Free and open first
Best Writing Apps in 2026
Choosing a writing app often comes down to how you draft, revise and handle finished work. Compare export formats and publishing tools, as well as version history and offline mode for managing your writing over time. Mobile apps may matter if you work across devices, while real-time collaboration can suit shared projects. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing offer cost details to weigh. Celtx, WriterDuet and Campfire are among the listed apps. Consider which of these features fit your writing process, whether you work independently or with others and how you want to share or publish your work.
- 135 apps
- Research read 28 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
- 2
Story Architect
Free plan Open source AndroidiPhoneLinux+2Story Architect combines story planning and writing tools with support for multiple formats and offline use.
- 3
FocusWriter
Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindowsChoose FocusWriter if you want a free Linux or Windows word processor with hidden controls, writing goals, and automatic return to your last position.
- 4
- 5
Substack
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1Choose Substack if you want one publishing flow for several content formats, with audience discovery tools and paid subscription options.
- 6
- 7
- 8
LyX
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsLyX combines structured writing with TeX and LaTeX capabilities, plus support for references, equations, and a range of formats.
- 9
- 10
Medium
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWebMedium combines publishing tools, distribution, memberships, and reader benefits across web and mobile apps.
- 11
Pendraic
Free plan APIMacWeb+1Pendraic brings novel drafting, planning, worldbuilding, and continuity features together.
- 12
- 13
Trelby
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsChoose Trelby if you want a free, open source screenplay editor with formatting, script comparison, and broad import and export support. Its PDF tools can embed a selected font and add a watermark.
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
Wayscript
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Pick Wayscript if you write novels, screenplays, or branching game narratives and want planning, analysis, and relevant export tools in one workspace.
- 18
Tolstoy Compose
by Tolstoy ComposeFree plan WebWindowsMac+3Tolstoy Compose combines broad platform support with offline documents, publishing tools, and version history.
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
HedgeDoc
Free plan Self-hostedWebHedgeDoc combines collaborative Markdown editing with presentation, revision and permission features.
- 25
Buttondown
by ButtondownFree plan APIWebChoose Buttondown if you need email automation, audience segmentation, landing pages, and a subscriber allowance of up to 100 on its free plan or 1,000 on its paid tier.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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