Function-built for fiction writing
• Learns your writing model over time
• Helps overcome author’s block productively
• Helps each outlining and drafting

Cons:

• Subscription required (no one-time buy)
• AI output high quality varies — wants modifying
• Studying curve to make use of options successfully

Worth: From $10/month 

Scrivener: The gold commonplace for long-form initiatives

Scrivener has been the go-to ebook writing software program for best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, college students, lecturers, legal professionals, journalists, translators, and extra. It’s not only a phrase processor — it is a full manuscript administration system.

The person interface could appear intimidating to freshmen at first. However when you perceive the construction, your work will get simpler and quicker. You may see your total ebook at a look, rearrange chapters by dragging playing cards, bounce between scenes with out having to scroll via a prolonged doc, and save all of your analysis in the identical challenge file.

Supply: Scrivener

Finest options:

• Skill to enhance your writing with a suggestions choice
• Help in brainstorming plot concepts
• Canvas suggests alternate plot factors, character secrets and techniques, and plot twists with you
• Muse – AI assistant for fiction

Execs:

• Handles complicated initiatives with lots of of scenes
• Analysis and writing in a single place

Cons:

• Interface feels dated in comparison with trendy apps
• Takes time to arrange initiatives correctly

Worth: From $10/month.

Elephas: AI-powered data assistant 

For writers who create guides or non-fiction books, Elephas will change into a dependable AI co-author and analysis assistant. Its “Tremendous Mind” characteristic shops and analyzes paperwork from PDFs, Phrase information, paperwork, net pages, audio recordings, and extra. Then you may get insights from them in seconds, indicating the supply from which this ebook writing app took the knowledge.

You do not have to always change between apps. Elephas sits discreetly in your menu bar and works with each software program in your Mac. Writing an e-mail in Mail? Elephas is there. Making a draft in Pages? Elephas helps you. The Tremendous Command Bar (accessed by way of a keyboard shortcut) offers you prompt entry to AI options: regulate tone, appropriate grammar, summarize textual content, generate concepts, translate languages. All with out leaving your present utility or interrupting your workflow.

Finest options:

• Tremendous Mind creates customized data bases out of your paperwork
• Works system-wide throughout all Mac purposes
• Tremendous-Command Bar for immediate AI help
• Content material rewrite modes for various functions
• Helps offline mode for privateness

Execs:

• Actually system-wide — works in all places you sort
• Learns from your individual writing and paperwork
• Privateness-focused with offline functionality
• One software replaces a number of AI subscriptions

Cons:

Worth: Out there on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You may attempt it free for 7 days.

SwiftPublisher: Desktop publishing for ebook designers

Most writing apps concentrate on phrases. SwiftPublisher focuses on making these phrases look lovely on the web page. For those who’re creating workbooks, illustrated guides, or any challenge the place design issues as a lot as content material, SwiftPublisher is your software.

Professionals typically use Adobe InDesign or different superior instruments to design ebook layouts, however these might be actually intimidating for those who’re a newbie or don’t have any expertise with design software program. Swift Writer is constructed for individuals who have to create print-ready layouts with out the steep studying curve or specialised abilities.

Your job is principally to stick your textual content right into a template after which regulate issues like alignment, spacing, and margins.

Finest options:

• Skilled web page structure templates
• Superior typography controls
• Picture modifying and placement instruments
• Grasp pages for constant design
• Print-ready PDF export 
• Assist for varied web page sizes and codecs

Execs:

• Skilled outcomes 
• Excellent for illustrated or closely designed books
• Handles technical print necessities mechanically

Cons:

Worth: Out there on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You may attempt it free for 7 days.

Apple Pages: Free pre-installed writing app for authors

Earlier than you spend cash on writing software program, attempt Pages. It is free on each Mac, iPhone, and iPad, and it is higher than most individuals assume. Apple designed Pages to be easy sufficient for anybody to make use of whereas highly effective sufficient for actual ebook initiatives.

The template library is great. Select a ebook template and also you get correct chapter formatting, operating headers, web page numbers, and part breaks already configured. 

This ebook writing software program shouldn’t be as superior as devoted instruments, however for a lot of writers — particularly these writing shorter books or getting began — Pages is all you want.

Finest options:

• Lovely built-in ebook templates
• Actual-time collaboration by way of iCloud
• Exports to PDF, Phrase, ePub codecs
• Syncs seamlessly throughout Apple gadgets

Execs:

• Fully free (no subscriptions or purchases)
• Straightforward to study and use instantly
• Clear, intuitive interface

Cons:

• Much less highly effective than devoted ebook software program
• Restricted superior formatting choices
• Not designed for complicated manuscripts

Worth: Free 

Remaining ideas: What ebook writing app to decide on

The correct software program depends upon your writing model, challenge sort, and private workflow preferences. You can begin with free ebook writing software program like Pages or Google Docs for easy, quick storytelling. For those who want extra superior instruments, Scrivener and Sudowrite are appropriate for fiction administration, whereas Ulysses, Paper, and Centered from the Setapp assortment are perfect for targeted and structured writing.

For those who want each writing and formatting, Atticus delivers skilled leads to one app. For brainstorming, attempt Bike, and with Plus and Elephas, you’ll be able to polish your textual content with AI help. For a classy structure of a information or booklet, SwiftPublisher is an effective alternative.

Most profitable authors I do know use a number of instruments directly — for locating concepts, writing drafts, modifying, formatting, and extra. Setapp has all of the ebook writing apps you want in a single subscription. Begin with a 7-day free trial and take a look at Ulysses, Paper, MonsterWriter, and different writing apps with out committing to particular person subscriptions.