(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Resh Susan says
So informative. I bookmarked this page. Thanks Nicole.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks so much, Resh! 🙂 So glad you found it helpful!
Karli says
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. 😉
Nicole Bianchi says
I would love to own one too, Karli. 😀 Hope you enjoy the list and find some new favorite apps to use!
Aram says
What a fabulous list! I was only aware of three of these tools. This will be immediately useful to me. Thanks.
Nicole Bianchi says
Awesome, Aram! So happy you found it useful. 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Sean says
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.
Nicole Bianchi says
It really is fantastic! I’d love to hear what you think of it when you try it out. 🙂
Ashley says
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.
Nicole Bianchi says
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.
Nicole Crucial says
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.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks for the recommendation of myhours.com! It sounds like a very useful app. I’ll check it out. 🙂
Shelbi says
This is a wonderful and informative list! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks so much, Shelbi! 🙂 Hope you find the apps helpful!
Nadia King says
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.
Nicole Bianchi says
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. 🙂
Marissa says
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
Nicole Bianchi says
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. 😀
Cynthia Pereira says
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.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks so much for your kind words, Cynthia! 😀 I hope you will find these apps helpful!
Shonazee says
Such a useful post. Bookmarking it right away. Thank you so much, Nicole 🙂
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks, Shonazee! 😀 They were too good not to share. Hope you find some new favorites from the list!
Emily Walker says
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!
Nicole Bianchi says
So glad you found the list helpful, Emily! If you know of any more free tools to add to the list, please share. 🙂
Khbaby says
Litlift is so recommendable! Thanks for sharing!
Nicole Bianchi says
Glad you found it helpful! 🙂
Jones says
Second this list, especially fond of Trello and Grammarly. Really worth a look!
Nicole Bianchi says
Yes, both are excellent apps!
Jones says
Second this list, especially fond of Trello and Grammarly. Really worth a look!
Susan says
Thank you for sharing this list! I plan to check out several of the apps.
Nicole Bianchi says
Glad I could be of help. 🙂 Thanks!
Frank King says
Awesome and useful stuff. Can’t wait to check out some of these applications.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks, Frank!
SocialMusker says
Awesome
Brittany says
This is great information! I will be coming to this post! Thanks for sharing it!
Nicole Bianchi says
So happy to hear that, Brittany! Glad that it was helpful.
Nicole Reid says
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.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks so much, Nicole! Yes, Hemingway Writer is a fun tool to use. Hope you find it helpful!
Christina Berger says
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
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Christina! Fantastic. Hope the apps help you!
Writer G says
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 🙂
Splendour says
Great information….thanks…it’s insightful.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks for your comment, Splendour! Glad you found the list helpful. 🙂
tejas sahu says
hey i like the evernote app among the list. it is a handy tool to remind us for tasks
Nicole Bianchi says
Yes, it’s a fantastic tool!
Anil Polton says
Thank you very much! I have subscribed and look forward to reading more!
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you for your comment and for subscribing, Anil! 🙂
Rajinder Singh says
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