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15 of the Best Free Web Applications for Writers

Published June 2, 2016 | Last Updated May 21, 2020 By Nicole Bianchi 49 Comments

Open iPad and Laptop on desk

(I’ve just published an updated and expanded version of this post. You can find it here: 20 of the Best Free Web Applications for Writers.)

Once upon a time, the typewriter was the only piece of technology a writer had to make his work easier. Now we not only have computers, but we can also access an endless array of useful writing tools on the Internet. Best of all, many of these web applications are absolutely free!

But it takes time to hunt down these apps (time you could be spending on writing), so I’ve done the work for you and put together a list of my favorites. Read on to discover 15 of the best free web applications for writers.

15 of the Best Free Web Applications for Writers

Nonfiction & Fiction Writing Tools

1. Draft

This distraction-free web-based writing interface is my go-to word processor when I’m not typing in Microsoft Word. In fact, I wrote up this entire post in Draft.

Draft has many cool features (view them all here) including the ability to share your documents with other users and accept or decline their changes. I also love that Draft tracks how many words you write per day and will even send out a helpful email reminding you to meet your daily word count goal. Check out Draft here.

2. LitLift

LitLift is a wonderful web application for fiction writers that helps you write, organize, store, and share your stories. Once you create an account, you will have access to a treasure trove of easily customizable resources: plotlines, character sketches, idea generators, and much more! Check out LitLift here.

Editing Tools

3. Grammarly

Grammarly is a proofreading tool that helps you spot grammatical errors, typos, and awkward sentences. Download the web extension and Grammarly will correct anything written in a web browser (yes, even your Tweets and Facebook updates). Though I don’t rely on Grammarly alone for my proofreading needs, it is a fast and efficient tool that I highly recommend. Check out Grammarly here.

4. Hemingway Editor

The Hemingway Editor evaluates a piece of writing for clarity and simplicity. It calculates readability and highlights adverbs, passive voice, and dull, complicated words. This is an excellent web application for learning how to write effectively. Check out Hemingway Editor here.

5. Readability Score

This web application helps you improve your writing by measuring the readability of your text. A readability score tells you roughly what level of education someone would need in order to read your piece of text easily. Find out how easy your writing is to read. Check out Readability Score here.

6. Cliche Finder

In his six rules for writing, George Orwell advised, “Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.” The Cliche Finder highlights cliches in your text so you can avoid trite, overused expressions in your writing. Check out Cliche Finder here.

Productivity Tools

7. Todoist

Todoist is a task management web application that lets you create to-do lists with recurring dates and times. With Todoist, you can create a custom schedule for every single day. This is fantastic for reminding you of your daily writing goals. For example, you can schedule “writing every day at 8am” or you can create tasks that only recur on specific days, e.g., “research every Friday”. Check out Todoist here.

8. Trello

Trello is a fantastic web application for organizing and planning writing projects and working collaboratively. It works like an online bulletin board, allowing you to arrange all of your cards into columns. Those cards can be anything from tasks on a to-do list to scenes from your latest novel. Check out Trello here.

9. Marinara Timer

This productivity timer is one of the best apps out there if you’re a fan of the Pomodoro technique like I am. You can use the traditional 25-minute timer followed by pre-programmed breaks or you can customize the time.

The web application also has a handy timer history that records the exact times when you start and finish working, when you pause the timer, and when you take breaks. This is a helpful way to keep track of your hours and see how long projects take you. Check out Marinara Timer here.

10. Evernote

Evernote is my go-to app for creating quick to-do lists, jotting down notes, and writing up blog post ideas. It even lets you take audio notes! With the Evernote Web Clipper extension, you can clip articles from across the web and save them into Evernote for quick reference while working on projects. Best of all, Evernote instantly syncs across any computer or smartphone you use. Check out Evernote here.

eBook & Graphic Design Tools

11. Papyrus

Papyrus is a simple online editor for creating ebooks in pdf, epub and kindle formats. Use the drag and drop cover designer to create a beautiful cover page in minutes. I used Papyrus to design the Famous Writers’ Productivity Hacks eBook (grab a copy of the book by joining the email list). Check out Papyrus here.

12. Canva

Canva is a user-friendly graphic design software with a wide range of drag and drop templates. You can use Canva to create stunning graphics for Facebook and Pinterest or design a beautiful eBook and book covers. I used Canva to design the Pinterest graphic below. Check out Canva here.

Promotional image of blog post for Pinterest

13. Piktochart

Infographics are an effective way to repurpose your blog content and present your writing in a visually captivating format. Piktochart is an easy-to-use infographic maker with a library of professionally designed templates. Check out Piktochart here.

Blogging Tools

14. Hubspot’s Blog Topic Generator

Sometimes we just run out of ideas of what to blog about. Hubspot’s Blog Topic Generator helps you come up with a week’s worth of relevant blog post titles in a matter of seconds. It’s perfect when you’re facing writer’s block. Check out Hubspot’s Blog Topic Generator here.

15. CoSchedule Headline Analyzer

The CoSchedule headline analyzer app evaluates how well your blog post’s headline will rank in search engines. It also scores how effectively your headline will result in social shares and click-throughs. The headline analyzer is a fantastic way to hone your copywriting skills and make sure your headlines are irresistible. Check out the Headline Analyzer here.

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I hope these web applications will help you with your next writing project!

Do you have any favorite apps that you would add to my list? Let me know in the comments and please share this post with someone you think would find it helpful. You can find even more writing resources here.

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Filed Under: creativity, design, productivity, writing

Comments

  1. Rajinder Singh says

    November 8, 2017 at 7:17 am

    Great article!
    I’m using Evernote but after reading your article, I’m thinking that I should try some other web applications. Thanks for sharing an informative post with us. Please keep doing great work!

    – Rajinder Singh

    Reply
  2. Anil Polton says

    September 2, 2017 at 2:48 pm

    Thank you very much! I have subscribed and look forward to reading more!

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      September 2, 2017 at 6:22 pm

      Thank you for your comment and for subscribing, Anil! 🙂

      Reply
  3. tejas sahu says

    April 22, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    hey i like the evernote app among the list. it is a handy tool to remind us for tasks

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      April 28, 2017 at 1:15 pm

      Yes, it’s a fantastic tool!

      Reply
  4. Splendour says

    April 20, 2017 at 5:58 am

    Great information….thanks…it’s insightful.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      April 28, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Splendour! Glad you found the list helpful. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Writer G says

    January 22, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    Thanks for this! I’m definitely getting the Hemingway editor. For those of us who try to make a living through the written word, these will definitely help massively. Also, I have heard Evernote mentioned in lots of different blog posts, so maybe it’s time to check that out too 🙂

    Reply
  6. Christina Berger says

    January 11, 2017 at 11:51 am

    This was extremely informative, and i will into these apps to use for my iPad Pro! I am a content creator for my college’s branch of Odyssey

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      January 19, 2017 at 11:01 pm

      Hi, Christina! Fantastic. Hope the apps help you!

      Reply
  7. Nicole Reid says

    January 9, 2017 at 9:23 am

    This is an AWESOME post. I use Evernote, and loved Scrivner, but I think I need to check out a few more of the tools you mention. Hemingway writer looks like it is calling to me.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      January 19, 2017 at 11:03 pm

      Thanks so much, Nicole! Yes, Hemingway Writer is a fun tool to use. Hope you find it helpful!

      Reply
  8. Brittany says

    January 8, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    This is great information! I will be coming to this post! Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      January 19, 2017 at 11:04 pm

      So happy to hear that, Brittany! Glad that it was helpful.

      Reply
  9. SocialMusker says

    January 1, 2017 at 6:18 am

    Awesome

    Reply
  10. Frank King says

    October 5, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    Awesome and useful stuff. Can’t wait to check out some of these applications.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      October 13, 2016 at 6:31 pm

      Thanks, Frank!

      Reply
  11. Susan says

    September 21, 2016 at 10:52 am

    Thank you for sharing this list! I plan to check out several of the apps.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      September 23, 2016 at 9:18 pm

      Glad I could be of help. 🙂 Thanks!

      Reply
  12. Jones says

    September 7, 2016 at 7:08 am

    Second this list, especially fond of Trello and Grammarly. Really worth a look!

    Reply
  13. Jones says

    September 7, 2016 at 7:08 am

    Second this list, especially fond of Trello and Grammarly. Really worth a look!

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      September 8, 2016 at 9:37 pm

      Yes, both are excellent apps!

      Reply
  14. Khbaby says

    August 11, 2016 at 11:33 am

    Litlift is so recommendable! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      August 12, 2016 at 12:40 pm

      Glad you found it helpful! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Emily Walker says

    July 15, 2016 at 6:41 pm

    I’m bookmarking this so I can come back to it! Thank you for sharing so many great tools! I hadn’t heard of some of these so I’m looking forward to learning more about them!

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      July 18, 2016 at 4:34 pm

      So glad you found the list helpful, Emily! If you know of any more free tools to add to the list, please share. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Shonazee says

    July 6, 2016 at 2:00 am

    Such a useful post. Bookmarking it right away. Thank you so much, Nicole 🙂

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      July 6, 2016 at 10:48 am

      Thanks, Shonazee! 😀 They were too good not to share. Hope you find some new favorites from the list!

      Reply
  17. Cynthia Pereira says

    June 22, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    This is a great list Nicole. So much information! Will be looking all these up. You are amazing specially for someone like me, that’s not up with the latest technology. Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 24, 2016 at 11:50 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Cynthia! 😀 I hope you will find these apps helpful!

      Reply
  18. Marissa says

    June 13, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    Yes, I use and love many of these! I’m really enjoying the Hemingway App right now… so helpful, as I tend to slide into the adverb trap. I have also switched to writing my stories in Scrivner, which isn’t really free, but not expensive and as a fiction writer, totally worth it. I don’t use Word much at all now.

    I found you in the TW group, and am loving your focus here! It is very helpful and informative. I am going to pin this for future reference, and maybe follow along in twitter, as I spend more time there right now!

    Great to “meet” you

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 15, 2016 at 12:58 am

      Hi, Marissa! So nice to meet you too. 🙂 I’m really happy to hear you are enjoying the blog posts!

      I agree — Scrivener is wonderful! I use it for my fiction writing. It’s amazing how many features it has.

      Just followed you back on Twitter and Instagram. 😀

      Reply
  19. Nadia King says

    June 12, 2016 at 11:16 pm

    Great post Nicole. I’m impressed with this list and will be following up on the ones I an unfamiliar with. I also use pro writing aid software to help with proofreading and google docs where you don’t even have to save your work. Thanks for the post.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 15, 2016 at 12:52 am

      Thanks, Nadia! I love Google Docs too. Its editing features are fantastic when I’m giving my writing students feedback on their essays. I think I remember you telling me about Pro Writing Aid before. Will have to check it out again. 🙂

      Reply
  20. Shelbi says

    June 9, 2016 at 2:39 pm

    This is a wonderful and informative list! Thank you for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 10, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      Thanks so much, Shelbi! 🙂 Hope you find the apps helpful!

      Reply
  21. Nicole Crucial says

    June 6, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    Lots of tools I didn’t know about. Thanks for the post! I also like myhours.com for timing myself, as it doubles well for freelance/remote work, which I will be starting in the fall.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 7, 2016 at 10:41 am

      Thanks for the recommendation of myhours.com! It sounds like a very useful app. I’ll check it out. 🙂

      Reply
  22. Ashley says

    June 6, 2016 at 11:29 am

    Fantastic list! Some apps I already know and some brand new ones to check out. I’m especially keen to try Piktochart–sounds very useful.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 6, 2016 at 12:00 pm

      Thank you, Ashley! Piktochart is very cool. There are more features with the paid version, but I’ve still been able to make some very nice infographics with the free one.

      Reply
  23. Sean says

    June 5, 2016 at 7:49 am

    Software that can proof your writing is a game changer! I didn’t know that existed but am going to run my next article through it and test it out.
    S.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 5, 2016 at 12:21 pm

      It really is fantastic! I’d love to hear what you think of it when you try it out. 🙂

      Reply
  24. Aram says

    June 3, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    What a fabulous list! I was only aware of three of these tools. This will be immediately useful to me. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 3, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      Awesome, Aram! So happy you found it useful. 🙂 Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  25. Karli says

    June 3, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    Oooo goody! I can’t wait to check these out! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Although I have to admit, I totally want an old school typewriter. 😉

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 3, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      I would love to own one too, Karli. 😀 Hope you enjoy the list and find some new favorite apps to use!

      Reply
  26. Resh Susan says

    June 3, 2016 at 4:09 am

    So informative. I bookmarked this page. Thanks Nicole.

    Reply
    • Nicole Bianchi says

      June 3, 2016 at 11:46 am

      Thanks so much, Resh! 🙂 So glad you found it helpful!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. May & June Writer’s Links: SEO Guide, 15 Free Applications, Chuck Tingle, & Why Writers Are Always Cold – Nicole Crucial says:
    June 22, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    […] 15 of the Best Free Applications for Writers […]

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Hi, I’m Nicole! I help creatives, business owners, and writers take their writing and copywriting to the next level and grow their online audience. I’m also a published writer of essays and short stories. As a Christian, I seek to follow in the tradition of artists like Johann Sebastian Bach, dedicating all my work Soli Deo gloria.
Find out more about me here.
•••
“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.”
– Psalm 45:1

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