The Top 100 Best Tools for Writers in 2026

The Top 100 Best Tools for Writers in 2026

Writing can feel like magic on some days and like pulling teeth on others—and the tools you use often make all the difference. The right ones can turn frustration into flow, helping you stay focused, organized, and inspired. Whether you’re drafting your very first novel, polishing a nonfiction manuscript, or managing the business side of being an author, today’s landscape is packed with possibilities. That’s exactly why we’ve put together this master list of the 100 best writing tools for 2026—a mix of tried-and-true favorites and fresh, AI-powered platforms that are changing the way writers create and connect.

Author Services and Hubs

• Excalibre Writers' Hub – The all-in-one hub for courses, resources, services, and author marketing.

• Reedsy Marketplace – Connects authors with vetted editors, designers, and marketing professionals.

• Booksshelf – A trusted author services platform for covers, formatting, and promotion.

• BookBaby – A well-established publishing services company offering editing, cover design, distribution, and marketing.

• Kirkus Editorial – Known for professional editing and review services tied to the Kirkus brand.

• Smith Publicity – A PR and marketing firm specializing in author and book campaigns.

• Author Marketing Experts (AME) – Run by Penny Sansevieri, offering book marketing plans, launches, and promotional support.

• Writer’s Digest Shop – Long-standing hub for courses, critiques, and writing resources.

• NextBestRead – A growing platform that helps authors connect with readers through promotions and discovery campaigns.

• New Shelves Books – Services focused on helping indie authors get into libraries and bookstores.

• The UnderCovers Bookstore & Café – A hybrid hub offering indie authors services, visibility, and direct community connection.

• PublishDrive – Distribution and author support platform with marketing add-ons.

Writing and Drafting Tools

• Google Docs – Collaborative drafting in the cloud.

• Scrivener – Comprehensive manuscript organization and outlining.

• Microsoft Word – The industry-standard writing and editing tool.

• iA Writer – Minimalist, distraction-free writing app.

• Ulysses – Elegant writing app for Mac and iOS with goals and templates.

• Reedsy Studio – Free, professional-grade book formatting while you write.

• Dabble – A web-based novel writing app with cloud sync.

• Novlr – Intuitive writing environment with progress tracking.

• LivingWriter – Novel writing software with smart templates.

• Final Draft – Professional screenwriting standard.

• Storyist – Screenplay and novel writing for Mac users.

• The Novel Factory – A step-by-step system for new writers.

• Campfire Pro – Advanced story planning and world-building.

• Plot Factory – Online novel planning and writing platform.

• yWriter – Free scene-based novel writing software.

• LibreOffice Writer – Free alternative to Word.

• Draft – Goal-setting and distraction-free writing tool.

• Mellel – Powerful word processor for long-form documents.

• Index Card by DenVog – Digital corkboard for plotting.

Note-Taking and Idea Capture

• Evernote – Idea capture and research storage.

• Apple Notes – Free, simple note-taking for Apple devices.

• Bear – Minimalist note-taking app for Apple users.

• Milanote – Visual note-taking and storyboarding.

• Craft – A flexible workspace for organizing notes.

• Obsidian – Linked-note knowledge base for writers.

• Zoho Notebook – Free visual note-taking app.

• Nimbus Note – Advanced notebook for writers.

• Simplenote – Lightweight cloud notes app.

• Drafts – Quick note capture for iOS.

• Dropbox Paper – Collaborative note-taking.

• Quip – Writing and collaboration app.

Distraction-Free and Minimalist Apps

• FocusWriter – Free distraction-free writing program.

• OmmWriter – Immersive writing with sound and ambiance.

• Calmly Writer – Clean Markdown editor.

• Apostrophe (UberWriter) – Open-source Markdown editor.

• Typora – Beautiful, simple Markdown editor.

• Markdown editors (general) – Lightweight writing tools for focus.

Editing and Polishing Tools

• Grammarly – AI-powered grammar, tone, and clarity checker.

• ProWritingAid – Comprehensive editing and style tool.

• Hemingway Editor – Highlights overly complex sentences.

• Anyword – AI content assistant focused on marketing.

• INK – Combines writing with SEO optimization.

• WordAI – Rewrites text with natural flow.

• Hypotenuse AI – AI content and image generation tool.

• Quillbot – Popular paraphrasing and rewriting tool.

• GrammarlyGO – AI add-on for brainstorming ideas.

AI Writing Assistants

• Jasper.ai – Long-form AI writing and brainstorming tool.

• CopyAI – Easy-to-use AI content generator.

• Writesonic – AI tool for short-form and multilingual content.

• AI-Writer – Focused on accuracy and citations.

• Claude Pro – High-quality AI assistant for drafting.

• ChatGPT Plus – Versatile AI writing partner.

• Gemini Advanced – Google’s premium AI writing tool.

• Mistral’s Le Chat – Open-source AI assistant.

• Perplexity – Research-focused AI tool.

• Novelcrafter – Fiction and nonfiction AI drafting platform.

• Sudowrite – Fiction-focused AI for brainstorming and prose.

• RaptorWrite – Free AI for novelists.

• Frase.io – Nonfiction and SEO-focused AI tool.

• Squibler – AI-powered writing and publishing platform.

• Youbooks – AI for creating nonfiction books.

Publishing and Formatting

• Adobe InDesign – Industry-standard book layout.

• Vellum – Indie favorite for book formatting (Mac only).

• Atticus – Cloud-based writing and formatting tool.

• Draft2Digital – Ebook distribution service.

• IngramSpark – Print and ebook distribution.

• Amazon KDP – Self-publishing platform.

• Adobe FrameMaker – Complex document publishing.

• Arbortext Editor – XML-based publishing tool.

• Oxygen XML Editor – Advanced XML writing.

• AsciiDoc – Lightweight text and documentation format.

• DocBook – Structured content publishing.

• LaTeX – Typesetting for research and academic writing.

Research and Reference Tools

• Power Thesaurus – Community-driven thesaurus.

• Thesaurus.com – Classic online thesaurus.

• OneLook Dictionary Search – Word exploration tool.

• Google Scholar – Research and academic sources.

• JSTOR – Digital academic library.

• Wikipedia – Quick reference resource.

• Evernote Web Clipper – Save research directly from the web.

• BuzzSumo – Content research for marketing and trends.

Productivity and Workflow

• Trello – Board-based productivity manager.

• Asana – Project management platform.

• Notion – All-in-one workspace for writers.

• Monday.com – Workflow and project management.

• Slack – Team communication for writing groups.

• Freedom – Distraction-blocking app.

• Cold Turkey – Website and app blocker.

• RescueTime – Productivity time tracker.

• Toggl – Simple time tracking.

• Pomofocus – Pomodoro timer for productivity.

• Google Calendar – Scheduling and deadline planning.

Visual Design and Marketing

• Canva – Quick design for covers and marketing.

• Book Brush – Mockups and ads for authors.

• Adobe Photoshop – Professional image editing.

• Affinity Publisher – Professional page layout alternative.

• Mailchimp – Email marketing for authors.

• MailerLite – Author-friendly email platform.

• ConvertKit – Advanced email tool for creators.

• Buffer – Social media scheduling.

• Hootsuite – Manage multiple social media accounts.

• Later – Visual Instagram scheduling for writers.

• Publisher Rocket – Keyword and category research for Amazon.

• K-lytics – Market analysis for indie authors.

Specialty and Niche Tools

• Celtx – Screenplay and production planning.

• Aeon Timeline – Advanced timeline software for fiction.

• World Anvil – World-building tool for authors.

• Day One – Journaling app for daily writing.

The beauty of writing in 2026 is that you don’t have to do it alone. With so many tools, apps, and AI assistants at your fingertips, you can build a toolkit that truly fits your style and goals. Whether you’re chasing deadlines, crafting entire worlds, or getting ready to launch your next book, there’s a tool out there to help you do it better—and keep you focused on what matters most: telling stories that last.

The Top 100 Best Tools for Writers in 2026