Writers tend to make a very big deal of their tools, whether those tools are delicate pens or ancient typewriters. Increasingly, though, they'll talk about their software. Even the most genteel literary event can soon devolve into a fist-fight between fans of Scrivener and Ulysses (both of which cost around £27, US$40, AU$50).
Microsoft Word is the default tool for many writers, but a subscription to Office 365 costs £59.99/US$69.99/AU$89 per year for one user – pretty steep if you only need the word processing element.
Excellent, unique software designed especially for conquering the GRE Writing. 5 powerful modules: Practice of Writing, Practice of Synonym Replacement, Practice of Typing, Practice of Refining Sentence, Test Mode.
There's often a better option for those of us starving in garrets: free software. Come with us as we discover the best free apps to turn your writing talent into something tangible.
1. FocusWriter
Keep your mind on your work with the best free app for writers
Blocks all distractions
Auto-save function
Available for Linux, Windows and macOS, FocusWriter is designed to eliminate distractions so you can actually get on with the job of writing. To that effect it enables you to hide other apps, customize the way your text appears on screen and keep track of your progress. If you're feeling particularly old-school you can even add typewriter sound effects.
FocusWriter isn't for everyone – it's not the right tool for going back through and editing your work – but it's a lovely little app with a very modest footprint that stops you keeping an eye on Twitter all day.
2. WriteMonkey
A text editor that cuts down on distractions, not features
Distraction-free interface
Handy keyboard shortcuts
We're big fans of Markdown, the text-editing language that enables you to format, annotate, classify and link as you type with the minimum of fuss, and the superb WriteMonkey makes good use of it.
This free program delivers an incredibly stripped-down user interface that's considerably more powerful than it looks. There's an excellent outliner, automatic syntax highlighting and file organisation, and although markdown takes a bit of getting used to, you'll be very glad you made the effort.
Once you've mastered WriteMonkey, you can use it to create blog posts, print publications and anything else that needs words in it.
3. LibreOffice Writer
A fully-featured free alternative to Microsoft Word
Document template galleries
LibreOffice is a free, open source alternative to Microsoft Office, and that means its word processing app, Writer, has many of the power features of Word without the accompanying price tag.
One of its most useful features is the LibreOffice Template Center, where you'll find templates for all kinds of content.
If you're interested in more full office suites, see our guide to the best free office software.
4. Scribus
Create great-looking magazines and books without InDesign
Professional-level print design tools
Cross-platform
If your words' appearance is as important as their meaning, give Scribus a go: it's a free, highly-rated desktop publishing application for Linux, OS X and Windows that's suitable for producing entire magazines.
It's been kicking around – and regularly updated – since 2001, and while it's a little tricky to use at first, it offers professional-grade publishing with layered, multi-page documents and good colour management support. If you've ever used Adobe InDesign, you'll find the similarity striking. If you can use one, you'll pick up the other in seconds.
We wouldn't want to lay out a 400-page book in it (though that's quite possible), but for shorter works it's ideal.
5. Freemind
Organize your ideas and defeat writer's block before it can strike
Very flexible
Looks a little old-fashioned
Here's another app for writers that isn't strictly for putting your words on the screen: Freemind is all about mind mapping, and it enables you to record all the leaps and bounds your imagination makes whether you're plotting a potboiler or trying to organize complex threads of an investigation.
Freemind isn't something we'd necessarily recommend for mind mapping beginners – it looks a bit like a desktop publishing app having some kind of breakdown – but if you're an experienced intellectual explorer it's a lot tidier than a wall full of index cards and sticky notes.
We’ve uncovered the best cheap laptops you can buy on a writer’s budget
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Win95,Win98,WinME,WinNT 3.x,WinNT 4.x,Windows2000,WinXP,Windows2003,Win Vista
Power Writer™? is the first of a new breed of program for the creative writer, one which takes you from first idea through to final manuscript as one continuous act of creation.™? It erases the line between story development and storywriting. ...
webgrab.exe
ScriptPerfectionEnterprises, Inc.
Shareware ($99.95)
10 Mb
WinXP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 7 x64
Write more, zoom all. Word processor, add callouts, sidebars. Improve writing increase productivity. Best whiteboard organizer. Top 5 stars. Creative writing, academic, plan novel software, books, scripts, outline, essays. Non fiction, copy, blogging. ...
StoryLite_Trial_Setup_32bit_JRE_v2_2_0_1.exe
Story Software
Shareware ($0.95)
20.58 Mb
Win 3.1x, Win95, Win98, WinME, WinNT 3.x, WinNT 4.x, Win2000, WinXP, Win7 x32, Win7 x64, Windows 8, WinServer, WinOther, Windows2000, Windows2003, WinVista, Windows Vista, WinVista x64, Mac OS X, Mac OS X 10.5, Mac OS X 10.6, Mac OS X 10.7
Organize your writing projects, from manuscripts, to characters to overdue submissions--ideal for novels, works of nonfiction, short stories and screenplays, from first draft to polished product.All the Organizer your writing needs...Writers Project. ...
wpo.exe
PinderSoft
Shareware ($19.99)
2.8 Mb
Win NT 4.x, XP, 2000, 2003
SLang helps you develop a story by breaking it down into 'Events'. You can tell SLang which event depend on which others by using 'dependancy rules'. SLang can use this information to order events or to analyse individual 'threads' within your story.
SLang2Setup.exe
Ian Pegler
Freeware (Free)
721 Kb
Win98, Win2000, WinXP, Win7 x32, Win7 x64, Windows 8
Text Tree is a unique outline based text editor. It can be used for quick creation of FAQs, lesson plans, outlines, biographies, and much more. I wrote it because I needed a tool to help design documents the way I think.
TextTree_Install.exe
Baby Katie Media
Shareware ($19.95)
1.56 Mb
Windows
iTunes has revolutionized the music industry with its low cost and ease-of-use. Now Flink Learning revolutionizes the educational activities industry with its low cost and ease-of-use. Flink Learning allows parents and teachers to download learning. ...
flinkplayinstaller.exe
Maestro Learning
Freeware (Free)
33.38 Mb
WinXP,Windows Vista, Mac OS X, Mac OS X 10.3, Mac OS X 10.4
Story Template Software, Hero's Journey, Monomyth, Screenwriting, Screenplay Story Template Software, Hero's Journey, Monomyth, Screenwriting, Screenplay Writing, Story Structure, Screenplay Structure, Screenwriting Structure, Storytelling, Storytelling Structure, Act Structure, Drama Structure.
Movie Script Writing Software, Hero's Journey, Monomyth, Screenwriting, Screenplay Movie Script Writing Software, Hero's Journey, Monomyth, Screenwriting, Screenplay Writing, Story Structure, Screenplay Structure, Screenwriting Structure, Storytelling, Storytelling Structure, Act Structure, Drama Structure.
MovieScriptWriting.zip
kuducroc.com/9/MovieScriptWriting/
Shareware ($)
5.72 Mb
Win95,Win98,WinME,WinNT 3.x,WinNT 4.x,Windows2000,WinXP,Windows2003,Win Vista
Freeware providing instant access to free writing resources and writing links. Developed by Rowdy Rhodes its primary use: Provide access to the massive writing resource site Freelance Writing Organization - Int'l. Includes Thousands of Resources,. ...
IWR_Toolbar.zip
Freelance WritingOrganization - Int'l
Freeware (Free)
2.02 Mb
Windows2000, WinXP, Windows Vista
Kabikaboo is a simple tree-branch note organizer. It is meant to be used to help aid in the writing of a novel. Users can plan out their story, plot, and characters. Created with Python, PyGTK, Geany, and Glade, on Ubuntu Linux.
Kabikaboo - RecursiveWriting Assistant
launchpad.net
Freeware (Free)
Windows
Excellent, unique software designed especially for conquering the GRE Writing. 5 powerful modules: Practice of Writing, Practice of Synonym Replacement, Practice of Typing, Practice of Refining Sentence, Test Mode.
GREWriting.exe
CloudCrown Studio
Shareware ($12.88)
5.72 Mb
Win95, Win98, WinME, Windows2000, WinXP, Windows2003, Windows Vista, Windo
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