Writing tools won’t make you a great writer. They won’t even make you a good one.
But the right ones can save your sanity.
I’ve tested more apps, platforms, and software than I care to admit. Most were forgettable. Some were downright painful. But the handful that stuck around genuinely improved how I write.
Whether you’re a novelist managing timelines, a freelancer juggling deadlines, or a blogger trying not to lose your next big idea… having the right tool can feel like a superpower.
These are the best tools for writers that Dave Chesson (Kindlepreneur's CEO) and I actually use, recommend, and rely on (day in and day out). And they're the ones we never hesitate to recommend to readers.
Ready to upgrade your toolkit? Let's dive in.
Section 1: Tools That Help You Publish and Promote
Writing is only half the job. These tools help you turn drafts into dollars.
Some tools help you write. Others help you make money from your writing. These two do both, and they’re at the core of how many authors launch, market, and sell their books.
Let’s start with the two tools we recommend more than anything else.
1. Publisher Rocket
TL;DR – Keyword research, category selection, and reader insight
If you’re publishing on Amazon and you’re not using Publisher Rocket… you’re guessing. That’s really what it comes down to.
Rocket shows you what real Amazon shoppers are typing into the search bar, which categories have the best sales potential, and which competing books are getting the most traction.
(And all without scraping through dozens of Amazon pages by hand.)
This is the same tool Dave built for himself as an author, way back in the early days of Kindlepreneur. We’ve improved it every year since.
I’ve seen authors waste hours chasing keywords that would never rank and categories that don’t even exist anymore. Rocket fixes that.
Recommended Reading: Publisher Rocket Review – New features & Upgrades
2. Atticus
TL;DR – Book writing and formatting, together in one tool that works on Mac and PC
Scrivener is powerful, but clunky. Vellum is beautiful, but Mac-only. For years, authors had to pick their poison. That is… until Atticus came along.
This is the tool Dave created to bring writing and formatting under one roof. You can draft your book in distraction-free mode, organize chapters and front/back matter, and format professional-quality files for print and ebook… all without switching platforms.
And unlike Vellum, Atticus works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and even Chromebook.
I’ve written in Google Docs, formatted in Word, and paid for expensive formatting help when I was in a crunch. With Atticus, I don’t have to juggle any of that. It saves time, reduces errors, and lets me hit publish faster.
If you're writing books in any genre, Atticus should be on your radar.
Recommended Reading: Atticus Review: Is it Worth it? Pros, Cons, & Features
Section 2: Tools That Help You Plan Smarter
Structure doesn’t kill creativity. It frees it.
Some writers wing it. Others need everything mapped out before they write a single sentence.
Most of us fall somewhere in between.
The tools in this section help you gather your ideas, make sense of them, and create a structure you can actually use — whether you're planning a novel, organizing a content calendar, or just trying to find that one note you swore you saved three months ago.
3. Plottr
TL;DR – If you’re a visual thinker, this is your outlining dream come true
Plottr lets you lay out your story on a timeline, drag and drop scenes into place, and keep track of character arcs and plot threads as they evolve.
You don’t have to be writing a fantasy epic to benefit from this level of planning. Even thriller authors and romance writers use Plottr to make sure key beats hit at the right time.
What I like most? It’s visual without being cluttered. Flexible without being overwhelming. And it doesn’t try to “write” the book for you, it just helps you see what’s already in your head.
Great for planners. Surprisingly helpful for discovery writers too.
Recommended Reading: Plottr Review: Best Plotting Software?
4. Notion
TL;DR – The Swiss Army knife for writers who love clean organization (and a little customization)
Notion is part note-taking app, part database, part digital playground.
I’ve seen writers use it to build entire book bibles, editorial calendars, content archives, swipe files, research databases, you name it.
But a quick warning: Notion is only as good as the system you build inside it. That’s both the appeal and the danger. It’s incredibly flexible, which means it’s easy to waste time tinkering instead of writing.
Still, if you like building your own dashboards or want one workspace to rule them all, Notion is tough to beat.
5. Trello
TL;DR – Simple, visual, and just structured enough to keep you moving
Trello uses a “board and card” system that makes it easy to see where your ideas are and what’s next.
If you’re writing blog posts, crafting Notes and newsletters in Substack, managing client work, etc., it’s one of the easiest ways to keep everything organized, especially if you’re not into complex project management tools.
You can drag cards from “Ideas” to “In Progress” to “Published,” or create boards for each book, chapter, or launch phase. I’ve even used it as a makeshift editorial calendar.
It’s free, intuitive, and plays nicely with collaborators.
6. Evernote
TL;DR – Still one of the best tools for capturing ideas before they disappear
Evernote’s been around forever, but it still holds up (especially for writers who want a searchable “vault” of notes, links, ideas, and clippings).
It syncs across devices, lets you tag and organize your notes however you want, and has a strong web clipper for saving research or inspiration.
If Evernote feels too heavy, try Google Keep for a minimalist approach or Apple Notes if you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem. The best tool is the one you’ll actually use.
But for many writers, Evernote’s the old reliable (and for good reason).
Section 3: Tools That Help You Write Faster (and Better)
When it’s time to stop planning and start typing, these are the tools that help.
You’ve got your outline. You’ve got your ideas.
Now comes the hard part: actually writing.
The tools in this section are built to help you find flow, punch through distractions, and keep moving (whether you're writing your first sentence or your fiftieth draft).
Some are built for structure. Others offer creative support. A few might surprise you.
7. Scrivener
TL;DR – The heavyweight champ of long-form writing software
Scrivener has a learning curve, no doubt. But once you’ve figured it out, there’s nothing better for managing big, messy projects like novels, nonfiction books, or screenplays.
You can write in chunks, rearrange chapters with ease, and store your research, notes, and drafts all in one place. No more juggling multiple Word files or digging through email attachments.
It’s not the tool I’d recommend for short-form work or quick sprints. But if you're serious about long-form writing, Scrivener still earns its place.
(Just remember to hit save.)
Recommended Reading: Scrivener Review + 20% Discount [2025 Update]
8. Google Docs
TL;DR – Boring but indispensable
Everyone’s used Google Docs at some point, but not everyone realizes how useful it is once you set it up properly.
It’s free. It autosaves. It works across every device. And if you collaborate with editors, co-writers, or clients, it’s practically a must-have.
Add in tools like comments, version history, and voice typing, and you’ve got a rock-solid drafting environment that doesn’t get in your way.
Sure, it’s not sexy. But when your goal is “get the words out,” Google Docs delivers.
Recommended Reading: How to Write a Book Using Google Docs
9. ChatGPT
TL;DR – Your idea-stretching, block-breaking, second-brain-in-a-box
Used well, ChatGPT is like having a writing buddy who never gets tired and always has something to say.
You can use it to brainstorm blog post angles, workshop hooks, clarify clunky sentences, or ask it questions like: “What’s another way to say this without sounding awkward?”
What it’s not: a ghostwriter. Or a shortcut to good writing.
Think of ChatGPT as a sounding board. It works best when you bring something to the table, even if it’s just a rough idea or first attempt.
Used thoughtfully, it’s one of the most versatile writing tools available right now.
Recommended Reading: How to Write a Book With ChatGPT: Guide for 2025 (& Beyond)
10. Sudowrite
TL;DR – An AI tool built specifically for creative writers
If ChatGPT is the generalist, Sudowrite is the specialist designed with fiction writers in mind.
It can help you expand a scene, rewrite dialogue, punch up description, or get unstuck when a character’s gone silent.
You can feed it part of your novel, and it’ll suggest ways to continue the story or deepen the tone — all while staying in your voice. (Mostly.)
Of course, AI isn’t perfect. You still have to know what to keep, what to toss, and how to sound like you.
But if you’re writing fiction and want a tool that feels more like a writing partner than a robot, Sudowrite is worth checking out.
Recommended Reading: Sudowrite Review: Is It the Best AI Tool for Writers?
Section 4: Tools That Help You Edit Like a Pro
First drafts are allowed to be messy. Published work isn’t.
You don’t need software to write a great first draft. But when it’s time to revise, tighten, and polish, a few smart tools can make a big difference.
These aren’t spellcheckers. They’re editing companions that help you improve clarity, strengthen style, and spot issues you’d otherwise miss.
Whether you’re writing blog posts, novels, or sales copy, here are two tools worth adding to your revision process.
11. ProWritingAid
TL;DR – Clarity, consistency, and in-depth feedback (all in one editor)
There are plenty of grammar checkers out there, but ProWritingAid goes further. It checks for style issues, pacing problems, repeated words, passive voice, readability, sentence variety, and more.
It’s like having a line editor built into your browser.
I use it when I want real-time feedback on longer drafts, especially when I’m too close to the writing to see what’s not working.
If you just want to catch obvious grammar issues, Grammarly is a faster, lighter option. But if you want to actually improve your writing, ProWritingAid is the better long-term bet.
Tip: Run your draft through it once. Make the changes. Then run it again after a final polish. You’ll catch more than you think.
Recommended Reading: Is ProWritingAid Worth It? An Honest (Expert) Review for 2025 and ProWritingAid’s Manuscript Analysis: What It Is (& How It Works)
12. AutoCrit
TL;DR – An editing tool with a fiction writer’s brain
AutoCrit is built for storytelling. It goes beyond grammar and helps you refine pacing, dialogue, repetition, word choice, and emotional beats (the stuff readers actually notice).
It also lets you compare your writing style to genre benchmarks, like how your sentence variation stacks up against popular thrillers or how your pacing compares to bestselling fantasy authors.
Where ProWritingAid is a generalist, AutoCrit is a specialist. If you write fiction and want to clean up your manuscript without losing your voice, AutoCrit’s worth adding to your toolkit.
Bonus: It’s especially helpful if you’re self-editing before working with a professional editor.
Recommended Reading: Autocrit Review: Read This Before Purchasing
Building Your Own Writer’s Stack
Don’t feel pressure to use everything on this list. Pick the tools that solve the problem you’re facing right now:
- Need structure? Try Plottr, Trello, or Notion.
- Need momentum? Google Docs, Scrivener, or ChatGPT can help.
- Need polish? ProWritingAid or AutoCrit are great starting points.
- Publishing soon? Atticus and Publisher Rocket make the process easier and faster.
Start small. Test one or two. If they make your life easier, keep them. If not, ditch them and move on.
The best writing tools are the ones that stay out of your way and help you finish what you started.
Good luck.
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