5 Must-Have Fiction Writing Apps for Every Novelist [Free & Paid]

Whether you’re outlining your novel, drafting chapters, plotting scenes, or editing prose, the right writing app can boost your focus and confidence. These tools help you write more, stress less, and shape stories that sing.

Below are the top five fiction writing apps—each one strong in a different way. You’ll find options for a fiction writing app on Android or iOS, software for plotting, editing, and organizing long manuscripts.

1. Scrivener

Scrivener is like your entire writing studio packed into one powerful tool. Designed specifically for authors, it lets you break your manuscript into scenes, chapters, or acts, making even massive novels easy to navigate. You can store character notes, world-building details, and research all in one place—and view them side by side as you write.

Its corkboard feature lets you rearrange scenes visually, while the “Compile” tool lets you export in multiple publishing-ready formats (like Kindle or PDF). Scrivener is ideal for writers who plan deeply, revise thoroughly, or juggle multiple projects.

What makes it great

This software is built for serious fiction writers. It helps you manage scenes, chapters, research, character notes, and more in one project.

Key features:

Binder for tracking scenes and research
Corkboard—like movable index cards for organizing
Split-screen views and writing goals
Export (“compile”) into ePub, PDF, Kindle, and more

Best for: Writers working on multi-chapter novels, series, or research-heavy stories.

Platform: macOS, Windows, iOS (Android unofficial via sync)
Price: ~$70 one-time fee after a 30‑day trial

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2. Ulysses: A Minimalist Writing Space (iOS Only)

Ulysses is a favorite among Mac and iOS users who love minimalism. It’s built to reduce clutter and help you stay laser-focused on writing—no pop-ups, no distractions, just you and the page. The interface is sleek, and the built-in Markdown support makes formatting seamless.

You can set writing goals (word counts, deadlines), organize multiple projects, and sync effortlessly between your devices using iCloud. Ulysses is perfect for authors who like simplicity but still want a smart organizational structure behind the scenes.

Why it stands out

Ulysses offers a clean, distraction-free workspace. Ideal for when you need to stay in flow mode and focus on drafting.

Key features:

Unified library for organizing multiple projects
Markdown formatting and export support (PDF, Word, ePub)
Writing goals and daily progress tracking

Best for: Apple users who want a focused environment with enough structure to stay organized.

Platform: iOS, macOS only
Price: Subscription model—$5.99/month or ~$50/year

3. Plottr

If you like to see your story laid out before you—scene by scene, beat by beat—Plottr is your go-to fiction planning app. Its timeline feature is intuitive and allows you to track plotlines, character arcs, and subplots with ease.

You can use pre-built templates like the Hero’s Journey or Three-Act Structure to guide your outline. Plottr also includes tagging, filtering, and the ability to view character and setting profiles alongside your plotlines. Once your outline is ready, you can export it to Scrivener or Word for drafting.

Why authors love it

Plottr shines when visual planning is your game. Its timeline and outline card system let you map scenes, character arcs, and subplots at a glance.

Key features:

Drag-and-drop timeline view
Templates based on popular structures (Hero’s Journey, 3-act, etc.)
Tagging by POV, theme, or subplot
Exports to Scrivener or Word when ready to draft

Best for: Plotters and visual thinkers drafting novels, especially multi-book or multi-threaded projects.

Platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web
Price: From ~$60/year or ~$199 lifetime

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4. Fictionary / StoryTeller

Fictionary isn’t just another word processor—it’s a structural editor powered by AI insights. It analyzes your entire manuscript and breaks it down by scene, providing feedback on pacing, emotional arcs, conflict, setting, and character presence.

It also generates a visual Story Arc, helping you identify weak points in structure before hiring a human editor. You can easily spot where stakes lag, scenes feel flat, or character development falters. It’s a serious tool for serious revisers.

Why it matters

This software acts like your personal developmental editor. It analyzes pacing, character arcs, and structure—helping you refine before serious editing.

Key features:

Scene-level structure checks
Story Arc visualizations and pacing tools
Character, setting, and conflict tracking
Optional access to live editing coaches

Best for: Writers ready to polish their draft with data-backed feedback.

Platform: Web-based
Price: ~$20/month or ~$169/year

5. JotterPad or iA Writer: Clean and Mobile-Friendly Drafting

For writers who jot down ideas on their phone during commutes or sneak in scenes during lunch breaks, iA Writer (for iOS and Android) and JotterPad (for Android) are a perfect match. Both offer distraction-free interfaces, simple cloud sync, and Markdown formatting. They’re clean, lightweight apps that keep your words front and center.

While they don’t have full story organization tools like Scrivener or Plottr, they excel in accessibility and mobility—making sure no brilliant idea goes unwritten.

JotterPad (Android)

A minimalist Markdown editor that syncs with cloud services, ideal for writing scenes or ideas on the go.

iA Writer (iOS and Android)

A distraction-free text editor with a clean interface. It offers Markdown support, metadata, and easy export for drafting or note-taking.

Best for: Writers who draft away from their desk—on phone or tablet.

Price: Freemium or ~$1–$10 per month depending on platform

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How to Choose the Best App for Your Writing Style

Your Need	Best App Choice	Why It Helps
Organize large or series projects	Scrivener	Handles research, scenes, and chapters
Write on Mac/iPhone without clutter	Ulysses	Clean, goal-driven workflow
Plan visually or outline creatively	Plottr	Timeline and scene mapping
Assess story structure & pacing	Fictionary	Developmental feedback before edits
Write from anywhere on mobile	iA Writer / JotterPad	Distraction-free, synced, simple

Tips for Real Productivity Boosts

Set daily word goals and track them. Ulysses and Scrivener support this.
Outline early, either in Plottr or Scrivener’s corkboard, so you avoid mid-draft confusion.
Use your mobile minutes—JotterPad or iA Writer let you write on commutes or coffee breaks.
Polish with purpose—run your draft through Fictionary before hiring a developmental editor.
Integrate help from Estorytellers: Once your draft is solid, their editorial and formatting services can elevate your manuscript into publishable form.

Cultural Nod: Apps That Writers Actually Use

Writers on Reddit, Quora, and writing forums often mention using Scrivener for structure, Plottr for planning multi-threaded novels, and Fictionary to tighten flawed drafts. Many also favor minimalist tools like iA Writer for distraction-free writing sessions on their iPads or Android phones. A Verge opinion piece noted how writers often begin in simple text apps before moving to structured tools like Scrivener for revision stages.