15 Best Mobile Apps Helpful for Writers

Writing is not an easy task as it seems. Mainly because of the constantly evolving platforms for writers. Most of the time writers may get multiple ideas for their current project while doing some other chores, but by the time they get down to putting those ideas on paper, they can’t remember the exact idea.

The common misconception around the writing profession is that the required equipment to work is a bunch of papers or a notebook and a pen to write. But that is not how it works. Sometimes writers also need some tools to manage and edit their work as well as help them focus on their task.

As the world has gone digital, why should the writing profession remain behind? The digital era has some of the best apps for writers too! 

These apps for writers can do everything right from creating multiple tasks to correcting their written documents and motivating them to keep going.

However, the niche of building an app for writers is quite unexplored. There is still a lot of scopes for you to launch one of the best apps for creative writing and garner some attention in the market. 

If you are not tech-savvy you will need the guidance of a mobile app development company to help you make the right and informed decisions for your project. There are multiple factors to take into consideration such as the writer’s app features, launch platform, advanced set of features to be included in the app and revenue streams, etc.

15 BEST MOBILE APPS HELPFUL TO WRITERS:

1. MINDNODE

It is ranked as one of the top mobile apps helpful to writers. MindNode is incredibly useful for writers who need to organize and make sense of their ideas. The app enables the writers to start off with an idea, brainstorm on it and eventually create an easy to follow mind map.

For users who have tried using beneficial apps for authors will definitely find this one appealing. The app has in-built themes to change as well as the ability to drag nodes manually around the screen and arrange them in alphabetical order.

FEATURES OF MINDNODE:

• Focus mode
• Mind mapping
• Outline view
• Stickers for clarity in mind map

Platform – iOS

Cost – $10

2. THE BRAINSTORMER

A writer’s block means when he/she is not able to think of what to write or begin with writing. It is a common phenomenon which clearly shows that the job of a writer is not easy.

Brainstormer can easily be considered as the best application for writing as it helps the writers to get over creative blocks, come up with new ideas and find subjects to doodle or sketch. By doing a random spin on the wheel, writers can generate combinations which will make fantastic topics for creative writing.

FEATURES OF BRAINSTORMER:

• Supports all iPhone screen sizes
• Export & share wheelsets
• Improved word editor
• Edit words from a desktop browser

Platform – iOS

Cost – $2

3. AGENT OBVIOUS

Agent obvious is one of the leading writer’s apps in iOS which provides an insight into the publishing world to authors, agents and editors. App users can find approximately more than 500 tips from the literary agent Laurie Abkemeier.

Why it can be considered as one of the best apps for writers? Well, because it provides a customized user experience with single-click access to tips written especially for authors, agents, and editors.

The publishing industry is certainly very complex, but this app will give users tips and tricks to get their work published without any hassles.

FEATURES OF AGENT OBVIOUS:

• Customized user experience
• Single touch access to tips
• Seamless user experience

Platform – iOS

Cost – Free

4. WORDBOOK

The name really says it all. A WordBook is an amazing dictionary and the best thesaurus for writers. It has a bookmark and history management and other built-in features that will make your piece nothing short of perfect.

FEATURE OF WORDBOOK:

• It has etymological information
• In-built spell checker with pop up suggestions
• Word links connecting words semantically
• Professionally recorded pronunciation for every word in the app

Thus, it can be rightly said that WordBook is a saviour in disguise helping authors become writers!

Platform – iOS & Android

Cost – $3

5. STORY TRACKER

If you think that iOS app development is the right choice for your dream app then Story Tracker may serve as an inspiration! It keeps a track of submitted stories, poems, scripts, articles and a lot more. Moreover, the users can keep a track of how much they have earned from a piece they had written.

Apps like Story Tracker come in handy when a user works as a freelancer and saves them the embarrassment of contacting the same person twice for an issue.

FEATURES OF STORY TRACKER:

• Track submissions of all written articles
• View total income of all articles
• Displays story status icons
• Highlights approaching deadlines
• View response times for each article

Platform – iOS

Cost – $9

6. DRAGON DICTATION

Dragon dictation is one of the top-ranking writer’s apps on Android and iOS. Whether the user is driving, cooking or doing any other chores, it will come in handy to note down all the creative ideas that pop up in their head.

Dragon Dictation even allows updation of the Twitter feed. The application helps users make optimum use of their time as well as not sacrifice their great idea for the task at hand.

Dragon Dictation has made it to the list of best apps for writers as it makes the process of storing thoughts a lot convenient and easier!

FEATURE OF DRAGON DICTATION:

• Edit, format & correct text with voice commands
• Supports web applications
• The option of custom commands
• Custom word lists

Platform – Android & iOS

Cost – Free

7. EVERNOTE

Evernote has rightly been placed in the productivity category. As per the New York Times, “ Use Evernote as the place you put everything… Don’t ask yourself which device it’s on – It’s in Evernote”.

These writers work app enables the users to take notes whenever and wherever an idea comes to their mind, create a task list as well as save things to find everything online in Evernote.

FEATURES OF EVERNOTE:

• Integrates with almost everything
• Digitizes physical notes & backed them up in the cloud
• Efficient note-taking
• Acts as a digital reference system

Platform – Android & iOS

Cost – Free

8. WRITER’S BLOCK BUSTER

We have already discussed the “writer’s block” phenomenon. It can last for hours, days, months or even years. Even a single instance of writer’s block can have some serious effect on productivity.

Writer’s Block Buster is another such app designed to overcome writer’s block. All 14 sections of this app are crafted to stimulate the imagination and help with basics such as writing mechanics and definitions.

If you hire an app developer to build a similar application, then we are sure that your app will soon make it to the list of best apps for writers!

FEATURES OF WRITER’S BLOCK BUSTER:

• Works on all iOS devices
• Works on all orientations on all devices
• 14 sections to overcome writer’s block
• Quick support for basics of writing

Platform – iOS

Cost – $3.99

9. DROPBOX

Some of the best writing tools for writers can become useless if there is no way to store, transfer or share the documents on the go. Dropbox is one such application for writers who don’t want to get confused between copies of a single project.

Documents saved in the Dropbox are accessible from any device. It also acts as a handy backup option for important documents just in case the computer suddenly stops working.

FEATURES OF DROPBOX:

• Any device accessibility
• Automated organization and back up
• Efficient syncing
• Large file sharing
• Offline access

Platform – iOS, Android, Windows, Linux

Cost – Basic: Free, Pro (50GB): $9.99/month, Pro (100GB): $19.99/month

10. GOOD READER

Good Reader is the most appropriate choice for on the go editing. It allows us to save the work as a PDF and mark the drafts using highlighters, comments, and sticky notes.

The app was initially released as a PDF reader and annotator. Whether the user is on a train, traveling for a long-distance or waiting for a meeting to start, he/she can use the time efficiently and get work done.

FEATURES OF GOOD READER:

• Import and sync files
• Create and edit content
• Insert edits
• Save manuscript as a PDF

Platform – iOS

Cost – $5

11. LISTS FOR WRITERS

Ranked amongst the most popular creative writing apps for Android and iOS, Lists for writers provide information quickly and in a user-friendly format. Whether it is about the occupation of characters or some spelling of an unknown city – this app comes to the rescue!

So, if you are planning to go for Android app development to reach a larger audience, we suggest you take inspiration from the Lists for Writers app.

FEATURE OF LIST FOR WRITERS:

• Character naming
• Help with physical characteristics of characters
• Decide occupations of characters
•  Form a personality of characters
• Plot formation assistance

Platform – iOS & Android

Cost – $3

12. WRITE OR DIE

It is an app that will push a writer through the phase of writer’s block. A writer will be both punished and rewarded for procrastinating or completing a certain task.

Write or Die is all a writer to get themselves to work with a certain level of severity. It can certainly be considered among the best apps for writers when it comes to helping them with writer’s block.

FEATURES OF WRITE OR DIE:

• Customize word count milestone
• Customized timer
• Autosave
• Reward mode
• Consequence mode

Platform – iOS

Cost – $9.99

13. GRAMMARLY

Even for writers, spelling and grammar rules can pose quite a challenge. Grammarly ensures that the users submit an error-free work by picking up mistakes. It saves the users from some embarrassing typos and obvious grammatical faux pas.

FEATURES OF GRAMMARLY:

• User-friendly
• Critical grammar & spelling check
• Microsoft Office integration
• Multiple device document access
• Plagiarism detector
• Native desktop apps

Platform – Android & iOS

Cost – Free

14. POMODORO TIMER

It is the perfect tool for writers who lack time management skills. Pomodoro Timer is the most effective productivity booster. Basically, the app works on a timer you set for the task at hand. After every 4 such time ranges completed, the writer can take a longer break.

FEATURE OF POMODORO TIMER:

• Distraction-free minimal design
• Ads-free
• Short & long breaks support
• Break lengths customization

Platform – iOS & Android

Cost – $2

15. INDEX CARD

Again, the name is self-explanatory. However, the best part of this application is its user interface. All the user has to do is tap on a card to write or edit. This app too made it to the list of best apps for writers due to it’s out of the box user interface.

FEATURE OF INDEX CARD:

• Eye-catching UI
• Color-coordinated notes
• User-Friendly
• Specifically designed for touch screens

Platform – iOS

Cost – $3

CONCLUSION

We hope that our extensive list of best apps for writers has managed to inspire you to get your own app developed. However, before you hire someone for mobile app development services, you need to make sure that the company already has some development experience in a similar domain or is at least able to understand your requirements.

If that is not the case then there are high chances that your project will not turn out as per expectations and there is a loss in terms of finance, resources as well as time.

Talk to our team at [email protected] for more insights on developing mobile apps for writers on a platform of your choice!

This article is originally published on 21Twelve Interactive’s Blog Page.