Premium writing tools are great. They have exciting, feature-rich benefits that make writing, editing, and publishing easier. But sometimes, the budget just isn’t there for fancy writing tools, and that’s okay. If you’re here, you’re likely looking to cut down on budget, especially if you’re new to writing and self-publishing.
Some of the best free writing software for writers can actually stand toe-to-toe with paid options, as they have almost all the necessary features you would need to write and edit your work. You can still get clean formatting, distraction-free environments, and even professional publishing tools, without spending a dime.
If you’re ready to explore the free writing tools for authors that actually help you get your words on the page, I’ve gathered six of the best. Each one comes with details on what it does well, where it shines, and a few drawbacks to watch out for.
How to Choose the Best Free Writing Software
Before we look at the list of free tools, it’s worth knowing what to look for. The “best” tool for you depends on:
- Your device (Windows, Mac, Linux, or mobile)
- Your writing style (novels, poetry, non-fiction, blog content)
- Whether you need collaboration, formatting, or distraction-free features
If you want to learn more about how to choose the right writing software in general, I’ve got another post, How to Choose the Right Writing Software: A Guide for Authors & Poets, that’s worth checking out.
1. Google Docs
Google Docs is one of the easiest tools to use if you want something simple and accessible. It’s a free online word processor that saves your work automatically, lets you write from any device, and makes it easy to share your work with others.
If you’re working with an editor or co-author, you can both open the same document, make changes in real time, and leave comments right next to the lines you’re discussing. There’s no need to send files back and forth.
You can also work offline if you’ve set it up on your device, which helps when you don’t have internet access.
Best for: Writers who like working across multiple devices and want an easy way to collaborate or get feedback.
Export options: PDF, DOCX (Word), Rich Text Format (RTF), plain text, EPUB, HTML, Markdown, OpenDocument format
Pros
- Great for fiction and non-fiction books that aren’t very long, and for poetry.
- Works on any device with internet.
- Saves automatically so you won’t lose your work.
- Makes collaboration easier and faster.
Cons
- Long books can become slow or glitchy. Google Docs isn’t built for massive single files. Very long manuscripts (especially over 100,000 words) can start to lag when scrolling, take longer to load, and even freeze briefly while typing.
- Doesn’t have advanced book formatting for print.
2. LibreOffice Writer
If you want a free writing tool that works offline and still gives you formatting control, LibreOffice Writer is a good option. It’s part of the LibreOffice suite, which is an open-source alternative to Microsoft Office.
You install it on your computer, and it works a lot like Microsoft Word, just without the subscription. You can adjust things like margins, spacing, fonts, and styles easily, which helps when you’re trying to format your book properly.
It also lets you set up things like chapter headings, page numbers, and even a table of contents, which is useful if you’re preparing your book for print or publishing.
Best for: Writers who want more control over how their book looks, especially if they plan to self-publish in print or as an eBook.
Export options: PDF, DOCX, ODT (OpenDocument), RTF, HTML, EPUB.
Pros
- Works well for both short and long books
- Gives you more control over layout and formatting
- Works fully offline
Cons
- Looks a bit old-fashioned compared to newer apps.
- No built-in way to work with someone else at the same time (real-time collaboration).
3. Reedsy Studio
Reedsy Studio is an online writing tool built specifically for authors. If you want something that helps you write and also gives you a publish-ready layout, it’s a good option.
You can write your book in sections, organize everything easily, and choose from simple templates that format your work as you go. It’s very useful if you don’t want to spend time figuring out book layout yourself.
You can also bring in a draft from another app, format it inside Reedsy, and export it as a proper book file. That part makes a big difference if you’ve written your manuscript elsewhere and want to get it ready for publishing.
It also lets you share your work with an editor or beta reader, so you don’t have to switch tools when you need feedback.
Best for: Self-publishing authors who want their book to be ready for Amazon or other stores without learning complicated design programs.
Export options: EPUB (for eBooks), PDF (print-ready), DOCX.
Pros
- Makes your book look professional with built-in templates that automatically format your manuscript so it’s ready for print or eBook stores.
- Perfect for both short and long books.
- Allows easy export for publishing in EPUB format for eBook platforms and print-ready PDF for paperbacks.
Cons
- You need internet to use it.
- A bit difficult to use in formatting poetry collections. Not ideal for poetry with unusual or artistic layouts.
4. Bibisco
Bibisco is a free desktop writing tool built mainly for novelists. It’s a really great option if you’re working on long writing projects and want everything organized in one place.
It lets you plan things out before you start writing. You can set up characters, locations, and even your timeline, then build your manuscript in sections. You can also break your work into chapters or smaller parts and keep track of your word count as you go.
The free Community Edition has what you need for novel writing. There are no limitations on projects, characters, or chapters. If you want extras like dark mode, full-screen writing, and advanced analysis tools, there is a paid Supporters Edition available. But for most writers, the free version covers everything you need.
It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and works fully offline, so your work stays on your device.
Best for: Fiction writers and novelists who want an offline writing software with character and story development tools.
Export options: PDF, DOCX
Pros
- Free and works fully offline
- Good for organizing larger writing projects
- Lets you break your work into sections and track progress
- Your work stays on your own device
Cons
- Built mainly for novels, so it may feel a bit rigid for poetry
- Desktop only, no mobile version
- No real-time collaboration
- Some extra features are only available in the paid version
5. Ellipsus
Ellipsus is a free, web-based writing tool built for writers who want to write, edit, and collaborate in one place. It’s designed to feel like a cleaner, more focused alternative to tools like Google Docs.
What stands out the most is how it handles collaboration. Instead of everyone editing the same document at once, each person works on their own version of the draft. You can then compare those versions side by side and decide what to keep. It makes working with co-authors or editors feel a lot less messy.
The editor itself is simple and easy to work in. You can switch between different themes, including dark mode, and there are a few built-in tools like a writing timer, focus mode, and word count tracking. There’s also a chat feature inside the document, so you and your collaborators don’t have to leave the app to communicate.
Best for: Writers who work with others and want a simple way to handle drafting, feedback, and collaboration in one place.
Export options: PDF, Markdown, HTML, Rich Text
Pros
- Free to use with no project limit
- Great collaboration tools with individual drafts, comments, and in-app chat
- Clean, modern interface with theme options
Cons
- Needs internet to use
- Export options are still limited
- Not ideal for final book formatting or complex poetry layouts
6. Apple Pages
Apple Pages is a free writing tool for Mac, iPad, and iPhone users. If you are already in the Apple ecosystem, it’s an easy option to work with without needing to install anything extra.
It has attractive templates and works smoothly across devices. You can use it for different types of projects, whether that’s a poetry collection, a short book, or something longer.
If you start your memoir on your Mac at home and want to edit it on your iPad while traveling, Pages keeps everything synced through iCloud. It also allows real-time collaboration and so, similar to Google Docs, you can share your document link with an editor or co-author, and both of you can work on it at the same time.
One thing to keep in mind is that Apple recently introduced a subscription bundle called Apple Creator Studio. Some newer features, like premium templates and AI tools, are part of that. But the main writing and formatting features are still free, so most writers won’t need to pay for it.
Best for: Apple users who want a simple writing tool that looks good and works smoothly across devices.
Export options: PDF, DOCX, EPUB.
Pros
- Core writing and formatting features are free
- Syncs easily across Mac, iPad, and iPhone
- You can collaborate with others in real time
- Templates help your work look clean without much setup
- EPUB export works well for ebooks
Cons
- Only available on Apple devices
- Some newer features are now behind a subscription
- Not as advanced as dedicated publishing tools
Making Your Final Pick
So, which is the best free writing software for writers? The answer depends on your goals and needs.
You can always test out these tools, see what works best for you and stick to your best choice. And since they are free or have free options, you can easily make a change if you realize one tool isn’t exactly meeting your needs, as there is no commitment with payments or subscriptions.
Hope this was helpful!
