The Best Apps for Writing Your Book

Top Writing Apps for Novelists

India’s literary landscape is thriving, with authors like Arundhati Roy and Vikram Seth inspiring a new generation of storytellers. Whether you’re penning a saga set in the vibrant markets of Delhi or a romance unfolding in Kerala’s backwaters, writing a novel requires discipline and the right tools. This updated guide, from Zorba Books, explores the best writing apps, tailored for Indian authors crafting novels or novellas. We’ve refreshed the original list, removed outdated tools, and added new ones, ensuring relevance with updated pricing in INR and features. With India’s publishing industry booming—over 90,000 books published annually, per the Federation of Indian Publishers—these apps can help you turn your ideas into a bestseller.

Why Writing Apps Are a Game-Changer for Indian Authors

Writing apps go beyond basic word processors like Microsoft Word, offering features like plot organisation, distraction-free interfaces, and genre-specific editing. For Indian writers, these tools are crucial in a market where digital publishing is surging—self-published eBooks grew by 30% in India from 2020 to 2024, according to Amazon KDP data. Whether you’re a debut novelist in Bengaluru or a seasoned author in Kolkata, these apps streamline your workflow, letting you focus on storytelling. Writing a novel may feel like a big task, but with these apps for writing a book, can be broken down into manageable pieces. The app will help you plan, write, and format your novel so that it’s ready to be sent out to publishers or to be self-published!:

Unique Insight: Writing Like an Indian Maestro

Imagine crafting a novel as intricate as Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children. Writing apps can help you manage complex narratives, track character arcs, and ensure your prose resonates with India’s diverse readership. For example, Scrivener’s Corkboard feature lets you rearrange scenes as easily as organising a Diwali festival playlist, while Hemingway Editor ensures your sentences are as crisp as a dosa.   

Top Writing Apps for Novelists

1. Scrivener: Your Manuscript’s Best Friend

Price: ₹5,000 (Windows/Mac), ₹2,000 (iOS)
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS
Why It Shines: Scrivener is the go-to app for authors tackling epic novels. Its robust features make it ideal for managing stories like those of Rabindranath Tagore.
Key Features:

• Organise: Organise your manuscript into sections for easy editing, perfect for complex plots.
• Corkboard: Visualise and rearrange scenes, like planning a Bollywood movie script.
• Research Integration: Store notes and images, such as references for a historical novel set in Mughal India.
• Export Options: Create publisher-ready files in PDF, EPUB, and Kindle formats.
  Indian Example: Use Scrivener to structure a multi-generational family saga set in Punjab, keeping track of each character’s journey across decades.
  Website: Scrivener

Why Indian Authors Love It: Its one-time fee is cost-effective for writers in India, where budget matters, and its 30-day free trial lets you test it risk-free.

2. Atticus: Write and Publish Like a Pro

Price: ₹12,000 (one-time)
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Web
Why It Shines: Atticus is a favourite for self-publishing authors, offering writing and formatting in one sleek package.
Key Features:

• All-in-One: Write and format your book with professional templates.
• Cloud Sync: Access your manuscript from any device, ideal for writers on the go in India’s bustling cities.
• Collaboration Tools: Work with editors or co-authors seamlessly.
• Goal Tracking: Stay on track to meet deadlines, such as completing your draft before Diwali.
  Indian Example: Format your thriller set in Mumbai’s underworld for publishing with Atticus’s export tools.
  Website: Atticus

Why Indian Authors Love It: Its lifetime access model suits writers planning multiple books, and its web version ensures accessibility on low-cost laptops.

3. Reedsy Studio: Budget-Friendly Brilliance

Price: Free
Compatibility: Web-based
Why It Shines: Reedsy Studio is a boon for Indian writers on a budget, offering professional formatting and collaboration tools.
Key Features:

• Real-Time Collaboration: Perfect for co-writing a novel with a friend across India.
• Auto-Formatting: Prepares your manuscript for publishing, saving time.
• Goal Tracking: Monitor word counts to stay motivated.
• Cloud-Based: No downloads needed, ideal for India’s 600 million smartphone.
  Indian Example: Collaborate on a romance novel set in Jaipur, sharing drafts with your editor in real-time.
  Website: Reedsy Studio

Why Indian Authors Love It: It’s free and web-based, making it accessible for aspiring authors in tier-2 cities like Lucknow or Patna.

4. Ulysses: Sleek Writing for Apple Users

Price: ₹500/month or ₹3,500/year
Compatibility: Mac, iPad, iPhone
Why It Shines: Ulysses offers a distraction-free environment, perfect for focused writing sessions in India’s noisy urban settings.
Key Features:

• Markdown Support: Write clean, formatted text effortlessly.
• Goal Tracking: Set daily word counts, like 2,000 words before your chai break.
• iCloud Sync: Access your work across Apple devices.
• Direct Publishing: Export to WordPress for blogging your novel’s journey.
  Indian Example: Draft a literary novel inspired by the Ganges, with Ulysses keeping distractions at bay.
  Website: Ulysses

Why Indian Authors Love It: Its sleek interface appeals to tech-savvy writers in cities like Hyderabad, though it’s Apple-only.

5. iA Writer: Focus on the Words

Price: ₹4,200 (Mac), ₹1,700 (iOS), ₹2,500 (Windows)
Compatibility: Mac, iOS, Windows, Android
Why It Shines: iA Writer’s minimalist design helps Indian authors stay focused, ideal for writing in bustling environments.
Key Features:

• Focus Mode: Highlights your current sentence, like spotlighting a Kathak dancer.
• Syntax Highlighting: Catch repetitive phrases in your prose.
• Cross-Document Linking: Organise complex narratives with ease.
• Export Options: Share your work on Medium or WordPress.
  Indian Example: Write a short story set in Varanasi’s ghats, with iA Writer keeping your focus sharp.
  Website: iA Writer

Why Indian Authors Love It: This apps for writing a book, offers cross-platform support and 14-day trial make it versatile for India’s diverse tech landscape.

6. Hemingway Editor: Polish Your Prose

Price: Free (online), ₹1,700 (desktop)
Compatibility: Web, Windows, Mac
Why It Shines: Hemingway ensures your writing is clear and engaging, crucial for India’s multilingual readership.
Key Features:

• Readability Score: Make your novel accessible to diverse readers.
• Colour-Coded Edits: Spot weak verbs or complex sentences instantly.
• AI Suggestions: Enhance your prose with smart edits (desktop version).
• Export Options: Save in Word, PDF, or HTML.
  Indian Example: Refine a dialogue-heavy scene set in a Chennai café to ensure clarity.
  Website: Hemingway Editor

Why Indian Authors Love It: The free online version is a budget-friendly editing tool for students and new writers. Why Should I get my Book Edited? – ZorbaBooks

7. AutoCrit: Fiction-Focused Editing

Price: ₹2,500/month, ₹25,000/year
Compatibility: Web-based
Why It Shines: AutoCrit tailors edits for fiction, perfect for genre novels popular in India, like thrillers or romances.
Key Features:

• Genre-Specific Edits: Improve pacing and dialogue for your target audience.
• Story Analyzer: Track character arcs and plot threads.
• Community Features: Join workshops for feedback, connecting with Indian writers.
• Inspiration Studio: Spark ideas for your next bestseller.
  Indian Example: Edit a sci-fi novel inspired by India’s space program, ensuring tight pacing.
  Website: AutoCrit

Why Indian Authors Love It: Its fiction focus and community features resonate with India’s collaborative writing culture.

8. ProWritingAid: Your Editing Guru

Price: ₹850/month, ₹6,700/year, ₹22,000 (lifetime)
Compatibility: Web, Windows, Mac, Word add-in
Why It Shines: ProWritingAid offers in-depth editing, ideal for polishing manuscripts for India’s competitive market.
Key Features:

• 20+ Writing Reports: Analyse grammar, style, and pacing.
• Thesaurus Integration: Find the perfect word for your poetic prose.
• Scrivener Integration: Edit directly in your writing app.
• Custom Style Guides: Maintain consistency across your novel.
  Indian Example: Polish a historical novel set during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 for clarity and impact.
  Website: ProWritingAid

Why Indian Authors Love It: Its lifetime option and integrations make it a long-term investment for serious writers.

9. Evernote: Organize Your Ideas

Price: Free (limited), ₹1,250/month (Premium)
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Why It Shines: Evernote is perfect apps for writing a book, capturing inspiration, from Delhi’s street markets to Goa’s beaches.
Key Features:

• Web Clipper: Save articles or images for research, like photos of Rajasthan’s forts.
• AI Tools: Transcribe notes or convert PDFs for research.
• Templates: Structure your novel’s outline or character profiles.
• Cross-Device Sync: Access ideas on your phone or laptop.
  Indian Example: Jot down ideas for a travelogue-inspired novel while exploring India’s heritage sites.
  Website: Evernote

Why Indian Authors Love It: Its mobile app suits India’s smartphone-heavy culture, with 600 million users (Statista 2025).

10. Novelist: Plan on the Go

Price: Free
Compatibility: Android, iOS, Web
Why It Shines: Novelist is a free, mobile-friendly app for planning and writing, ideal for India’s on-the-go writers.
Key Features:

• Plotting Tools: Organise story elements, like a mystery set in Kolkata’s alleys.
• Progress Tracking: Meet deadlines with word count goals.
• eBook Export: Prepare your novel for self-publishing.
• Google Drive Backup: Secure your work in the cloud.
  Indian Example: Plan a fantasy novel inspired by Indian mythology while commuting in Mumbai.
• Common Traps to Avoid While Writing a Book – ZorbaBooks
  Website: Novelist

Why Indian Authors Love It: Its free price tag and mobile focus make it accessible for young writers.

Comparison Table: Choose Your Perfect App for Writing a Book

App	Price (INR)	Compatibility	Best For	Indian Appeal
Scrivener	₹5,000 (one-time)	Windows, Mac, iOS	Comprehensive writing	Complex narratives like Tagore’s
Atticus	₹12,000 (one-time)	Windows, Mac, Web	Writing & formatting	Self-publishing
Reedsy Studio	Free	Web-based	Budget-friendly writing	Accessible for tier-2 city writers
Ulysses	₹500/mo or ₹3,500/yr	Mac, iPad, iPhone	Distraction-free writing	Tech-savvy urban authors
iA Writer	₹4,200 (Mac), ₹2,500 (Windows)	Mac, iOS, Windows, Android	Focused writing	Versatile for diverse devices
Hemingway Editor	Free (online), ₹1,700 (desktop)	Web, Windows, Mac	Editing for clarity	Budget-friendly editing
AutoCrit	₹2,500/mo, ₹25,000/yr	Web-based	Fiction editing	Genre novels like thrillers
ProWritingAid	₹850/mo, ₹22,000 (lifetime)	Web, Windows, Mac, Word add-in	In-depth editing	Long-term investment for pros
Evernote	Free, ₹1,250/mo (Premium)	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android	Note-taking & research	Mobile-friendly for inspiration
Novelist	Free	Android, iOS, Web	Planning & writing	Free for commuting writers

Tips for Indian Authors

• Budget Wisely: Free apps for writing a book like Reedsy Studio and Novelist are great for students or new writers in India, where affordability is key.
• Leverage Mobile Apps: With India’s massive smartphone penetration, apps like Novelist and Evernote let you write anywhere, from a train in Rajasthan to a café in Bangalore.
• Try Before You Buy: Most paid apps offer free trials—test writing appa to ensure they fit your style.
• Embrace Community: AutoCrit’s workshops connect you with other Indian writers, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

Here are some more apps for writing a book:

• Grammarly: A writing assistant that helps with grammar, spelling, and style suggestions.
• Google Docs: A cloud-based word processor that allows for easy collaboration and document sharing.
• Draft: A writing tool that tracks your daily word count and helps you stay on track with your writing goals.
• Squibler: An AI-powered writing software designed to help you write and publish your book or screenplay efficiently.
• Jasper: An AI writing assistant that helps generate content and improve your writing.

No more forgetting words! You’ll be able to write exactly the way you want.

It might take a few attempts to find the right apps for writing a book. Just because everyone loves one app or website, doesn’t mean that you will. Luckily, some of these apps are free so you can always try them out. If you want to see if a paid app is the right fit, almost all of them offer a free trial that’s worth checking out. You will find the right platform for you!

However, don’t forget that the most important part of writing is your talent and creativity, not the platform you’re using. You could probably write something amazing with just a simple Word document. But these apps are here to just help you in the writing process. They have been designed specifically to solve problems that writers often face. Maybe there’s an app in this list that solves a problem you thought was unfixable! You never know what can make your writing process easier.

Call to Action: Start Writing Your Bestseller Today!

Ready to bring your novel to life? Download one of these apps and start crafting your story, whether it’s a tale of love in the Himalayas or a mystery in Chennai’s streets. Share this guide with fellow Indian authors to help them discover their perfect writing tool. Visit Zorba Books for more resources to fuel your literary journey, and let’s make 2025 the year your story shines!

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