creative writing apps for ipad

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The best writing apps for the iPad

If you’re looking for a portable device that can also be used as a writing station, well, the humble iPad is a great choice. While it’s still lacking in some respects, Apple has bridged the large gulf that previously existed between iPads and laptops, adding a variety of features in iPadOS that help to turn your tablet into a laptop substitute. So whether you’re using the entry-level iPad  or the top-of-the-line iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard , you can get a good writing experience out of your device.

Google Docs (free)

Microsoft word (subscription), ulysses (subscription), scrivener ($20), jotterpad (free/subscription), werdsmith (free/subscription), compo (free), shortly: a.i. writing assistant (free).

But you’ll also need a good writing app to really take advantage of iPadOS’s additional writing oomph. The perfect writing app for you depends on what you need and what you’re using it for. So whether you’re jotting down an assignment, your idea for a bestselling novel, an award-winning screenplay, or anything else, here are some of the best writing apps for the iPad.

Although iPadOS’s keyboard isn’t bad, you’ll want a keyboard to really take your writing to a new level. Check out our list of the best iPad keyboards to see the best keyboards for you.

This wouldn’t be much of a list without the Google Suite’s writing app. Google Docs may lack the crazy features of some of the other options on this list, but Docs has everything you need for most basic writing tasks, including full formatting, support for images, and spell checkers. But the real strength lies in its online nature. It’s completely free, but despite that, you’ll get instant syncing so you can work on your document at the same time as other people and see edits and additions in real time, and it can import from and export to pretty much every format you’ll possibly need. While it’s a bit bare if you’re writing a novel or a screenplay, this is the ultimate note-taking tool, and one of the best completely free options available.

It’s the classic app we all know and love, and probably the program we all immediately think of when anyone says “word processor.” Word comes with a number of templates for different styles of document, handles images, and has a full formatting toolbar to boot. Word is effectively Microsoft’s answer for Google Docs — except you have to pay for it. Regardless of that, if you already have an Office subscription, Word is a strong option with support for importing from and exporting to many formats, cloud-based storage, and real-time editing with collaborators, plus the advantage of being the word-processing program of choice for many professional editors.

The first app in this list to really push itself to “writers,” rather than people who just need to write, Ulysses is a strong contender for the app for serious writers. You can keep almost anything in Ulysses, including your screenplay, novel notes, a to-do or shopping list, or even your blog’s latest post. There is a strong spelling and grammar checker, it syncs up with the MacOS version of Ulysses, and it can even export as an e-book. Unfortunately, you won’t get this for free, and Ulysses requires a subscription to work. It’ll set you back $6 a month, with discounts for year-long plans — but if you’re serious about writing, Ulysses is a good investment.

Possibly the most powerful single tool for writing, Scrivener is one of our favorite writing apps. It costs an upfront $20, which is a lot of money for an iOS app, but for that price you get a solid writing platform, a place to keep all your research (including images), notes on characters or locations, and a useful “corkboard”-style view for your chapters, which allows you to view everything at a glance, or even move individual chapters around easily like you would on a real corkboard. It exports to e-book and other popular formats, and syncs up with the MacOS version — though you’ll need to buy that too . Still, even with those added costs, Scrivener is the real deal.

Jotterpad’s aim is to provide a writing app without the distractions of a traditional word processor, and it does this extremely well. The interface is simple and extremely streamlined, but even with that, it’s not lacking in features. You’ll find all the usual additions, including Markdown, Fountain, a spell checker, and more. There’s even a rhyming dictionary. You can start up your document as a novel, screenplay, blog, or editorial piece, and you can jump between Jotterpad on different devices, thanks to its syncing. However, you’ll need a subscription to access most of the features on offer, including cloud syncing. A year’s subscription will cost you $30 a year.

Writing should be addictive. At least, that’s what Werdsmith believes, and it has the tools to hopefully inspire you to make writing a part of your daily routine. It uses writing tracking and daily goals to push you into keeping up a streak and jotting words down every day. Heck, it even has an Apple Watch word-counting app. If you struggle to keep writing, this may be the iPad writing app for you. Other than that, it has a decent number of features, including novel or screenplay writing tools and cloud syncing to keep your work current. There is a subscription, but it’s purely to allow you to work on more than a set number of documents at once, for $5 a month.

Compo is a brutally simple writing experience that aims to deliver a quick, easy way of writing down whatever’s on your mind. While some other apps may want you to set up a project and a template before you start, Compo just opens a blank page and lets you at it. Although it’s something more of a note-taking app, it’s certainly good enough for more heavy-duty writing tasks. You can share your writings on a number of different services and social media sites, and it syncs up with iCloud as well.

We’ve left the, well, weirdest until last. Shortly is a writing app with a difference — it has another tiny writer caged inside it, who learns from your writing and pens their own additions to your story when asked. All right, so it’s really an A.I., but Shortly’s writing assistant is actually pretty good, and it’s the perfect tool for getting over a small writer’s block. Using your past pennings as a template, it’ll take the reins and type away, adding new ideas and story turns you might not have thought of. While it’s unlikely to finish your story for you, it’s a great way to get the creative impulses firing up again. Worth a download and a try, even if you’re using another app.

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If you’re part of the Apple Developer program and have been trying out the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone, then go grab the latest iOS 18.1 developer beta. This is a significant update, as it finally brings Apple Intelligence features to your iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max.

As of right now, Apple has only released the iOS 18.1 beta for developers. There is no public beta for iOS 18.1 yet, but it may be coming soon. You’ll also need the iOS 18.1 beta on an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, as those are the only two iPhone models that are capable of running Apple Intelligence features, though iOS 18 can go on devices as far back as the iPhone XS.

The Apple iPhone is almost universally regarded as one of the best phones you can buy, and if you’re looking for a brand new model, there are plenty of iPhone deals out there to shop. But if you want ultimate iPhone savings we recommend shopping refurbished. Refurbished models make for some of the best Apple deals available, with iPhone 14 deals and iPhone SE deals often among them. Refurbished iPhone deals, however, are somewhat scattered across retailers, so we’ve compiled everything you need in order to land some iPhone savings. Reading onward you’ll find all of the details on the best refurbished iPhone deals you can shop right now, as well as some information on which generation of iPhone may be best for you. If brand new is what you’re in search of, you can also check out the best iPhone 15 deals. iPhone XR -- from $171

A refurbished model but one that's unlocked and comes with a full one-year warranty, the Apple iPhone XR is still pretty stylish for its age. It has a large 6.1-inch LCD screen with 1,792 x 828 resolution with Liquid Retina technology ensuring it looks super sharp. Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, it's starting to show its age but still has potential. There's also a 12MP back camera that can shoot 4K videos while the front-facing camera is 7MP and ideal for selfie-taking.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the most anticipated new feature of iOS 18 won't appear when originally planned. Instead, Apple Intelligence is expected to see a delayed launch.

Apple Intelligence, announced at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, was supposed to be the centerpiece of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia. Initially, Apple was expected to allow iPhone developers to begin testing at least some of the components of this all-encompassing AI feature in a future iOS 18 beta this summer. Now, however, Apple is pushing this off to iOS 18.1. As a result, the public may not see the first parts of Apple Intelligence until October or later.

The Ultimate Guide to Apps for Writing on iPad

Struggling to find the perfect app to transform your iPad into a powerful writing companion? This comprehensive guide explores the top contenders for all your writing needs, from note-taking and journaling to crafting novels and screenplays. Discover feature breakdowns, pricing comparisons, and expert tips to make an informed decision and unleash your inner writer on your iPad.

The iPad has become a beloved tool for writers of all stripes. Its portability, combined with the versatility of the Apple Pencil, makes it an ideal platform for jotting down ideas, composing documents, and even tackling full-length novels. But with a plethora of writing apps available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.

This guide delves into the top contenders in the iPad writing app arena, catering to different writing styles and needs. We'll explore:

• Note-Taking Powerhouses: Perfect for brainstorming, organizing research, and capturing fleeting thoughts.
• Minimalist Marvels: Streamlined interfaces for distraction-free writing.
• Organizational All-Stars: Apps that excel at structuring and managing large writing projects.
• Content Creation Chameleons: Versatile tools for crafting various content formats, from blog posts to scripts.
• Penmanship Perfection: Apps that prioritize the natural writing experience with the Apple Pencil.

By the end of this journey, you'll be equipped to identify the app that best complements your writing style and workflow.

Finding Your Perfect Match: A Look at Top iPad Writing Apps

The note-taking powerhouses: capture every spark of inspiration.

For many writers, the journey begins with capturing ideas. Note-taking apps excel at this crucial stage, allowing you to organize thoughts, research materials, and brainstorm freely. Here are some of the top contenders:

• Apple Notes: Pre-installed on all iPads, Apple Notes offers a user-friendly interface for basic note-taking. It seamlessly integrates with other Apple devices and supports basic formatting options. While not feature-rich, it's a convenient option for casual note-taking.
• Notability: A popular choice, Notability boasts a clean interface and robust features. It excels at handwriting recognition, allowing you to seamlessly switch between typing and writing with the Apple Pencil. Annotate PDFs, record lectures, and organize notes into folders for a comprehensive note-taking experience.
• GoodNotes 5: Beloved for its realistic pen emulation and paper-like feel, GoodNotes 5 prioritizes the natural writing experience. Annotate PDFs, insert images, and utilize its powerful organization tools to categorize and manage your notes effectively.
• Bear: This versatile app caters to writers and note-takers alike. Its clean interface encourages focused writing, while powerful formatting options and tagging capabilities ensure your notes stay organized. Bear also integrates seamlessly with other productivity tools, making it a great choice for streamlined workflows.
• Evernote: A long-standing player, Evernote offers comprehensive note-taking features along with web clipping, to-do lists, and project management tools. Its powerful search functionality makes it ideal for organizing large amounts of information. However, the free tier comes with limitations, and the paid plans can be expensive.

Choosing the Right Note-Taking App:

Consider your needs. If basic note-taking with seamless Apple device integration suffices, Apple Notes might be enough. For more advanced features like handwriting recognition, organization tools, and PDF annotation, Notability, GoodNotes 5, or Bear are excellent choices. If you require comprehensive project management features alongside note-taking, Evernote could be a good fit.

The Minimalist Marvels: Focus on the Flow of Words

For some writers, a clean and distraction-free interface is key to unlocking creativity. These minimalist apps prioritize a clutter-free environment to keep you focused on the flow of words.

• Ulysses: Designed specifically for long-form writing, Ulysses boasts a unique organizational structure. It breaks down projects into sheets, allowing you to focus on specific scenes or chapters without losing sight of the bigger picture. Its minimalist interface and powerful goal-setting features make it ideal for writers tackling novels, screenplays, or other lengthy projects.
• iA Writer: This award-winning app employs a focus mode that fades everything except the current sentence, promoting laser-sharp focus on your writing. Its clean interface and support for various Markdown features cater to writers who prefer a streamlined approach.
• Editorial: Similar to iA Writer, Editorial utilizes a focus mode to minimize distractions.

The Organizational All-Stars: Structure and Manage Your Writing Journey

As your writing projects grow, organization becomes paramount. These apps excel at structuring and managing large projects, ensuring your thoughts and content remain organized.

• Scrivener: A long-time favorite for novelists and screenwriters, Scrivener offers an unmatched level of project organization. Create notecards, corkboards, and outlines to structure your narrative. Its powerful outlining and indexing features help writers maintain a clear overview of their projects, making it ideal for crafting complex narratives.
• Mariner: Inspired by Scrivener, Mariner offers a similar organizational approach specifically designed for iPads. Break down your projects into chapters, scenes, and notecards, and utilize its storyboarding and outlining features to map out your narrative. Mariner's user-friendly interface and focus on visual organization make it a compelling option for iPad users.
• Ulysses (mentioned previously): While excelling in minimalism, Ulysses also boasts impressive organizational features. Its sheet structure allows for a modular approach to writing long-form content, making it easy to manage and rearrange chapters or scenes. Powerful note-taking capabilities seamlessly integrate with the writing experience, keeping all your project-related information organized.
• Scapple: This mind-mapping app from the creators of Scrivener allows for brainstorming and visual organization of ideas. Create connections between thoughts and concepts, and explore the non-linear flow of your writing project. Scapple integrates seamlessly with Scrivener, making it a valuable tool for writers who thrive on visual brainstorming.

Choosing the Right Organizational App:

If you're tackling complex narratives like novels or screenplays, Scrivener or Mariner are ideal choices. Their robust outlining and organizational features will keep you on track. For a more streamlined approach that integrates well with Ulysses, consider Scapple for brainstorming and visual organization.

The Content Creation Chameleons: Craft Diverse Content with Ease

Many writers create content beyond novels and scripts. These versatile apps cater to a range of content creation needs, from crafting blog posts to writing social media captions.

• Google Docs: A familiar and free option, Google Docs offers real-time collaboration, offline access, and seamless integration with other Google Workspace tools. Its simplicity makes it a good choice for quick writing tasks, blog posts, and collaborative projects.
• Microsoft Word: Another familiar option, Word offers a robust feature set for creating professional documents. Templates and formatting options make it ideal for formal writing tasks, reports, and creating polished content. However, the mobile app might feel less intuitive compared to some iPad-specific options.
• Draft: Designed specifically for writers on the go, Draft boasts a clean interface and powerful text-to-speech functionality. It allows for dictation, real-time collaboration, and seamless syncing across devices. Draft caters well to writers who value portability and a distraction-free writing environment.
• Ulysses (mentioned previously): While excelling in long-form writing, Ulysses also supports various content formats. Create blog posts, articles, or even scripts alongside your novel project, making it a versatile choice for writers who create diverse content.
• Bear (mentioned previously): Bear's clean interface and powerful formatting options make it suitable for crafting various content formats. Write blog posts, articles, or even short stories, and leverage its tagging capabilities for easy organization across different content types.

Choosing the Right Content Creation App:

For quick writing tasks, collaboration, and free accessibility, Google Docs is a solid choice. If you require more powerful formatting options for professional documents, consider Microsoft Word. For writers on the go who prioritize a minimalist interface and dictation capabilities, Draft is worth exploring. If you need an app that caters to diverse content creation alongside long-form writing, Ulysses or Bear offer versatility.

The Penmanship Perfectionists: Unleash the Power of Apple Pencil

For writers who crave the natural feel of pen on paper, these apps prioritize the Apple Pencil experience, offering a smooth and intuitive writing experience.

• GoodNotes 5 (mentioned previously): Praised for its realistic pen emulation and paper-like feel, GoodNotes 5 is a favorite among those who enjoy writing with the Apple Pencil. Its extensive selection of pen styles, customizable notebooks, and annotation capabilities make it ideal for handwriting notes, brainstorming, and even sketching storyboards.
• Notability (mentioned previously): While offering diverse features, Notability excels at handwriting recognition. Write notes seamlessly with the Apple Pencil, and the app will convert your handwriting to text instantly. This makes it a great choice for writers who value the fluidity of penmanship but also require the convenience of digital editing.
• Nebo: This app takes pen-based writing to another level. Its advanced handwriting recognition allows for real-time conversion to text, even recognizing mathematical equations and diagrams. Nebo caters to writers who heavily rely on diagrams, sketches, and handwritten formulas within their text.

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Best iPad apps for writers in 2022

Last updated 2 years ago

There are still people who think that iPads are only good for consuming content like watching films, reading books and playing games. Clearly, none of these people have tried to write on a Kindle.

For writers, the iPad does offer every bit of this content consumption, and it offers it extremely well. But every iPad, iPad mini , iPad Air , and iPad Pro is also a writing studio that is about as light and convenient as you could imagine, and at least as powerful as you could hope.

You really should buy some kind of external keyboard, or keyboard case, if you're going to be doing serious writing on any iPad. Typing thousands of words onto the glass is not ideal, and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and now also iPad Air isn't essential.

But you want one of those options and you don't want the other.

Beyond that, you are able to do just about every type of prose writing you need to on an iPad, straight out of the box. Without any other apps than Apple provides, you have a full word processing solution in Pages, for instance.

There are things Pages is poor at, though, such as scripts and screenplays. They can be written in Pages in theory, but in practice, it's no better at them than Word is.

So there are specific needs to use alternative apps, and there are plenty of alternative apps to satisfy requirements like that. Plus there are apps that do the same thing yet one just works better for you than others.

It's like the ancient old days when you might have a preference for which type of pencil you use. You know they all get the job done, yet just one is right for you.

That does mean that any roundup of the best writing apps for iPad is unquestionably subjective. And any unquestionably subjective roundup is bound to leave out your favorites.

Don't take that as a failing, do take it as your opportunity to enthuse in the AppleInsider forums. And also this: the reason people get very passionate about writing apps for the iPad is that they are worth it.

Apple will never say that it only makes iPads for writers, but they're so good for all writers and authors that you have to wonder.

Main word processors for iPad

We used to write everything in one word processor, whether it was a novel or a shopping list. We did so partly because they were built to handle everything, but mostly because they were so expensive that you only ever bought one.

That's changed because of the iPad and the App Store, but while there is a booming market in more specialized writing tools, there are still a couple of heavyweights that would could make a case for being your sole text editor.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft made a mistake choosing to keep Word off the iPad for years. Once users were required to find alternatives, they did, and they also found that they liked them.

Then once a user has moved to an alternative on the iPad, they very easily moved to the same alternative on the Mac. And what they routinely found was that this alternative, whichever it was, didn't crash as often as Word, it didn't drive them spare twice a day.

So Microsoft Word went from being a synonym for word processor and into just one more of your choices.

It has not come close to reclaiming the total dominance it once had. But when it did come to the iPad, it came in a completely new and rewritten form — which was better than we'd had on the Mac.

That wasn't to say it was as powerful, but starting from scratch meant adding in only features that users need. The bloated Word for Mac was regenerated into the slim Word for iPad, and there is a huge amount to like about it.

Microsoft Word is a free download from the App Store, but then requires one of many alternative subscriptions starting from $6.99 per month.

Apple Pages

Pages — free on iPads, Macs and iPhones — does not get as much love as it should. Where Microsoft likes you to see how powerful it is by displaying every tool and option it can, Apple wants you to be able to just get on with your writing.

Consequently, Pages hides away its powerful features until you need them. And unfortunately, that can have the effect of making it look as if Pages does not have these features.

Pages looks simple but it's not just a note-taking app. It is not as powerful as Word, but for the giant majority of writing tasks, Pages is Word's equal — and can subjectively feel better to you.

Only, Word and Pages both date back to the days when everything we wrote was then printed out on paper to be sent to publishers. Today you might be struggling to remember where your printer is.

Word and Pages continue to be used for writing that is going online, or certainly being sent digitally to book publisher systems like Affinity Publisher and Adobe InDesign . But they are not ideal for it.

Worse than not being ideal, if you copy text from either of them — most especially Word — and then paste it into an online content management system, you can get problems. Peculiar formatting, odd characters, even unexpected spacing issues can all arise because these two produce heavily formatted text.

Between a word processor and a text editor

You can't really have both a full word processor without issues like this, but you can have tools that do tiny, specific writing tasks. And you can have some in the middle, neither full word processors nor bare text editors, yet somehow better than both.

The iPad and Mac app iA Writer is a calming, relaxing kind of writing tool which lacks the powerful features of Word and Pages, such as longform book options, but will make you not care.

For iA Writer knows that writing has to be written, that it has to be put down on screen from out of the writer's head. Until then, there's nothing to format, nothing to create footnote citations about.

So this app concentrates on pushing aside features, interruptions, and really even any non-essential options. It's for making you concentrate on your writing.

For the iPad version, iA Writer costs $30 on the App Store.

Now Drafts 5 practically bills itself as a text editor, which is a way of saying you can basically type into it but mustn't expect anything fancy. Except Drafts 5 is replete with fancy tools and options.

Its chief aim is to get you writing immediately. Start the app, start typing. No pause, no waiting for a moment, no tapping on a New or a Plus sign.

There's also no obvious formatting, no obvious controls, it's just a blank page for you to get your words down. There is formatting, though, you can use Markdown controls to set headings and bold, italic and so on.

And what's great about Drafts, beyond just the practical feel of it all, is that once you do have your words written, there is an enormous amount you can do. Take that text and email it directly to your publisher, send it to your Kindle, send it out as a text message, or publish as a blog.

Drafts 5, which is also on the Mac and iPhone, has a library of Actions that let you create whole workflows for your work.

Drafts 5 is free to download from the App Store, and then costs $20 per year.

Specialized prose writing apps for iPad

Somewhere between the word processors of this world and the better text editors, there are apps that you might call writing studios, or writing environments. They are apps that work to help you with the business of writing as well as the job of typing text.

Scrivener, for instance, knows that when you're writing a novel, you are in it for the long haul. It knows you may need research, and it definitely knows that once you're up around 80,000 words or more, you need help keeping track of everything.

So Scrivener will let you write sixty chapters one after another if that's what you like, but it will also then slice that text up. If you have a character who only appears in chapters 4, 7, 11, and 33, then you can have Scrivener show you solely those chapters.

Look at the entire manuscript to get the whole picture, or concentrate on a specific segment. Scrivener bounces between both of these as you want, and it also offers a slew of extra writing, or rather writer, tools.

Such as how it handles research. You can drag images, URLs, whole web pages, and even entire other documents into the research section of your book.

Then whenever you open your iPad to write, everything you need is there. And when you're ready to send the manuscript to a publisher, they get everything — except the research.

Scrivener for iPad costs $20 on the App Store.

Ulysses is a curious writing environment for writers, one that is either completely compelling or just does not feel right to you at all. Rather than having documents per se, Ulysses offers you one single app with one single file — within which you can create countless pieces of writing.

Those are called Sheets in Ulysses and, like Scrivener, you can write them all in one go or you can slice them up.

It's a Markdown editor which means it feels bare, like Drafts can, and it doesn't have the same full-feature sense that Scrivener does. But wherever you go, whenever you open your iPad, you don't just have your latest writing, you have all of your writing.

All of it. Every bit since you started using Ulysses, anyway, and that grows into a very compellingly handy library of all your work.

Ulysses is free to download, then costs around $40 per year. It's also available as part of Setapp .

Specialized writing tools for scripts

As yet, there's no breakout hit app for writing haiku poetry. But there are a lot of apps for writing scripts and screen plays.

Scrivener is one of them. As well as prose, you can switch to a scriptwriting mode in Scrivener and it is a good writing tool for screenplays.

Screenplays have very specific formats and margins, developed over the last century and every bit is the way it is for a reason. It could be a reason that helps location scouts later on, rather than being any use to the writer now, but each reason is real and each formatting requirement is needed.

And they are just fiddly enough that it's only right an iPad should do as much of that work for you as possible. Let you concentrate on what's happening in the script, while your writing app looks after making it readable on the screen.

Final Draft 12

The most famous and the longest-running screenwriting app is Final Draft, now in version 12. It is very, very good on the Mac and PC.

Don't ask any Final Draft user if there's anything they dislike about it, you haven't got time, but still it's very, very good.

Whereas the iPad app is just good, approaching pretty good. It's had some bugs over the years and the company's support hasn't always been marvellous, but there are writers who solely use the iPad version and don't even have a Mac.

If they did have a Mac, they'd find out that the computer version of Final Draft is expensive. For Mac, it's officially $250 , though it tends to go on sale a great deal, and once you have one the company is good at selling you upgrades that are expensive, but seem cheap next to buying the full thing.

On the iPad, though, it costs $9.99 on the App Store. It's some writers' sole professional tool and it costs less than a book.

Alternatively, there is also Celtx, which used to be practically a clone of Final Draft and has the advantage that it's free on the App Store.

As yet, there isn't an iPad version of what might be Final Draft's best competitor on the Mac, Highland 2 . It's modern, slick, and it's built by professional, working screenwriters with long success in the industry.

They say that an iPad version is in the works, but no release date has been announced yet.

Utilities for writers

You could spend all your writing time just checking out utility apps for writers, like dictionaries and outliners and programs that make up your plot for you.

However, save yourself some trouble. Skip those ones where they say you just put in a name and choose a genre like comedy or western, and they'll outline your story for you.

But speaking of outlines... You may not be the kind of writer who plans anything out, you could be a pantser — one who writes by the seat of their pants.

Whether you like outlines or not, you can be required to write them for certain publishers or producers. When that's the last requirement before they start paying you, suddenly you can get to be very fond of outliners.

Try OmniOutliner 3 for iPad when you have any thing like a book structure to create, or an event to program. It's free to download and try, then costs from $19 .

There is an outliner in Word, but it's built for academics and is like working in treacle. There was an outliner in Pages, but Apple removed it.

Actually, you can jury-rig an outline in Pages using heading styles, but moving around it, changing text, grouping ideas together, it's as bad as Word.

Scrivener also has its own outliner and that's pretty powerful. But the separate, standalone OmniOutliner is the kind of writing tool that turns you from a user into a fan.

The best writing apps for iPad

This has been about the best writing apps for iPad, but it's really about the best writing apps for writers and those are on the iPad. We are now most definitely spoiled for choice for straight writing tools, and it is a fantastic thing.

And we have even more choice when it comes to writing being part of a larger project, a larger business. Then there are apps like Notion and Craft which are good for handling lots of information, or DEVONthink which is like a bionic research and writing too.

There may never be an end to the best writing apps for iPad, and there certainly won't be an end to the debate over just what constitutes the best.

But what doesn't change is that each of these runs on every iPad from the regular one, through the iPad mini, and on up to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro . We can have superb writing apps, and we can have them anywhere we go.

After you write your novel, you may want to try to publish it. We'll be talking about that very soon.

You're doing screenwriters a disservice in not mentioning WriterDuet - platform agnostic, device agnostic.  It just works.

I’ve written six novels in Scrivener, but the iPad version, sadly, is so “fat” that you can barely see a single page in it. The great thing about the macOS version is that you can see your writing and a bunch of panes at the same time (outline, metadata, notes, references, split views horizontally or vertically, etc.), to taste. The iPad version can squeeze in a few views (at the expense of content), but it’s all aimed at finger navigation and feels shoehorned in. I bought it, but it’s claustrophobic to look at.  Unrelated: another outlining app that’s been getting a lot of attention in the last week or so is Bike: https://www.hogbaysoftware.com/bike/

A shame the mere existence of a writing app isn’t enough motivation for some to just write, but these are good apps. Right, well… write well!

Thank you for the thoughtful write up.  I am writing a book that has a unique, smaller page size that “standard”. I also want to include drawings, pages with quotes, pages with pictures.  A combination of visual drawing and written word.   My desire is to find a software program that allows me to create a template for each page, so I know what will fit on each page. Then I am able to format the written word, and also format my drawing and images on pages.   Then I’d also like to be able to move pages around, so that I am sure which pages are facing each other. For example, if I want to do a drawing that is on 2 pages, I want to be sure that they are facing each other (not back to back/requiring a page turn).   I’d love suggestions or ideas about software for the iPad that you’d suggest for this project.  With a deep bow of gratitude. 

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37 Best Writing Apps to Improve Your Skills

Our regularly updated list features the best writing apps and software for authors, bloggers, and freelancers.

Writing apps can help you improve your writing skills, stay organized, streamline workflow, and allow you to get into the creative flow. Whether you’re a screenwriter , playwright, novelist, content writer or blogger, these helpful apps allow you to get your ideas out and develop outlines quickly. Our article reviewed the best writing apps and recommended which suits each writing style and project best.

At A Glance: Our Top 4 Picks For Writing Apps

• Best Writing App: Grammarly
• For Planning And Writing Stories: LivingWriter
• Best Alternative: ProWritingAid
• For Long-Form Writing: Scrivener

Grammar Checkers

1. grammarly, 2. prowritingaid, distraction-free writing tools, 5. ia writer, 8. novelize, best apps for novelists, 10. scrivener, 11. autocrit, 12. storyist (for mac), 13. ywriter, 14. the novel factory, 15. hemingway app, organization tools, 16. dynalist, 18. writer.com, 19. livingwriter, 20. microsoft word, 21. plain text, 22. day one, 23. evernote, ai writing tools, 25. wordtune, 26. articleforge, 28. jasper ai, 29. chat gpt, text and speech tools, 30. fromtexttospeech.com, collaboration tools, 32. google docs, 33. zoho writer, screenwriting tools, 34. script studio, 35. fade in, 36. final draft, 37. writerduet, a final word on the best writing apps.

Using the best grammar checkers in your writing allows you to identify and correct grammar as you work. They offer advanced features that can be great for spotting tone differences, trickier grammar errors, and stylistic suggestions. These tools create a seamless writing experience ensuring your writing is ready to go, with little need for proofreading or heavy editing afterward.

Use for:  Grammar checkering Pricing:  $29.99 per month

Grammarly is a powerful grammar checker, plagiarism detector and AI writing assistant. We use it every day to check work on this site. Both the free and premium versions are useful. It provides several editing recommendations, such as avoiding passive voice, using shorter sentences, alternative suggestions for using a broader vocabulary, etc. Many of these features are invaluable when trimming your word count. You can find out why I like this premium grammar checker in our Grammarly review .

We tested dozens of grammar checkers, and Grammarly is the best tool on the market today. It'll help you write and edit your work much faster. Grammarly provides a powerful AI writing assistant and plagiarism checker.

Use for:  Proofreading and grammar checking Pricing:  From free to $25+ per month

ProWritingAid is another proofreading and grammar checker writing app that will help you improve your writing and refine the art of self-editing. ProWritingAid works similarly to Grammarly , but it’s more affordable. I recently published a detailed review and video comparison if you need clarification on this writing software and how it compares to the apps above. Read our ProWritingAid review .

ProWritingAid is a powerful, accurate grammar checker and style editor. It's suitable for non-fiction and fiction writers and doesn't require a monthly subscription. Save 20% per month or year.

Use for:  Grammar-checking Pricing:  $13.99/month

Ginger software is an affordable alternative to Grammarly . Ginger Software is somewhat useful for writers who don’t consider English their primary language. It enables you to translate documents written in Spanish, French, German, and more into English. It will also check for grammar errors. Read our comparison of Ginger Vs. Grammarly .

Use for:  Grammar and spell check Pricing:  $14.99/month

Linguix acts as a spelling and grammar checker. It’s more affordable than Grammarly’s premium plan. It’s ideal for anyone who writes for a living or as a hobby. Students will also benefit from using it to prove their essays or assignments. While it does an excellent job at catching typos, it won’t catch sentences that run on or are challenging to understand. Read our Linguix review .

The best distraction-free writing tools provide a minimalistic space for writers to focus without being side-tracked by too many features, bright colors, or editing options. They offer a focused environment where writers can concentrate on their writing. Often, these tools have full-screen modes, customizable backgrounds, and no alerts. It can be a great way to get into the flow state when writing and let your creativity shine.

Use for:  Writing articles and blog posts Pricing:  From $29.99/month

iA Writer is a distraction-free writing app for short blog posts and articles. This iPad, iPhone, and Mac writing app helps writers overcome distractions through the Focus Mode feature. It also has a full-screen mode highlighting the line you are typing and will fade out everything else on the document. This is one of the most ingenious features for focusing your mind on the current point, which is helpful, especially in creative writing projects. Read our iA Writer review .

Use for:  Productive and focused writing sessions Pricing:  $10/month or $100/year

Novlr is ideal for creating a production workflow and finishing your writing project with time to spare. This app is aesthetically pleasing and browser-based, automatically saving cloud content. It has a “focus mode” that sets the mood for writing without distractions. You can also track stats, write collaboratively, and organize outlines. Use this writing app on any browser.

Use for:  Writing articles and blog posts Pricing:  From $5.99/month

Ulysses is a powerful, intuitive, distraction-free Mac OS and iOS writing app. Windows and Android writers are still looking for a solution. It also has features such as a Markup-Based Text Editor, keyboard shortcuts so writers can work quicker, a library to organize notes and documents, a space to set writing goals, publish directly to WordPress and Medium, etc. It’s a good choice for bloggers and content writers. Read our Ulysses review .

Use for:  Best for writing novels Pricing:  $9/month or $65/year

Novelize is an intuitive web-based app ideal for novelists and creative writers. With a simple workflow, it has built-in tools for managing notes and rearranging sections. It encourages writers to focus and get into the flow state when writing. Cloud-based storage ensures that work is accessible from anywhere, at any time, so it won’t be lost when creativity strikes.

The best writing apps for novelists offer features such as manuscript organization, plot timelines, and character development tools. They’re a great assistant to writers who might need extra help developing their ideas. Many of these tools offer outline templates with various themes, such as Hero’s Journey or Voyage and Return. These apps help novelists easily plan, write, and finish their work.

Use for: Preparing a book to self-publish Pricing:  $199

Vellum is a writing app that authors can use to prepare a book for self-publishing. One of the trickiest parts of self-publishing is creating a book that looks good. Or at least, it was. With Vellum, you can create beautiful-looking e-books and print books in minutes. I prepare all my books for self-publishing with Vellum, and it’s a delight to use. Read our Vellum review .

Use for:  Writing books and longer-form works Pricing:  From $49/month

I can’t recommend Scrivener enough as a writing app for longer-form works. Scrivener allows writers and students to organize their ideas and manage more complicated writing projects using the desktop and mobile writing app. It’s also available on iPad. Scrivener also has plenty of keyboard shortcuts to speed up the writing process. Read our Scrivener review .

Scrivener is our go-to app for long-form writing projects. It's popular with best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, lawyers, journalists, translators and more. 

Use for:  Editing and learning to write Pricing:  Free, paid is $30/month or pro version for $300/year

AutoCrit is a self-editing app built for novelists and storytellers. Beyond just checking for spelling and grammar errors, it includes tools to examine the pacing and momentum of your work, dialogue, and more. It points out instances of passive voice, showing vs. telling, using cliche phrases, and even if you overuse certain words or phrases. Read our AutoCrit review .

Use for:  Organizing plots and developing characters Pricing:  $59

Storyist is a versatile writing app ideal for novelists, screenwriters, and non-fiction writers. Storyist is one of the best story-building apps available for Mac. It has an intuitive workspace that can be used for organizing plots, developing characters, and integrating research. There are also collaborative editing tools available for teams to use. It’s ideal for self-publishing and collaborative projects alike. 

Use for:  Organized and structuring work Pricing:  Free

yWriter is a powerful writing app designed for authors and novelists who prefer a structured and organized approach to writing. This app is on Mac and Windows and mobile for Android and iOS. yWriter allows writers to store details about their work and turn them into data charts and tables – visually representing various statistics within the writing.

Use for:  Fiction writing  Pricing:  $7.50/month

The Novel Factory is a type of novel writing software for fiction writers. It offers a step-by-step tutorial to writing your first novel taking you through scenes, characters, themes, etc. I don’t write fiction much these days, so I haven’t tested The Novel Factory extensively. It reminded me a little of the Scrivener fiction template. Listen to our interview with Katja Kaine of the Novel Factor.

Use for:  Self-editing Pricing:  $19.99

Writers can use Hemingway Editor to improve their writing and self-editing skills. Paste your text into the application, and it will provide suggestions for removing unnecessary words here and there, such as adverbs or tautology. It also suggests reframing specific sentences from passive voice to active voice and much more. Hemingway is beneficial to reducing your word count without leaving out any essential points from your article. Read our Hemingway app review .

Organization tools for writers help writers re-organize their notes, ideas, and plot outlines with helpful features. This can include creating folders, tags, categorizing notes, and building outlines. Intuitive apps can enhance the writing experience by managing research information and organizing the creative process.

Use for:  Outlines Pricing: Free or $7.99/month

Writers can use Dynalist to create outlines for articles and book chapters. This app is helpful if you’re a writer who likes to outline their work in advance. It also supports Markdown and can be used as a to-do list tool. The free version is good enough for most writers unless you value a revision history. Read our Dynalist review .

Use for:  Outlines Pricing:  From $25 – $65/year depending on plan

Plottr is one of the best tools for creating outlines for your novels. Various outlining templates, including The Seven Point Plot Structure and The Hero’s Journey, are available. Following one of these intuitive templates is a great way to get your ideas on paper and get into the flow of waiting. Plotter can be used on Mac or Windows computers and also has a mobile app.

Use for:  Business Writing Pricing:  $11/month

If you write fiction or casual blog posts, Writer.Com is not for you. Instead, it’s intended for marketing teams, brand agencies, social media managers, sales and HR departments, PR, and more. It can act as a style guide-building platform, so team members can mandate and learn rules for style in terms of the language and tone to use when writing. Read our Writer.Com review .

Use for:  Fiction writing Pricing:  $96/year or $9.99/month

.LivingWriter is a new story-writing app for writing stories or a book. Rather than using a word processor, Living Writer is accessible via your web browser. Like Scrivener, it helps writers arrange their plots and stories using boards. Living Writer contains a series of outline templates for famous story structures like the Hero’s Journey. Read our Living Writer review .

Living Writer contains time-saving templates for authors and novelists. iOS and Android apps available

Use for:  General writing Pricing:  $139.99/year or $6.99/ month

Microsoft Word is a classic writing app for all general writing projects. Although it’s a pricey option, MS Word is reliable, versatile, and easy to use. It works well on Mac and Windows PC and mobile on both iOS and Android. MS Word is a standard writing application for creating documents to print, note-taking, and more! However, its grammar checker could be better, so I recommend using it with the Grammarly plug-in.

Use for:  Writing whatever, wherever Pricing:  Free

If you’re a writer on a budget, you don’t need to spend any money buying expensive writing software or apps. Instead, you can use the free text editor with your operating system. Just open up Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on a Mac and get to work! I like plain text editors for writing something short quickly and easily, without thinking about it too much.

Use for:  Journal writing Pricing: $2.95/month

Day One is the best journal writing app on the market today. It’s much more than an online diary. You can also add photos, audio, and video to your entries. You don’t need to sit down and type anything up; you can record directly into your Apple Watch. As journalling is quite a hard habit to stick to, the ease of use makes it much more accessible. It also automatically uses geotags that add location, date, time, and weather to your entries. Read our Day One review .

Use for: Writing articles and blog posts Pricing: Free

Evernote is a good app for saving research and story ideas. I use Evernote to record ideas for blog posts and book chapters during the day. Jotting down notes immediately when ideas come to you is a fantastic way of capturing random moments of inspiration and overcoming writer’s block. It also has integrations, team collaboration, and more. Read our guide: What is Evernote ?

Use for: Markdown text editor Pricing: From $5.99

Byword is a Markdown text editor. It’s mostly aimed at Apple writers. Byword is not ideal for authors, but bloggers and web developers will find it useful. While it offers Markdown support, it can also support keyboard shortcuts to allow you to Preview your work ahead of publishing. It even boasts MultiMarkdown support, cross-referencing and footnotes, and metadata.

If you’re still familiar with Markdown, Byword has a guide to get you started. It’s $5.99 to download for iOS and $11 to download on Mac. Read our Byword review .

Artificial intelligence writing apps leverage the latest AI technology to assist writers when generating ideas, content, and outlines. Using AI in writing has many new benefits, such as conquering writer’s block, fact-checking, structuring outlines, completing paragraphs, and more. Prompting AI tools to assist with writing can improve productivity and generate creative ideas.

Use for: AI rephrasing and writing  Pricing: From $9.99/month

Wordtune can help you to write better sentences. It’s helpful for employees or freelancers sending emails to editors or writers struggling to find the best way to phrase something. This AI rephrasing tool can help you perfect the tone of what you are trying to write. It can also suggest ways to shorten sentences or expand your thoughts. It also has an online editor. Read our Wordtune review .

Use for: Content generation Pricing: From $27/month

Article Forge is ideal for businesses that need to create content. The app uses artificial intelligence to scan existing web pages for keywords or a topic. It will analyze the content and then rewrite it in its language. The article will be generated in minutes. Read our Article Forge review .

Use for: AI writing tool Pricing: $9/month

Rytr is a tool for businesses looking to create content or even bloggers facing writer’s block. Having it create content from scratch could provide better results. However, it does a solid job of rewriting and improving existing posts. It also does a decent job of mocking up product descriptions if you provide the context. Plus, it can function as an editing tool. Read our Rytr review .

Use for: AI copywriting Pricing: From $29/month

Jasper.ai is a godsend for marketers and entrepreneurs looking to create short-form content. This includes email subject lines, product descriptions, blog introductions, social media posts, and video titles. It’s one of the best apps if you’re looking to use AI to boost your content. It can even help bloggers tackle writer’s block too. Read our Jasper AI review .

Use for: Writing blog articles and copywriting Pricing: Free or $20/month

ChatGPT has taken the world by storm with its AI writing capabilities. Use it to brainstorm ideas for your next novel or blog post, build detailed outlines, fact-check, and build world lore. This is a versatile browser application that can adapt to your needs with ease. It’s an excellent option for combating writer’s block and generating fresh ideas. It’s available on Mac and Windows and as a free mobile app. Read our ChatGPT review .

Text and speech writing tools allow writers to convert their text to speech and vice versa. This is an excellent tool for hearing your work during editing to ensure the content flows and makes sense. It’s also a great way to quickly get your ideas on paper when a creative idea strikes.

Use for: Converting writing to MP3 Pricing: Free

FromTextToSpeech.com is a browser-based application that allows you to turn your writing into MP3 files that can be downloaded to listen to. Many authors recommend reading work aloud to ensure it flows well, so using an app like this is a great way to proofread your novel.

Use for: Transcriptions and dictation Pricing: $1.25 per minute of audio

Rev is another useful dictation app for writers. Using the iPhone or Android app, you can dictate a draft into your phone and then upload it to Rev for transcription by a human at $1 a minute. Alternatively, if you interview someone, you can save time by transcribing these interviews to write better non-fiction articles. It’s more accurate than using a dictaphone but at a cost. If you’re on a budget, use an AI transcription service. Read our Rev review .

Collaboration tools are an excellent way for writers to collaborate on a project. This is especially useful when multiple authors work on a novel, screenplay, or presentation. Many of these tools allow for feedback and tracking changes, ensuring smooth communication among the team members. Here are our top recommendations for collaborative tools:

Use for: Word processor Pricing: Free

Google Docs is a free writing app and an excellent alternative to Microsoft Word. It’s a reliable choice if you like collaborating with other writers or an editor online. It works almost anywhere, assuming you have a reliable internet connection. Its functionality for handling large documents, like a book, has also dramatically improved.

Zoho Writer is less known than Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Zoho Writer offers a writing assistant to help with readability, grammar, and more issues. It also allows live collaboration with team members and offline editing in your browser. Plus, there are a decent number of templates or formatting options. It’s split into three workspaces: Compose, Review, and Distribute, where you can write the content, work with collaborations and then publish or share it. Read our Zoho Writer review .

Screenwriting tools are tailored explicitly to screenwriters and playwrights. They peroxide a structured environment for screenwriters with outlines, formatting, and timeline generation. Often, they have built-in templates that adhere to industry standards, helping bring their ideas to life with ease.

Use for: Writing movie scripts Pricing: F$199.95

Script Studio is a versatile app best suited for scriptwriters. However, it can also be used for other works, such as novels. The most notable feature of this app is the inclusion of popular movie scripts that can be used as a model for your work. The templates are an excellent way to learn the format and polish your movie script. Some features allow you to draft, plot, and organize the works, making it a top choice for aspiring movie writers.

Use for: Screenwriting Pricing: $79.95

Fade In is an excellent tool for aspiring screenwriters, with automatic formatting that allows you to bring your scripts to life. It’s best suited for screenwriters looking to create a first draft of their screenplay. With a convenient beatboard feature, writers can map out the beats of their stories and view them on a timeline above the script. 

Use for: Screenwriting Pricing: $99.99/month

Final Draft is the default app of choice for screenwriters. I’ve experimented with Final Draft, and it strikes me as an example of powerful writing software but with a bigger learning curve than your typical word processor. Read our Final Draft review .

Use for: Collaborative screenwriting Pricing: From $9.99 – $13.99/month

WriterDuet is an industry standard for screenwriting, used by millions of screenwriters for TV shows and blockbusters. This highly-rated tool allows writers to collaborate with other writers on their teams in real time. It can also incorporate text and video chat during writing sessions. Other features include locked and colored pages, sharing and publishing feedback, and stats and reports about your writing.

Two of the best writing apps to try today are Grammarly and ChatGPT. For more general writing, Google Docs and Ulysses are both great. Writing apps are a great way to organize your thoughts and express your ideas. Once you’ve started writing, it’s easy to complete with the help of a comprehension app like the one listed in our guide.

It’s time to start on that writing project you’ve been dreaming about. Pick the best writing app that suits your needs from our guide, and start writing. Embrace the power of writing apps to help unleash your creativity and build your next novel, non-fiction book, screenplay, or blog.

13 Best iPad Writing Apps for Students and Professionals

Best writing apps for beginners and professionals, quick answer.

Go with Apple Notes or Google Docs for simple, free note-taking. If you use an Apple pencil, check out Notability . If you want a minimal app, try Bear or iA Writer if you don’t mind paying. Apple’s Pages is perfect for a free word processor with Apple pencil support. Evernote , Microsoft Word , and One Note for team collaboration. Grammarly is great for fixing your writing for free. Ulysses and Scrivener are awesome for professional writers, but they subscription-based.

Writing apps have recently become very popular thanks to their greater availability. These apps can create and edit written content such as documents, notes, articles, etc. They have features like spell and grammar checkers, various text formatting options, and the ability to share or collaborate on documents with others. Overall, they make writing better and more efficient.

If you own an iPad and are looking for the best writing app, this list is for you. This guide has compiled 13 iPad writing apps for personal or professional use. Whether you are a beginner or a professional writer, this list should help you find the best app.

Before we turn to the list, you should consider a few points before choosing the best writing app for your iPad.

Table of Contents

Best Writing Apps for iPad

Apple Notes: Integrated Powerful Notes App From Apple

Apple Notes is a built-in notes app for iPad. It allows you to create notes and organize them easily. It has a simple interface and easy-to-organize structure which makes it the best choice for most users.

You can easily write notes on the go. Apple Notes has various formatting options, such as bold, italic, and underline, making it easy to format text differently. You can also add photos, videos, and web pages to the notes.

One of Apple Notes’ best features is that it supports handwritten notes using the Apple Pencil. You can use an Apple pencil or any supported style to write, draw, and sketch in the notes. The app also offers a variety of settings to specify different pencil styles, colors, and sizes. You can also customize the Pencil’s pressure sensitivity to suit their needs.

Apple Notes also supports sync and an Apple continuity feature that allows notes to be synced with other Apple devices, such as the iPhone and Mac. You can start a note on their iPad and pick up where you left off on their iPhone or Mac. This feature can be useful if you live in the Apple ecosystem. It also has a built-in search function to find specific notes easily based on keywords and also the ability to lock notes for privacy.

Key points:

• Price: Free.
• Key features: Syncs across all Apple devices, supports multimedia notes, and offers handwriting and drawing with the Apple Pencil.
• Format Text: You can format text with lists, styles, and even scan documents.
• Multimedia Support: Add photos, videos, and drawings to your notes.
• Handwriting Recognition: Use Apple Pencil to write notes and automatically convert them to typed text.
• Apple Pencil Support: Sketch and draw directly in your notes with Apple Pencil.
• Collaboration Features: Share and collaborate with others in real-time.
• Offline Support: Use and edit notes offline.

Download Apple Notes (Free)

Obsidian: VSCode for Writers

Obsidian is another powerful writing app for the iPad. This app is primarily based on the principles of plain text and Markdown, which makes writing and formatting notes easy and flexible. The app is also popularly known as VScode for writers.

The best thing about this app is that it stores files locally in your file system and not on the app server, which makes it more secure. There is also support for Apple’s iCloud service if you want to backup and access it on other devices.

Notes are saved in plain text format, which can be easily edited using the built-in formatting tools. The app also has a built-in search function to search the file using your Explorer. Other features of this app include a privacy screen, support for multiple Windows, quick switching between different vaults, and more.

Another nice feature of Obsidian is the ability to organize notes in a graphical structure. This can be especially handy for students or professionals who like to create Mind maps. Additionally, the app also allows users to install various plugins and integrations to customize the app to their specific needs.

The only downside to this app for me is that it doesn’t support the Apple Pencil or any stylus pens . You cannot take handwritten notes with this app. Or else this would have been my top pick for an iPad note-taking app.

• Price: It’s free, but you can opt for paid upgrades for more features.
• Key features: Offers advanced markdown editing capabilities, link suggestions, graph view for visualizing notes connections, and custom plugins for enhanced functionality.
• Format Text: Comprehensive text format options.
• Multimedia Support: You can embed links, images, and other media directly into your notes.
• Handwriting Recognition: Not supported.
• Apple Pencil Support: Doesn’t support Apple Pencil or any stylus input.
• Collaboration Features: Offers real-time collaboration in the paid version.
• Offline Support: Works completely offline, storing all files locally.

Download Obsidian (Free)

Bear: Best Design and Usability

It offers a variety of text formatting options, including headings, lists, and quotes. It also supports multi-media, You can add images and links to documents. Comes with Advanced Markup Editor, highlighting over 150 programming languages. You can add hashtags to any note to quickly organize your notes.

In addition, the app supports encryption of individual notes, and you can lock notes with the Face/Touch ID. The lock feature is only available in the Pro version. Other notable features of the Bear app include support for multiple themes and export options, including HTML, PDF, Docx, JPG, and more.

• Price: Free, Costs $1.49 per month for premium.
• Key features: Markup options, focus mode, cross-device syncing via iCloud.
• Format Text: It offers comprehensive text formatting and supports Markdown.
• Multimedia Support: You can insert photos and add hyperlinks to your notes.
• Handwriting Recognition: Not available.
• Apple Pencil Support: It supports sketching with the Apple Pencil.
• Collaboration Features: Not available.
• Offline Support: Works fully offline.

Download Bear (Freemium)

Notability: Best for Handwritten Notes Using the Apple Pencil

If you often take handwritten notes , Notability is your best choice. The app offers a variety of tools and features that make it easy to write and format notes in various file formats, including PDF, Word, and more.

The app supports various text formatting options, such as bold, italic, and underlined, and allows you to insert images, videos, and audio recordings into your notes. The app also supports a variety of text formatting options for Apple Pencil. You can draw, type, write, and sketch with different styles and format options in the same notes.

In addition to creating notes, you can also import external documents and images and annotate and edit them within the app. I use this feature to import books (PDFs) and annotate with Apple Pencil. It is very handy thanks to its clean interface and support for Apple pencil.  However, the free version only allows you to create limited notes. You can delete old ones and use that space for new notes.

• Price: Freemium, Available for a one-time purchase of $8.99.
• Key features: Combines typing, handwriting, audio recording, and photos within a single note.
• Format Text: Provides rich text editing and organizational features.
• Multimedia Support: Enables embedding of audio recordings, photos, and sketches.
• Handwriting Recognition: Offers advanced recognition and conversion features.
• Apple Pencil Support: Fully supports Apple Pencil, including pressure sensitivity, for natural writing and drawing.
• Collaboration Features: Supports real-time document collaboration.
• Offline Support: Fully functional offline, allowing access and use without an internet connection.

Download Notability (Freemium)

Microsoft Word: Powerful Word Editor

It comes with powerful text formatting tools, users can choose from different fonts, sizes, and colors and adjust line and paragraph spacing. Moreover, you can also insert tables, images, videos, and other media into their documents, making it easy to add visual elements to their texts. It also integrates with another suite of Microsoft applications making it easy to create and share notes if you use Windows.

Microsoft Word also supports cloud-based storage. In real-time, the app backs up your data as you write. It also helps you to collaborate and edit documents from anywhere. The app also supports various file formats, including .doc, .docx, and .pdf, making it easy to share and edit documents with others.

• Price: Freemium
• Key features: Comprehensive text formatting options, integration with other Microsoft Office tools, real-time collaboration, and advanced document review tools
• Format Text: Offers rich text editing and organizational features.
• Multimedia Support: Allows you to embed audio recordings, photos, and sketches.
• Handwriting Recognition: Provides advanced recognition and conversion capabilities.
• Apple Pencil Support: Fully supports Apple Pencil, including pressure sensitivity for a natural writing and drawing experience.
• Collaboration Features: Enables real-time collaboration on documents.
• Offline Support: Yes.

Download Microsoft Word (Freemium)

Google Docs: Powerful With a User-Friendly Interface and Easy Access

If you think Microsoft Word is too complex, try Google Docs . Compared to Microsoft Word, Google Docs is easily accessible and offers a user-friendly interface.

The best thing about Google Docs is that it’s easily accessible online. You can instantly open your favorite browser, visit Google Docs, and start writing. Once you create a document on the iPad, you can access it from any device including the well-built web interface.

Related Read: 13 Best iPad Drawing Apps

Another great feature of the Google Docs app for iPad is real-time collaboration with other users. You can easily share your document with others and work on it together in real time. This is especially useful for group projects or team collaboration. Also, the app saves your documents directly to Google Drive.

• Key features: Real-time collaboration, access from any device, and integration with Google Drive.
• Format Text: Offers extensive tools for formatting and editing.
• Multimedia Support : Embed images and tables in documents.
• Apple Pencil Support: Not supported.
• Collaboration Features: Supports real-time collaboration with a detailed revision history.
• Offline Support: Available offline when set up in Chrome or through the app.

Download Google Docs (Free)

Evernote: Powerful Note Organizer With Support for Multiple Content Formats

If you have been looking for the best writing apps for your iPad, you may have already heard of Evernote . Evernote is not only one of the best and most powerful writing apps but also a powerful organizer for notes.

You can easily create notes in different formats. The most popular formats on Evernote include plain text, lists, images, videos, and audio. The app also comes with powerful text formatting tools to format the text the way you want. You can also insert multi-media content, it comes with support for templates and more.

Another great feature of Evernote is the ability to sync between different devices in real time. This can be especially useful if you use Evernote on multiple devices. However, the app’s decision to limit the number of notes and notebooks that free users can have sparked controversy. With the new restrictions that took effect on December 4, 2023, free users are now limited to just one notebook and 50 notes.

• Price: Offers a free version; premium plans begin at $7.99 per month.
• Key features: Powerful tagging and search functionalities, multimedia support.
• Format Text: Offers advanced text formatting options.
• Multimedia Support: Attach files, photos, and audio to your notes.
• Handwriting Recognition: Can search through handwritten notes.
• Apple Pencil Support: Supports basic drawing and handwriting.
• Collaboration Features: Share and collaborate.
• Offline Support: Available with premium plans only.

Download Evernote (Freemium)

Apple Pages: Best Apple Alternative to Microsoft Word and Google Docs

If you are looking for a free powerful word processor that is an alternative to Apple’s Microsoft Word and Google Docs and integrates easily with other Apple devices. Apple Pages is the best option for you.

Apple Pages offers powerful text formatting options. One of the most important features of Pages is the wide selection of templates. They are fully customizable and include built-in text styles and formatting options. Moreover, Pages also supports importing Microsoft Word documents, so you can easily transfer your Word documents to Apple pages.

You can create notes, and documents with rich formatting options. Pages also support multiple media. The outstanding feature of Apple Pages is support for Apple Pencil. You can use an Apple pencil to draw, and write on the pages.

It also supports real-time collaboration. Multiple users work on the same document simultaneously, making the app perfect for group projects and real-time collaboration.

• Key features: Rich text formatting tools, templates, and integration with other Apple apps.
• Format Text: Provides advanced formatting and layout options.
• Multimedia Support: Integrates with other Apple apps for rich media embedding.
• Apple Pencil Support : You can draw and comment using Apple Pencil.
• Collaboration Features: Collaborate through iCloud.
• Offline Support: Works completely offline.

Download Apple Pages (Free)

Grammarly: For Productive and Error-Free Writing

If you want a writing app to correct your grammar mistakes, Grammarly is the best choice. The app uses advanced algorithms and natural language processing technologies to check grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, making it easy for users to spot and correct text mistakes.

As you type, the app scans their text and highlights any errors in real-time. The formatting tools are not as powerful as those of other word processors. Also, you can add multimedia to the notes which is something you should keep note.

• Price: Freemium, Plans start at $12 per month.
• Key features: Advanced grammar and style checking, vocabulary enhancements, plagiarism detector.
• Format Text: Basic
• Multimedia Support : You can add images, and import documents to edit.
• Offline Support: Functions within other apps that offer offline capabilities.

Download Grammarly (Freemium)

Ulysses: Best for Authors Who Publish Their Work Online

The next choice on our list is Ulysses . It is the best choice if you are a professional writer and frequently publish content online. The app offers powerful editing tools and markup features. It also includes a built-in dictionary, thesaurus, and word search features to help you write better content.

Ulysses also supports exporting your texts in various formats, including Markdown, PDF, and HTML. Besides, you can publish your texts directly to WordPress, Medium, and other platforms. There is no free version of the app. The app costs $39.99/year or $5.99/month. A student discount of up to 6 months is available for $10.If Ulysses is too expensive, you can choose Byword, which offers a similarly powerful editing feature but is less expensive.

• Price: Premium, costs $39.99 annually or $4.99 monthly.
• Key features: Markdown support, seamless sync across all Apple devices, and publishing tools for bloggers.
• Format Text: Provides a streamlined text editor with markup support.
• Multimedia Support: Focuses primarily on text, with minimal multimedia capabilities.
• Handwriting Recognition : Not supported.
• Offline Support: Offers complete offline access for writing and editing.

Download Ulysses ($39.99 per year)

Download Byword ($5.99)

Microsoft OneNote: Powerful Note Organizer

Microsoft OneNote is another powerful note-taking app for iPad. You can create, save, and share notes across devices. Microsft One Note is a dedicated Notes app while Microsoft Word is a word processor that is part of Microsoft Office suite.

The best thing about Microsoft apps is that they offer powerful text editing options. Like Microsoft Word, Microsoft OneNote has powerful text editing tools, including creating tables, changing text size and font, adding multimedia, and more. Additionally, One Note comes with drawing and sketching tools that help you to draw and take written notes.

Microsoft OneNote is also great for teamwork. It comes with built-in sharing and collaboration features to easily share your written notes with your teammates and ask them to make changes in real time. You can also add comments to the work you have shared.

The built-in templates to create new notes are also handy. For example, you can use a task list template to keep track of all your tasks without creating them from scratch. One Note is free and seamlessly syncs and integrates with other Microsoft applications.

• Key features: Excellent for multimedia notes, collaborative features, and extensive organizational tools.
• Format Text: Support for comprehensive text formatting options.
• Multimedia Support: Add images, audio, and videos to your notes.
• Handwriting Recognition: Compatible with touch and stylus including Apple pencil.
• Apple Pencil Support: Yes
• Collaboration Features: Allows multiple users to work on the same notebook at the same time.
• Offline Support: Access and edit notes without an internet connection.

Download Microsoft OneNote (Freemium)

iA Writer: Minimalist App for Writing That Reduces Distractions

The next choice on our list of best writing apps for iPad is iA Writer . If you want a minimal writing app that focuses primarily on writing, iA Writer is your best option.

It has a minimalist design and special features for a streamlined distraction-free writing experience. It has a full-screen mode that hides all other apps, allowing users to focus on writing without interruption.

You can choose from various fonts, sizes, and colors and adjust line and paragraph spacing and more. The app primarily focuses on text. If you struggle with taking notes from apps, this app can help.  iA Writer is available for macOS, Windows, Apple, and Android devices for a one-time fee of $29.99. It also has a 14-day free trial that allows you to test the features before upgrading. You can try the free trial and check if the app can be useful.

• Price: Costs $29.99 as a one-time purchase.
• Key features: Simple, clean interface with focus mode, syntax highlighting, and Markdown support.
• Format Text: Offers comprehensive text formatting options.
• Multimedia Support: Limited to mainly text.
• Collaboration Features: Not supported.
• Offline Support: Yes

Download iA Writer ($49.99)

Scrivener: For Professional Writers

The final pick on our list is Scrivener . If you read or write a lot of research documents and letters, this is the app for you. The app is designed to help professional writers organize their research and write high-quality documents.

Thanks to the strong organizational structure in the app, you can divide your work into smaller amounts. You can also easily save your work in folders and create subfolders. This is especially useful when writing large books or documents, where you need to keep track of everything you have written.

You can also store and organize all your research content, such as PDFs, images, and web pages, in one place. This way, you can easily refer to your research as you write. The app costs $49. Only consider if you are someone who writes research papers and wants a tool that makes your job easy.

• Price: Costs $49 for a one-time purchase.
• Format Text: Provides comprehensive text formatting tools perfect for complex writing projects.
• Multimedia Support: Allows integration of images, PDFs, and multimedia files directly into projects.
• Apple Pencil Support: Does not support Apple Pencil or other stylus inputs.
• Collaboration Features: Designed mainly for single-user use, but you can export files to share.
• Offline Support: Operates fully offline, enabling uninterrupted work without internet access.

Download Scrivener ($23.99)

How to Choose the Best Writing App for iPad

• Features: Consider what features are important to you. Do you need a spell checker, a grammar checker, formatting options, or the ability to collaborate with others?
• Platform compatibility: If you need to share or collaborate on documents with others, ensure the app you choose is compatible with the platforms you use.
• Ease of use: Look for an app that is easy to navigate and understand.
• Price: Some writing apps are free, while others require a subscription or one-time purchase. Consider your budget before choosing the app.
• Cloud sync: some writing apps offer cloud syncing, allowing you to pick up where you left off, even if you switch devices.
• Apple Pencil Support: Make sure the app supports the Apple Pencil for handwritten notes.

Choose the Best iPad Writing App for Your Use Case

So, that’s the list of the best writing apps for iPad. We have included various apps for both beginners and professional writers that offer different note-taking features. In the comments below, let us know which app you will use.

FAQs about Best iPad Writing Apps

What is the best ipad writing app for writing a book.

Scrivener is the best iPad app for writing a book if you can afford it. Evernote is also a good choice for writing books if you are looking for a free version, but it's not as powerful as Scrivener. Scrivener is specifically designed for long-form writing and offers a wide-range of tools to help you manage your book writing project from start to finish.

What are the must-have apps for writers?

Most writers use a variety of apps for writing. Scrivener, MS Word, Google Docs, and iA Writer are the most common - but there are many other great apps that bestselling authors use for their writing process. Ulysses, Apple Pages, and Notability are the other good options for writers.

What is the best app for writing on iPad?

The best apps for writing depending on the features you need as a writer. Here's a list of the most common things you should consider before choosing the best writing app for your iPad. These include features of the app, platform compatibility, ease of use, price, cloud syncing, Apple Pencil support, and more. Personally, I use Apple Notes and Notability to do most of my writing.

What is the best app novel writing app on iPad?

Living Writer is the best app for writing novels on the iPad. The app is specifically designed for writing substantial fiction books. With its easy-to-use interface, you can easily organize and plan your stories. The app is available for Windows, Apple's Mac, Android, iPad, and even iPhone. It is available for free and also includes in-app purchases.

Is GoodNotes or Notability better?

While GoodNotes has been around for a while and has its sets of fans, Notability can add more items to your notes than GoodNotes. In addition to images, stickers, and importing documents, you can also add audio recordings, sticky notes, and GIFs on Notability, which isn't yet possible on GoodNotes. So, if you ask us, we would choose Notability over GoodNotes.

Does iPad have a text editor?

iPads don't come with a built-in text editor as such, but one can download TextEdit+ for free. It's a sleek and fast text editor for iPad and iPhone. It's compatible with desktop text editors like WordPad and TextEdit. It supports TXT, RTF, MarkDown, etc.

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The 10 Best Writing Apps of 2024

Useful tools for novelists, playwrights, editors, and other wordy types

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If you're serious about writing, consider getting serious about your writing tools. These writing apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS , and Android put your words into the right format, adding polish and professionalism to your creations.

Best Word Processor for All Genres: Microsoft Word

Hundreds of templates make creating any document simple and fast.

Easily add charts, graphs, and images.

Built-in translation tools.

Overwhelming interface.

Full app is expensive.

Only one person can edit shared documents at a time.

No writing tool list is complete without Microsoft Word. This word processor is the best option for all genres, complete with hundreds of templates to choose from, endless formatting tools, and a robust online support system. From a poem to an e-book to a novel, Word can help you do it all. You can even create your own Word templates .

Word is available for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. You can start with a free trial of Microsoft 365, which includes other Microsoft applications as well. If you choose to purchase, packages range from $69.99 a year to a one-time payment of $149.99. If those prices are too high for you, you can also use Word for free .

Download For:

Best Tool for Long-Form Content: Scrivener

Keyboard shortcuts make writing a breeze.

Templates are ready-made to jumpstart your creativity.

Easy to manage and rearrange pages and chapters.

Has a learning curve.

Spelling and grammar check are not enabled by default.

Intended for users who have an intermediate understanding of word processing.

Do you write long-form works like novels or non-fiction books? If so, you need a tool that performs some of the low-level tasks for you. Scrivener offers ready-made templates that eliminate the need to spend time on tedious formatting tasks.

This application also includes features for storing details about your characters and other critical background information, writing sections and placing them in your manuscript later, and viewing a detailed outline built from synopses that you write for each chapter. If you don't like the flow, you can move chapters around. When you're ready to publish, Scrivener makes it simple to compile and export a completed manuscript.

Scrivener is available for macOS, Windows, and iOS. You can try it free for 30 days. After the trial, a standard license costs $59.99 or $50.99 for students.

Best Screenwriting Application: Final Draft

It has everything professional screenwriters need to meet industry standards.

Powerful story mapping tools.

Integrates with Storyboard Pro.

May not be great for beginners due to the hefty price and steep learning curve.

You must sign in to the platform each time you use it.

No support for real-time collaboration.

Final Draft is used by 95 percent of film and television productions. Why? There are hundreds of templates to choose from and Final Draft automatically paginates and formats your script to the industry standard, allowing you to focus on writing.

With advanced tools, the program allows you to easily brainstorm and collaborate as well as plan set pieces or store character research with customized visualizations.

Final Draft offers a free 30-day trial. After that, the cost is $199.99. The program works with both macOS and Windows and also offers a mobile app for iOS devices.

Best Organizational Companion: Evernote

Add photos, audio snippets, and more.

Robust collaboration tools.

Search for text in PDFs, images, scanned documents, and handwritten notes.

Only 60 MB of monthly upload space is available for free.

May include more features than you need for simple note taking.

Free version limits you to two devices.

To electronically capture ideas on the fly, use a text-based note app on your device. For an enhanced organizational experience, we recommend Evernote. It enables you to collect many types of input, including whiteboard photos, website screenshots, different document formats, audio recordings, and your handwriting. You can separate items into different notebooks for multiple projects.

Evernote is free to download for both Android and iOS devices, or you can use it online. Users can upgrade to Evernote Premium for $7.99 per month or Evernote Business for $14.99 per user per month.

Best Application for Distracted Writers: FocusWriter

The tool is easy start using as soon as it downloads.

Free with no catches.

Simple, intuitive interface.

There are no editing functions outside of cut and paste.

Need another word processor for editing purposes.

No mobile version.

Given all the distractions in the world and especially online, it's easy to get off track during your writing time. FocusWriter allows you to focus and get your work done. The interface is basic, with all the tools hidden beyond a screen until you need them, so it's just you and the document in front of you. Hidden timers and alarms alert you when it's time to stop.

Best Writing Software for Bloggers: Google Docs

Changes to your documents save automatically, so no more lost work.

View the history of edits and track changes.

Collaborate in real time.

The Google Docs app for mobile devices is slower than the desktop version.

Limited options for adding charts and other visuals.

Fewer formatting features than premium word processors.

One of the best things about Google Docs is how easy the program makes it to collaborate with others. No more "version shuffle" as you send drafts and revisions back and forth in email.

When you share a document with your blog editor, they can insert suggestions, comments, and changes right there. Then, when it's time to implement the changes, accept the revisions and close comments about issues you resolved. You can even use Google to work on Microsoft Word documents.

Google Docs is a free online tool that's also available as an app for Android and iOS devices.

Best Writing App for Novelists: Werdsmith

Keeps track of your writing goals and tells you how close you are to reaching them.

Lots of helpful templates and formatting options.

Publish your writing to the web from the app.

Must purchase a membership to use the novel and screenplay features.

Text formatting tools could be more intuitive.

Not worth the price if you don't regularly use all the features.

Werdsmith is a portable writing studio, complete with instant formatting for novels and screenplays. You can even use it to publish your online writing portfolio. Werdsmith features a clean design, it's easy to use, and it's the perfect place for keeping your notes and finished work. The goals and stats function helps keep you motivated.

Werdsmith is free to download and use for iOS devices. In-app purchases are offered through a membership for $4.99 per month. Members receive four new themes, novel and screenplay writing tools, hundreds of writing prompts, and more.

Best App for Journalists: Dictation

It's designed for one thing: dictation. This simplicity makes it an easy tool to use on the go.

Accurate transcriptions.

Helps prevents strain on your joints and back.

Without the pro version, you'll see an ad after each dictation you create.

Doesn't integrate with word processing apps, so it can be tedious to use.

No word counter.

For journalists who interview individuals for news stories and features, a good dictation tool is a must-have. Dictation is a speech-to-text app that translates voice to text for mobile devices. It can also be used to dictate any voice while on the go. It's perfect for capturing your brilliant ideas as well.

Dictation is free to download for iOS devices. Dictation Pro, which costs $44.99 per year, removes ads and allows you unlimited app usage.

Best Application for Editors: TextEdit

When the full-scale capabilities of a word processing program are unnecessary, TextEdit fills in the gap.

HTML and JavaScript support.

Save files in various formats (.DOCX, ODF, and others).

Only available for macOS devices.

No third-party plugins.

Formatting issues when you copy-and-paste.

This simple tool is perfect for editing documents, including Word files, on the fly and converting them into other formats seamlessly. Need to change a Rich Text Format (RTF) document to another format quickly? TextEdit is the perfect app for that. You can also easily create and edit HTML documents for the web.

TextEdit comes standard with macOS.

Best App for Song Writers: Lyric Notepad

Record yourself performing and attach the file to your song.

Counts syllables and tracks rhyme schemes to help you maintain your flow.

Inexpensive pro version.

The interface is a bit clunky.

No way to back up your lyrics to the cloud.

No search tool.

For poets, rappers, songwriters, and lyricists, inspiration can strike at any moment. That's why it's important to have a tool available at your fingertips. Lyric Notepad goes beyond typical word processing tasks to track rhyme and syllable schemes, help you find new words, and record your lyrics, all in one app. The built-in notepad allows you to add notes about your songs as you write and the metronome helps you easily keep time.

Lyric Notepad is free to download for both iOS and Android devices.

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50 Of The Best Writing Apps For The iPad

The best writing apps for iPad, like any concept of ‘best,’ is subjective and further based on need and circumstance.

What Are The Best Writing Apps For The iPad?

by TeachThought Staff

Are you a poet drafting when inspiration strikes? A student taking notes and writing essays? A novelist that usually uses a desktop, but needs their new iPad Pro to do work on the go?

While the idea of writing more than a few hundred words on an iPad may seem crazy, using the iPad as a powerful portable writing tool allows you to take advantage of inspiration whenever and wherever it strikes. And with iPad screens now approaching 13″ and capable of supporting USB connections to enable standalone keyboards, it’s easier and more comfortable than ever to draft a masterpiece while away from your desk with the help of an app, an iPad, and a good idea.

1.   Ulysses

Developer Description : A pleasant, focused writing experience combined with effective document management, fast syncing and flexible export make Ulysses the first choice for writers of all kinds.

2.  Byword

Developer description: Draft a blog post, write that story or complete a school report wherever you are. Use Markdown to format text with easy keyboard shortcuts, subtle syntax highlighting, word counters with live update, and much more.

3.  1Writer

Developer description: 1Writer provides a distraction-free writing environment. You can create and edit plain text or Markdown files. It does have many features including inline Markdown preview, word count, dark theme, TextExpander support, insert photo, an extra keyboard row, and many more.

4.  Scrivo Pro for Scriveners & Writers

Developer description: You have a story to tell, article to publish, class notes to take, whether it’s today’s journal entry, tomorrow’s thesis or a future bestseller novella. Scrivo Pro can help you organize your writing, research, generate ideas, and remove distractions so you can focus on the most important thing: writing.

5. Hanx Writer

Developer description: Hanx Writer, created by Tom Hanks, recreates the experience of a manual typewriter, but with the ease and speed of an iPad.

6.  StorySkeleton

Developer description: Ideas strike wherever you are. Be prepared with StorySkeleton, the best story-mapping and organizational tool for iPad and iPhone. Create the structure for your project with StorySkeleton’s snappy and finger-friendly interface.

7.  Storyist

Developer description: Storyist is a powerful writing environment for iOS that lets you create, review, and revise your work wherever inspiration strikes.

8.  Story Planner

Developer description: The outline is one of the most powerful weapons for a writer. Now you can easily outline your stories wherever you are thanks to Story Planner, the best story-mapping and organizational stories tool ever.

9.  Scrivener

Developer description: Tailor-made for creating long manuscripts, Scrivener banishes page fright by allowing you to compose your text in any order, in sections as large or small as you like. Got a great idea but don’t know where it fits? Write when inspiration strikes and find its place later. Grow your manuscript organically, idea by idea.

10.  Textilus Pro Word Processor

Developer description: Textilus Pro is a great word processor app for students and business people, also being excellent for writing reports, papers, blog posts, journals or ebooks! Textilus Pro can help you organize your research, generate ideas, and remove distractions so you can focus on the most important thing: writing.

11.  Verse – Write Poems, Song Lyrics and Compositions

Developer description: Write poems, song lyrics, haikus or even odes and more with Verse for iPad and iPhone.

12.  MLA Writer – MLA Style Writing Tool

Developer description: View, edit and create MLA documents with MLA Writer. MLA Writer is the first step for a modern Writing tool for iPad and iPhone that aims to support 100% the standard MLA style. MLA (Modern Language Asociation) specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and using the English language in writing.

13.  Guided Essay Writer

Step-by-step guided essay-writing directions written by a college English professor and includes explanations and examples to help you write a college-level essay including the following: introduction paragraph, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion paragraph. Includes essay-writing tips to help write a successful, organized essay.

14.  Outline

Developer description: Notes with more creative freedom and better organization. Captured at any spot on a page and draggable around the place, organized in the world’s most natural hierarchy, and synced across devices with your favorite cloud. Freedom but clear structure.

15.  Pages

Developer description: Pages is the most beautiful word processor you’ve ever seen on a mobile device. This powerful word processor helps you create gorgeous reports, resumes, and documents in minutes.

16.  Werdsmith

Developer description: Werdsmith turns your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch into a portable writing studio, so you can write any time, any place. Hundreds of thousands of writers rely on Werdsmith to capture their ideas and work on their novels, screenplays, stories and articles.

17.  Unblock

Developer description: Say goodbye to writer’s block. Unblock makes writing easy, with professionally designed writing exercises to get you through even the toughest obstacles.

18.  Editorial

Developer description: Editorial is a plain text editor for iOS with powerful automation tools and a beautiful inline preview for Markdown, TaskPaper, and Fountain documents.

19.  Daedalus Touch

Developer description: Daedalus Touch is the first truly next-gen text editor on iOS. No file lists, no folders, no documents in the classic sense – just paper stacks and an infinite amount of sheets. You navigate by standard gestures, all perfectly mapped and matched to the tasks at hand.

20.  Write for iPad

Developer description: Writing. Automated Dropbox/iCloud Syncing. Markdown. Fastest Sharing. Beautiful Design.

21.  Chapters

Developer description: Chapters lets you create and manage multiple notebooks, each fully searchable and with its own settings. Keep a travel journal, a photo log, a notebook about ongoing work projects, and your own personal diary in one app.

22.  PrintCentral Pro

Developer description: The Ultimate File Management, Transfer and Print solution for the iPad. Print to ALL printers (Not just AirPrint Printers). View, store & print email, documents & PDFs, all major cloud servers, attachments, photos, contacts & web pages. Convert documents and images to PDF files.

23.  Writer

Developer description: The Perfect App For Writers. Notes + Recordings + Photos + Reminders Perfect for Writing books, stories, poems, reports, novels, and more. Type, record, or type while recording/playing, also add in photographs and capture everything.

24.  GoodReader

Developer description: The amazing 4th edition of GoodReader app is a universal app for all your iOS devices to read and annotate PDFs.

25.  Chronicle

Developer description: Take note of life with Chronicle, a simple journaling app that offers more than bound sheets without overcomplicating the writing experience. Focused writing. Multiple photos per entry that you can move, resize, rotate – your words flow around them.

26.  miTypewriter for iPad

Developer description: This is your typewriter on iPad. Features: – Realistic typewriter on your iPad – Email by image or text – Backspace key to erase type – Fonts (Old Typewriter / American Typewriter) – Keyboard layouts (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, and QZERTY) – Colors (Red/Black ink ribbon).

27.  iA Writer

Developer description: iA Writer is designed to provide the best digital writing experience: Keep your hands on the keyboard and your mind in the text.

28.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Developer description: Get America’s most useful and respected dictionary, optimized for your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. This is the best iOS app for English language reference, education, and vocabulary building.

29.  Smart Whiteboard HD

Developer description: This is an extremely simple Whiteboard that is convenient for your work, life and study.

30.  Page: English Grammar & Spell Checker + Translator

Developer description: Ginger’s writing app offers you a better way to write in English. Get everything you need to quickly compose high-quality text that amplifies your message, everywhere you write. Tap into Ginger’s powerful editing tools to quickly review your text for any grammar, spelling and punctuation issues with the world’s leading proofreader.

31.  StoryBoard

Developer description: With StoryBoard, you can create interactive, visual stories. Stories can be written, and then words can be replaced with sets of pictures. When your story is finished, it becomes an interactive activity.

32.  Characterize

Developer description: Characterize is the perfect creator tool for writers, role-players, storytellers, and anyone who needs to come up with original characters on the fly. Pulling from an extensive database of names and vital statistics, Characterize can generate literally quadrillions of new characters!

33. Microsoft OneNote

Developer description: Capture your thoughts, discoveries, and ideas with OneNote, your very own digital notebook. With OneNote you can seize that moment of inspiration, take your class notes, or track that list of errands that are too important to forget. Whether you’re at home, in the office, or on the go, your notes go with you.

34. Microsoft Word

Developer description: Now Word documents look better than ever on your tablet and phone. When you edit or create documents, you can be confident they will look exactly how you want across PC, Mac, tablet and phone. Word has the familiar Office look and feel along with an intuitive touch experience, so you’ll be up and running in no time.

Note: On iPhone, iPad Air, and iPad mini, the core Word experience, including viewing, creating, and editing documents, is free. Or unlock the full Word experience with a qualifying Office 365 subscription. On iPad Pro, you need Office 365 to create and edit documents.

35. A Novel Idea

Developer description: A Novel Idea is the premier tool for plotting your story and recording bursts of inspiration. Use its simple interface to create your characters, locations, scenes, and novels and then link them together to create your story’s plot. Use the Idea feature to quickly jot down your creative sparks.

36. Penultimate

Developer description: Penultimate combines distraction-free, natural handwriting and sketching with the power of Evernote’s sync and search. Take class or meeting notes, journal your thoughts, or outline your next big idea—in the office or on the go.

37.  Thesaurus Rex by Dictionary.com

Developer description: Thesaurus Rex by Dictionary.com revolutionizes the thesaurus for the first time in 160 years. We’ve added modern content and synonyms for new words such as epiphany & stakeholder, plus 30,000 more new entries. Works offline.

38. SoundCurtain

Developer description: Sound Curtain is a unique application that masks distracting noise by automatically adapting its volume, pitch and tone in response to the noise around you.

39.  Notability

Developer description: Students, teachers, and business professionals use Notability daily to take notes, sketch ideas, annotate PDFs, mark-up photos, record lectures, provide audio feedback and more. It is uniquely designed for each device to provide the best note-taking experience at school, at home, and at work. And with iCloud, your notes are always up to date.

40. Write or Die

Developer description: Unless you’ve got a deadline looming it’s difficult to find the impetus to keep writing. Write or Die aims to address this difficulty and help you hack your writing process and get your words out. It’s a new kind of writing application that provides consequences for distraction and procrastination. As long as you keep writing, everything is fine, but if you become distracted, there are customizable consequences.

41. MyScript Nebo – Note Taking for Apple Pencil

Developer description: Structure your notes using titles, paragraphs, and bullet lists. Add interactive diagrams, editable equations, freeform sketches, and annotate pictures. Finally convert your captured ink to a digital typeset document on demand. Nebo documents can be shared as text. Powered by MyScript Interactive Ink – Work better with your Apple Pencil!

42. Creative Writer

Developer description: An endless source of writing ideas, words, prompts and sentences for your writing sessions. Millions of text segments analyzed and clustered into 7 powerful predictive models: Prose (best-selling novels), Dialogues (movies, TV series), You & Me, Lyrics (popular songs, RAP), Romance, Classics (Shakespeare, Goethe, Joyce, Kafka, Proust, Dostojevski, and others) and Quotations.

43. Lists for Writers

Developer description: Lists for Writers is a great addition to any writer’s toolbox. Helpful to both novice and expert writers alike, this app delivers list after list of prompts and ideas for your brainstorming sessions: names, character traits, plot lines, occupations, obsessions, action verbs, and much more

44. Rory’s Story Cubes

Developer description: 9 cubes, 54 images, over 10 million combinations and infinite stories. Shake to roll the cubes. Create a story using all 9 face-up images.

45. Creative Writing Prompts

Developer description: Get more than 1,000 starting lines and creative writing prompts to inspire you and give you ideas for improving your creative writing. Great for students, amateur writers, or professionals who want to free write often.

46. Writing Challenge: Creative Prompts for your Story

Developer description: With Writing Challenge you will enjoy a game with creative prompts to spark your inspiration and master free writing.

47. The Brainstormer

Developer description: The Brainstormer is kindling for creative minds. A tactile tool to randomly combine a plot, a subject and a setting or style, the Brainstormer provides a moment of inspiration for writers, painters, or any creative mind. Combat creative block, spark new ideas and summon up quick subjects for doodling, sketching or journaling.

48. Forest: Stay focused, be present

Developer description: Forest provides an interesting solution to beat your phone addiction. You can plant a seed in Forest. In the following time, this seed will gradually grow into a tree. However, if you cannot resist the temptation and leave this app to check Facebook or play a game, your tree will wither away. With this interesting mechanism, the sense of achievement and responsibility will drive our users to stay away from their phone with no pain.

49. Evernote

Developer description: Let Evernote change the way you organize your personal and professional projects. Dive in: take notes, create to-do lists, and save things you find online into Evernote. We’ll sync everything between your phone, tablet, and computer automatically.

50. Ink On – Track word counts, writing time and days in the chair – Inked Voices

Developer description: Write with your favorite tool, be it Word, Scrivener, or another platform. Track your progress in Ink On. Whether you prefer to set goals by project, overall, or both, Ink On has you covered.

What apps do you use when taking your writing on the road? Leave a comment sharing your tips and tricks below or join the conversation on our Facebook page .

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Best Free Writing Apps in 2024

Showing 83 writing apps that match your search.

Grammar Lookup

Grammarlookup.com uses artificial intelligence to check grammar and punctuation mistakes in your writing, eliminate spelling errors and highlight 1000s of style issues to make your writing exceptional among other writers.

Platforms: Online

Best for: Editing, Proofreading, Essay, and Free

Website: https://www.grammarlookup.com/

Base price:

Premium price:

★★★★★ Performance

★★★★ Features

★★★ Accessibility

Also rated 4.7 ★ on Capterra

The simplest way to keep notes. All your notes, synced on all your devices.

Platforms: Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, PC, Chrome, PC

Best for: Note-taking, Drafting, Book, Story, Journal, and Free

Website: https://simplenote.com/

★★★ Features

★★★★★ Accessibility

★★★★★ Value

Also rated 4.5 ★ on TechRadar

Apple’s App of the Year with over 15 million downloads and 200,000 5-star ratings globally, Day One has reinvented journaling, letting you record your life as you live it. Securely save audio, video, photos, notes, and more wherever you are, whenever you want.

Platforms: iPad, Mac, iPhone, Android

Best for: Note-taking, Journal, and Free

Website: https://dayoneapp.com/

Also rated 4.8 ★ on the App Store

Learn more about Reedsy Studio .

Take digital handwritten notes for class, work, or fun!

Platforms: Android, Chrome

Best for: Note-taking, Essay, and Free

Website: https://www.squidnotes.com/

Also rated 4.3 ★ on Google Play

WPS Office is a lightweight, feature-rich comprehensive office suite with high compatibility. As a handy and professional office software, WPS Office allows you to edit files in Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, and PDF to improve your work efficiency.

Platforms: Mac, Windows, Android, iPad, iPhone, PC

Best for: Drafting, Book, Essay, Journal, Poetry, Story, Blog, and Free

Website: https://www.wps.com/

★★★★ Performance

Also rated 4.0 ★ on TechRadar

Drafts opens to a new page with the keyboard ready so you can type immediately. Go hands-free with Dictation. Drafts lets you get things down before you forget without fiddling folders, naming, etc.

Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac

Best for: Note-taking, Journal, Essay, Blog, and Free

Website: https://getdrafts.com/

Simple. Effective. Personal. Keep life moments and ideas always with you. Diaro is here to help.

Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Chrome

Website: https://diaroapp.com/

★★★★ Accessibility

Also rated 4.6 ★ on Google Play

Slick Write

Slick Write is a powerful, free application that makes it easy to check your writing for grammar errors, potential stylistic mistakes, and other features of interest. Whether you're a blogger, novelist, SEO professional, or student writing an essay for school, Slick Write can help take your writing to the next level.

Best for: Editing, Proofreading, Essay, Blog, and Free

Website: https://www.slickwrite.com/

Also rated 4.4 ★ on Capterra

A tool for thoughtful writing. See your work in new ways, think with an integrated concept map, and export with an automatic reference section, all in a distraction free environment.

Platforms: Mac

Best for: Drafting, Book, Story, Essay, and Free

Website: https://www.augmentedtext.info/author

★★ Accessibility

Also rated 4.4 ★ on TechRadar

Bear is a beautiful, flexible writing app for crafting notes and prose.

Platforms: Mac, iPhone, iPad

Best for: Note-taking, Drafting, Book, Story, Essay, Blog, and Free

Website: https://bear.app/

Also rated 4.3 ★ on the App Store

ProWritingAid

Whatever kind of writer you are, ProWritingAid will help you improve your writing and get your ideas across more clearly. Our grammar and style checker contains over 3,000 explanations and videos written by our experts, so you don't need to remember all those crazy rules.

Platforms: Mac, Windows, Online, PC, Chrome

Best for: Drafting, Editing, Proofreading, Book, Essay, Story, Blog, and Free

Website: https://prowritingaid.com/

★★★★★ Features

Also rated 4.5 ★ on Reedsy

Brainsparker

Ignite your creativity. Coach your brain to think creatively & spark brilliant ideas at work and in life.

Platforms: iPhone, iPad

Best for: Outlining, Journal, and Free

Website: https://brainsparker.com/

Also rated 4.7 ★ on the App Store

What makes a good writing app?

Put simply, what makes a writing app good for you will depend on the kind of writer that you are. 

• If you’re an author , you might be interested in a writing app with outlining, planning, and formatting functionalities.
• If you’re a student , you’re probably in the market for a writing app that blocks out distractions while you’re writing.
• If you’re a screenwriter , you’ll want a writing app that’s specifically dedicated to writing screenplays.

Or, if you’re none of the above, worry not: that’s why we built this directory of writing apps. Whatever you need, we’ve gathered the outstanding writing apps of 2024 across multiple categories (drafting, editing, note-taking, etc) and platforms (Android, iOS, online browsers, etc) in one place. Feel free to use the filters to make your quest for the perfect writing app even easier!

So what are the best writing apps of 2024?

We can now put an end to the age-old debate of which writing app is best: Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs ? 

The answer, of course, is neither! Hopefully, this directory will point you towards a much better match that actually fulfills your writing needs. We objectively evaluated each writing app based on four metrics.

• Performance: How seamlessly does the writing app do what it’s purported to do? How good is the user experience, from top to bottom?
• Features: How many bells and whistles are built into the app to augment its use?
• Accessibility: Is it widely available on many different operating platforms (e.g. iOS, Windows, mobile, desktop, etc)?
• Value: Is it worth the cost that it would take to download it?

Here are some general recommendations to give you a headstart.

The best writing app for authors

If you’ve been searching for an all-in-one outlining, writing, formatting, and typesetting tool, look no further than Reedsy Studio . Used by over 50,000 authors every month, it’s publishing’s most trusted companion to take them from a first draft to a professionally exported manuscript.

💰 Price:  Free

🚉 Runs on: Web

The best writing app for note-takers

Evernote is the king of written organization. In addition to its free organizational templates, Evernote also gives you impressive tagging capabilities, an omnipresent Web Clipper, and the ability to share notes with collaborators, so that you’ll never forget anything again.

💰 Price:   Free basic plan, $4.99/month for premium

🚉 Runs on: Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android

The best writing app for screenwriters

Along with standard scriptwriting features, Final Draft enables you to measure character traits using its inclusivity analysis feature, and tweak your “beat board” until you find your perfect arrangement. And when you’re ready to bring in editors, you can all work simultaneously in real time.

💰 Price: Free trial for 30 days, $249.99 license fee

🚉 Runs on: Mac, iOS, and Windows

I’ve found the perfect writing app. What next?

Congratulations! Now the fun part begins: actually writing the project that you’ve got in mind.

For authors, this means that you have a long and exciting road ahead. In addition to a writing app, we recommend that you arm yourself with some writing knowledge before you embark on it: whether it’s an understanding of story structure or careful thought put into your character creation, all of it can help you realize your goal of a novel.

If you don’t know where to start, check out the list of free resources below. Good luck, and happy writing!

Free online materials

• How to Plan a Novel
• How to Write a Book
• Story Structure: 7 Types All Writers Should Know
• How to Create a Character Profile
• 500+ Creative Writing Classes
• Plot Generator
• Character Name Generator
• Book TItle Generator
• The Best Literary Agents Seeking Submissions

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12 Best iPad Writing Apps and Other Tools

It was a dark and stormy night…

Writers begin with an idea and let their imaginations lead into a journey that with a careful crafting of words eventually tell us a story. It’s a very personal process for what in the end most hope will turn into a very public presentation.  Every writer is different and there are as many different ways of putting ideas into words as there are writers. Consequently, every writer also has his or her favorite tools for getting those ideas on to paper whether that be the digital version or the kind that comes from trees. Those who have moved on from paper and pen and typewriters to computers can now do so on even more mobile devices like the iPad. There a number of tools of the trade that offer those who earn their daily bread as a writer the opportunity to work with a smaller mobile device.

The type of writing one does affects the choice of tools. And for many the medium chosen to lay down words is as much a part of the creative process as are ideas and a command of language. Before typewriters the feel of a pen and paper for writers was very personal choice. It was also expensive in the days of quill and ink. It’s not much different in the digital age. Good writing tools typically cost money somewhere along the line. Here is a look at one writer’s Best iPad Writing Apps along with some other tools that might work for you depending on your needs. The Apps and tools are grouped under large categories.

Before we get into the Apps, let’s look at keyboards. The iPad comes with the iOS virtual on-screen keyboard, but for serious writing that may not be a choice for you. It’s not for me. For the iPad there are quite a few choices of third party Bluetooth enabled external keyboards for you to choose from. Prices range from $70 to $130 or so depending on the features and design that the keyboards offer. How your fingers meet the keys is very personal choice and not every keyboard will feel the same, although in the end they all offer the same mechanical method of input.

We’ve reviewed quite a few external keyboards on GBM and our iPad writers here each have their own favorite. Belkin, Zagg and Logitech each sell a variety of different types of keyboards; some that double as cases, or folios; some that are just keyboards with a notch to hold your iPad. And most full size Bluetooth keyboards originally designed for desktop computers will connect up to an iPad just fine. So there are a range of choices to fit just about any style and preference. We’ll list two different options here but know that there are many others reviewed in the pages of GBM. Links for some of those follow. Also know that a new round of external keyboards is about to debut from some of the makers listed above and in the links below.

ZAGGKeys Cover for the iPad Air

This is a personal and current favorite. It is a cover, not a case; meaning that it will fold over the display of the iPad Air to protect it during travel. The action of the keys is very conducive to my typing style and since I like to occasionally write on my porch late at night, having a backlit keyboard is a plus.   A version exists for the iPad mini as well.

Read:  ZAGGKeys Cover or iPad Air Review

Here are links to reviews and coverage of third party iPad keyboards on GBM.

Apple Wireless Keyboard

While many of the external keyboards now contain most of the functionality of laptop and desktop keyboards, some may still prefer a full keyboard. For those who want a complete full sized keyboard to match up with the iPad, the Apple Wireless Keyboard is an excellent option. The Apple Wireless Keyboard costs $69.99 from Apple . It doesn’t attach to the iPad and it is longer in width than the iPad, so you’ll be carrying and using it as a separate accessory. There is an excellent case and stand option for the Apple Wireless Keyboard from Incase, called the Incase Origami WorkStation . It covers the keyboard (not the iPad) and the top cover folds out to create a stand for the iPad in portrait or landscape mode. The InCase Origami Workstation costs $29.95 from a variety of sources.

Heavy Lifting for Writers

For writers who aspire to novels, short stories, screenplays, plays or just have to create long and/or involved papers for school or work there are a variety of full featured (or close to it) word processing Apps for the iPad to choose from. Some are even specialized for certain types of writing.

Microsoft Word for iPad

With the release of Office Apps for the iPad, Microsoft has created a reasonably well featured, but still stripped down, version of Microsoft Word for the iPad . Most users will find Word for the iPad stocked with enough features to use for some complex writing work. To edit and create documents writers will need an Office 365 subscription that starts at $69.99 per year ($6.99 a month) and ranges to $99.99 per year ($9.99) a month. Word for the iPad is a free download . With an Office 365 account users receive 20GB of OneDrive Cloud storage for their documents.

Read: Office Apps for the iPad Review

Pages is Apple’s iWork App for word processing. Like Word for the iPad, it brings a rich enough feature set that will enable most writers to create complex documents. Pages is a free download and requires an Apple iCloud account to store documents. A free iCloud account provides 5GB of storage. More storage can be purchased through Apple. Pages is a free download .

Storyist is about as full a featured writer’s tool for the iPad as you’ll find. There is a fuller version for the Mac, and if you sense a theme that iPad versions of powerful writing tools don’t contain all of the features that their desktop siblings do, you are correct. But the fact that developers of Apps like Storyist can bring as rich a feature set to their iPad versions is very welcome.

Storyist is designed for the serious writer. You can write novels, screenplays, or just plain text creations. Beyond being a powerful writing tool, writers can create comments and note cards that are synced to the text to help them as they create their projects. There is a even an enhanced keyboard specifically designed for screenplay creation with special keys for standard industry notation. Storyist costs $9.99 for the iPad version and $59.99 for a digital download for a Mac.

Final Draft Writer

Final Draft Writer is targeted for those who want to see their creations on the silver screen or the stage. It’s a powerful professional tool used by many in Hollywood. Like the other power writing tools it is an iPad version of a popular desktop application. Final Draft 9 for the Mac costs $189 and Final Draft Writer for the iPad  costs $29.99.

Writers can open and read any Final Draft 9 script within the iPad version or create a new screenplay, stageplay, or TV script. Features include the ability to scan through automatically paginated screenplays and Final Draft’s SmartType system, which allows a writer to automatically fill in character names and scene headings. Writers can view cast, scene, and location reports and lock down pages once they’ve got things exactly right. There are many more features as well. It’s a pro tool for script writing pros.

Lean and Spare Writing Tools

Some writers like a lean and spare empty canvas with no distractions when they sit down to write. This has become a trend and has led to a proliferation of Apps that offer a very clean and uncluttered way of getting your thoughts into words.

Google Docs

I’m sure some will take me to task for not including Google Docs under the full featured tools above, but Google Docs belongs under the “Lean & Spare” category in my view.  Google Docs is a new standalone word processing App (the editing used to be included in Google Drive) that has a minimal, but powerful, feature set for writers who prefer to live in Google’s online world. Google Docs is free and you receive 15GB of free Google Drive storage.  You can’t create very complex documents in Google Docs, but for drafting and editing it can do the job.

Research and Quick Note Tools

Writing isn’t just about putting words down on paper or the digital screen. It often involves research and a gathering of notes. Three tools that offer quick collection methods for research are Evernote, Drafts, and OneNote.

Microsoft OneNote

Word Choice Tools

“Words, words, words” Hamlet says. They are the tools of the writers trade. And while some have an amazing command of language and can spew forth words at the tap of a key, others prefer to have tools like a dictionary and a thesaurus handy. There are a variety of dictionaries and thesauri in the App Store, some free and some paid. Familiar classics like selections form Merriam Webster, Oxford, and Roget appear along side other less familiar titles. Of course you can also use the web to search for spelling, synonyms, and antonyms.

Terminology 3

Dictionary.com Dictionary and Thesaurus

Presentation Tools

You’re done writing and your creation needs to be shipped off to your agent or your publisher. Some of the more advance writing tools offer ways to turn your creation into a deliverable package and some do not. If you’re sending out a final version of one of your creations the best way to do so is as a PDF file.

PDF Converter

There you have it. This list just begins to touch the wealth of writing tools available for the iPad. If you have a favorite we’d love to hear your suggestion in comments. The cliché that “writers write” is one that will always hold up and writers on the iPad can certainly live up to that cliché.

At the end of the day, when you’ve finished your writing chores and settled in for your favorite beverage, what tools you choose to write with is all about style, the task at hand, and finding the right combination that makes the creative process easier and more enjoyable. (It doesn’t hurt to have a favorite coffee mug and shot glass either.)

hal eisenberg

05/10/2014 at 6:14 pm

Surprised that WordPerfect is not in your review. Good application and no relearning the program

Wales Nematollahi

05/11/2014 at 11:57 am

I’m with Hal. This reminds me of PCWorld’s failure to review some Corel products. It’s hard to respect a site that selectively ignores apps, especially those that (gasp!) work.

05/15/2014 at 8:04 pm

WordPerfect for iPad? What are you guys smokin?

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Best note-taking apps for iPad and Apple Pencil 2024

These note-taking apps can help you jot down all your important reminders and notes.

GoodNotes 6

Microsoft onenote, pdf expert – read, edit, sign, nebo: notes & pdf annotations, google keep, noteshelf - notes, annotations.

The best note-taking apps for iPad and Apple Pencil can help you jot down thoughts, share them with friends and colleagues and back them up to the cloud and across devices. These apps, combined with their handwriting features, can be perfect for work, studying, or if you simply need to quickly make a shopping list.

Additionally, all of these work with Apple's best iPads — if you want to use Apple's Notes app with an Apple Pencil on an iPad mini , it can be done. It's worth noting, though, that if you're an artist, we also have a guide for the best drawing apps for iPad and Apple Pencil as well.

For this guide, we've laid out a bunch of apps that work great with Apple Pencil and iPad — but before you decide to buy a new Apple Pencil or download any of the apps below, we recommend you check which iPad models support Apple Pencil first.

Apple Notes

Notes (Free)

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The built-in Notes app is a reliable bet for many people looking to use an Apple Pencil for note-taking. It does more than just allow you to type notes or dictate things. It's possible to add handwritten notes, sketches, and drawings in the Notes app . All you have to do is start a new note, pick the drawing tool, and then get writing or sketching to your heart's content.

The app has native text recognition search and in-line scanning. It also has annotation support, so it immediately covers all the most essential features required from a note-taking app. In comparison to third-party apps, it can feel a little limited such as its primary use of iCloud, but it's the perfect starting point, especially if you don't want to download anything new.

You can download Notes on the App Store .

Goodnotes 6 (Free with in-app purchases)

Goodnotes is ideal for the note-taking power user, and it has a ton of great features. There's handwriting and sketching with Apple Pencil, of course, but there's a lot more. You can pick from a huge selection of digital paper types to suit your needs. Options include lined, graph, design, music notation, and much more.

It's also possible to upload your own custom paper template if you have something specific in mind — from Ruled Paper to Checklists and Planner. You can also choose from multiple cover styles for digital notebooks so you can keep things personal and well-organized.

For actual handwriting, Goodnotes 6 supports writing and drawing with your Apple Pencil, as well as a third-party stylus. Add on built-in handwriting search recognition, text conversion, and more, and GoodNotes is a feature-rich package of useful tools. You can download Goodnotes 6 on the App Store .

Notability (Free with in-app purchases)

Many of us at iMore use Notability as it's one of the best options. Like GoodNotes, it's powerful but it's also a little easier to use in some ways. It has tools for handwriting and drawing. You can also annotate PDFs here, along with creating shapes, highlighting sections, moving objects around the page, and even adding audio notes. Integration with photos and web clips is also an option if you need a more media-rich set of notes.

Notability provides plenty of paper styles for your handwritten notes or sketches, with grid-based paper likely to be popular among many users. It's easy to share your notebooks with third-party cloud apps like Dropbox and Google Drive.

For anyone unsure where to start, a tutorial helps guide you through the basics the moment you launch the app.

You can download Notability on the App Store .

Microsoft OneNote (Free with in-app purchases)

For those users already invested in the Microsoft Office ecosystem, OneNote is a logical choice to make. Even for those who aren't, it's still useful for viewing and editing notes. The app has handwriting and sketching tools that are perfect to use with your Apple Pencil. It's simple to handwrite everything from important notes to quick reminders, to sketching out diagrams and ideas. You can also annotate existing documents you already have in OneNote. 

Other features include rich text notes, photos and audio support, calendars, and a fair few other things too. It's easy to share a link to your digital notebook any time you want others involved too. You can download Microsoft OneNote on the App Store .

PDF Expert (Free with in-app purchases)

Anyone who deals with PDFs often knows they can be awkward to annotate or change, which is why PDF Expert is such a welcome inclusion here. It does all the basics like allowing for annotations or marking up PDFs. You can also quickly open those PDFs from iCloud or third-party syncing services.

From there, you can easily fill out forms, sign documents, and use tools like a digital pen, as well as add shapes, underline, strikethrough, or highlight pieces of text. It's even possible to create stamps for frequently used wording, and you can edit the structure of the PDF document too.

The free version of PDF Expert allows you to read, annotate, highlight, draw, fill forms, and more. For features like being able to edit the original PDF text, add or edit images, sign documents, or password-protect a file, you'll need a Pro subscription. 

You can download PDF Expert on the App Store .

Nebo (Free with in-app purchases)

Easily the best note-taking app for anyone who wants to write handwritten notes before converting them to regular text, MyScript Nebo is certainly flexible. Write something with your Apple Pencil and Nebo converts it on-the-fly. The conversion is non-destructive so you can preserve both the handwriting and the text to check for any errors.

There's support for multiple digital pen tools so it's easy to make things look how you want them to. Support for adding photos and videos is also possible, along with diagrams, and even quotations to go alongside your text. If you don't need the whole handwritten document converted, it's possible to convert one paragraph at a time. 

Once completed, it's then possible to export as text, HTML, PDF, or Word document, with syncing available through iCloud, MyScript's own service, Dropbox, and more.

You can download Nebo on the App Store .

Google Keep - Notes and Lists (free)

Simple yet refined, Google Keep is well-designed for jotting down quick thoughts, ideas, or lists. It's not as comprehensive at systematic note-taking as other apps here, but it's so simple to use that it's very appealing. It's even possible to create checkboxes for your lists, forming a type of to-do list. There's rich text support too, while it automatically works alongside the rest of the Google ecosystem that many of us rely on.

That makes it very appealing for anyone who uses Google regularly. It's easy to write a quick note before accessing it from another one of your devices, while Apple-native tools can be pickier about exporting and using in different formats.

You can download Google Keep on the App Store .

Noteshelf ($9.99)

Noteshelf claims that its experience is like writing on a notepad being smooth and fluid. It offers different pen styles to work within the app including an elegant fountain pen choice. Its notes can consist of your handwriting, PDF annotations or even recorded audio.

The app also offers handwritten note conversion so you gain easy search features for looking through your notes and creations. There are hundreds of different paper styles and templates too, so it's ideal for a more attractive digital paper experience. 

You can download Noteshelf on the App Store .

Whink (Free with in-app purchases)

Simple yet with a sleek interface, Whink is an instantly appealing app. It offers natural handwriting tools so it feels like writing with a pen and paper. There's also a gel-pen tool with natural ink colors, so it looks professional while being simple too. Users can zoom in on their notes for extra precision, so it's good for sketching and drawing.

Taking notes is only ever a tap away, while there are also PDF and photo annotations. It's possible to add shapes along with audio recordings, so you're covered for most needs. Sharing notes is a matter of syncing with iCloud or other services like Dropbox. 

You can download Whink on the App Store .

Why use the best note-taking apps for iPad and Apple Pencil?

Sometimes you just can't beat the old paper-and-pen experience, but digital notes offer many benefits. It might not be possible to send your digital note into flight like a paper plane can, but everything else is very similar. Add on Apple Pencil 2 and you get a pen-to-paper-style experience with all the convenience of digital.

There's also the added benefit of drawing the odd design while you take notes, although for a pure experience, check out the best drawing apps for iPad for the most functionality.

If you're more interested in reading with the occasional moment of interaction, the best e-reader apps for iPad might be better.

Finally, if you're still not sold on the need for an Apple Pencil, you may prefer checking out one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives around to keep costs down and do things a little differently.

Master your iPhone in minutes

iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.

• Daryl Baxter Features Editor

The 50 best iPad apps in 2024

Procreate Dreams, an iPad animation app for the next generation of creators, launches this November

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7 minimalist writing apps for iPad

Super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.

• Gorgeous writing space
• Silky-smooth typing
• Deep personalization (Pro)
• Markdown or Plain Text
• Syncs with iCloud
• Writes and edits texts with ChatGPT AI
• Publishes drafts to Medium, WordPress, or Ghost
• Exports to PDF, HTML, RTF, DOCX, image, or clipboard
• Works seamlessly across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Get focused. iA Writer offers a unique writing experience that lets you concentrate and clarify your message. Used by half a million people worldwide, its powerful interface is crafted to cut out noise, let you focus on what you want to say, and help you structure and trim your text. Available for Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android.

Simple and Powerful

No rulers, no formatting bars. iA Writer provides the crisp, uncluttered environment you need to write well, supported by discrete, powerful features, from Content Blocks, to Syntax Highlighting.

Focus and Flow

Focus is the key to good writing, and the guiding principle behind iA Writer. With shortcuts and simplified settings, you can keep your hands on the keyboard and your mind in the text.

Ownership and Control

We think every craftsperson should own their own tools, so when you download iA Writer, you own it. No forced subscriptions, microtransactions, or compatibility concerns. Your work, your files, your app.

Hack Your Syntax

Highlight parts of speech to improve your writing. Spot superfluous adjectives, weak verbs, and unwanted repetitions. Developers have long used syntax highlighting to improve their code. Now you can hack your text.

Power of Style Check

Style Check is like having a personal editor-in-chief on your device, carefully reviewing your text for redundancies, clichés and filler words as you type. It’s simple, different, and powerful.

The Original Focus Mode

Focus only on the sentence or paragraph that you’re working on. Introduced in 2010 with the original iA Writer, Focus Mode has since been copied by many writing apps. This is the original, and still (we think) the best.

Flexible Content Blocks

Swap sections around, add media, and construct your content with flexible building blocks of text, .csv tables and image files. Stitch separate chapters together into one master file. Express yourself through experimentation.

Optimized Typeface

We have created an innovative typeface for iA Writer, specifically designed to enhance the writing experience. The family comes in three flavors: classic Mono, Duo for larger screens, and Quattro for small devices.

Parallel PDF Preview

iA Writer now offers a live, paginated PDF preview, parallel to the text you are editing. Instantly see how your document translates into PDF pages, as you edit.

Advanced Markdown to Word Export

iA Writer features one of the most advanced Markdown-to-Word export functions available anywhere. Quickly export your Markdown documents to MS Word (and back too!). Includes support for tables, images and footnotes.

The Ultimate Writing App for Mac, iPad and iPhone. Powerful features and a pleasant, focused writing experience combined in one tool, made for people who love to write and write a lot — this is Ulysses.

Like 12 Fingers, 25 Hours a Day

Some things simply work better when you’ve got the right tool. Ulysses’ well thought-out features boost your productivity through the entire writing process; its distraction-free interface keeps you in the flow so you can get things done.

Projects Cannot Get Too Big

Be it college essays, blog posts, or the next Great American Novel: No matter what you’re working on, Ulysses is equipped for managing writing projects of all sizes and ambitions.

Built-In Proofreader and Editing Assistant

Write with confidence: Ulysses’ built-in grammar and style check helps you avoid mistakes and meet the right tone. Available for over 20 languages, it offers suggestions for capitalization, punctuation, semantics, redundancy, style and more.

Let Your Words Shine

After you’re done writing, Ulysses can turn your texts into beautiful PDFs, Word documents, ebooks and even blog posts. Everything is just a click away, with on-the-fly switching of styles and a live preview built right in.

iWriter Pro

iWriter Pro is elegant and minimalist text editor with built-in MultiMarkdown support.

Clean and Simple

iWriter Pro is designed to be easy yet powerful text editing app. It provides distraction-free writing experience with a bunch of handy features.

Markdown Highlighting

Markdown is a good way to format your text, apply styles, insert lists and block quotes. iWriter Pro automatically highlights text as you type.

iCloud Support

Use iCloud to store your documents. You can easily create, view and edit your files on Mac, iPad and iPhone devices.

Markdown Notes for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Bear is a beautiful, flexible writing app for crafting notes and prose.

Ready when you need it

Bear works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, so you can write wherever inspiration strikes. Use todos to stay on task across every device.

Organize easily

Link notes to each other to build a body of work. Add hashtags to organize the way you think. Use Face/Touch ID to protect sensitive notes.

Write your way

Bear is perfect for everything from quick notes to in-depth essays. A focus mode helps you concentrate, and advanced markup options are an online writer's best friend. Full in-line image support brings your writing to life.

Gorgeous settings

Packed with beautiful themes and typography and Dark Mode, Bear makes your writing look great before and after publishing.

Keep notes safe

With Bear Pro, you can encrypt individual notes to keep them safe and lock Bear to keep away nosy friends, family, and coworkers. Set a unique password that only you know, use Face/Touch ID to open your notes, and know that your Bear is safe from everyone.

Edit and export

Bear's simple tools take the effort out of writing, whether you need to hit specific word counts and reading times, or you need to convert your writing into PDF and Word docs. With Bear's custom markup shortcuts, you can add style and links with just a tap or keystroke.

The joy of writing, elevated. A distraction free writing app built with an intelligent editor, smart organization & a design brought to perfection after years of iterations.

Practically magic

The pure joy of bringing words & thoughts to life is what makes writing magical. Unable to write freely, that flow is disturbed. It takes the magic away.

While most apps have a toolbar that makes you choose different options & rest of them support markdown with a syntax that is visible all the time...

Spaces blissfully integrates Markdown & hides all your syntax, as soon as you move your cursor away. It's practically magic!

People loveeeee Spaces

Thousands of people already in love, and we couldn't be happier! Just getting started.

Everything you need

Pin, archive, add to favorites or simply mark your notes as unread to visit them one more time. Sort your content into spaces using hashtags and/or add them into custom filters.

At your fingertips

All your options, spaces & filters available at a swipe with the gesture perfected to milliseconds after 100+ tests so that you get a flawless experience. Every. Single. Time.

An app you can trust

Spaces is built by a truly independant team of passionate people. All your data is synced using Apple Cloudkit.

We don't have access to your data, it is synced directly using Cloudkit, which also powers native Apple apps like iMessage, Reminders etc.

Markdown app for writing in plain text efficiently. Available for Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Draft a blog post, write that story or complete a school report wherever you are. Use Markdown to format text with easy keyboard shortcuts, subtle syntax highlighting, word counters with live update, and much more.

All your documents, on all your devices. With iCloud and Dropbox, you can create documents in Byword on your Mac and access them on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. And vice versa. You can edit them from anywhere, on any device you use.

Export & Publish

Byword includes complete Markdown support. Preview your documents in app, export to HTML, PDF, rich text, or publish directly to Medium, WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr and Evernote.

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7 Best Writing Apps for iPad 2024 (Write A Book Fast)

by Chris Von Wilpert, BBusMan • Last updated July 23, 2024

Expert Verified by Leandro Langeani, BBA

Editorial Disclosure:   We buy, test and review products featured on our website using a 3-step rating methodology.  If you buy through our links, we will get a commission.  Read our rating methodology and how we make money .

Today there are 118 different writing apps for iPad . We spent 57 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to write on the world’s best tablet.

What is the Best Writing App for iPad?

• Scrivener — best of the best
• Ulysses — best minimalist app
• iA Writer — best distraction-free interface
• Pages — best from Apple
• Google Docs — best for cloud storage
• Microsoft Word — best feature-rich app
• Bear — best markdown editor

1. Scrivener

Our verdict — best of the best.

Scrivener is the go-to writing app for aspiring authors. We think it’s the best because of its customizable corkboard view, versatile writing and editing features, and powerful outlining tools.

The Best Part:

Powerful outlining functionality. Scrivener's Outliner feature helps you effortlessly plan, organize, and rearrange your projects.

The Worst Part:

Steep learning curve. It might take some time for newcomers to get acquainted with all of Scrivener’s features.

Get it if you want a feature-rich app that allows you to write, edit, and manage your book projects from the comfort of your iPad.

I recommend you buy Scrivener from the App Store for $23.99.

(download now)

Scrivener is best for aspiring authors who want an all-in-one app to help them write, edit, and manage their book writing projects.

Top Features

• Visualize your plan. Organize your ideas with digital notecards on a customizable corkboard — perfect for visual thinkers.
• Write now, organize later. Piece together bits of text you've penned spontaneously and easily rearrange them with Scrivener's scrivenings mode.
• Make it feel like home. Tweak settings, toolbars, and layouts to create the perfect writing environment on your iPad.
• Write without distractions. Focus all of your attention on your words with Scrivener's full-screen composition mode, to block out all distractions.
• Keep up with your writing goals. Set word count goals for your project or individual sections to stay on track.

Scrivener offers a single pricing plan:

• Scrivener for iOS: $23.99 one-time payment, for aspiring authors and dedicated writers who want a powerful, all-in-one writing tool on their iPads.

Try Scrivener today.

Our Verdict — Best Minimalist App

Ulysses is a sleek and straightforward writing app designed for iPad users who crave a minimalist experience. We think it’s the best minimalist app because of its clutter-free interface, seamless synchronization across Apple devices, and efficient organization tools.

Organization made easy. Ulysses lets you keep your content structured and tidy with its intuitive sheet grouping and library sorting options.

Limited formatting options. Ulysses doesn’t have many of the fancy formatting options other writing apps offer, which could be a letdown for some users.

Get it if you want an intuitive writing app that covers the basics and keeps things simple for the minimalist in you.

I recommend you get started with the free trial, then go for the Yearly Plan for $39.99/year.

(free plan)

Ulysses is best for writers who want a minimalist writing environment that keeps them focused on their work.

• Sync it up. Use iCloud integration to keep your work up to date at all times across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
• It helps you keep your pace. Set word count or time-based goals and track your progress effortlessly.
• Your own space. Customize Ulysses with a variety of themes that suit your style, while keeping that minimalistic feel.
• Export in a snap. Ulysses makes it easy for you to convert and export your books to various formats, including PDF, HTML, and ePub.
• Search and find. Use the advanced search function to locate specific content within your library.

Ulysses offers three pricing plans:

• Monthly Plan: $5.99/month for writers who prefer a flexible, short-term subscription for writing a book or two.
• Yearly Plan: $39.99/year for dedicated writers who are in it for the long haul and want the best bang for their buck.
• Student Offer: $10.99/six months for students.

The annual plan provides a 44% discount.

Try Ulysses today with the free plan.

3. iA Writer

Our verdict — best distraction-free interface.

iA Writer is the perfect iPad app for writers who want the closest experience to pen and paper. We think it’s the best distraction-free interface because of its seamless fullscreen mode, live syntax highlighting, and smooth syncing capabilities.

It’s all about focus. iA Writer’s full-screen mode allows you to completely immerse yourself in your writing without a single distraction.

No free trial. iA Writer doesn’t offer an option for testing out its features — you’ll have to pay the $49.99 fee in full.

Get it if you want a completely distraction-free writing environment that allows you to put all of your focus on your words and ideas.

I recommend you get iA Writer from the App Store for $49.99.

iA Writer is best for writers who want a clean, distraction-free writing environment.

• Swift cloud storage access. Access all of your docs within iA Writer’s intuitive Library, whether they’re stored in iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
• Favorites FTW. Mark your most-used files and folders as favorites to always keep ‘em handy.
• Stay organized. Set up custom rules for Smart Folders and watch your documents automatically get organized.
• Categorization made easy. Group your work using hashtags to categorize key chapters, themes, and ideas to easily locate while writing your book.
• Sort files your way. Personalize how you view your File List by sorting documents according to Name, Date, or Extension.

iA Writer offers a single pricing plan:

iOS & iPadOS: $49.99 one-time payment, for writers who want lifetime access to a full-screen, distraction-free writing app.

Try iA Writer today via the App Store.

Our Top Three Picks

Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:

• iA Writer — best distraction-free app

Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:

Here are the top 50 best writing apps for iPad we considered in this review:

• Google Docs
• Microsoft Word
• JotterPad 
• Fade In Mobile
• ProWritingAid 
• Grammarly Keyboard
• Zoho Writer 
• Celtx Script
• Quip: Docs, Chat, Spreadsheets
• FocusWriter
• iaWriter 
• Markdown & Rich Text Editor
• Textilus Pro
• Manuscript Writer
• WriteMapper 
• Aeon Timeline
• Writer's Studio
• Day One Journal
• Penultimate
• XMind: Mind Map
• Story Planner for Writers
• Hemingway Editor 

What is the best writing software for iPad?

The best writing software for iPad is Scrivener, known for its powerful features, intuitive interface, and seamless compatibility with industry standards. 

Scrivener is a powerful writing app that caters to the needs of aspiring authors, professional writers, and anyone looking to enhance their writing process. Its customizable corkboard view allows users to organize ideas using digital notecards, making it an excellent tool for visual note-taking and planning.

Scrivener excels in the writing process, providing powerful outlining functionality, handy features for editing, and efficient note-taking capabilities. The app is designed with industry standards in mind, offering a formidable tool for writers who need to manage complex projects. With its handwriting recognition feature, it allows users to input handwritten notes and convert them into digital notes, making the transition from traditional notes on paper to digital notebooks seamless.

Additionally, Scrivener offers a range of export options, making it easy for writers to share their work with others or publish it in various formats. The app is available for both desktop version and mobile devices, ensuring a consistent writing experience across platforms. With cloud service integration, your work can be synced across devices, ensuring you always have access to the latest version of your projects.

Although Scrivener has a steep learning curve due to its advanced tools, mastering these features can significantly improve your writing experience. It offers a comprehensive set of onboard organization tools, markup tools, and features like the color fill tool, curve tool, and an easy-to-use tool interface. With its sharing features and options for storage, Scrivener becomes an invaluable resource for writers. The app is available for download from the Apple App Store.

What is a good free writing app for iPad?

A good free writing app for iPad is Apple Pages, which is designed to provide a simple, clean interface and essential tools for creating documents, including essays, reports, and even books. 

Pages come pre-installed on iPads, making it an easily accessible option for Apple users. As a free app, it offers a range of powerful features that cater to the needs of writers, from beginners to professionals.

Pages provide a variety of ready-made templates that can be customized according to your preferences, making it easy to create polished documents with minimal effort. The app supports handwriting recognition, allowing users to input handwritten notes and convert them into digital notes. This integration of the concept of handwriting with digital tools makes it easy for writers to capture their notes with ease and keep their notes neat and organized.

Apple Pages is designed with a focus on simplicity and ease of use, offering a streamlined writing experience without a rigid note-taking structure. This makes it perfect for writers who prefer a clutter-free environment for their work. It is compatible with popular note-taking apps, making it easy to transition from one platform to another.

Pages also support cloud syncing through iCloud integration, ensuring seamless synchronization across Apple devices, including iPads, iPhones, and Macs. This feature allows writers to access and update their work seamlessly across devices, making iPads an excellent platform for writing on the go.

What app do most writers use?

Most writers prefer Scrivener for its comprehensive set of powerful features, intuitive interface, and compatibility with industry standards. It caters to the needs of aspiring authors, professional writers, and anyone looking to enhance their writing process. With its powerful outlining tools, handy features for editing, and efficient note-taking capabilities, Scrivener becomes an invaluable resource for writers. Its compatibility with both desktop and mobile devices ensures a consistent writing experience across platforms. With cloud service integration, your work can be synced across devices, ensuring you always have access to the latest version of your projects.

Are iPads good for writers?

iPads are suitable for writers due to their portability, flexibility, and compatibility with various writing apps, including Scrivener, Ulysses, and iA Writer. The availability of these apps on iPads allows writers to access and update their work seamlessly across devices, making it a convenient platform for writing on the go. Additionally, iPads support handwriting recognition, making it easy for writers to input handwritten notes and convert them into digital notes. This feature enables a smooth transition from traditional notes on paper to digital notebooks, allowing writers to organize their work efficiently.

Furthermore, iPads offer the ability to add audio recordings to notes, providing an extra dimension to the note-taking process. The combination of a powerful processor, high-quality display, and long battery life make iPads an ideal choice for writers who require a versatile and reliable device for their work.

Is Scrivener worth getting?

Scrivener is worth getting for its powerful features, intuitive interface, and ability to streamline the writing process. Although it has a steep learning curve due to its advanced tools, mastering these features can lead to a more efficient and organized writing experience. Scrivener is highly recommended for both aspiring authors and professional writers.

Its customizable corkboard view, powerful outlining functionality, and handy features for editing make it an excellent tool for managing complex writing projects. With its compatibility across desktop and mobile devices, writers can access and update their work seamlessly, ensuring they always have the latest version of their projects at their fingertips. Scrivener's cloud syncing capabilities also make it easy to collaborate with others or work on multiple devices.

The Bottom Line

To recap, here are the best writing apps for iPad to try this year:

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Writing apps for iPad: which should you choose?

If you’re a freelance writer, journalist, or novelist, chances are you’ve found yourself needing to write on the road. Sometimes inspiration hits when you’re far from home, and sometimes you need to take advantage of those snatched couple of hours in an airport lounge to polish an article before a deadline.

Luckily, it’s the 21st century, and you no longer need to rely on lugging around a bulky laptop or hunting down an internet café to write remotely. Instead, you can use a tablet or phablet, many of which easily beat traditional computers for convenience, without sacrificing functionality. The best of these devices on the market is, of course, the iPad: Apple’s original, iconic laptop-killer.

Updated 2021: We’re now recommending the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 as the best tablet for writers… Click here to read why!

But having the right technology is only half of the answer. If you’ve ever tried writing on the go, you’ll know that there are no end of writing apps for iPad out there, promising to offer the essential writing experience. So which to choose? Luckily for you, we’ve done the research, and assembled this essential guide to the best writing apps for iPads.

Things to consider before reviewing our writing apps for iPad

There’s no one, perfect writing app for iPads. Instead, iPad owners get the luxury of choice. Whether you’re looking for something to jot down rough notes in, to be written up in full at a later date, or you want a feature-packed program capable of taking you from idea to manuscript, there’s guaranteed to be an app for you.

The first thing to consider when shopping for an app is what exactly it is you want the app to do. What kind of writer are you? Do you just need a blank page, or do you need advanced features? Are you looking for a single app to integrate into your existing workflow, or are you looking for a holistic solution?

Another thing to think about is compatibility. If you’re the sort of writer that writes across a number of different devices, you’ll be wanting an iPad app that also has a desktop version, and for maximum convenience, some way of syncing across devices. That way you can, for example, begin an article on your iPad on your commute home and pick it up on your desktop in your home office to add the finishing touches. At their best, iPad apps can make this process seamless and enjoyable, but if you make the wrong choice, you may end up stuck with badly converted, or, in the worst case, unreadable files.

Finally, you also need to set a budget. Some of the writing apps on this list are free, but many of the more advanced programs require either a one-off payment or a monthly subscription. Decide on what you’re willing to pay beforehand, and immediately discount anything that promises to break the bank.

The best writing apps for iPad

Iawriter – app store.

A plain, attractively designed interface encourages you to focus on getting down words, but there are a surprising number of features under the hood of this unassuming app, as well as some great little thoughtful extras. We particularly love the night mode, for example, which is perfect if you’re the sort of writer that has their best ideas at 2am.

iAWriter also has a built-in editor, and plenty of export options. You can output your file as .docx or .pdf if you need to share with a non-iAWriter user, or you can export straight to popular sites like WordPress and Medium, making this app a particularly powerful tool for bloggers.

• Simple, easy-to-use interface
• Powerful export options and blog integration
• Night mode!
• Not the most feature-rich option
• No support for TextBundle files

Price: £8.99

App Store Rating: 4.4

What the internet says: “iA continues to deliver an incredible blend of features and aesthetics while staying true to their disciplined vision of creating a beautiful, and minimal place in which to write” (source: chrisrosser.net )

“iA Writer creates a clean, simple and distraction-free writing environment for when you really need to focus on your words.” The New York Times

Scrivener – App Store

From the stripped-back simplicity of iAWriter, we move to the opposite end of the spectrum with Scrivener, undoubtedly the deepest, most feature-rich writing tool on the market. Scrivener has long been a favourite of writers working on Apple computers, and after bringing the app to Windows, the team behind Scrivener have now created an iPad version, too.

Scrivener is a one-stop shop for all of your writing needs. It can replace everything from the scrapbook you use to collect ideas and resources, to the typewriter on which you type your final manuscript. It offers nearly limitless options to import resources, build sophisticated structures of folders and files, and compile work into predefined formats suitable for everything from a PhD Thesis to a Kindle novel.

Of course, at the heart of Scrivener is the writing itself, and despite all of the depth of functionality the rest of the app offers, Scrivener’s word processor is attractively simple. Predefined styles allow you to maintain consistent formatting over long projects, and for the most part Scrivener stays out of the way, allowing you to focus on the craft of writing.

It’s all of the powerful tools of importing, organising, and compiling that set Scrivener apart from the crowd, although these same tools can make the program a bit bewildering to new users. Luckily, there are plenty of resources, both online and bundled with the app itself, to help writers make the most of this feature-packed app.

• Advanced functionality
• Excellent options for exporting and compiling
• The only app you need!
• Not the most accessible app to begin with
• Expensive compared to the competition

Price: £19.99

App Store Rating: 4.7

What the internet says: “Scrivener is one of the most powerful and popular writing apps out there, especially for long-form writing projects” (source: softwarehow.com )

Ulysses – App Store

This attractive app is a direct competitor to iAWriter. A cleanly minimalist interface is at the heart of the Ulysses experience, allowing for distraction-free writing with little need for any set-up beforehand. All of the same major features as iAWriter are present: a variety of formatting options, organisation through tags and nested folders, and a powerful set of export options that include .docx and .pdf, as well as direct exporting to WordPress and Medium.

There is an autosave option and sophisticated syncing across devices and platforms, meaning you can seamlessly put down and pick up work in Ulysses wherever you are. One major difference between Ulysses and iAWriter, however, is pricing. While the latter charges a one-off fee, Ulysses instead operates on a subscription model. There’s a 14-day free trial before you have to make a decision though, so our advice would be to download both apps and see which works best for you.

With a minimalist interface comes snappy speeds, but also a lack of the more advanced options found on apps like Scrivener, or even Word. There are no tables on Ulysses, for example. What there is, is a sleek, simple interface designed to prioritise the act of writing in its purest form.

• Clean, accessible interface
• Reliable syncing
• Not as feature-rich as something like Scrivener
• Subscription model won’t be to everyone’s tastes

Price: $4.99 per month

What the internet says: “Ulysses may not be an Apple product, but it’s one of the best things about using a Mac, and iPhone, and iPad” (source: macworld.com )

Apple Pages – App Store

There is an alternative to searching for a new writing app to download for your iPad, and that’s to use the one that you probably already have installed. Pages comes bundled with iPads as standard, so unless you’re the sort of person who immediately deletes all the packaged software when you get a new device, you probably already have a copy of Pages ready to use.

While not the most attractive app on this list (although not the least attractive either – that honor surely goes to Scrivener) Pages is a perfectly functional option for writers. It offers basic word processing features as well as a plethora of pre-designed templates and styles suitable for a variety of projects, from letter writing to resume design.

You can also draw directly into Pages, taking full advantage of the iPad’s status as a tablet as well as a laptop alternative. This makes Pages great for editing and annotating drafts, as well as for note taking, and for idly doodling while thinking of ideas!

• Free, and probably already on your iPad
• Excellent formatting, useful templates included
• Integrated with iCloud
• Apple Pencil support
• Not as feature-rich as alternatives
• Interface is less attractive than iAWriter, Ulysses etc.
• Poor reviews suggest a lot of bugs

Price: Free

App Store Rating: 3.6

What the internet says: “for the vast majority of casual users, as well as many business users, iPad Pages will do everything you need in an elegant, simplified manner” (source: tabletpcreview.com ).

MS Word – App Store

An accessible app that conceals a wealth of functionality, Word can really be whatever you need it to be. For jotting down notes it makes inputting text simple and quick, but the option is there to exercise your creative side with advanced formatting options, to use styles and predefined templates for a customisable workflow, and to use the unparalleled review features to comment on and edit documents with tracked changes.

Perhaps Word’s biggest selling point, though, is its ubiquity. Word is absolutely everywhere, on every platform, and its docx format can be read by pretty much every word processor out there, meaning Word is perfect for creating files that can be worked on across devices and shared worry-free. Sometimes the old ways are the best, and Word proves that to be the case, offering a comfortingly familiar experience enhanced by innovative new features.

• Familiar and accessible
• Excellent reviewing features
• Plenty of depth
• Not as modern looking as some alternatives
• Office 365 is quite expensive

Price: $10 per month for Office 365 Home

App Store Rating: 4.3

What the internet says : “Word for iOS is an essential tool for anyone who needs to create and edit Office documents on their iOS devices” (source: macworld.com )

The bottom line

There’s no one best writing app for iPads, but there is a great app for every occasion. Of the handful we’ve discussed above, I’d recommend Scrivener for the most demanding users – novelists, longform journalists and researchers – based on its unparalleled power and flexibility.

For writers looking for a less intimidating experience, or who simply don’t need all that functionality, Ulysses is probably the best choice, although iAWriter offers very similar features. Either would be perfect for blogging, writing short form articles, and note taking. Or why not choose both? The beauty of the iPad is that you can pack it full of useful apps, to build a bespoke creative suite optimally designed for the way you work. Just don’t forget to do some writing, too!

Musings and updates from the content management team at Clippings.me.

The Novelist's iPad: 10 Apps for Writers

Writer and editor ("Kino")

The iPad's many uses include turntable, toddler flypaper, and bird catapult. But when you couple it with an external keyboard, it turns into a surprisingly versatile writing machine. Most writers are easily distracted; trying out just one more app often sounds better than slogging through your manuscript. To save you untold hours of procrastination, here's my current setup of ten apps for writing, drafting, outlining, editing, and generating story ideas, divided into five essentials and five remarkable aids for inspiration and creativity.

1. EVERNOTE (Drafting & Research) There's a good chance you're already using the ever-popular Evernote. And you should: it's perfect for storing your research, no matter the shape it might take: Evernote syncs text notes, photos, scans, web pages, and audio recordings between devices and makes them searchable, and for that alone, it's a must-have.

It's probably less popular as word processor. There are a slew of other options, including Apple's fully featured Pages and minimalist apps like Writings, tyype, and Daedalus, which promise a distraction-free environment. I've tried most of them and always returned to Evernote for my on-the-go drafting needs: it's already on my home screen, it has just enough features, the full screen mode is clean and simple, and it syncs automatically. And if you have a premium account, it keeps a history of your notes in case you want to roll back to an earlier version.

2. PENULTIMATE (Handwriting) Typing is more efficient, but for certain kinds of writing, I switch to longhand. For years, I carried a Moleskine wherever I went, but no more: a capacitive stylus and Penultimate take care of all my longhand needs. Of all the note-taking apps I tried, Penultimate offers the best balance of features, simplicity, and elegance -- and the app was purchased by Evernote, so it integrates nicely. Pro tip: try a number of different styluses. In my experience, there are huge differences in how smoothly they slide across the iPad's screen.

3. INDEX CARD (Outlining) The latest addition to my toolbox, Index Card has quickly earned itself a spot on my home screen. Not every writer believes in outlining, but the ability to jot down notes and quickly shuffle them around a corkboard is useful for working out any number of structural problems -- and it's dead easy. Index Card in the little brother of the popular Windows/Mac outlining software Scrivener and lets you export your work in a number of formats.

4. GOODREADER (Editing) Before the iPad, I went through massive amounts of paper . To edit a manuscript, I had to print, hold, and annotate it with a pen. Now, I save a PDF to GoodReader and mark up the document with a stylus. It lets me interact with the text as if it were a printed page and handwrite in the margins. Every draft goes through a pass in GoodReader now, and it's also what I use for my clients' manuscripts as developmental editor for MJedit .

5. CLOUD ON (Word Processing) Minimalist interfaces are great for drafting, but depending on what stage your manuscript is in, it sometimes has to be Word. CloudOn offers a slick, somewhat-stripped-down Office experience on the iPad, including Microsoft Word. It connects via Dropbox so it's easy to find and sync your files. The only downside: it requires an Internet connection to work.

6. OFLOW (Oblique Strategies) Oflow randomly serves one of more than a hundred creative methods, such as "act it out" or "emulate" as a way to jumpstart your brain. You can mark favorites and set daily pop-up reminders. The methods are reminiscent of Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies , which aren't available as app but as Twitter feed: @oblique .

7. STORYCUBES (Creativity) My 3-year-old daughter loves the real-life inspiration for this app , 9 dice with 54 icons that are designed to generate stories. The app lets you roll the dice virtually and offers expansion packs. Use them when you're stuck in a scene: wondering how to insert one of the images into your work is sometimes enough to trick your mind into seeing things in a new way.

8. BRAINSTORMER (Ideas) The Brainstormer is a very attractive app that spins wheel to randomly combine plots, subjects, and styles. Tap once, and you get, for instance: "Sacrifice for Love/grunge/taxi cab." It's great for quick prompts or a new impulse. And if you don't like the included wheels, you can add your own scenarios. While I've never written anything based directly on a Brainstormer result, it's simply too much fun not to recommend.

9. BEAUTIFUL TAROT (Archetypes) Regardless of how much you know about the ancient system of the tarot, this app allows you to milk the 78 cards of the minor and major arcana for ideas -- shuffle and flip them, and the built-in descriptions offer archetypal characters and situations you can combine into stories. And if you don't like the provided readings, there's room to add your own. (I'm partial to learntarot.com and Rachel Pollack .)

10. PLOTTO (Plotting) This one's a little bit of a cheat since Plotto isn't really an app but a book from 1928. In it, William Wallace Cook purports to have put together a system of all possible plots--a whopping 1462 of them. You can get a beautiful new hardcover edition of Plotto from Tin House, but for your iPad, I recommend this $2.99 crosslinked ebook . The Plotto method involves a lot of flipping back and forth to combine scenes and conflicts into storylines, all cross-referenced by number codes, and thanks to the links, the ebook version becomes a highly usable hypertext app that's stuffed with great ideas.

That's it for me -- which apps do you think no writer should be without?

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The best writing apps for iPhone and iPad

Writing isn’t always a breeze but luckily for us, there are a lot of apps out there to help use stay focused, organized, and in some cases, motivated. No matter if you’re writing a grocery list or ta book, some of these apps are sure to have some features you’ll love. Check out our list of the best writing apps for iPhone and iPad.

14 Aug 2021, by  Christine Pamintuan

Narrative Writer

Narrative writer app for iPhone and other devices is a novel writing app for any web browser, with full feature parity on each platform. Live sync in this narrative iPhone app for writing pushes your words to all your devices in real-time. The versions feature saves regular automated snapshots, so you never lose a word. Detailed stats help you track your progress, and an integrated proof reader checks your grammar, spelling, and style in any of 12 languages.

• While using the app, the user interface fades out, so you are free to concentrate on your words
• When you work on any device, your words are pushed up to the cloud, and then synced down to any other devices you are using
• Get motivated, with detailed stats and charts on your writing progress
• An integrated proof reader checks grammar, spelling, and style issues, in several languages and dialects
• Export your work to share with others, or for publishing

Storyist, one of the best writing apps for iPhone is a powerful writing environment that lets you create, review, and revise your work wherever inspiration strikes. With this book writing app you can produce submission-ready manuscripts and screenplay, sketch out a story using index cards and then refine it with customizable plot, character, and setting sheets, review and revise on the go, keep all your writing organized and accessible.

• Rich text editor with support for fonts, colors, comments, images, headers, footers, and style sheets 
• Files interface with the ability to collaborate with other writers, browse version history, and sync with your favorite cloud storage service
• Automatic manuscript and screenplay formatting with familiar tab and return key shortcuts
• Color-coded index cards
• Support for Storyist for Mac, RTF, Plain Text, Fountain, and Final Draft FDX files

journi - Offline travel journal / diary

Journi is the easiest way to capture your life as beautiful timelines with photos, notes, maps and more. Turn them into printed photo books in seconds & easily define which photos are private! Use it offline, create timelines together & sync across all your devices!

• Turn your adventures into beautiful stories with photos, text, maps, stamps, weather, flights and more.
• Order your unique photo book with one click.
• Use Journi offline, without Internet.
• Invite friends to follow or share your journi via iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, etc.

Creative Writer - Fun! Easy! Write! - Ideas for Writing and Texting - Flow of Words, Poetry and Lyrics

Creative Writer gives you a stream of suggested words and all you do is tap on the

• Recycle text from books 
• Combine words into amazing new pieces of art
• A talking robot that talks and types by itself
• Live in a constant state of inspiration
• Free with in-app purchases

Wordsmith allows you to use your iPhone or iPad to write anywhere, anytime. Take down your brainstorm ideas, work on your ongoing project, and show off what you’ve written with friends. The app backs up all of your work in the cloud so it’s kept safe. The free version limits how many projects you can work on at one time and gives you just the standard theme. In-app purchases allow you to remove the limits or try out new themes. You can set writing goals to help provide you with motivation, get feedback from your friends, and never again make the excuse that you can’t write because you don’t have your project with you.

• Custom fonts and themes
• Get motivation
• Share and get feedback
• Back up your work

Brainsparker creativity & creative thinking prompts for brainstorming new ideas

Brainsparker works like a pack of cards. Need some inspiration? Launch the app, shuffle the cards, and tap on the screen to pick one for some fresh ideas. There are hundreds of creative thinking prompt cards to give you a mix of quotes, trigger words, images, questions, and actions. Use the app to overcome blocks, come up with new plot ideas, get inspiration for journal ideas, brainstorm concepts for products, and more. You can schedule a daily brainpsarker, share your brainsparker cards, and download free journals, templates, and creativity workouts. You can use this app alone or in a group for workshops and training sessions or with clients.

• Hundreds of cards with inspirational quotes
• Boost your creativity with a scheduled brainsparker every day
• Use it for teaching, blogging, brainstorming, writing, journaling, or more
• Use in brainstorming meetings at work

One of the ultimate writing apps, Scrivener remains one of the best apps for those who want to put together a story. This app was specifically designed to create manuscripts and thus utilizes a variety of tools to make you feel like you are working on a digital storyboard, and even multiple storyboards simultaneously. Users can import research files including PDFs and media and have it open while they write. There are dozens of writing and format options and users have the ability to write in any order and organize their work later on. Completed drafts can be shared via Markdown apps or via email or synced via DropBox.

• Work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Write in any order
• Avail a plethora of format options
• Import research files of various formats
• Export in various formats and share with Markdown apps or email

Lists for Writers - ideas for creative writing

Lists for Writers is another great tool for your toolbox and will offer help to novices and experts and everyone in between. It gives you prompts and ideas made up of action words, names, obsessions, occupations, plot lines, character traits, and more. There’s a shuffle feature if you just want a random prompt, or you can search the list as well. There’s a notepad so you can collect interesting list items, dictionary support, and more. You won’t regret buying this app. There are so many lists it’s impossible to write them all here, but just a few are Facial Characteristics, Phobias, First Names (male and female), Last Names, Body Types, Hair, Emotions, Hobbies, Bad Habits, Archaic Locations, Setting, Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations, Conflicts, Plot, and Weather.

• An amazing tool for writers
• List upon list of prompts and ideas
• Shuffle for random words
• Search for a specific list
• One-time purchase

Prose is a community of people who share your love of reading and writing. Just download the app, sign in, and publish your written products. Read others’ work, get involved in feedback, and receive feedback for your own work. You will love the Instagram-type feed where you will post your creative work. It offers a simple interface and beautiful design that keeps calling you back. You will follow and interact with other writers, and they will interact with what you publish. There are challenges to enter, with amazing prizes like ebooks, publication with various platforms, and more. What are you waiting for?

• Social community of writers
• Publish your work on your feed
• Get feedback from other writers
• Enter challenges to win amazing prizes
• Free writing app for iPhone and iPad

Characterize - Character Creator & Random Name Generator for Fantasy Names, Pirates, Aliens & More

Characterize gives writers, storytellers, and role-players ideas for new characters. The app offers a random name generator, stat picker that offers detailed traits, and the option to save and share. Generators you get include Modern Children, Modern Families, Modern Humans, Modern Men, and Modern Women. Bundles you can buy include Science Fiction, Mythology, Genres, Fantasy Race, European Languages, and Asian Languages. There are many other packs you can buy, like Heroes and Villains, Aliens, Anime and Manga, Pirates and Scallywags, and more. Don’t ever get stuck coming up with character ideas again!

• Trillions of default names
• Perfect companion for your stories, role-playing, and more
• Come up with a near-infinite number of names for free
• In-depth character creator

Webster's Writer's Dictionary

Webster’s Writer’s Dictionary is more than just a dictionary. But you can use it to get inspiration, too. Have you ever paged through a dictionary looking at all of the words and reading the antonyms and synonyms? Taking leaps through the book because one word led you to another, and another…that’s what this app can do for you. There’s also a Word of the Day widget available as an in-app purchase. The app offers predictive text so when you’re typing in a word to search, you’ll see a huge list of possibilities so who knows? You might stumble upon a word or combination of words you would never have thought to use otherwise. Check it out.

• Improve as a writer
• Learn new words
• Use words you already knew, in different ways
• Fun to explore
• Free with in-app purchase

Writing Prompts

Writing Prompts uses scene elements, words, current events, colors, genres, sketches, and more to provide inspiration and writing prompts for when you need a boost. There are five prompt generators you can use to come up with ideas, and you can store your favorites by tapping the favorite star. There are more than 250 scene elements, 60 sketches, 400 words, 10 colors, and 80 genres included to generate millions of unique prompts for your writing. Each pack includes hundreds more new scene elements. You can store an unlimited number of protests in your favorites and quickly swipe through them.

• Get inspiration for your writing with prompts
• Uses five generators
• Millions of unique prompts
• Save your favorites
• Paid writing app for iPhone and iPad 

IEW Writing Tools Lite

IEW Writing Tools Lite is a free app that offers you lists and charts to help write organized papers. It uses the structural models and stylistic techniques from the Teaching Writing: Structure & Style program. It is meant to give you the tools you need to organize the way you write, no matter the style. There are also word choices to help you vary your sentence style. You get Dress-Ups, Sentence Openers, Decorations, Triple Extensions, Teeter-Totters, and Word Lists in addition to Structure Models. This app works for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

• Organize your writing
• Structural models and stylistic techniques
• Word choices
• Sentence openers

WriteRight: enjoy writing

WriteRight contains a huge number of antonyms, synonyms, and phraseology that helps you replace expressions that you use too much and spice up your writing. It makes intelligent replacements preserving gender, number, and conjugation. The iPad version offers an optional keyboard with frequently used symbols and Markdown keys. Functions include find and replace, character/word count, quick navigation through long text, and the option to select and transfer as many files as you want. It offers a minimalist appearance so it won’t distract you from your writing and it’s easy to set up and use.

• Smart replacements
• Preserves gender, number, and conjugation when suggesting other words
• Synonyms and antonyms
• Phraseology

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Home / AI Writing / 5 Best iPad Writing Apps To Help You Write More Productively

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5 best ipad writing apps to help you write more productively.

Are you a writer who loves to work on the go? Do you find yourself reaching for your iPad instead of your laptop when inspiration strikes? Well, you’re not alone! iPads have become a popular choice for writers looking for a lightweight, portable, and versatile platform to create, edit, and share their work.

However, with so many writing apps available on the App Store, it can be hard to choose the right one for your needs. That’s where we come in! In this blog post, we’re going to explore some of the best writing apps for iPad that can help you write more productively, whether you’re a student, a professional writer, or simply looking to jot down your thoughts. So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive in!

Best Writing Apps for iPad

Get ready to boost your productivity and unleash your creativity with our top picks of the best writing apps for iPad!

1. Simplified

Looking to create an engaging copy without breaking the bank? Simplified has got you covered! As the world’s first copy AI + Design tool and one of the best writing apps for iPad, it offers thousands of free AI templates to help scale your writing.

With Simplified’s AI-powered writing tool , you can create engaging content for blogs, ads, and product descriptions in no time. Plus, its intuitive AI editor suggests edits to improve the writing quality. Simplified also offers budget-friendly plans for teams that want to do more, including features like:

• Simple interface
• 25+ language support
• Direct content sharing to WordPress and social media
• Scalable content writing for multiple brands and accounts
• Integrated Grammarly
• Plagiarism checker, thesaurus, and dictionary included
• Long-form writer, article rewriter, sentence expander, AI paragraph generator, and document editor
• 70+ AI templates
• Tone of voice and creativity level selection
• Real-time collaboration with team members and flexibility to create team folders
• Millions of free stock photos, videos and GIFs to add to your content

And the best part? You can do all of this without having to switch between multiple apps on your iPad. Simplified offers a one-stop solution for all your design, team collaboration, and content scheduling needs.

Whether you’re a business owner, freelancer, or marketer, Simplified is the go-to app to create compelling and creative content. So why wait? Give it a try and see the results for yourself — it’s free forever!

Although the app has a Free Forever option available, we recommend subscribing to use it to it’s full potential

Subscription plans are as:

• $21 for small teams
• $35 for businesses
• $85 for growth marketing teams & agencies

Check out the full pricing plans here.

Related: The 5 Best AI Writers Of 2023 – Ranked and Reviewed

If you’re an author who needs a reliable app to capture ideas and thoughts on the go, then Drafts is a must-have writing app for you. With its extended dictation feature, Drafts also functions as a speech-to-text app, allowing you to take quick notes that can be edited later using the writing automation tool.

What’s more, Drafts syncs effortlessly with other apps, such as Mail, iMessage, Reminders, Twitter, Dropbox, Drive, WordPress, and more, so you can access and share your notes from anywhere. The app also offers several organizational tools like tags, flags, and archives to keep your work structured.

In addition, Drafts allows you to customize your interface, create custom fonts and keyboard buttons, and streamline your writing process to save time. With unique features like Link Mode, Arrange Mode, and text manipulation actions, Drafts is undoubtedly one of the best writing apps for iPad. However, Drafts offers no other features besides writing – which may be a boon or a bane, depending on your writing needs!

Free with in-app purchases – starting at $1.99

3. Danger Notes

Danger Notes is an essential writing app for those who struggle with writer’s block. One of its unique features is the self-destruct feature, where you can set a timer for your notes. While you’re writing, a red bar appears whenever you pause for a few seconds. If you don’t continue writing, your work will vanish automatically.

This feature encourages you to keep writing and prevents you from overthinking your work. However, if you prefer to contemplate before writing, this app may not be the right fit for you. Once you complete the time limit, you can save your notes to the archives.

Danger Notes has an easy-to-use interface that minimalists will appreciate. If you’re looking for a writing app to help you stay focused and productive, Danger Notes is worth checking out.

Free with in-app purchases – starting at $0.99

4. iA Writer

iA Writer is an intuitive, and one of the best writing apps for iPad. Its short learning curve makes it easy to use, and users love the distraction-free writing environment it provides with Focus Mode.

This mode dims everything on the screen except for the line you’re currently editing, allowing you to stay focused on your writing. Additionally, the app can identify mistakes, repetitive words, and weak language, helping you improve as a writer.

You can also customize writing templates and publish them on WordPress, and the app syncs your writing to iCloud or Dropbox for easy access across devices. iA Writer is a great option for those looking for a simple, yet powerful writing app.

One-time payment of $49.99

Nebo is an app with advanced tools and customizable features that allows you to create and edit documents using the Apple Pencil.

While it’s only available on iPad, it offers a highlighting feature that helps you track important sentences and phrases in your documents, as well as the ability to edit PowerPoint files. Additionally, Nebo can handle adding charts and formulas to your documents.

However, note that syncing your work to your iPhone or Mac is not an option.

$9.99 onwards

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, there are many fantastic iPad writing apps available that can help you write more productively, creatively, and efficiently. From apps that offer distraction-free writing environments to those that have self-destruct features, dictation, and AI-powered writing tools, there’s an app for every writing style and need.

With their user-friendly interfaces and helpful features, these writing apps make it easier for you to focus on your writing and get your work done without unnecessary distractions. So, whether you’re a writer, blogger, journalist, or just someone who loves to jot down notes, these iPad writing apps are sure to make your writing experience more enjoyable and productive.

The Best Writing Apps for iPad – Our Pick

After a thorough analysis of the features & pricing of all the apps mentioned above, one clear winner stands out to us.

Simplified’s AI Writer generates unique and plagiarism-free content for different purposes in just seconds. It offers over 70+ AI templates for creating high-quality content such as business bios, Facebook ads, and product descriptions.

Users can write faster with the Long Form Writer feature, which includes tools for improving their copy. Additionally, the AI Content Rewriter tool allows users to enhance or rewrite inspiring content for various purposes.

And lest we forget – Simplified also provides numerous other features such as Graphic Designing, Video Editing, Social Media Planner, and SO much more all in one platform.

Try Simplified today – it’s FREE

The Best AI-Powered iPad Writing App Is Here!

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Home > Learn More About Content Writing > 14 Best Writing Apps for iPad- Become A Writer Today

14 Best Writing Apps for iPad- Become A Writer Today

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The 14 Writing Apps for iPad- Become a writer today – But How?

We will be taking you through the 14 writing apps for iPad , which will help you enhance your writing skills., to become a writer.

Every Ipad has an app store, where a number of apps are available for your ease.  Out of the lot, it becomes quite confusing to choose which would prove to be the best which can help you create and edit your documents.  But is that all?  No.  We need to pick the right one which will help us not only create and edit our documents, but it should be user-friendly as well so that we can spend quality time writing rather than focusing on the complexity of the app.

Imagine a writer’s life, you may recollect the stereotypes, with a pair of glasses, hunched over a typewriter punching enormous keys and drowning himself in cups of coffee.  But today’s world is on the move.  From fast food to cars, we are always on the move, so having a writing app at our fingertips, will make the life of a writer much easier.

Remember, IOS and Ipad already have their best writing apps installed [Apple Notes].  So, not taking much time, let’s get started with the 14 writing apps for iPad. 

1. LivingWriter

One of the newest apps which most writers have opted for to write their stories or books on the Ipad or online.  With the help of boards and templates, this app helps you arrange the plots of your story.  It contains a wide option of outline templates to choose from.  

Some key features of this app:

• Drag and Drop Option – Use this to order and reorder your chapters and story elements without the hassle of copying and pasting.
• On-screen sidebar – Jot down your chapter notes quickly on the sidebar without having to leave the screen, everything remains on the screen.
• A god’s eye view of your writing.
• Plot quickly with time-tested story outlines.
• The LivingWriter Board- where there is no need to move files and text around to organise your stories.
• Smart text and auto-suggest – Store all your story elements and LivingWriter will make them work for you. The auto-suggest option will appear as you type a character.  This is one feature you will not find in any other fiction writing app.
• Embracing the Dark Side- Having the option of both dark and light mode, which you can switch between while writing as per the convenience of your surrounding environment.
• Create a vision for your stories.  This is a unique novel writing software which shows you your goals visually which will make a difference in your writing pace.
• Cloud based so no stopping your creativity – LivingWriter gives you the option to work on different devices.  It doesn’t restrict your creativity down to one location.
• No need to hit save- This automatically saves every letter you type.

Pricing Options:

• 14 Day Free Trial
• Monthly Plan – $9.99/month
• Yearly Plan – $8/month, $96 annually
• Lifetime Plan – One time payment $399

2. Scrivener

A preferred writing app when you write longer articles, thanks to its many export options and advanced self-editing tools.  Nonetheless, you can also use it for blogging. This app works quite well with Ipad Pro as well as is used to organise complicated writing projects. It is a little more expensive compared to other apps.  

• Editing tools – A serious writer cannot separate writing from editing.  This app gives you more benefits as compared to regular writing apps like Word, Open Office, etc.
• Choose a template – You can choose from a wide variety of templates, based on what kind of document you are writing, like novels, academic papers, documentaries and more.
• Customise Settings – The most important of the settings is the editor settings, you can your preferences for elements such as hide/show ruler or format bar.
• Folders and Binders – A folder is used to store important information such as a list of characters, elements, and all of these folders combine to form a binder.
• Use it for Research – Your research need not be put in a separate document.  It will be in the binder, making it easy to access.
• Compiling – Available in the latest app of Scrivener, this lets you combine parts of your manuscript that may be formatted differently.
• Corkboard – This lets you see all of your documents as a note or index cards.
• 30 days free trial
• Standard Licence for MacOs – $49 [One-time fee]
• Educational Licence for MacOs – $41.65 [One-time fee]
• iOS – $19.99 [One-time fee]

3. Grammarly

This app can help you find and fix common writing mistakes with a clever AI-powered assistant.  Alongside, it also includes a handy plagiarism checker.  You can use it with a virtual keyboard on the Ipad, or directly through the website.

• Real time grammar checking.
• Highly accurate
• Easy to understand explanations
• Customization and simple to use
• Aggressive advertising
• Free – Basic writing suggestions and tone detection [Only email account required]
• Premium – Clarity, vocabulary, and tone improvements [$12/month]
• Business – Features for teams, organisations and enterprises [$15/member/month]

4. Apple Notes

A free built-in software in all iOS devices.  It also synchronises instantly across all the ipads, iphone as well as mac.  You can organise your early story drafts instantly and later move it to other apps if required.  

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• Doesn’t cost anything as well as is in iOS.
• Easy to collaborate.
• Access to quick note from ipad or iphone.
• Create tables and checklists.
• Realistic writing and drawings using apple pen
• Free on all iOS systems- ipad, iphone, as well as mac.

A new app available on the ipad, which can open all text documents across all apple products, including Mac, iPhone, and iPad.  Online or offline you can use this app either way.  The file converts files into PDF as well as HTML formats for easy editing.  

• Simple and effective tool which helps in blocking out distractions
• Has a simple markup language, meant to allow documents to be published as plain text without losing any additional meaning.
• Excellent full-screen mode which puts documents front as well as centre on display, hiding unwanted distractions
• Dark mode option which inverts black and white, to reduce eye strain.
• Typewriter mode which permanently puts the writing cursor in the centre of the page.
• $10.99/monthly

6. Notebook

It allows you to scan all documents, so that you can have a soft copy of it.  Designed by Zoho, this is one of the strongest all-round writing apps for the ipads. 

• Available at an affordable price and beautiful design
• A fun way to take notes or liven up your to-do list.
• Drag and Drop option
• Content Scanning and Collaboration tools
• Data export and import
• Free on all iOS systems- ipad, iphone, and mac.

7. iA Writer

A simple, intuitive writing app, with a short learning curve.  This is famous for its “focus mode” option, where it will dim everything on the screen except the line that you are editing.  This app helps you become a strong writer by pointing out your mistakes, your repetitive words as well as weak verbiage.  

• Link your notes, connect your ideas.
• Command click option to move between documents.
• Switch between documents earlier as well as current that you are working on.
• Highlights the active sentence or paragraph.
• Stay with the flow, typing in the same format.
• Drag and drop embedded pictures in your document.
• MacOs – $49.99
• iOS & iPad iOS – $49.99

8. Simplenote

An ideal writing app to help you complete your documents faster.  You can type, record your voice, record videos, and work well with plain text.  Nonetheless, you can also set reminders, change size and colour of your text.  

• Has a version control system, which helps you go back in time.
• Markdown allows you to format your notes with headings, italics, links and list.
• Sync your notes on all platforms.

9. Notability

A strong app which is suitable for students, teachers and professionals.  Having a simple user interface, you can store your documents with password protection as well.  There is an option where you can sign on your documents on the iOS itself.  

• Document management and pdf annotation
• Bookmarking pages as well as nested folders
• Provision of pdf hyperlink navigation
• Import documents, images and more
• Palm rejection and left hand support
• Note sharing via link or email
• Free to use the classic version
• Premium version requires payment of $8.99

10. Evernote

One of the most popular apps of the 14 writing apps for iPad, which helps you focus on your most important tasks, leaving behind any distractions.  You can organise your documents, dictate your notes, as well as convert them to text.

• Turn your to-do into done by the tasks option.
• Dive into your day using the Home option which gives you information about what you need and when you need.
• Link your Google Calendar and Evernotes, bringing your schedule and notes together
• Sync over all devices
• Save regular search terms for quick access.
• Classic – Free over all iOS systems.
• Premium – INR 249/month
• Professional – INR 319/month

11. Goodnotes

A top writing app for ipad, whose vector engine allows you to fluently and precisely write on the screen.  You can sync your documents on icloud using this app.

• Search your handwriting – a unique feature which can search a term in any file in your library, no matter handwritten or typed.
• Annotate PDFs and PPTs- Freely mark up points without being confined to typing out text
• Organise notes your way.
• Personalise your notebook as per your choice.
• Save and easily reuse elements
• Open documents side by side on one screen.
• First 3 Notebooks are free
• Go Limitless – INR 699 [One-time fee]

12. OneNote

Of the 14 writing apps for iPad , this is a classic microsoft app which allows the writer to create text, sketches and more, now on the iPad.  Furthermore, it allows you to jot down thoughts which you want to recollect later.

• Add Tags and tables
• Insert space between your notes
• Supports both audio as well as video
• Crop and upload images to your notes immediately
• Connect with classrooms, organise and distribute assignments from a central content library.

13. Ulysses

Of the 14 writing apps for iPad, this is a writing app designed to be used on all iOS systems to help a writer.  It comes with a text editor which helps you mark headlines, key passages and comments.  This app is especially good for bloggers who have many writings in queue, whereby they can organise them using tags and folders.

• Creating, formatting and sharing tables
• Editor counter 
• Optimised publishing flow
• WordPress REST API
• Third Party font support
• Revamping writing goals
• Monthly – $5.99/month
• Yearly – $49.99/year

Of the 14 writing apps for iPad , this is a tool with advanced tools and customised features which lets the writer create and edit documents using the Apple Pencil.  Furthermore, it also allows you to edit your powerpoint files.

•  The first and only app which allows you to mix both keyboard and ink by using interactive ink.
• Add rich content with interactive diagrams, editable equations and more.
• Write and create anywhere, at anytime and then copy-paste content between pages as well as other apps also.
• Import and annotate pdfs using the pen.
• Export your notes in multiple formats or can be published on websites as well.
• Free for iOS with basic functions
• Pro version – $9.99/month

Now that we have listed out the 14 writing apps for iPad, let’s see what it takes to become a writer today.  Just using an app won’t make you a writer, you may need to acquire a course to guide you on the tone, formats and styles that could enhance your writing skills and make you a good writer today.

You can choose to take up the Content Writing Course, which gives you the entire process of planning, writing, editing your web content, and more.  One such place, where you can take up this course is Henry Harvin Education . 

Henry Harvin Education is an online platform which provides a variety of courses to choose from.  Content Writing Course is one of the many options available.  

Learning Modules of this Course

• Language Skills
• Internet Skills
• Blog, Business as well as Marketing Writing
• Content Strategy
• Technical as well as Research Writing
• Academic as well as Creative Writing
• Copywriting
• Email Writing as well as Legal Writing

Key Benefits of this Course

• Learn & Earn – 30+ Content Types to learn from and transform to a Content strategist and earn online.
• Access to E-Learning Portal
• Guaranteed Internship, Weekly Job support & bootcamp sessions
• Attend different batches with different trainers

Other Courses that you can choose alongside

• Creative Writing Course
• English Writing Course

Having done the course, you may think, now how do I put this acquired knowledge to test in the actual world?  Well, it’s some simple steps, which you can adapt to your daily routine.  There is a proverb- practice makes a man perfect, well here also it’s a similar scene.

• Develop a daily habit of writing.
• Try and read more books from different genres.
• Always be sure about which audience you are targeting
• Gain ideas from your surroundings and incorporate them in your writing

Here are some qualities of a good writer

1. Clarity – A good writer can communicate effectively with his readers.  Furthermore, clarity allows you to express your ideas without demanding extra effort from your readers.  Basically, know what to say, and then work on how best to say it.  Try to communicate your idea to the reader in a crisp manner, rather than beating around the bush.

2. Regularity – Maintain a schedule of writing daily, and achieving a certain set of targets for yourself.  If you do this on a regular basis, it will help you clarify what is called a “writer’s block” soon, as the momentum will be built.

3. Risk – Try to come out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to write.  Don’t forget, with more risks comes more rewards.  So, the more you challenge your imagination to take the risk, the more rewarding it might turn out to be for you.

4. Persistence – Never get disheartened or lose your confidence.  Just keep on writing.

The Bottom Line

Why do I need to have Writing Apps, even though I have done a certified course, to become a writer today, a question that frequently occurs in the minds of many writers.  Well, the writing apps have a strong focus on helping you organise your writing resources.  It can be anything like notes about a specific character in a book, or research on a specific subject.  Writing apps have developed over time, with the new technologies coming in, so the better the app, the better and faster you can get writing.

Recommended Reads

The Best Note-Taking Apps for Writers

A Guide To Effective Content Writing

9 Best iOS Apps for Writers

10 Best MAC Apps for Writers

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the best, and most commonly used today, is the Grammarly app, which helps you in checking grammatical errors.  It also has other options within itself that can ease your writing.

Most of the writing apps come with a trial version for a certain time period.  You can use those first before purchasing the pro version, so you are sure it’s suiting your requirements while writing.

Since writing and grammar go hand-in-hand, thus, most of the writing apps come with a grammar check.

Some writing apps give you the access to use it offline, but some can only be accessed when there is internet connectivity.  Read the features carefully before choosing the app.

Yes, there are writing apps for kids and students as well, which simplify their thoughts which they love to pen down on paper.

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Ranks Amongst Top #5 Upskilling Courses of all time in 2021 by India Today

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*A cutting-edge Technical Writing Course which teaches you the fine art of transforming data and information accumulated through a process or experimental work into technical documentations and guides.

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Henry Harvin® Creative Writing Course Ranks#1 in India by The Statesman! Creative Master the creative writing skills to compose engaging Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Drama, and Poetry that will snap a reader’s curiosity from the advent to end of your write-up.

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A one-of-a-kind Medical Writing course which helps you get a thorough understanding of pharmaceutical regulatory writing as well as medico-marketing writing. Strengthen your writing prowess as you boost your skills as a medical and scientific writer. The Certified Medical Writer(CMW) certification is your key to success.

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Creative Writer - easy writing 12+

Find words for your thoughts, resonanca it d.o.o..

• 3.7 • 263 Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

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Description.

Infinite source of writing ideas! Recycle texts from the greatest writers - combine words into something new, original and beautiful. Forget writer's block forever! Let the writers help you write. Creative Writer provides language expressions for your writing sessions, drawn from actual books: bestselling novels, literary geniuses, traditional and modern poetry, movies, TV series, song lyrics, hip-hop, gangsta RAP and other sources. FEATURED BY APPLE ** Best New Apps (US/UK) ** Say It With Emojis ** Tell Your Story ** Become a Writer ** Unleash Your Inner Poet ** Try Something New ** High School Toolbox ** Tools for Teachers ** Enhanced with 3D Touch ** Type Away EASY TO LEARN. SIMPLE TO USE. You don't have to type a word: just tap on the stream of suggested words, picking words until the sentences come out. Or combine normal typing with predictive writing. You can easily switch among genres: Poetry, Prose, Classics, Dialogues, Lyrics, You & Me, Cooking, Quotations and Romance. GET INSPIRED • Compose songs • Write short stories • Write poems • Smash your writer’s block • Record the stream of consciousness • Learn English - explore, have fun with words WRITER'S PACK An endless source of writing ideas, words, prompts and sentences for your writing sessions. Millions of text segments analyzed and clustered into 7 powerful predictive models: Prose (best-selling novels), Dialogues (movies, TV series), You & Me, Lyrics (popular songs, RAP), Romance, Classics (Shakespeare, Goethe, Joyce, Kafka, Proust, Dostojevski, and others) and Quotations. DICTIONARY PRO Install the Dictionary PRO and throw yourself a brainstorming party! Dictionary PRO puts examples, definitions, rhymes, antonyms, synonyms, and more at your fingertips. ===== • "Unleash the verbal artistry within! It's a fantastic idea, one I haven't seen replicated anywhere else.” — Janel Torkington, AppsZoom • "If you need a little nudge when it comes to figuring out how to say something, Creative Writer needs to be in your writing toolkit." — Best iPad apps for writers, Allyson Kazmucha, iMore • "When the writer needs a voice, he/she creates one with Creative Writer." — Jessica Lares, Customer Reviews ===== Includes a beautiful notepad where you can write your story or collect interesting sentences, edit and share. **No internet connection needed! ===== Some ideas about the app or need support? [email protected] Check us out on Vimeo, resonanca-it.com or hit us up @writing_force

Version 6.4

Ratings and Reviews

263 Ratings

I'm in love with this app

It hits the spot between my geeky interest in computer AI and storytelling. I've only mainly used it for my niche in a niche hobby (solo roleplaying), but now I have the urge to write stories with the creative keyboard. Allowing the creative keyboard to be used in other apps is a brilliant idea. The only thing it's really missing is the ability to import your own texts, which Word Palette does. I would love to be able to import customized data sets exclusively based on Lovecraft, for example. Great app.

Useful, Easy and Rewarding

This allows for creativity to live in a constant state of inspiration. It places new words, ideas and thoughts in a random manor and at the same time gives the tools to effortlessly form lyrics, poetry and more with a few taps. Now this isn't a magic button. You'll still need to bring your own skills to the table, though through it you'll be exposed to new ways of writing than you may be used to. It's incredibly useful for breaking out of a box and freeing your mind to try many new styles and concepts at once, giving a more rewarding result at the end of the writing process. Having purchased the in-app content, as I use them specifically for lyric writing, I have to say I'm very pleased. Two thumbs up. 👍🏻👍🏻

It’s an interesting concept, but something feels off

I tried to use this app many years ago when it first came out and didn’t like it’s suggests. Now I have downloaded it again, purchased the additional language packs, and tried it once more: and although the interface improved and there are like categories and stuff, but the verbal engine still isn’t quite right. Instead freeing me for creativity and empowering me with an arsenal of new words, I feel like this app keeps trying to “put words in my mouth” and confuse me into saying things that I don’t mean. Ultimately, it’s logic is based on texts written by other authors, so it’s bound to draw its inspiration from them, not *you*. And unless we can teach a machine to read our minds, I don’t know if this challenge can be over come.

App Privacy

The developer, RESONANCA IT D.O.O. , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Power Mode $1.99
• Writer's Pack $3.99
• Dictionary PRO $2.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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6 iPad Apps for Creative Writing

Creative writing can be a daunting task for students who struggle to think of story ideas or who don't love the writing process. For kids who have trouble putting pen to paper, there are a handful of fantastic iPad apps that just might inspire them to tell a story. Your students will be able to gather ideas, brainstorm and publish writing straight from their tablet.

For students at all levels, creative writing is an important part of English language arts curriculum. Not only do the Common Core State Standards specifically outline the expectation that students should be able to express themselves through the written word, but this is also an essential real-world skill. Students should have the ability to write narratives that tell a story from their own life or a story that they've imagined. The following apps will inspire young writers and give them a vehicle for sharing their work.

Writing Prompts for Kids ($1.99)

If your students are having trouble thinking up an idea for a story, you'll definitely want to check out Writing Prompts for Kids. There are four buttons on the screen that kids can press to set the stage for a new story. With a tap on the screen, they can combine a random situation, character, setting and object to inspire their creative writing.

Adobe Slate (Free)

This publishing tool is perfect for creative writers. Students can add text and images to a variety of templates to customize the look of their final piece. It provides options for different looks that are great for connecting to the theme of a piece of writing. The final product is high quality and professional, yet accessible to students young and old.

Book Creator ($4.99)

This popular app is used in schools across the country and is a great tool for creating a published piece of writing. Students can add photos, videos, text, and illustrations to each page of the book they create. There is an option for adding a voice recording to individual pages so that students can use narration to set the tone of their scary or whimsical story.

Write About This ($3.99)

Write About This will help students find story ideas and give them a space to record their thinking. Great for elementary school students and English language learners, this app generates images and writing prompts that should inspire students to write a story. They can choose from a range of ideas that fall into different categories. Kids are also given the space to free write within this app.

Book Writer ($4.99)

An easy-to-use app, Book Writer will let students of all ages create high-quality eBooks that show off their creative writing. If your students are familiar with Keynote and Pages, they'll have no trouble navigating the layout of Book Writer. In addition to letting them work with pictures and text, this app also lets kids add audio, video, and songs to each page. Your students' eBooks can be read as PDFs or in iBooks.

Haiku Poem (Free)

This iPad app from the International Reading Association will support students looking to express their creativity through writing poetry. It helps kids follow the structure of a haiku poem and brainstorm ideas for their writing. It's just one of the creative writing poetry apps that this organization created. You can see the rest on ReadWriteThink.org’s website .

Writing Challenge ($1.99)

Writing Challenge lets teachers turn creative writing into a game for students. Whether this app is used as for whole-class, small-group, or individual activity, you'll immediately see the potential of this powerful writing tool. Children will be given a writing prompt and a countdown clock. The goal of this challenge is to have students incorporate the prompt into their story before the time is up. As soon as the timer finishes, they'll be given something new to add to their story.

Foldify ($3.99)

A fun idea for inspiring student writers can involve the super cool iPad app Foldify. With this tool, you can create a cube with images on each side. After printing out your three dimensional creation and assembling the cube, have children roll it across their desk and write a story inspired by the image that it lands on. If you like this app you’ll also want to try out Folidfy Zoo .

Have you used iPads to promote creative writing in your classroom? Share your favorite activities and apps!

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The Best Writing Apps for at Home and in the Classroom

Writer’s block, you’ve met your match!

Some kids love to pour out their thoughts, feelings, and souls on paper. For others, it’s a challenge from the first time they pick up a pencil. Fortunately, these writing apps for kids can help—from the first shaky crayon-written “A” to polished college entrance essays and creative writing.

Some writing apps help kids form their letters or work to perfect their handwriting. Then there are writing apps for kids and teens who need help organizing their thoughts. Other apps give a little push to get creative juices flowing. No matter what your kids are working on, these are the writing apps students will want in their digital toolbox.

• Best Apps for Practicing Writing Skills
• Best Apps for Writing Inspiration

Writing Skills Apps

These are the writing apps for kids that help them practice handwriting, grammar, punctuation, and composition.

Why We Love It: iTrace gives young learners the practice they need writing letters and numbers. Customization options include letter style and the ability to specify right or left-handed, while fun animations and prizes keep kids motivated.

Cost: $3.99

Available On: Apple App Store: iTrace

LetterSchool

Why We Love It: LetterSchool teaches printing and cursive with beautiful graphics and animations. Kids will be so captivated, they might forget they’re learning.

Cost: School licenses are $4.99 per student per year. For individual use, prices vary and start at $4.99 per month.

Available On: Apple App Store: Letter School , Google Play Store: Letter School

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iWrite Words

Why We Love It: This writing app helps kids practice counting as they learn. Little ones drag a crab across the screen, following the numbered path to write letters. Once the word is complete, they’re rewarded with a cute drawing.

Cost: $2.99

Available On: Apple App Store: iWrite Words

Grammaropolis

Why We Love It: Grammaropolis teaches the parts of speech in a fun and engaging way. Animated shorts and music videos capture kids’ attention, and quizzes help track their progress. Some call this Schoolhouse Rock for the 21st century.

Cost: $5.99

Available On: Apple App Store: Grammaropolis

Grammar Pop

Cost: $1.99. Volume pricing is available for schools.

Available On: Apple App Store: Grammar Pop

Grammar Smash

Why We Love It:  This no-frills app is excellent for older learners, especially ESL students. Review grammar guides and lessons, then play games to practice your skills

Cost: FREE. Unlock more features and remove ads for $2.99.

Available On: Google Play Store: Grammar Smash

Why We Love It: Everything you love about Mad Libs, in an app! Prompts ask you to fill in parts of speech to create a funny new story each time. If you’re stuck, you can ask for a definition or examples. This is a classic way to work on parts of speech and vocabulary.

Cost: The FREE edition comes with 21 stories. Additional story packs are available for $1.99 each.

Available On: Apple App Store: Mad Libs , Google Play Store: Mad Libs

Dictionary.com

Why We Love It: This app is everything you love about Dictionary.com, but it’s also available offline. That’s great for keeping students focused while they’re working; they can look words up without the temptation of checking social media or other distractions. You can switch between dictionary and thesaurus mode, too, making this app a real must-have.

Cost: FREE (with ads), upgrade to no ads for $1.99

Available On: Apple App Store: Dictionary.com , Google Play Store: Dictionary.com

The Grammarly Keyboard

Why We Love It: Grammarly is a beloved program that helps people of any age produce stronger, cleaner writing. The mobile apps work for anything you type on your phone, including social media and messaging. Premium features include analysis of tone and word choice, and a plagiarism detector.

Cost: Basic grammar and spelling checks are free. Premium features start at $29/month.

Available On: Apple App Store: Grammarly , Google Play Store: Grammarly

Essay Launcher

Why We Love It: No flashy colors or animations, just a simple and efficient way to help writers organize their thoughts. The app asks questions like “What is your first reason that supports that statement?”, helping you build an essay from the ground up. This app is ideal for older kids who need organizational help to stay on track when they write.

Available On: Apple App Store: Essay Launcher

Why We Love It: Mind mapping is an excellent method for brainstorming and organizing your thoughts before you begin writing. This app helps you through the process, creating maps that ultimately make your writing clearer and stronger.

Cost: SimpleMind Lite is FREE. SimpleMind Pro offers expanded features for $7.99.

Available On: Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Get links for all versions here.

Writing Inspiration Apps

These writing apps for kids solve the problem of “But I don’t know what to write about!” They provide story starters, writing prompts, and more to break writer’s block wide open.

Story Wheel

Why We Love It: This app sparks creativity in pre-writers and helps build their storytelling skills. Spin the wheel and record your voice telling a story about the picture. Spin the wheel again for more prompts. Several kids can play at once, building a story to playback together.

Cost:  $2.99

Available On: Apple App Store: Story Wheel

Why We Love It: Every roll of the virtual dice yields pictures that tell a whole new story. Choose one or all of the images to use in your writing. Story Dice 3-D (Apple App Store only) adds the ability to move the dice around, and re-roll some or all of them.

Cost: $1.99

Available On: Multiple devices. Get the links you need for Story Dice here.

Writing Challenge for Kids

Why We Love It: This app generates a series of characters, scenarios, and situations to create unique creative writing prompts over and over again. You can choose from several choices to customize each prompt as you go along.

Cost: Varies by device, $1.49-$3.99

Available On: Multiple Devices. Click here for the links you need.

The Brainstormer

Why We Love It: This app is terrific for teens and older writers who need to generate new creative ideas. A selection of tools helps you find inspiration for characters, plots, settings, and more. You can even add in your own words to create custom sets.

Cost: $1.99, with additional features for $.99 each.

Available On: Apple App Store: The Brainstormer

Writing Prompts

Why We Love It: Get new writing prompts from hundreds of scenarios and ideas. Teachers, this is a nice way to come up with a daily bell-ringer or journal prompt. (This same company also offers Character Prompts , a similar app but for character inspiration.)

Cost: $1.99, with additional prompt packs available for $.99

Available On: Apple App Store: Writing Prompts , Google Play Store: Writing Prompts , Amazon App Store

Lists for Writers

Why We Love It: Add variety to your writing and break through writer’s blocks with these lists of, well, pretty much anything! Creating a new character and feeling stuck? Browse lists of names, character traits, physical characteristics, and more. Get the same for settings, plots, and all the other details that even the best writers sometimes draw a blank on.

Available On: Multiple devices. Get all the links you need here.

Toontastic 3D

Why We Love It: Kids build their story-telling skills while creating one-minute movies with this surprisingly robust free app. Encourage students to plan and script out their story in advance to work on writing skills, then enjoy the fun movies they create! (Teacher Tip: Try this app for incredibly creative book reports .)

Available On: Apple App Store: Toontastic , Google Play Store: Toontastic

Why We Love It: Storybird’s tools give kids the opportunity to write comics, short stories, chapter books, and more. Choose from existing illustrations and add your own text to create unique masterpieces. The professional artwork is wide-ranging, and writing challenges help kids expand their skills and push their creativity to new heights.

Cost:  $8.99/month or $59.99/year. Schools can receive bulk discounts up to 50% off.

Available On: Apple App Store: Storybird , Google Play Store: Storybird

How do you use writing apps for kids and teens in your classroom? Come share your ideas and find inspiration in the WeAreTeachers Chat group on Facebook .

Looking for more writing prompts? Get 100 Creative Writing Prompts for Grades 4-8 , and 10 Fresh Writing Prompts for High School .

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