Best Writing Software for Novels [Free and Paid]

Best Writing Software for Novels [Free and Paid]

​Are you an author hoping to improve your writing, and get more done in less time? My list of the best writing software for novels is for you. It covers three types of writing programs - word processors, digital writing aids, and to-do list apps. I give you an overview of each app, and mention whether it's free, paid, or both, ie, offers a free plan and a more robust one for a fee.    

Best word processing software for novels

A word processor is an application a novelist uses to type a book. They can also be used for outlining a novel, storing notes, writing synopses, and more. Here are the best word processing programs for novels:  

Scrivener

What is Scrivener?
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• Scrivener is a word processor, with capabilities that'll help you get your novel done faster 

 

• For example, it has tools for outlining a story, re-ordering scenes, and storing research for easy access   

Why is Scrivener good?
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• Scrivener, designed for book authors, has a specialized set of features

 

• Unlike other word processors, which are meant for all forms of writing, Scrivener has book-specific features you won't find on other platforms

How much does Scrivener cost?
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• Scrivener offers a 30-day free trial

 

• After the trial ends, you can gain lifetime access with a one-time purchase of $59.99

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​How can you get Scrivener?

• You can start the free trial, or buy the program today, on the Scrivener website

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• It's a downloadable software that works for Mac and Windows

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Microsoft Word

What is Microsoft Word?

• Microsoft Word is a word processor, with helpful collaboration tools

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• It facilitates collaboration between novelists and their editors

Why is Microsoft Word good?

• With Word, you can write offline via a downloadable version, or online via a web version

 

• When you're ready to share your manuscript with an editor, collaboration is simple, with an editor's notes and suggested changes highlighted in an easy-to-follow way

 

• Many writers take advantage of Scrivener for outlining and writing their novel, then export their manuscript to Word and share it with their editor, taking advantage of Word's collaboration abilities

 

• You do not need to choose one of these word processors over the other - using both in combination can be very effective

How much does Microsoft Word cost?

• The web-only version of Word is free

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• For $6.99 per month, you can get a Microsoft 365 subscription, which includes the fully featured version of Word, in addition to other Microsoft apps, like OneDrive

 

• A Family subscription to Microsoft 365, for up to six people, is available for $9.99 per month

​How can you get Microsoft Word?
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• You can get the free version of Word from the Microsoft website

 

• You can purchase a subscription on the site too 

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Google Docs

What is Google Docs?

• Like Word, Google Docs is a word processor with many collaboration tools

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• It can streamline collaboration between novelists and their editors

Why is Google Docs good?

• If you have a Gmail account - which is free - you automatically have a Google Docs account

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• Google Docs syncs with Word, so if you'd like to use Scrivener for outlining and writing, and Google Docs for editing collaboration, you can export a Scrivener file to Word, then upload that file to Google Docs

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How much does Google Docs cost?

• Google Docs is free

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• A Business account, which starts at $12/month, offers additional features, like a higher file-storage limit, and advanced capabilities on other Google apps, like Google Meet 

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​How can you get Google Docs?
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• If you have a Gmail account, you already have a Google Docs account, which you can log into with your Gmail email address and password

 

• If you don't have an account yet, you can get a free one, or purchase a Business one, on the Google website

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Best digital writing aids for novels

A digital writing aid is an app that works alongside a word processing program to detect errors, such as grammar issues, and offer stylistic recommendations, such as word replacements. Here are the best digital writing aids for novels:  ​

ProWritingAid

What is ProWritingAid?

• ProWritingAid is an app that can recognize errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting 

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• It also can make stylistic recommendations for your manuscript, for sentence clarity, sensory detail, pacing, and more

Why is ProWritingAid good?

• Many of ProWritingAid's stylistic suggestions were designed particularly for fiction projects, such as the sensory-detail ones, which help novelists apply the "show don't tell" principle 

 

• Since ProWritingAid doesn't have a word-count maximum on files, you can easily use it on novels, even longer ones

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• It plugs directly into Scrivener, Word, and Google Docs, creating a seamless experience as you type your book

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How much does ProWritingAid cost?

• ProWritingAid offers a free plan, however, it lacks stylistic recommendations and maxes out at just 500 words

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• A Premium plan is $10/month - you can try it for two weeks with a full-refund guarantee

 

• If you'd like, you can also buy individual credits to scan your writing for unintended plagiarism, which start at $10 for 10 credits

​How can you get ProWritingAid?
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• You can get a free ProWritingAid account on its website 

 

• You can also buy a Premium plan, and begin your two-week trial, on its website

 

• Once you have an account, you can easily integrate it with your word processing program (and many other apps, too) 

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Grammarly

What is Grammarly?

• Grammarly is an app that can recognize errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting 

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• It also can make stylistic recommendations on your manuscript, likes ones for sentence clarity

Why is Grammarly good?

• Its plagiarism checker comes with its Premium plan, not requiring the purchase of any credits

 

• Like ProWritingAid, it plugs directly into Scrivener, Word, and Google Docs, however, unlike Scrivener, it has word-count limits that make using it on a longer project, like a novel, a bit more complex

 

• Though Grammarly's style recommendations are good, unlike ProWritingAid's, none are specifically intended for novelists

How much does Grammarly cost?

• Grammarly has a free plan, however, it lacks many stylistic recommendations

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• A Premium plan is $12/month

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​How can you get Grammarly?
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• You can get a free Grammarly account on its website 

 

• You can also buy a Premium plan on the site

 

• Once you have an account, you can easily sync it with your word processing software (and many other programs, too) 

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Best to-do list apps for novels

A to-do list app can help you plan out the stages of writing a novel, and stick to your writing goals, such as a daily completed word count. Here are the best to-do list apps for novels:  ​

Todoist

What is Todoist?

• Todoist is a to-do list app, which lets you create tasks, and set reminders to get them done

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• It comes with various pre-built task templates, such as one for book writing

Why is Todoist good?

• The book-writing template, which you can customize, provides a good basis for organizing your project   

 

• You can set aside days of the week, and times, that are best for writing your novel, and manage the other tasks in your life on the same calendar, helping you avoid crossover

 

• Recurring reminders help you stick to the writing schedule you set for yourself 

How much does Todoist cost?

• Todoist has a free plan, however, it lacks the reminders feature, and some other important capabilities

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• A Pro plan is $4/month

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​How can you get Todoist?
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• You can get a free Todoist account on its website 

 

• You can also buy a Pro plan on the site

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Apple Reminders

What is Apple Reminders?

• Reminders is an Apple app that lets you create reminders for tasks

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• You have the option to organize these reminders into a list

Why is Apple Reminders good?

• It lets you easily create reminders for yourself on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad

 

• The app comes pre-installed on Apple devices 

 

• You can create to-do lists with reminders, however, the task-management features aren't as extensive as those on Todoist 

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How much does Apple Reminders cost?

• Apple Reminders is free

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• Though the app comes with Apple devices, syncing it with non-Apple ones can be a bit complex 

 

​How can you get Apple Reminders?
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• If you have a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, the app should already be installed

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• You can learn more about it on Apple's site 

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Frequently asked questions about writing software for novels

What program is best for writing a novel?

Though Microsoft Word and Google Docs are great word processors, Scrivener has many features the other two programs lack, specifically designed for writing a novel. Overall, it offers authors the most feature depth.    

Is Scrivener better than Word?

Scrivener has more features for novelists, such as the ability to organize your story into re-arrangeable scenes. However, when you're ready to work with an editor, Word is extremely useful. You can write your book in Scrivener, then export it into Word for editing collaboration.

Do I need novel writing software?

Though you can still use a typewriter or pen to write a book, you'd be at a disadvantage vs. software. Editing would be time-consuming. You wouldn't have backups of your work. And, eventually, you'd have to convert the story into a digital format, anyway, to publish it as an e-book or paperback.

What program do professional book editors use?

​Though many professional editors are experts in grammar, using a program like ProWritingAid or Grammarly can help them catch issues that they may have missed. During the collaboration phase with an author, editors often use Microsoft Word to share and highlight their edit suggestions.

Do you have to pay to publish a novel?

If an author secures a deal with a traditional publisher, the writer does not have to pay to publish a novel. If an author self-publishes, the writer must handle costs for cover design, editing, and marketing, among others. For a fee, a self-publishing company can manage the publication process.  

What kinds of software do novelists use?

Almost all novelists use word processing programs. Many use digital writing aids for self-editing, and to-do list apps to organize their writing schedule. A lot of novelists handle their own marketing, and often use marketing software to help.


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