Writing texts is not an easy task. You've probably already figured that out. Writing consists of a myriad of steps, including gathering ideas, choosing the right writing tools, and technical things like proofreading and editing. The whole process can quickly become confusing or even start to feel hopeless.
But there is a solution to this problem.
There are tons of services on the Internet to help with writing. From simple and affordable apps and websites for everyday routine tasks, to feature-rich programs used by professional writers.
We have prepared a list of 50 apps and sites that will be useful in:
- Writing
- Organizing the creative process
- Improving your productivity
- Checking and editing texts
- Exploring topics
- Finding inspiration
1. Microsoft Word
Agree that it is impossible to write quality text without a good word processor. Microsoft Word (part of the Microsoft Office family of programs) offers the most comprehensive set of features for any writer - spell checking, tools for working with images, templates, and much more.
2. LibreOffice
LibreOffice is the main competitor to Microsoft Office. This open source program has many similar features. But the main difference is that it's free! LibreOffice is useful as a free word processor, presentation tool, or when you just want to open a spreadsheet.
3. Google Docs
One of the best apps for writing texts. Despite having fewer features, the service attracts with a simple and user-friendly interface and great networking features. You will have access to your documents wherever there is internet. Also, you will be able to send texts to friends to view or edit.
Google doc top 5 features
4. Microsoft Word Online
Word Online is an alternative version of the web-based software that allows you to view, edit, format and create documents that are compatible with Office applications. Like Google Docs, it has a minimal set of features that can meet the basic needs of most professionals, hobbyists, or students. The service allows you to share documents online and have multiple people working on editing them at the same time. But the most important thing is that this application is free.
5. LaTeX
If you're working on a scientific publication or writing a text with lots of charts, sooner or later you may get the feeling that you're not managing to make the work comprehensible. LaTeX is free, and it takes care of the appearance of your work while letting you concentrate entirely on the content. The program is completely free.
6. LyX .
An efficient text editor that combines the functionality of LaTeX with stunning simplicity. The straightforward interface of this program will allow you to create exquisite presentations without much effort.
7. Scrivener .
Scrivener is best suited for large and lengthy projects because it combines a text editor and a tool for organizing information. If your project requires lots of documents and templates, and planning every step of the way, Scrivener can help with these and other tasks.
A journalist works at her computer
8. ZenWriter
Rather than focusing on the practicality and simplicity of the material, ZenWriter offers a wide range of tools to make you feel comfortable while writing. The app allows you to customize the sounds and music that accompany your workflow and create a backdrop to inspire or set you in the right mood.
9. OmmWriter .
This great app, too, aims to improve the spiritual state of the writer in order to get successful results. The program has a simple interface that won't distract you from your work. In addition, OmmWriter provides a whole set of soothing sounds and visual elements designed to awaken inspiration and help you focus.
10. Final Draft.
This program is an important item on our list for professional writers. It helps you organize your text so that it meets common standards. The program also gives hints and tips for plot development.
11. Storyist
This is one of the most popular programs used by fiction writers and screenwriters. It includes formatting and organization functions. In addition, the program allows you to keep track of key characters and plot lines, and gives tips on how to improve your writing style.
12. Feedly
This content marketing service allows you to collect all the information you need for research in one place. Feedly guarantees the security of personal data and allows you to share your favorite content with your colleagues.
13. Evernote .
If you've ever researched a topic before writing a paper, you know how easy it is to get confused by a lot of information. Evernote will help you avoid that. Here you can store all the notes you take while researching. All notes are indexed, easy to search and can be viewed on different devices.
14. Event Countdown Lite.
Event Countdown is essentially a time management program. It keeps track of when your tasks are completed so you can be sure you're writing work and completing all your assignments on time.
15. Todoist
Organizing your workflow is one of the most important steps on the road to successful writing. Todoist is a powerful task planner with a minimalist design and extensive functionality. With it, you'll always be sure that you haven't forgotten about your tasks.
Two young people looking at a schedule
16. Trello
This is one of the most versatile writing tools on our list. Trello will help you get rid of outdated and irrelevant information by making writing a priority.
17. Todokyo .
Perhaps the most minimalistic online application for creating and managing task lists without having to deal with menus and settings. It probably lacks some of the features found in other programs. Nevertheless, Todokyo is an excellent choice if you prefer the utmost simplicity in organizing your work.
18. yWriter
A small but functional application that lets you visually divide your text into chapters and rearrange it as needed.
19. Q10
This is a set of tools to help organize and simplify your workflow. With their help you will be able to track and manage your schedule, as well as save your progress.
Improve your productivity
20. Cold Turkey
A feature-rich app that can block sites that distract you from your work, track time spent relaxing, keep track of programs that interfere with you, and help you create a work schedule.
21. StayFocused
A browser extension that allows you to manage access to sites that distract you from work. The plugin can be configured to completely block a resource, limit functionality, or deny access for a certain amount of time.
22. LeechBlock
Another browser add-on that helps you organize your workflow. Thanks to the fine-tuning, you will know that you are not wasting your working time, and that you are writing high-quality texts.
23. Readability
This small application improves the readability of texts from which you study a topic and makes them easier to understand. The program can remove irrelevant information, highlight important details, and generally make the text easy to read.
24. Keybr.com.
Typing is an important skill that we rarely take the time to develop. Keybr.com will keep track of your typing and give you step-by-step tips for improvement. It will also allow you to compare your results with other users to compete for first place. This will serve as an impetus to improve your performance.
25. Habitica
Ever wondered how you can improve your writing skills without dying of boredom? Habitica can help you develop useful habits and increase your productivity through rewards and punishments in a playful way. As a consequence, it can help you achieve your goals more confidently.
A game of darts
26. Tomato Timer.
The app is an implementation of a simple and effective way of time management. The main goal is to measure 25-minute stretches of work and 5 minutes of rest with increasing breaks every four cycles.
27. Unstuck
Some may have experienced this problem before: you're writing a text, suddenly stop, and you find it hard to get even one word out of yourself. Unstuck will help you get over this obstacle and tell you how to act in such situations.
28. 750 Words
Writing 750 words daily is a great way to develop your skills as a professional writer. You can even share your results to introduce an element of competition.
29. Write or Die
In addition to the rewards that such writing apps offer, this program also has punishment options, from nasty sounds to deleting random words.
30. LanguageTool
If you want to improve your English grammar - this service is for you. It is available as a standalone application and as a text editor plugin. LanguageTool boasts impressive functionality for checking grammar and spelling. Plus, the service works in multiple languages. And best of all: it's completely free.
31. Meriam Webster Online.
As one of the Internet's most prominent and authoritative resources, Meriam Webster Online provides comprehensive information about words and phrases, including examples of their usage, pronunciation and a list of English synonyms.
32. The Free Dictionary.
This is the main competitor to Webster's Dictionary. In addition to a number of identical features, there is also a wide range of specialized dictionaries, the most notable of which can be called legal, medical, and financial.
A couple reading books on the couch
33. Grammarly
Relatively recently launched service has already managed to gain popularity among users around the world. It does a great job of searching for mistakes. What's more, Grammarly will suggest ways to improve your writing and analyze the context to reveal errors that similar apps miss.
34. Rhymezone
A great tool for those who have decided to get into poetry and want to improve their skills in this area. Rhymezone gives you a list of rhymes for any entered word, in addition to showing examples from literary works by famous authors.
35. Autocrit
This program is mainly used by professional writers. Autocrit analyzes the text and advises what can be improved. It's most suitable for fiction, but it can also be customized to work with other types of texts, including academic papers.
36. ProWritingAid
An online service that can find common writing errors such as repeated words and unnecessarily long sentences.
37. Google Scholar
Google Scholar is the best-known tool for finding academic papers, offering a wide range of options for selecting scholarly publications. It can also compile bibliographies for papers in the most common formats and show the reliability of sources by calculating the number of citations in each text.
38. Data Elixir
Although it's not really a program for writers, it can still improve your scientific literacy. It's essentially a newsletter service that will keep you up-to-date on the latest happenings in the world of science.
39. Scizzle
This service provides a more straightforward approach to science searching. Instead of using traditional algorithms, Scizzle will provide you with the most recent news from your chosen field of science.
40. MyScienceWork
The best way to improve your writing and grammar skills is to show your work to others. MyScienceWork is a platform where you can publish your texts, review other people's, participate in discussions and raise your level of professionalism.
41. Lazy Scholar.
Lazy Scholar is a simple browser extension with impressive functionality. The service makes your writing better by providing information and statistics from reputable resources. It can also create source lists for your texts.
Tables and financial charts
42. Cite This for Me
Cite This for Me is a tool universally recognized on the Internet for working with quotations. The service supports a large number of citation styles and updates them regularly. In addition, there is the possibility of data storage and management of lists of sources.
43. Citation Machine.
This is another powerful app for citing sources that you can use for writing. The program will suit those who have technical difficulties with Cite This for Me, as it is less demanding on system resources.
44. Ottobib .
A simple citation tool. Handy if you work with books rather than magazines.
45. Purdue OWL.
This is a comprehensive and constantly updated resource for when app help isn't enough.