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13 Best Notetaking Apps for iPad for 2024

Feb 15, 2024

By Lindsay Armstrong

If you’re a serious notetaker, you know that just having an iPad and an Apple Pencil isn’t enough.

The app you use for notetaking can have a huge impact on the quality of your notes.

But there are hundreds of apps to choose from, and not all apps are created equal.

Today, we’re going to take a closer look at 13 of the best notetaking apps in the App Store.

Let’s dive in.

Notetaking: Handwritten or typed?

While there’s no “correct” way to write your notes, one of the things you’ll have to decide early on is whether you should handwrite or type them.

Based on the research we’ve seen, data suggest that taking notes by hand is better than using a laptop .  As with pen and paper, handwriting is slower, but it gives your mind more time to absorb what you’re writing.  While keyboarding is more efficient, for many notetakers, notes created in this way simply lack the sticking power that comes with using traditional methods.

With that in mind, most of the apps below are designed for handwriting your digital notes using your iPad and your Apple Pencil .

While some apps on our list have some keyboard-based functionality — like Nebo  and Apple Notes  — we’re looking at these apps through the lens of notetakers planning to handwrite their notes.

But however you choose to do it, keep in mind that taking notes is essential when you’re trying to learn something.  Creating effective notes has been proven  to enhance recall and improve study sessions, resulting in greater academic success.

Find the best app and notetaking system that works for you and stick to it!

#caption#Image: Deniz Kurtoglu / Paperlike

#alt#A title card for the Notability app.

With thousands of positive reviews, Notability has certainly proven its worth to notetakers over the years.

This app is most well-known for its audio syncing feature, which allows you to record audio and sync it  with handwritten notes while you write, but other apps like Goodnotes have caught on and added this feature, too. However, Notability also recently introduced audio transcripts, which include time-stamped text of your recordings.

#caption# The Notability interface makes navigation simple and easy.  Switch between folders/sections using the left sidebar.  Select a note by tapping on it.  Create a new note by tapping on the + New button in the top right. (Image: Notability / Screenshot by Lindsay Armstrong / Paperlike)

#alt# A screenshot picturing the Notability user interface featuring a selection of folders on the left sidebar and a collection of notes on the right selection interface.

To set itself apart, Notability also boasts some unique features. Multi-note support  gives users the ability to open two notes and arrange them in the app for comparison or multitasking. The new Pencil  tool provides the app with added versatility, allowing users to draw and sketch. 

By combining multitasking tools and technologies like handwriting recognition  and math conversion, Notability makes it easier than ever to take notes during classes, meetings, conferences, and everything in between.

In late 2021, Notability switched  from a one-time purchase app to a free plan with a premium subscription option called Notability Plus.  If you’re looking for an awesome app that doesn’t require an up-front cash investment, Notability is a great option to consider.

Coolest features

• Multi-note support allows you to easily compare and work on multiple documents at one time.
• Favorite presets make it simple to create and save your favorite tool colors for fast and easy reuse.
• Math conversion (premium only) allows you to convert handwritten calculations into common mathematical expressions.
• Pencil tool  allows for drawing and sketching, with pressure sensitivity and tilt-activated shading.

Main limitations

• No iCloud syncing or backups on the free plan  creates some risk for notetakers who don’t upgrade.
• Limited note edits on the free plan  (resets monthly) means that hardcore notetakers could find themselves unable to continue taking notes without an upgrade.
• Limited organizational tools  force users into a style of note-keeping that may feel restricted or insufficient.

Important details

• Pricing: Free plan available; $14.99 per year for the premium plan.
• Reviews:  Notability is currently rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on the App Store with 286,000+ reviews.
• Platform:   Available for iPad, iPhone, and Mac.
• Links: Download app  / View website .

#alt#A title card for the Goodnotes 6 app.

Goodnotes 6

Goodnotes is a powerhouse for notetakers everywhere.  The app comes with everything you need to take notes, write music, mark up PDFs, and more.

One of the biggest differentiators between Goodnotes and other competitors is its abundance of organizational tools.  By default, Goodnotes allows you to create Notebooks  and store everything within them.  This is a fundamental difference from a tool like Notability or Apple Notes, where your ability to organize is somewhat constrained by the software.

#alt# A screenshot picturing the Goodnotes interface, featuring various folders and notebooks.

Of course, Goodnotes doesn’t stop there.  The app offers a powerful search function, onboard handwriting recognition ,  AI-powered tools, and much more. You can use these features to annotate and mark up your imported documents. The app also syncs with iCloud and third-party storage so that you can keep your notes with you at all times.

So, what’s the downside?

While there aren’t a ton of cons to Goodnotes, the lack of a favorites toolbar is a common feature that is (sadly) missing here.

• Notebook creation tools  provide an unparalleled level of customization for notebooks and notes.
• Infinite, nested storage  enables users to store folders within folders and create an organizational structure that suits their needs.
• Favorites section  allows you to locate any note, document, or page in seconds from a single location.
• Text conversion is clunky and difficult to deal with. It works well, but converting handwritten text to typed text is a tedious process.
• Lack of a favorites toolbar  means that you’ll need to reformat your tools each time you select or change them.  While the app saves some settings, like pen width and color, resetting your tools still feels more involved than it should be.
• Pricing: Limited free plan available; $9.99/year subscription or $29.99 one-time purchase from the App Store for the full version.
• Reviews: Goodnotes 6 app currently has 4.7 stars derived from a total of 238,000+ reviews.
• Platform:  Available for iPad, iPhone, and Mac. Beta version for Windows and Android.

Goodnotes is most often compared against Notability, and the two apps have had a friendly rivalry for years.   Read our in-depth comparison of both apps.

#alt#A title card for the Apple Notes app.

Apple Notes

Believe it or not, Apple Notes has been around since the early days of digital notetaking.  The app launched with the first version of iOS, way back in 2007.  Originally, it was a mobile version of the Notes app that has been (and continues to be) a staple on the Mac operating system.

Why does all that matter?  Because the Notes app is older than any other app on our list, and its longevity makes it clear that it isn’t going anywhere.

As a notetaking app, Apple Notes  has come a long way.  Like most of the other notetaking apps, it comes with the usual tools (pens, highlighters, etc.), and they’re all arranged in a toolbar that can be moved around on the screen for added workspace customization.

But, while Apple Notes might seem a bit bland, it has a few unique features that will surprise you.

#caption#While text and handwriting can coexist in Apple Notes, they’re given distinct sections on the note.  Notice how the lines separating the handwriting from the text runs the entire length of the note. (Image: Apple Notes / Screenshot by Scott Summers / Paperlike)

#alt#A screenshot picturing a note created in Apple Notes.  The top and bottom parts of the typed text are separated by a handwritten sentence.

You can open a Quick Note on your iPhone or iPad without even opening the Notes app. This allows you to quickly jot down a thought, save content from the web or another app, and more.

Once you’re done, Quick Notes  will appear in their own folder in the app so that they’re easy to find later.

Apple Notes is also one of the few notetaking apps that is set up to create tables and interactive checklists .

But even though this app has a lot of things going for it, Apple Notes isn’t as robust as some of the other apps. The app lacks audio recording features (but you can dictate your notes).  It also treats PDFs and other imported files as attachments instead of integrating them into your notes, meaning that editing is limited to annotation and markup.  

On the other hand, as part of the Apple ecosystem, you can trust that Apple Notes works on any version of iOS, and on any iOS device, whether you have an iPad Pro or iPad mini.  You’ll also find native software for Apple Notes on macOS and watchOS, so you can get notes on your Mac and Apple Watch.

Overall, Apple Notes lacks the flexibility that you’ll see with most of the other notetaking apps listed here, but it’s still a formidable tool, especially for occasional notetakers.

• Natively supports handwriting and typing on the same page  using various inputs, including fingers, on-screen keyboard, Apple Pencil, and Apple Keyboard.
• Allows shading when drawing  with the Apple Pencil.  Tilt your Apple Pencil to enable shading.  You can also press more firmly to create a more intense shading effect.
• Recognizes handwritten phone numbers, dates, addresses, and other data.  Will enable other options for recognized text, like scheduling events or calling phone numbers directly from the Notes app.
• Native iCloud syncing  across all Apple devices.
• Lacks many customization features,  including the ability to create templates or create deeply nested organizational structures.
• No onboard syncing for non-iCloud storage.  While it’s possible to do this with a little work if you want to back up your notes to Dropbox, Google Drive, or Box, it’s not as simple as flipping a switch.
• Limited PDF annotation and markup capabilities  force you to conduct these tasks elsewhere — typically using the Markup tool  inside the file or image itself.
• Pricing: Free!
• Reviews:  Apple Notes is currently rated at 4.8 stars with 214,000+ reviews.
• Platform:  Available for iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac.

#alt#A title card for the LiquidText app.

Unlike traditional notetaking apps, which offer a blank page for you to jot down notes, LiquidText is more of a study and research tool  designed to help you parse PDFs and other documents.

It works like this: When you open a file in LiquidText, the document is imported into a digital workspace. In the workspace, your document takes up half of the screen, and the workspace takes the other half.

#caption#With LiquidText, you’ll be able to draw connections between nodes on your mindmap, access multiple documents simultaneously, and compile research in a free-form workspace. (Image: LiquidText / Screenshot by Scott Summers / Paperlike)

#alt#A screenshot picturing the LiquidText interface, including a written article on the left, along with a window allowing for the selection of multiple documents.  A mind map of notes and excerpts is located on the right side of the screen.

As you read your document, you can highlight and mark up your text as you would in any other notetaking app.

You can also grab snippets of text and pull them to the opposite side of the screen.  As you do this, LiquidText will transform these excerpts into small cards that you can move around the workspace.

As you gather data from your document, you can consolidate it into groups, draw lines and make connections between those details, and much more.

While this approach to notetaking is more research-based, it’s definitely a game-changer for anyone looking to parse documents for key details and insights, as LiquidText offers a battery of tools that you won’t find in most other apps.

• Infinite workspace  allows for a tidy collection of excerpts, comments, and handwritten notes.
• Adding multiple documents to a single workspace  allows users to create projects centered around a theme or idea and assists in consolidating associated research.
• Importing web pages as PDFs is quick and easy  thanks to the built-in web browser.
• Ability to squeeze and expand documents  during research makes critical details much easier to parse and compare.
• Snippets and text can easily be lost  inside the workspace.  Because the workspace is infinite, it’s possible to misplace or forget your snippets if you don’t stay organized.
• Workspace often feels cramped,  no matter how you choose to set it up.
• Not a great fit for everyone.  If you aren’t doing major research projects, this app probably isn’t for you.
• Pricing: Free plan available; $29.99 for Pro (one-time purchase per platform); $9.99/month for LIVE; $174.99/year for LIVE Unlimited.
• Note: LIVE & LIVE Unlimited are both cloud-based subscriptions, and the subscription covers LiquidText on all devices.
• Reviews: LiquidText is currently rated at 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 6,000 reviews.
• Platform: Available for iPad, Mac, and Windows 10.
• Links: Download app / View website .

#alt#A title card for the MarginNote 3 app.

MarginNote 3

The second of the two research tools on our list, MarginNote is similar to LiquidText (featured above) in how it functions and operates.

MarginNote  opens your document into a digital workspace where you can highlight and annotate PDFs or select excerpts from the text.

However, where LiquidText focuses on taking handwritten notes and marking up the document (all of which is possible in MarginNote), this software also allows for clipping notes, creating flashcards or mindmaps, and building study outlines.

#caption#MarginNote provides clean, clear connection lines for your mind map, allows for handwritten notes, and much more. (Image: MarginNote 3 / Screenshot by Scott Summers / Paperlike)

#alt#A screenshot picturing the MarginNote 3 interface, including a written article on the right and a mind map of notes and excerpts on the left. 

One of the key differentiators in MarginNotes is that much of the mind-mapping generation can be done in a way that looks clean and crisp, with straight lines and blocks that feel sharp and organized.

MarginNote also allows you to compile a single set of notes from multiple sources or files, so if you have several books in a series or several documents where you should combine notes, MarginNote makes it easy to simplify that process.

While this app probably isn’t a replacement for an outright notetaking app like Notability or Goodnotes, it’s a great study tool for students who need to comb through a large number of documents and keep everything organized at the same time.

• All notes can be edited and annotated, so you can add context to excerpts as you set them aside.
• Flashcard review  helps you quickly review notes and study for exams.
• Auto Add to MindMap tool  allows you to organize excerpts without a ton of dragging and dropping.
• Different viewing modes and setups can get confusing.  Though useful, it’s easy to get lost during navigation and find yourself struggling to pick up where you left off.
• Overabundance of features  makes for a steep learning curve.
• Auto mind mapping tool can be difficult to set up.  The mind map is based on the table of contents, so some forethought is required in how you structure your notes.
• Pricing: Free (reader-only) version available; $12.99 for full version.
• Upgrades:  OCR Pro for $1/month or $9.50/year.
• Reviews:  MarginNote 3 is currently rated at 4.7 of 5 stars with 4,800 reviews.
• Platform:  Available for iPad, iPhone, and Mac.
• Links: Download app  / View website

LiquidText and MarginNote 3 are the top PDF annotation and research apps. Check out our comparison of the two here .

#alt#A title card for the Nebo app.

Where apps like Goodnotes and Notability emphasize (and mostly stick to) the idea of handwritten notes, Nebo  tries to marry the concept of handwriting and text together within its notebooks.

As with other apps on the market, you can draw freely using Note pages (formerly Freeform), but the app’s Document pages (formerly Regular) are where it really begins to shine.

All Document pages are lined sheets, and users have the option to write using an Apple Pencil or a keyboard.  If you choose to handwrite your content, Nebo shows how it’s interpreting  your handwriting to text in real time.

#caption#Note how the handwritten text has already been pre-converted in the upper left corner of the text box.  While you can keep the text in a handwritten format, Nebo gives you a clear indication that it understood what you wrote. (Image: Nebo / Screenshot by Scott Summers / Paperlike)

#alt#A screenshot of the Nebo interface featuring handwritten and typed text.

You can also mix and match your handwriting and typed text or just convert your handwriting to text. This adds an extra layer of flexibility to Nebo that you won’t really see in other apps.

With the free version, you’ll just have access to the basics, including a limited number of notebooks that you can create.  However, you can get a dictionary, convert PDFs, and share your content out in various formats by purchasing the appropriate upgrade pack for a relatively low cost.

It’s also worth pointing out that Nebo is cross-platform compatible, which makes it unique for users who are looking for one of the best iPad note apps that can exist outside of the Apple ecosystem.

• Combining handwriting and typed text  is an interesting concept that is hinted at in other apps, but Nebo really takes ownership of this feature.
• Handwriting and math conversions  are second to none, and both features are included at no additional charge.
• Having both freeform and lined pages  allow you to work in a way that suits you best.
• The ability to edit typed text using a stylus  adds extra flexibility when editing, revising, or reformatting your text.
• Lack of templates, layouts, and other custom formats  that you see in apps like Goodnotes, Notability, or Noteshelf .
• Formatting can be a pain.  While you can adjust text placement by dragging boxes around, fiddling with the indent tools to position text correctly inside the box (or on the page) can be tedious.
• Note pages feel subpar compared to competitors.  If you’re focused purely on handwriting, this app falls a little short in its feature set.
• Pricing: Free version available; $4.99 for Essentials Pack; $4.99 for Connect Pack; $4.99 for PDF Pack.
• Note: Packs are sold individually or can be purchased as a bundle for $8.99.
• Reviews:  Nebo is currently rated at 4.7 of 5 stars with 29,000+ reviews.
• Platform: Available on iPad, Mac, Windows, and Android.

#alt#A title card for the CollaNote app.

In many respects, CollaNote is still a work in progress that has gained a massive following in recent years. The app provides a rock-solid notetaking experience with simple and intuitive tools that look good and feel great to use.

Inside the notetaking interface, you’ll find a vast array of pen types and brushes, as well as a few extra goodies.

#caption#In CollaNote, pressure sensitivity is enabled by default, so your text will shrink and grow as you write based on how hard you press your Apple Pencil against the screen.  Converted text is framed within a text box and can be adjusted to taste. (Image: CollaNote / Screenshot by Scott Summers / Paperlike)

#alt#A screenshot of the CollaNote interface featuring a combination of handwritten and typed text.

Just like Apple Notes and Notability, CollaNote actively distinguishes between a pen and a pencil, both of which provide a completely different writing experience.

Interestingly, this app provides the largest and most varied selection of unique pens and brushes when compared to other notetaking apps — including major players like Goodnotes and Notability.  From vector pens to art and 3D brushes, you’ll have every tool you need to make your notes come to life.

This app also offers tools like the color fill  tool to add color quickly and the curve  tool to help when creating curved lines (great for charts and graphs).

For text boxes, the app makes it easy to add text and provides layering options that allow you to place your text over other objects.

You can even create flashcards to help you study.

And did we mention that you can collaborate with other CollaNote users by creating an account? It’s that simple.

Even though CollaNote currently lacks some of the features you’d see in more mature apps, it’s well on its way to becoming a major player in the notetaking space.

• Robust notetaking toolkit  gives you everything you’ll need to take great notes, including a pencil, a vast array of pens and brushes, a color fill tool, a curved line tool, and more.
• Collaboration features  make it easy to work with other notetakers to generate a group or shared note. An account is required, and notes are stored in your account, not with CollaNote’s servers.
• Importing PDFs, images, and other multimedia is fast and easy.  With the exception of PDFs, media files reside within a note and are not imported as standalone objects.
• Limited to iPadOS and iOS only.  While this app does back up to iCloud, it currently offers no platform compatibility with Mac, Windows, or Android.
• User interface is an acquired taste.  The blocky windows and multiple toggles give the app a unique feel, but it may not be for everyone.
• Folders and notes lack customization features  and fine-tuning that you see in apps like Goodnotes.
• Rigid organizational structure  limits how you can format and organize your content.
• Pricing: Free  version available; $11.90 one-time purchase from the App Store for Premium.
• Reviews:  CollaNote is currently rated at 4.8 stars with 12,000+ reviews.
• Platform: Available for iPad and iPhone only.

#alt#A title card for the Noteshelf app.

Noteshelf  is a great compromise between Goodnotes and Notability. You’ll find all the tools you need to take great notes on your Apple, Android, or Windows devices.

The interface provides a streamlined experience that’s easy to navigate, with plenty of customization features — from page templates and notebook covers to different pen types and the colors and sizing of your tools.

It even has a  customizable toolbar that allows you to add or remove tools so that it only displays the ones that you like to use.

Noteshelf also offers one of the best interfaces when it comes to magnification. When you need to write smaller text or you want a closeup of your existing notes, the  Zoom Box  makes it easy to do. It’s highly customizable, and it loads the tool interface on the magnification bar, so you can quickly switch to what you need.

#alt#A screenshot picturing the pen interface and three example lines at varying thicknesses of the ball, fountain, felt, and pencil styles.

Like Notability, Noteshelf  features audio recording that you can attach to your notes. While it doesn’t sync with your text, being able to listen to a playback of a lecture or presentation can be extremely helpful.

The sheer amount of organizational capabilities, Focus mode, Noteshelf AI, and advanced customization all make this app perfect for users who take massive amounts of notes.

• Advanced customization options, such as a variety of page templates, notebook covers, and tools, allow you to get creative with your notes.
• Zoom Box has the tool interface in the magnification bar so that switching between tools is quick and easy while working in this mode.
• Customizable Toolbar allows you to pick and choose what tools you want to see on your toolbar and leaves the rest out, so it’s exactly what you need.
• Multi-device compatibility allows you to use this app on all Mac devices (including Apple Watch), Windows, and Android devices.
• Free version limits how many notes you can take. You only get three notebooks to use on the free version, which likely isn’t enough for serious notetakers. Also, Noteshelf doesn’t offer any free trial on Android or Windows, so you can’t try it before buying it.
• Moving notes isn’t a simple process, making reorganizing your notes a bit of a pain.
• Not cross-platform compatible.  While there are Android, Windows, and iOS versions of this app, the three don’t talk to one another. You can hand off your notes between various Apple products (iPad, iPhone, Watch), but you won’t be able to send your notes from your iPad over to your Android tablet or PC.
• Pricing: One-time fee of $9.99.
• Reviews:  Noteshelf 3 currently has 4.1 out of 5 stars on the App Store, but is relatively new with only 196 reviews .
• Platform: Available for iPad, iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, Windows, and Android.

#alt#A title card for the Evernote app.

If you’re a productivity geek, Evernote  is the perfect notetaking app for you. Not only does it have a dedicated section for taking notes, but it also incorporates different sections that’ll help you be more productive, such as a Tasks  section for to-do lists and more.

The home dashboard is fully customizable (with an Evernote Premium Plan), so you can organize all your information in a way that makes the most sense for you.

When you’re taking notes, you can choose from more than fifty templates . You’ll find a range of options for work, school, and personal categories.

#caption#Evernote’s structure keeps your notes neat and organized, separating text and handwritten notes. (Image: Evernote / Screenshot by Lindsay Armstrong / Paperlike)

#alt#Image of a typed note with a handwritten section separated into its own box below in Evernote.

Evernote offers a rigid notetaking structure that makes it easy to get your thoughts on the page. Formatting is similar to Word or Google Docs, which doesn’t offer a lot of flexibility, but it does keep your notes neat and tidy.

Unfortunately, this means that you can’t really mix handwriting and text. Like Apple Notes, it’ll keep these sections separate from each other. That’s because it’s not really meant for handwriting in general. You’ll have to enter Sketch Mode  to draw or write, and once you’re finished, Evernote converts your work into an image to add to your note.

The app also has plenty of great features that’ll help you be more efficient, including an excellent web clipper  (desktop only), audio recording features , and PDF markup tools .

With cross-platform compatibility and the ability to sync across devices in real time, Evernote can help you create the ultimate task management and productivity system.

• Dedicated task section helps you keep on top of your to-do lists.
• Structured formatting feels familiar thanks to its similarity to word-processing programs and also keeps your notes neat and organized.
• Robust web clipper allows you to capture information from your desktop for later use.
• Cross-platform compatibility and real-time syncing allow you to work anywhere, anytime.
• Sketch mode is the only place you can handwrite, which can be annoying if you don’t like typing out your notes.
• Ability to connect to Calendar and add reminders to your task lists is locked behind a subscription.
• Only being able to sync two devices  on the free plan means you’ll have to pick what platforms you prefer if you don’t want to pay for a subscription.
• Pricing: Limited free plan; $14.99/month or $129.99/year for the Personal plan; Professional plans available.
• Reviews:  Evernote currently has 4.4 out of 5 stars on the App Store with 54,000+ reviews.
• Platform: Available for iPad, iPhone, Mac, PC, and Android.

#alt#A title card for the Microsoft OneNote app.

Microsoft OneNote

Wildly popular and completely free, OneNote  is the go-to app for tens of thousands of users interested in taking effective notes.

Like Evernote, this app is geared more toward keyboard-based notetaking, but its handwriting component works beautifully and doesn’t make you switch modes or move to a different section to write. You’ll just hit the Draw  tab at the top of the screen to access your writing tools.

OneNote only has one pen type, but you can change the size and color to fit your needs.

And this is what makes OneNote truly unique.

This app’s Ink Color Selector  is one of a kind, offering both solid and specialty options, like galaxy, marble, and glitter colors.

#caption#OneNote’s ink colors are completely unique, with options like glitter, marble, and galaxy colors. (Image: OneNote / Screenshot by Lindsay Armstrong / Paperlike)

#alt#Image of the OneNote Ink Color Selector to showcase the unique color options.

OneNote also includes features like a Math Assistant  and audio recording  that are great for students and a web clipper  to capture content from the internet and video recording, which is completely unique to this app (Desktop or Windows app only).

Its onboard organization tools make it a great option for storage, especially for users already integrated with other Microsoft products like OneDrive, Word, Excel, etc.

• Ink Color Selector unlike any other app allows you to really get creative by choosing from options like galaxy, marble, and glitter colors.
• Math Assistant  can solve equations for you, making it great for students or anyone who works with a lot of math equations.
• Free version with complete access to all its features. Subscriptions only necessary for storage purposes.
• Automatically opens to the last screen used, which can be annoying if you’d like to start a new note or find a different note.
• Only backs up to its own servers. You can’t create a backup to any other cloud service.
• Only 5GB of storage included on the free plan, which might not be enough if you plan to take a lot of notes.
• Pricing : Free! (Note: You can get 100GB of storage for $1.99/month or purchase Microsoft 365 Personal with 1TB of storage and all integrations for $6.99/month.)
• Reviews : OneNote currently has 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 851,000 reviews.
• Platform : Available for iPad, iPhone, Mac, PC, and Android.
• Links : Download app / View website.

Evernote and Microsoft OneNote are the leading apps for productivity. Take a look at our comparison article here .

#alt#A title card for the Zoho Notebook app.

Zoho Notebook

Similar to both Evernote and OneNote, Zoho Notebook  is available on a variety of platforms and seamlessly syncs across your devices using its own cloud service. It was awarded Best App of the Year in the App Store in 2016 and has risen in popularity since then.

But as a notetaking app, it takes a different approach than most of the other available apps in this space. It has an aesthetically pleasing UI, and the available covers for your Notebooks are works of art.

Individual notes inside the Notebooks are called Cards, and they look like little (brightly colored) sticky notes. You can change the background color on every note, making it easier to visually differentiate between topics.

#caption#Zoho Notebook turns your notes into different types of cards that look a bit like Post-it Notes. (Image: Zoho Notebook / Screenshot by Lindsay Armstrong / Paperlike)

#alt#Image of the All Notes section in the Zoho Notebook app, which shows all the notes on little cards that look like Post-it Notes.

On top of that, Zoho Notebook offers different Card types (Checklist, Audio, Sketch, and more) to match your notetaking needs.

Most of these are pretty self-explanatory, but the Smart Card  is a really neat feature worth mentioning. When you want to save content from the internet or another app, Smart Cards  automatically take that information and format it into a beautifully designed Card.

Unfortunately, this is another app that’s geared towards typed text, and you can really only handwrite or draw when you open a Sketch Card. Even the Text Card  isn’t super customizable - you can’t even change the font or text size.

But, you can password protect your notes, share, and collaborate with others in real time, which are excellent features in any notetaking app.

• Beautiful UI and artwork make this app one of the most aesthetically pleasing.
• Post-it Note appearance and colors  allow users to easily differentiate between individual notes.
• Smart Cards automatically format saved content, keeping these notes nice and neat.
• Lack of search capabilities in the free version  can make it difficult to find your notes, especially if you have a lot of them.
• Limited notecard sizes and storage on the free version  mean that if you plan to take a lot of notes, you’ll need to upgrade.
• Limited tools for handwriting and customization for typed text make it more difficult to get creative with your notes.
• Pricing: Limited free version; $2.49/month or $24.99/year for the full version .
• Reviews:  Zoho Notebook currently has 4.7 out of 5 stars with 22,000+ ratings.
• Platform: Available on iPad, iPhone, Mac, Windows, Android, and Linux.

#alt#A title card for the  Pencil Paper Notebook: Penbook app.

Pencil Paper Notebook: Penbook

If you’re looking for a notetaking app that’ll really let you get creative and customize your notes, Penbook  might be the answer.

Like Zoho Notebook, this app offers a variety of beautiful Notebook covers, but it doesn’t stop there. With Penbook, you can choose from over 1,000 customization options!

There are page templates for every category, even super niche options for chemists, developers, and musicians. Once you’ve chosen a template, you can change the font, the background and accent colors, and decide how many pages to add to your notebook (don’t worry, you can always add more later!).

#caption#Penbook has over 1,000 customization options for your notes, including page templates for any topic. (Image: Penbook / Screenshot by Lindsay Armstrong / Paperlike)

#alt#Image of the note creation page in the Penbook app showcasing all the different customization options.

The best part?

You can mix and match templates throughout your notebooks, and each page could be something completely different.

If you’re too overwhelmed with all the options, you can choose from a variety of pre-made “Editions” that Penbook has already put together for you.

While the tools are pretty basic (Pen, Pencil, Highlighter), you can change the line thickness and color on each, and you can even customize or use hex codes to get the perfect shade. Once you have what you need, you can add up to six custom tools to your toolbar for easy access in the future.

Unfortunately, navigation throughout the app isn’t as intuitive as we’d like, and there’s a bit of a learning curve when you get started. While the app does offer a user manual, it’s pretty long and involved, and there aren’t any video tutorials or quick guides to help you get going.

• Highly customizable, with thousands of different ways to set up and personalize your notes.
• Pre-made “Editions”  help you skip the Notebook creation process so you can get right to taking notes.
• Live Paper automatically fills in the date and time when you create new pages, which can be handy for schedules, journals, and more.
• Free version is basically just a free trial, as you only get a single Notebook.
• Navigation isn’t intuitive, so it takes some time to learn how to use the app.
• Lack of organizational features makes it more difficult to find and keep track of your notes.
• Pricing: Free version available; $14.99/yr or $49.99/lifetime for the full version.
• Reviews:  Penbook currently has 4.6 out of 5 stars with 30,000+ ratings.
• Platform: Available for iPhone and iPad.

#alt#A title card for the ZoomNotes app.

ZoomNotes provides an infinite whiteboard, making it a great choice for visual notetakers.

As you might expect from the name, ZoomNotes  offers the most impressive zoom range. It’s practically endless, making it easy to sketch out your thoughts and ideas without worrying about running out of room.

When you zoom in to get a better look or make adjustments or additions to your notes, the full view stays on your screen off to the right, allowing you to see the bigger picture while you work.

#caption#ZoomNotes allows you to create a page within a page as a sticky note, PDF document, and more. (Image: ZoomNotes)

#alt#A screenshot from ZoomNotes showing the different types of sub-documents available, such as a sticky note.

Another feature that sets this app apart is the ability to create a page within a page. These sub-pages can be separate notes, like a mind map of your full notes, a sticky note with key concepts or reminders, or even a full PDF document that relates to your notes.

ZoomNotes goes the extra mile by adding linked sound recording, unlimited paper sizes/styles, Bookmarks, and more. It’s easy to completely customize your notes, especially with eight different pen types and unlimited color options.

It syncs to iCloud and even integrates with your Apple Calendar and Apple Reminders, so you can easily manage your checklists and schedule. Importing, exporting, and sharing features round out this app, making it competitive with apps like Notability and Goodnotes.

• Infinite canvas provides endless room to write, draw, or sketch your notes and ideas.
• Incredible zoom range makes taking visual notes like mind mapping or sketchnoting  super easy.
• Sub-pages allow you to create a page within a page. You can add PDFs, sticky notes, and more.
• Integrates with other apps like Apple Reminders  & Apple Calendar .
• UI is a bit clunky  and not as user-friendly as most of the other apps.
• Limited tools on the free version make it hard to customize your notes the way you’d like.
• Too many features make it overwhelming and difficult to learn.
• Pricing: ZoomNotes Lite is free; $7.99 one-time purchase for the full version on the App Store.
• Reviews:  ZoomNotes is currently rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on the App Store with just 762 reviews .
• Platform: Available for iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

Other cool apps

Even though we’ve mostly covered handwriting applications for notetakers, there are some other cool apps out there that you might want to consider.

Many of these apps incorporate handwriting in some way, even if it's not their primary function.

• Agenda . This is a notetaking tool that uses your calendar as a way to tie your note to a fixed point in time. Notes are attached to projects and can be assigned to a specific date so that you regularly refer back to them. As you use the app and tag notes with data, those notes become recurring tasks on your agenda until you mark them as complete. It’s an innovative way to combine notetaking and task management.
• Freeform .  Apple recently added this app to its extensive list of apps that come pre-installed on all Apple devices. It’s a digital whiteboard where you can add images, text, handwriting, and more. Whether you’re sitting down for a brainstorming session or you’ve got some ideas to map out, this app can help you do it. It's even fun for practicing digital hand lettering and calligraphy . While Freeform is the perfect app to get creative and express yourself visually, you may want to stick to Apple Notes  or one of the others mentioned for serious notetaking.
• Penultimate . If you’re an Evernote user, you might already know about this app. Penultimate is Evernote’s writing application. Notes you create here can be moved directly into Evernote and stored with other notes that you take inside the app. Compared to other apps on our list, Penultimate lacks several major features, but its connection to Evernote makes it worth a mention.
• PDF Expert . Need to annotate or edit a PDF?  As a PDF editor, PDF Expert gives you total control over your PDF documents.  You can mark them up, edit them, convert files, take notes, and much more.  The app requires a subscription and can be a bit pricey, but it’s one of the most capable PDF tools out there.
• ThinkSpace .  While you can use other notetaking apps to create mind maps, ThinkSpace is specifically designed to help you manage this task. Create quick notes, organize them in a spatial way, add visuals, and more. If you’re more of a visual notetaker, ThinkSpace is a great addition to your toolkit.

#caption#Image: Paperlike

#alt#Image of an iPad with a drawing of the word “hello” on it, laying on a lined sheet of paper with an Apple Pencil.

Use Paperlike to make the best notetaking apps for iPad even better

Without a doubt, having the right app can make the difference between success and failure when studying for the next exam or jotting down quick notes in a meeting.

Most of the apps on our list are free apps, so you can try them out and create simple notes and docs (handwritten or otherwise) with absolutely no risk.

If you’re planning to use the Apple Pencil or a similar stylus to take notes on your iPad, don’t forget to pick up a Paperlike so that you can improve your notetaking experience.

Paperlike transforms your screen from slippery glass into something that feels just like a real notepad or notebook so that you can scribble and jot notes with ease.

You can also make your iPad look and feel like your favorite notebook with our Folio Case and reduce hand cramping by using our Pencil Grips .

Download an awesome app, pick up one of our Screen Protectors , and set yourself up for notetaking success.

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Essayist - APA, MLA & More 4+

The academic writing app, essayist software inc..

• 4.8 • 622 Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

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Description.

Try Essayist for free today! "App of the Day" — Apple "Editors' Choice" — Apple "A-Plus Apps for Students " — Apple "Apps You Need This Week" — Apple Essayist allows you to write APA, MLA, Chicago & Harvard Style essays with ease. From in-text citations and footnotes to references and page setup, Essayist takes care of everything. It greatly simplifies the academic writing process. AUTOMATIC FORMATTING Essayist formats everything for you. Upon starting a new essay it sets up the title section/page, margins, font, line spacing, alignment, page headers/footers, etc. It formats your references, in-text citations, footnotes/endnotes, figures, tables, table of contents and more. UNIVERSAL REFERENCE MANAGER Store and manager references in a universal reference manager backed by iCloud. Search for, add, and store references in one place and use references across multiple essays. Create separate collections (folders) within the reference manager to organize and manage references. Add references quickly and easily using Google Scholar, Essayist’s built-in search, by pasting a URL or manual entry forms. Once added, references are automatically formatted and added to your essay’s references/works cited list. CITATIONS (IN-TEXT CITATIONS, FOOTNOTES, ENDNOTES) Add in-text citations and footnotes/endnotes with ease. Simply click the insert citation button and select the reference you wish to cite. An in-text citation/footnote/endnote is automatically created for you GENERAL FOOTNOTES Add general footnotes to any essay. CITATION STYLES Essayist supports four citation styles: APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian & Harvard. *Supported Versions: APA 7th Edition, MLA 8th & 9th Edition, Turabian 9th Edition, Harvard Snooks Style Manual and Cite Them Right 11th Edition, among various other versions from institutions throughout the UK and Australia* EXPORT Export your work to PDF or Word. MINIMAL INTERFACE A simple interface helps you write without distractions. You know all those buttons in other word processors you never use? We got rid of those. ABSTRACT, APPENDICES & TABLE OF CONTENTS Add an abstract, appendices and a table of contents to your essay. FIGURES & TABLES Easily add figures and tables with all the required information (caption, title, numbering, notes, etc.). REGULAR UPDATES We are working hard to make Essayist the best academic writing app it can be. If you have feature requests or encounter issues, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected] MORE - iOS & macOS versions (universal purchase) - Built-in Universal Reference Manager - Pre-defined & customizable paragraph styles (Block Quote, Headings, etc.) - Bold, Italicize & Underline options - Import BibTeX - Multiple reference types (News Article, Magazine, Website, Dictionary, etc. …) - Two paper sizes: US Letter & A4 - Two font choices: Times New Roman & Arial - Word Count & Page Count - Multiple background choices - Spell Check, Auto Completion & Auto Capitalization - Dark mode - Designed for Accessibility FREE TRIAL Essayist features a free trial that enables you to use all features at no cost (including export and sync). PRICING Essayist requires a subscription. Choose between a monthly and a yearly subscription. Both subscription options offer a free trial. READ-ONLY MODE Download Essayist and review essays for free! *Editing functionality is locked without an active subscription. Terms of Use: https://www.iubenda.com/terms-and-conditions/82031685 Privacy Policy: https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/82031685

Version 1.9.2

This update addresses an interface issue with the reference manager on macOS 11 & 12. If you have feature requests or experience an issue, please email us. We usually respond very quickly and it really helps us improve Essayist.

Ratings and Reviews

622 Ratings

Outstanding Application & Support

I've been using Essayist for years as for a while I only had an iPad as my main driver yet had to write papers for school and this was the only applicaiton that allowed me to do so on the iPad while not only maintaining all APA formatting requirements but making it even easier to cite articles with it's Google Scholar search function. I've also had a couple of times where i'd reach out to their customer support and they were prompt in responding with answers or even potential updates and timing. I highly recommend this app to every student at every level as I used it through my MBA and i'm not using it to complete a doctorate.

Developer Response ,

Hi. Thank you very much for your kind review! We wish you all the best for your doctorate :) Till

Just short of perfect, but the glitch is significant

This is an excellent app all things considered. I wish it was around when I was in college. It would be perfect in my mind but for one thing…..exporting. There is an export feature - and it exports, it just does so without carrying over any of the formatting. You can fix it in one of two ways. Get rid of the feature, and do not claim that essayist can export to word or docs with formatting, or make it work. This is an app that costs money. The export feature as it currently functions might as well not be there at all. If you do not need to export, if you are happy to simply do the entire project on essayist it is perfect. Problem is most professors are not using is, so yes…fix the export feature please. It does hurt the value of the product in my mind.

Hi. We are happy to hear you like Essayist! Regarding export: Exporting to Word should work with all formatting intact. I have myself noticed that the preview in Word on iOS can have a glitch and sometimes look like the formatting is off, but once the file is saved and you are in editing mode it’s all there. Please contact us at [email protected] so we can better assist you. Kind regards, Till

This app really is great and I recommend it for anyone writing papers and rely on citing sources. Some items I hope to see in future updates: 1. Auto-capitalize first word after a period. 2. The app does show a word count but it ony shows it for the whole paper. (It ignores word count in citations, which is perfect). I hope it is added where you can select a certain amount of text and it show you how many words are selected. 3. Allow references from other papers you have written to be imported into a new paper. For instance you might have to cite the same textbook in many papers over the course of a class. It would be conveneint to not have to go and locate and add it each time but have it populate from another source since you have alraedy gone through the effort of adding it before. 4. Remove the setting where the reference window is always on top. It is very cumbersome since you can't drag and move it and it is always on top of other windows. Thanks for the great app!

Hi, thank you so much for your review and feedback! We love hearing from our users :) The word count feature is a great suggestion that we will look into adding, and we are currently working on an update that will allow users to add references from other papers. We will also work on an update to change the reference window setting. We can see how this could be cumbersome. As for the autocapitalization issue, Essayist should already auto-capitalize after a period. Could you email us at [email protected] about this issue? Kind regards, Erin.

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Best iPad apps for writers in 2022

There are still people who think that iPads are only good for consuming content like watching films, reading books and playing games. Clearly, none of these people have tried to write on a Kindle.

For writers, the iPad does offer every bit of this content consumption, and it offers it extremely well. But every iPad, iPad mini , iPad Air , and iPad Pro is also a writing studio that is about as light and convenient as you could imagine, and at least as powerful as you could hope.

You really should buy some kind of external keyboard, or keyboard case, if you're going to be doing serious writing on any iPad. Typing thousands of words onto the glass is not ideal, and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and now also iPad Air isn't essential.

But you want one of those options and you don't want the other.

Beyond that, you are able to do just about every type of prose writing you need to on an iPad, straight out of the box. Without any other apps than Apple provides, you have a full word processing solution in Pages, for instance.

There are things Pages is poor at, though, such as scripts and screenplays. They can be written in Pages in theory, but in practice, it's no better at them than Word is.

So there are specific needs to use alternative apps, and there are plenty of alternative apps to satisfy requirements like that. Plus there are apps that do the same thing yet one just works better for you than others.

It's like the ancient old days when you might have a preference for which type of pencil you use. You know they all get the job done, yet just one is right for you.

That does mean that any roundup of the best writing apps for iPad is unquestionably subjective. And any unquestionably subjective roundup is bound to leave out your favorites.

Don't take that as a failing, do take it as your opportunity to enthuse in the AppleInsider forums. And also this: the reason people get very passionate about writing apps for the iPad is that they are worth it.

Apple will never say that it only makes iPads for writers, but they're so good for all writers and authors that you have to wonder.

Main word processors for iPad

We used to write everything in one word processor, whether it was a novel or a shopping list. We did so partly because they were built to handle everything, but mostly because they were so expensive that you only ever bought one.

That's changed because of the iPad and the App Store, but while there is a booming market in more specialized writing tools, there are still a couple of heavyweights that would could make a case for being your sole text editor.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft made a mistake choosing to keep Word off the iPad for years. Once users were required to find alternatives, they did, and they also found that they liked them.

Then once a user has moved to an alternative on the iPad, they very easily moved to the same alternative on the Mac. And what they routinely found was that this alternative, whichever it was, didn't crash as often as Word, it didn't drive them spare twice a day.

So Microsoft Word went from being a synonym for word processor and into just one more of your choices.

It has not come close to reclaiming the total dominance it once had. But when it did come to the iPad, it came in a completely new and rewritten form — which was better than we'd had on the Mac.

That wasn't to say it was as powerful, but starting from scratch meant adding in only features that users need. The bloated Word for Mac was regenerated into the slim Word for iPad, and there is a huge amount to like about it.

Microsoft Word is a free download from the App Store, but then requires one of many alternative subscriptions starting from $6.99 per month.

Apple Pages

Pages — free on iPads, Macs and iPhones — does not get as much love as it should. Where Microsoft likes you to see how powerful it is by displaying every tool and option it can, Apple wants you to be able to just get on with your writing.

Consequently, Pages hides away its powerful features until you need them. And unfortunately, that can have the effect of making it look as if Pages does not have these features.

Pages looks simple but it's not just a note-taking app. It is not as powerful as Word, but for the giant majority of writing tasks, Pages is Word's equal — and can subjectively feel better to you.

Only, Word and Pages both date back to the days when everything we wrote was then printed out on paper to be sent to publishers. Today you might be struggling to remember where your printer is.

Word and Pages continue to be used for writing that is going online, or certainly being sent digitally to book publisher systems like Affinity Publisher and Adobe InDesign . But they are not ideal for it.

Worse than not being ideal, if you copy text from either of them — most especially Word — and then paste it into an online content management system, you can get problems. Peculiar formatting, odd characters, even unexpected spacing issues can all arise because these two produce heavily formatted text.

Between a word processor and a text editor

You can't really have both a full word processor without issues like this, but you can have tools that do tiny, specific writing tasks. And you can have some in the middle, neither full word processors nor bare text editors, yet somehow better than both.

The iPad and Mac app iA Writer is a calming, relaxing kind of writing tool which lacks the powerful features of Word and Pages, such as longform book options, but will make you not care.

For iA Writer knows that writing has to be written, that it has to be put down on screen from out of the writer's head. Until then, there's nothing to format, nothing to create footnote citations about.

So this app concentrates on pushing aside features, interruptions, and really even any non-essential options. It's for making you concentrate on your writing.

For the iPad version, iA Writer costs $30 on the App Store.

Now Drafts 5 practically bills itself as a text editor, which is a way of saying you can basically type into it but mustn't expect anything fancy. Except Drafts 5 is replete with fancy tools and options.

Its chief aim is to get you writing immediately. Start the app, start typing. No pause, no waiting for a moment, no tapping on a New or a Plus sign.

There's also no obvious formatting, no obvious controls, it's just a blank page for you to get your words down. There is formatting, though, you can use Markdown controls to set headings and bold, italic and so on.

And what's great about Drafts, beyond just the practical feel of it all, is that once you do have your words written, there is an enormous amount you can do. Take that text and email it directly to your publisher, send it to your Kindle, send it out as a text message, or publish as a blog.

Drafts 5, which is also on the Mac and iPhone, has a library of Actions that let you create whole workflows for your work.

Drafts 5 is free to download from the App Store, and then costs $20 per year.

Specialized prose writing apps for iPad

Somewhere between the word processors of this world and the better text editors, there are apps that you might call writing studios, or writing environments. They are apps that work to help you with the business of writing as well as the job of typing text.

Scrivener, for instance, knows that when you're writing a novel, you are in it for the long haul. It knows you may need research, and it definitely knows that once you're up around 80,000 words or more, you need help keeping track of everything.

So Scrivener will let you write sixty chapters one after another if that's what you like, but it will also then slice that text up. If you have a character who only appears in chapters 4, 7, 11, and 33, then you can have Scrivener show you solely those chapters.

Look at the entire manuscript to get the whole picture, or concentrate on a specific segment. Scrivener bounces between both of these as you want, and it also offers a slew of extra writing, or rather writer, tools.

Such as how it handles research. You can drag images, URLs, whole web pages, and even entire other documents into the research section of your book.

Then whenever you open your iPad to write, everything you need is there. And when you're ready to send the manuscript to a publisher, they get everything — except the research.

Scrivener for iPad costs $20 on the App Store.

Ulysses is a curious writing environment for writers, one that is either completely compelling or just does not feel right to you at all. Rather than having documents per se, Ulysses offers you one single app with one single file — within which you can create countless pieces of writing.

Those are called Sheets in Ulysses and, like Scrivener, you can write them all in one go or you can slice them up.

It's a Markdown editor which means it feels bare, like Drafts can, and it doesn't have the same full-feature sense that Scrivener does. But wherever you go, whenever you open your iPad, you don't just have your latest writing, you have all of your writing.

All of it. Every bit since you started using Ulysses, anyway, and that grows into a very compellingly handy library of all your work.

Ulysses is free to download, then costs around $40 per year. It's also available as part of Setapp .

Specialized writing tools for scripts

As yet, there's no breakout hit app for writing haiku poetry. But there are a lot of apps for writing scripts and screen plays.

Scrivener is one of them. As well as prose, you can switch to a scriptwriting mode in Scrivener and it is a good writing tool for screenplays.

Screenplays have very specific formats and margins, developed over the last century and every bit is the way it is for a reason. It could be a reason that helps location scouts later on, rather than being any use to the writer now, but each reason is real and each formatting requirement is needed.

And they are just fiddly enough that it's only right an iPad should do as much of that work for you as possible. Let you concentrate on what's happening in the script, while your writing app looks after making it readable on the screen.

Final Draft 12

The most famous and the longest-running screenwriting app is Final Draft, now in version 12. It is very, very good on the Mac and PC.

Don't ask any Final Draft user if there's anything they dislike about it, you haven't got time, but still it's very, very good.

Whereas the iPad app is just good, approaching pretty good. It's had some bugs over the years and the company's support hasn't always been marvellous, but there are writers who solely use the iPad version and don't even have a Mac.

If they did have a Mac, they'd find out that the computer version of Final Draft is expensive. For Mac, it's officially $250 , though it tends to go on sale a great deal, and once you have one the company is good at selling you upgrades that are expensive, but seem cheap next to buying the full thing.

On the iPad, though, it costs $9.99 on the App Store. It's some writers' sole professional tool and it costs less than a book.

Alternatively, there is also Celtx, which used to be practically a clone of Final Draft and has the advantage that it's free on the App Store.

As yet, there isn't an iPad version of what might be Final Draft's best competitor on the Mac, Highland 2 . It's modern, slick, and it's built by professional, working screenwriters with long success in the industry.

They say that an iPad version is in the works, but no release date has been announced yet.

Utilities for writers

You could spend all your writing time just checking out utility apps for writers, like dictionaries and outliners and programs that make up your plot for you.

However, save yourself some trouble. Skip those ones where they say you just put in a name and choose a genre like comedy or western, and they'll outline your story for you.

But speaking of outlines... You may not be the kind of writer who plans anything out, you could be a pantser — one who writes by the seat of their pants.

Whether you like outlines or not, you can be required to write them for certain publishers or producers. When that's the last requirement before they start paying you, suddenly you can get to be very fond of outliners.

Try OmniOutliner 3 for iPad when you have any thing like a book structure to create, or an event to program. It's free to download and try, then costs from $19 .

There is an outliner in Word, but it's built for academics and is like working in treacle. There was an outliner in Pages, but Apple removed it.

Actually, you can jury-rig an outline in Pages using heading styles, but moving around it, changing text, grouping ideas together, it's as bad as Word.

Scrivener also has its own outliner and that's pretty powerful. But the separate, standalone OmniOutliner is the kind of writing tool that turns you from a user into a fan.

The best writing apps for iPad

This has been about the best writing apps for iPad, but it's really about the best writing apps for writers and those are on the iPad. We are now most definitely spoiled for choice for straight writing tools, and it is a fantastic thing.

And we have even more choice when it comes to writing being part of a larger project, a larger business. Then there are apps like Notion and Craft which are good for handling lots of information, or DEVONthink which is like a bionic research and writing too.

There may never be an end to the best writing apps for iPad, and there certainly won't be an end to the debate over just what constitutes the best.

But what doesn't change is that each of these runs on every iPad from the regular one, through the iPad mini, and on up to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro . We can have superb writing apps, and we can have them anywhere we go.

After you write your novel, you may want to try to publish it. We'll be talking about that very soon.

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The best writing apps for the iPad

If you’re looking for a portable device that can also be used as a writing station, well, the humble iPad is a great choice. While it’s still lacking in some respects, Apple has bridged the large gulf that previously existed between iPads and laptops, adding a variety of features in iPadOS that help to turn your tablet into a laptop substitute. So whether you’re using the entry-level iPad  or the top-of-the-line iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard , you can get a good writing experience out of your device.

Google Docs (free)

Microsoft word (subscription), ulysses (subscription), scrivener ($20), jotterpad (free/subscription), werdsmith (free/subscription), compo (free), shortly: a.i. writing assistant (free).

But you’ll also need a good writing app to really take advantage of iPadOS’s additional writing oomph. The perfect writing app for you depends on what you need and what you’re using it for. So whether you’re jotting down an assignment, your idea for a bestselling novel, an award-winning screenplay, or anything else, here are some of the best writing apps for the iPad.

Although iPadOS’s keyboard isn’t bad, you’ll want a keyboard to really take your writing to a new level. Check out our list of the best iPad keyboards to see the best keyboards for you.

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This wouldn’t be much of a list without the Google Suite’s writing app. Google Docs may lack the crazy features of some of the other options on this list, but Docs has everything you need for most basic writing tasks, including full formatting, support for images, and spell checkers. But the real strength lies in its online nature. It’s completely free, but despite that, you’ll get instant syncing so you can work on your document at the same time as other people and see edits and additions in real time, and it can import from and export to pretty much every format you’ll possibly need. While it’s a bit bare if you’re writing a novel or a screenplay, this is the ultimate note-taking tool, and one of the best completely free options available.

It’s the classic app we all know and love, and probably the program we all immediately think of when anyone says “word processor.” Word comes with a number of templates for different styles of document, handles images, and has a full formatting toolbar to boot. Word is effectively Microsoft’s answer for Google Docs — except you have to pay for it. Regardless of that, if you already have an Office subscription, Word is a strong option with support for importing from and exporting to many formats, cloud-based storage, and real-time editing with collaborators, plus the advantage of being the word-processing program of choice for many professional editors.

The first app in this list to really push itself to “writers,” rather than people who just need to write, Ulysses is a strong contender for the app for serious writers. You can keep almost anything in Ulysses, including your screenplay, novel notes, a to-do or shopping list, or even your blog’s latest post. There is a strong spelling and grammar checker, it syncs up with the MacOS version of Ulysses, and it can even export as an e-book. Unfortunately, you won’t get this for free, and Ulysses requires a subscription to work. It’ll set you back $6 a month, with discounts for year-long plans — but if you’re serious about writing, Ulysses is a good investment.

Possibly the most powerful single tool for writing, Scrivener is one of our favorite writing apps. It costs an upfront $20, which is a lot of money for an iOS app, but for that price you get a solid writing platform, a place to keep all your research (including images), notes on characters or locations, and a useful “corkboard”-style view for your chapters, which allows you to view everything at a glance, or even move individual chapters around easily like you would on a real corkboard. It exports to e-book and other popular formats, and syncs up with the MacOS version — though you’ll need to buy that too . Still, even with those added costs, Scrivener is the real deal.

Jotterpad’s aim is to provide a writing app without the distractions of a traditional word processor, and it does this extremely well. The interface is simple and extremely streamlined, but even with that, it’s not lacking in features. You’ll find all the usual additions, including Markdown, Fountain, a spell checker, and more. There’s even a rhyming dictionary. You can start up your document as a novel, screenplay, blog, or editorial piece, and you can jump between Jotterpad on different devices, thanks to its syncing. However, you’ll need a subscription to access most of the features on offer, including cloud syncing. A year’s subscription will cost you $30 a year.

Writing should be addictive. At least, that’s what Werdsmith believes, and it has the tools to hopefully inspire you to make writing a part of your daily routine. It uses writing tracking and daily goals to push you into keeping up a streak and jotting words down every day. Heck, it even has an Apple Watch word-counting app. If you struggle to keep writing, this may be the iPad writing app for you. Other than that, it has a decent number of features, including novel or screenplay writing tools and cloud syncing to keep your work current. There is a subscription, but it’s purely to allow you to work on more than a set number of documents at once, for $5 a month.

Compo is a brutally simple writing experience that aims to deliver a quick, easy way of writing down whatever’s on your mind. While some other apps may want you to set up a project and a template before you start, Compo just opens a blank page and lets you at it. Although it’s something more of a note-taking app, it’s certainly good enough for more heavy-duty writing tasks. You can share your writings on a number of different services and social media sites, and it syncs up with iCloud as well.

We’ve left the, well, weirdest until last. Shortly is a writing app with a difference — it has another tiny writer caged inside it, who learns from your writing and pens their own additions to your story when asked. All right, so it’s really an A.I., but Shortly’s writing assistant is actually pretty good, and it’s the perfect tool for getting over a small writer’s block. Using your past pennings as a template, it’ll take the reins and type away, adding new ideas and story turns you might not have thought of. While it’s unlikely to finish your story for you, it’s a great way to get the creative impulses firing up again. Worth a download and a try, even if you’re using another app.

Editors' Recommendations

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7 Best Writing Apps for iPad 2024 (Write A Book Fast)

by Chris Von Wilpert, BBusMan • Last updated November 23, 2023

Expert Verified by Leandro Langeani, BBA

First-Person Perspective:   We buy, test and review software products based on a 3-step rating methodology and first-hand experience .  If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.  Read our rating methodology and how we make money .

Today there are 118 different writing apps for iPad . We spent 57 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to write on the world’s best tablet.

What is the Best Writing App for iPad?

• Scrivener — best of the best
• Ulysses — best minimalist app
• iA Writer — best distraction-free interface
• Pages — best from Apple
• Google Docs — best for cloud storage
• Microsoft Word — best feature-rich app
• Bear — best markdown editor

1. Scrivener

Our verdict — best of the best.

Scrivener is the go-to writing app for aspiring authors. We think it’s the best because of its customizable corkboard view, versatile writing and editing features, and powerful outlining tools.

The Best Part:

Powerful outlining functionality. Scrivener's Outliner feature helps you effortlessly plan, organize, and rearrange your projects.

The Worst Part:

Steep learning curve. It might take some time for newcomers to get acquainted with all of Scrivener’s features.

Get it if you want a feature-rich app that allows you to write, edit, and manage your book projects from the comfort of your iPad.

I recommend you buy Scrivener from the App Store for $23.99.

(download now)

Scrivener is best for aspiring authors who want an all-in-one app to help them write, edit, and manage their book writing projects.

Top Features

Visualize your plan. Organize your ideas with digital notecards on a customizable corkboard — perfect for visual thinkers.

Write now, organize later. Piece together bits of text you've penned spontaneously and easily rearrange them with Scrivener's scrivenings mode.

Make it feel like home. Tweak settings, toolbars, and layouts to create the perfect writing environment on your iPad.

Write without distractions. Focus all of your attention on your words with Scrivener's full-screen composition mode, to block out all distractions.

Keep up with your writing goals. Set word count goals for your project or individual sections to stay on track.

Scrivener offers a single pricing plan:

Scrivener for iOS: $23.99 one-time payment, for aspiring authors and dedicated writers who want a powerful, all-in-one writing tool on their iPads.

Try Scrivener today via the App Store.

Our Verdict — Best Minimalist App

Ulysses is a sleek and straightforward writing app designed for iPad users who crave a minimalist experience. We think it’s the best minimalist app because of its clutter-free interface, seamless synchronization across Apple devices, and efficient organization tools.

Organization made easy. Ulysses lets you keep your content structured and tidy with its intuitive sheet grouping and library sorting options.

Limited formatting options. Ulysses doesn’t have many of the fancy formatting options other writing apps offer, which could be a letdown for some users.

Get it if you want an intuitive writing app that covers the basics and keeps things simple for the minimalist in you.

I recommend you get started with the free trial, then go for the Yearly Plan for $39.99/year.

(free plan)

Ulysses is best for writers who want a minimalist writing environment that keeps them focused on their work.

Sync it up. Use iCloud integration to keep your work up to date at all times across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.

It helps you keep your pace. Set word count or time-based goals and track your progress effortlessly.

Your own space. Customize Ulysses with a variety of themes that suit your style, while keeping that minimalistic feel.

Export in a snap. Ulysses makes it easy for you to convert and export your books to various formats, including PDF, HTML, and ePub.

Search and find. Use the advanced search function to locate specific content within your library.

Ulysses offers three pricing plans:

• Monthly Plan: $5.99/month for writers who prefer a flexible, short-term subscription for writing a book or two.
• Yearly Plan: $39.99/year for dedicated writers who are in it for the long haul and want the best bang for their buck.
• Student Offer: $10.99/six months for students.

The annual plan provides a 44% discount.

Try Ulysses today with the free plan.

3. iA Writer

Our verdict — best distraction-free interface.

iA Writer is the perfect iPad app for writers who want the closest experience to pen and paper. We think it’s the best distraction-free interface because of its seamless fullscreen mode, live syntax highlighting, and smooth syncing capabilities.

It’s all about focus. iA Writer’s full-screen mode allows you to completely immerse yourself in your writing without a single distraction.

No free trial. iA Writer doesn’t offer an option for testing out its features — you’ll have to pay the $49.99 fee in full.

Get it if you want a completely distraction-free writing environment that allows you to put all of your focus on your words and ideas.

I recommend you get iA Writer from the App Store for $49.99.

iA Writer is best for writers who want a clean, distraction-free writing environment.

Swift cloud storage access. Access all of your docs within iA Writer’s intuitive Library, whether they’re stored in iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox.

Favorites FTW. Mark your most-used files and folders as favorites to always keep ‘em handy.

Stay organized. Set up custom rules for Smart Folders and watch your documents automatically get organized.

Categorization made easy. Group your work using hashtags to categorize key chapters, themes, and ideas to easily locate while writing your book.

Sort files your way. Personalize how you view your File List by sorting documents according to Name, Date, or Extension.

iA Writer offers a single pricing plan:

iOS & iPadOS: $49.99 one-time payment, for writers who want lifetime access to a full-screen, distraction-free writing app.

Try iA Writer today via the App Store.

Our Top Three Picks

Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:

• iA Writer — best distraction-free app

Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:

Here are the top 50 best writing apps for iPad we considered in this review:

• Google Docs
• Microsoft Word
• JotterPad 
• Fade In Mobile
• ProWritingAid 
• Grammarly Keyboard
• Zoho Writer 
• Celtx Script
• Quip: Docs, Chat, Spreadsheets
• FocusWriter
• iaWriter 
• Markdown & Rich Text Editor
• Textilus Pro
• Manuscript Writer
• WriteMapper 
• Aeon Timeline
• Writer's Studio
• Day One Journal
• Penultimate
• XMind: Mind Map
• Story Planner for Writers
• Hemingway Editor 

What is the best writing software for iPad?

The best writing software for iPad is Scrivener, known for its powerful features, intuitive interface, and seamless compatibility with industry standards. 

Scrivener is a powerful writing app that caters to the needs of aspiring authors, professional writers, and anyone looking to enhance their writing process. Its customizable corkboard view allows users to organize ideas using digital notecards, making it an excellent tool for visual note-taking and planning.

Scrivener excels in the writing process, providing powerful outlining functionality, handy features for editing, and efficient note-taking capabilities. The app is designed with industry standards in mind, offering a formidable tool for writers who need to manage complex projects. With its handwriting recognition feature, it allows users to input handwritten notes and convert them into digital notes, making the transition from traditional notes on paper to digital notebooks seamless.

Additionally, Scrivener offers a range of export options, making it easy for writers to share their work with others or publish it in various formats. The app is available for both desktop version and mobile devices, ensuring a consistent writing experience across platforms. With cloud service integration, your work can be synced across devices, ensuring you always have access to the latest version of your projects.

Although Scrivener has a steep learning curve due to its advanced tools, mastering these features can significantly improve your writing experience. It offers a comprehensive set of onboard organization tools, markup tools, and features like the color fill tool, curve tool, and an easy-to-use tool interface. With its sharing features and options for storage, Scrivener becomes an invaluable resource for writers. The app is available for download from the Apple App Store.

What is a good free writing app for iPad?

A good free writing app for iPad is Apple Pages, which is designed to provide a simple, clean interface and essential tools for creating documents, including essays, reports, and even books. 

Pages come pre-installed on iPads, making it an easily accessible option for Apple users. As a free app, it offers a range of powerful features that cater to the needs of writers, from beginners to professionals.

Pages provide a variety of ready-made templates that can be customized according to your preferences, making it easy to create polished documents with minimal effort. The app supports handwriting recognition, allowing users to input handwritten notes and convert them into digital notes. This integration of the concept of handwriting with digital tools makes it easy for writers to capture their notes with ease and keep their notes neat and organized.

Apple Pages is designed with a focus on simplicity and ease of use, offering a streamlined writing experience without a rigid note-taking structure. This makes it perfect for writers who prefer a clutter-free environment for their work. It is compatible with popular note-taking apps, making it easy to transition from one platform to another.

Pages also support cloud syncing through iCloud integration, ensuring seamless synchronization across Apple devices, including iPads, iPhones, and Macs. This feature allows writers to access and update their work seamlessly across devices, making iPads an excellent platform for writing on the go.

What app do most writers use?

Most writers prefer Scrivener for its comprehensive set of powerful features, intuitive interface, and compatibility with industry standards. It caters to the needs of aspiring authors, professional writers, and anyone looking to enhance their writing process. With its powerful outlining tools, handy features for editing, and efficient note-taking capabilities, Scrivener becomes an invaluable resource for writers. Its compatibility with both desktop and mobile devices ensures a consistent writing experience across platforms. With cloud service integration, your work can be synced across devices, ensuring you always have access to the latest version of your projects.

Are iPads good for writers?

iPads are suitable for writers due to their portability, flexibility, and compatibility with various writing apps, including Scrivener, Ulysses, and iA Writer. The availability of these apps on iPads allows writers to access and update their work seamlessly across devices, making it a convenient platform for writing on the go. Additionally, iPads support handwriting recognition, making it easy for writers to input handwritten notes and convert them into digital notes. This feature enables a smooth transition from traditional notes on paper to digital notebooks, allowing writers to organize their work efficiently.

Furthermore, iPads offer the ability to add audio recordings to notes, providing an extra dimension to the note-taking process. The combination of a powerful processor, high-quality display, and long battery life make iPads an ideal choice for writers who require a versatile and reliable device for their work.

Is Scrivener worth getting?

Scrivener is worth getting for its powerful features, intuitive interface, and ability to streamline the writing process. Although it has a steep learning curve due to its advanced tools, mastering these features can lead to a more efficient and organized writing experience. Scrivener is highly recommended for both aspiring authors and professional writers.

Its customizable corkboard view, powerful outlining functionality, and handy features for editing make it an excellent tool for managing complex writing projects. With its compatibility across desktop and mobile devices, writers can access and update their work seamlessly, ensuring they always have the latest version of their projects at their fingertips. Scrivener's cloud syncing capabilities also make it easy to collaborate with others or work on multiple devices.

The Bottom Line

To recap, here are the best writing apps for iPad to try this year:

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15 Best Apps for Writing on iPad

Writing on ipad is now easier than ever and the apps mentioned below can make your experience very smooth.

You just bought a shiny new iPad. Or you already had one and are looking to use it as a creative device.

Those who first thought about giving your writing career or hobby a start on your iPad have made the right call.

Apple’s iPad is more than just a consumption device.

The inclusion of the M1 chip in the 2021 iPad Pro models proves that Apple wants to put them on our desks.

The first thing you need to start writing on your iPad is a quiet place, a keyboard (more on that later), and an app that meets your needs.

This article will help you with the latter one.

Many writers might think about the usual suspects, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word, but there are far better apps that will enhance your writing productivity.

A quick trawl on the App Store will reveal a multifarious app that will help you create and edit anything you have in mind. But I will save your time and list the 15 best apps for writing on iPad.

What you’ll need to type on the iPad

Before we get to the apps, here’s a quick list of what you need.

• A quiet place to write.
• Robust iPad stand.
• Apple’s Smart Folio Keyboard ($179-$199), Magic Keyboard ($299-$349), or Logitech’s Combo Touch iPad keyboard ($150-$200). Both of them come with a trackpad.
• An application of your choice.

A keyboard is a must-have to jot down your thoughts seamlessly.

Best Apps for Writing on iPad

All the following apps can become the tools to get yourself writing.

Be it a full-fledged app or a minimal tool, you can write to your heart’s content.

I have included free, freemium, and paid apps, so you need to set a budget. Most writing apps are free but work on a subscription model; some are totally free, while some require you to spend money upfront.

No matter which app you end up with, you will enjoy your writing schedule.

1. iA Writer

If Pages seem too much, give iA Writer to write without distraction.

The main selling point of this app is the lack of tools that might scare off your creativity.

You can simply open the app and start writing. That’s it, and it needs little customization to get started.

And when it does, oh boy, you’ll prefer no other app.

iA Writer’s spotlight feature is the focus mode that highlights the sentence or paragraph. I have also enabled the Typewriter scrolling, which will scroll down as you write.

Enable the dark mode, and you have nothing to worry about.

Also, the app syncs across platforms using either Dropbox or iCloud, so you can see it is cross-platform, which makes it seamless.

Focus on the thoughts without any disturbance with iA Writer, which you own by paying a one-time fee.

Main features

• Easy-to-use interface
• Blog integration is fabulous
• Great-looking night mode
• Not the most feature-rich writing app
• Lacks support for TextBundle files

Pricing: $29.99-lifetime subscription

App Store rating: 4.5/5

Download iA Writer

2. Google Docs

Google Docs is a must-have in your writing arsenal, seeing that it is a cross-platform free tool.

Sure, the app lacks the crazy list of features as compared to others on the list, which is why I reckon writers don’t need those.

The basic tools include full formatting mode, spell checkers, good export options, image support, etc.

Probably Docs’ real strength is its online presence. Even though it is an app on Android and the App Store, it can be accessed on the web, which many other apps lack.

Its online nature means it is free, and the people with whom you share the document can edit in real-time.

Screenplay and novel writers might find it a bit bare, but it will work if you are ready to make it work.

Google Docs still has a reputation as the ultimate note-taking tool, and its free access makes it even more tempting.

• The full-screen view makes for a distraction-free writing
• Add-ons for checking grammar
• Offline Mode for writing anywhere
• Constant access to the internet needed
• Limited set of features compared to MS Office

App Store rating: 4.8/5

Download Google Docs

3. Bear – Markdown Notes

Bear provides a streamlined writing experience and convenient editing tools that will help you write without any hindrance.

The app is one of the best apps that support markdown.

Customizing the app with different themes is a pleasant part of the app if you want.

Bear Notes include one-tap formatting, which means writing without much hassle.

It supports various formats such as PDF, HTML, DOCX, MD, JPG, and EPUB when it comes to exporting. These are great for flexibility.

Bear isn’t just a writing tool; it doubles a refined note-taking app that works seamlessly with Apple Pencil. So, sketching your dreams and drawing your imagination is possible.

• Advanced Markup Editor highlights over 150 programming languages
• Rich previews while writing
• In-line media support
• No multimedia capture

Pricing: $1.49 monthly (with one-week free trial), $14.99 annual (with one-month free trial)

App Store rating: 4.7/5

Download Bear – Markdown Notes

4. Werdsmith: Writing App

Werdsmith makes writing addictive, which is its core belief.

The app has all the tools to make it an impressive writing tool that will inspire you to type away your thoughts to paper, or in this case, the app.

If you have the skill but lack motivation, then Werdsmith is a perfect match for your iPad as its writing tracking and daily goals features will push you to jot words down every day.

The Apple Watch word-counting app is a bonus.

Other features include screenplay or novel writing tools. The cloud syncing function will ensure that you don’t lose your precious work.

I know that writers struggle with organizing their overwhelming thoughts, and there’s only one way to do something about it – keep pressing those keystrokes. You can make Werdsmith a part of that journey.

• Clean design
• Quickly add thoughts to the Ideas list
• Screenplay/novel writing tools
• iCloud syncing
• Less efficient commands
• Expensive pricing

Pricing: $4.99, yearly for US$49.99, or twice-yearly for US$29.99

Download Werdsmith: Writing App

5. Microsoft OneNote

Well well. Microsoft OneNote is one of the best apps for writing on iPad.

You might have used Microsoft OneNote at work or school, but the iPad app lets you do more than that.

You can write your next novel, thanks to its robust organization. Use the Apple Pencil to take handwritten notes, or just use it as ya note-taking app.

OneNote is designed to look like a physical binder, which means you can organize any notes you take or any stuff you write by the topic.

The app is full of multimedia features, so you can record a voice note, add graphics, type text, and even use a pencil to write down stuff.

Handwritten notes and typed words can be searched throughout the directory.

As for where these notes go, they all are automatically backed up to OneDrive.

Writers will love OneNote for its multimedia features and how it can be integrated into their writing process.

• Easily organize data in the Notebook section
• Apple Pencil support
• Voice recording
• Searching through notes is limited
• Adding documents from other apps is complex

Pricing: Free (with a Microsoft Account)

App Store rating: 4.6/5

Download OneNote

6. Microsoft Word

MS Word is synonymous with writing.

This is a classic app, and it has been a default app for millions of writers across the globe.

MS Word is a word processor with various templates that handle different types of documents.

I would say – and many would back me app – Google Docs and MS Word are twins, except you pay for the latter.

If you don’t use the Office suite – Excel, PowerPoint, or other apps, don’t buy the entire subscription just to use MS Word. But if you already have the subscription, it’s a strong app that will handle any writing.

Microsoft Word is great if you want to export in popular formats, want a service that supports cloud-based storage, and lets you edit documents in real-time editing with collaborators.

• The app is familiar and accessible
• Reviewing features are excellent
• Plenty of tools
• Not modern-looking as other apps
• Office 365 is quite expensive

Pricing: $10 per month for Office 365 Home

Download Microsoft Word

7. Final Draft Mobile

Known as the industry standard for writing screenplay, Final Draft’s mobile version makes one of the best apps for writing on iPad.

This app gives you all the needed tools to start writing a script. You no more have to forget your character’s names or locations.

The mobile app includes keyboard supports, mark-up, and feedback to the scripts.

You can even print the script directly from the app.

It doesn’t matter if you are a novice or a pro screenwriter; Final Draft Mobile makes you strive for more.

• Write, edit and read Final Draft scripts
• SmartType remembers all character names, scene headings, etc.
• Best for writers in general
• One of the most expensive desktop version
• Users reported weird cursor issues

Pricing: $9.99 lifetime subscription

Download Final Draft Mobile

When people hear ‘Ulysses,’ they immediately think of the modernist novel by Irish author James Joyce.

But, the Ulysses I am referring to is an app that intends to push writers just to write whatever they are thinking of.

This is an app for serious writers as it can do many things.

Write your blog’s post, notes on your upcoming novel, screenplay, or even a to-do list.

Ulysses includes a grammar and spelling checker, which is handy for messy writers.

If you own other Apple products, this app syncs with the macOS version if you have one.

Like iA Writer, a handy typewriter mode vertically fixes the current line on which you are working.

And yes, the app also supports Markdown.

You can set benchmarks when you have a deadline – characters or words.

When you are done with your work, you can export it as an e-book. How neat!

The app will cost you $4.99 per month/$49.99 per year, but if you are a serious writer and don’t mind the subscription plan, then it won’t get better than this.

• UI is clean and accessible
• The export options are powerful
• Reliable iCloud sync
• Not as feature-rich as something like Scrivener
• The subscription model won’t be to everyone’s tastes

Pricing: $4.99 per month/$49.99 per year

Download Ulysses

One of the newer apps, Byword, lets you open all of your text documents across all Apple products, which is handy if you own an iPhone as well as a Mac.

Developers know that we always don’t have access to the internet, so the app will let you edit any document in offline mode.

As for the user interface, it’s quite easy to use. It doesn’t have a learning curve, nor does it need too much customization.

When you are done writing and want to share it, Byword can convert files into HTML and PDF formats for easy editing.

If you type for longer hours, enable its dark mode, which will be comfortable on your eyes.

You can split Byword into instances, which is great if you want o move between documents.

Take my word that Byword is a worthy app to store your thoughts.

• Best for distraction-free writing app
• Supports Markdown
• Inexpensive one-time purchase
• Not the best app for long-form writing
• Lacks templates

Pricing: $5.99-lifetime subscription

App Store rating: 4.4/5

Download Byword

10. Scrivener

Scrivener is the king of writing apps as it is the most powerful single tool for writing.

This app makes for a great writing platform, fabulous for researchers, and a wonderful writer tool.

When I mentioned researchers, you guys can write notes on locations or characters and a useful corkboard-style view for your chapters.

The user interface of the app is extremely satisfying. If you use it once, you’ll never look for alternatives.

Once you are finished refining your writing, you can export it to an e-book and other accepted platforms.

I can go as far as to say that Scrivener is a writer’s friend, and it is the real deal.

• Advanced functionality
• Exporting and compiling options are superb
• Corkboard and Outliner feature works well
• The app isn’t the most accessible
• Expensive compared to the competition

Pricing: $20-lifetime subscription

Download Scrivener

11. Storyist 4

Storyist 4 is the fourth attempt to inspire writers to write in a suitable environment, and it is successful at that.

The app gives you the ability to create, review, and edit your work whenever you want to.

You can even ready screenplays and manuscripts without much hassle.

The rich text editor of Storyist makes way for images, style sheets, headers, footers, and support for comments that makes it a collaborative app.

The inclusion of screenplay and manuscript templates is a bonus that will keep you hooked on your writing.

I like that Storyist can be a basic writing app and an app that screenplay writers can use. I say that because you can sketch out a story with the help of color-coded index cards and then edit it with plot, character, and setting customizable sheets.

The app will also display your index cards next to your manuscript while you write.

I am impressed by the export options. Storyist exports for Mac, Plain Text, Fountain, RTF, and Final Draft FDX files. Your work can also be exported into PDF.

Storyist is an all-rounder app that justifies its $4.99 monthly price tag.

• Enhanced comment support
• Easy keyboard shortcuts
• Fabulous for any type of writing
• No folder tree
• Bugs could auto-delete your work.

Pricing: $4.99 per month, $10.99 for six months, or $39.99 per year

App Store rating: 4.3/5

Download Storyist 4

12. Simplenote

Nothing can get simpler than Simplenote.

This is a superb app that is literally distraction-free. I know that I have thrown around that word quite a lot in this listicle, but I mean it.

Simplenote is a more stripped-down cousin of iA Writer. If you like the latter, you’ll love the former in no time.

Many think of this tool as an app used for note-taking, but there’s more than meets the eye.

Simplenote’s simplicity is what everyone needs in the world of chaotic apps.

Its simplicity might be its weakness for some, but I see it as its strength.

Add to the fact that this app is cross-platform. So, if you use a ton of devices, this is a no-brainer choice.

Trust Simplenote for putting the words from your head to the screen.

• Extremely easy-to-use
• Light and minimal
• Supports markdown formatting
• Only supports text notes
• No notebooks, folders, or formatting tools

Pricing: Totally free

Download Simplenote

13. Jotterpad

As the name suggests, Jotterpad is great for quick writing sessions, but it is actually more than that.

The app doesn’t have unnecessary tools that create a distraction. Instead, it provides for a distraction-free word processor.

You can choose between a blog, novel, editorial piece, or even a screenplay when you want to start.

The user interface is straightforward and streamlined, but that doesn’t mean it lacks features.

Jotterpad supports Markdown, spell checker, fountain, etc.

I love that there’s a rhyming dictionary. Poets, rejoice!

Jotterpad syncs between different devices, which is a time saver.

The app is totally worth its asking cost.

• Backup files to Dropbox
• Easy for offline usage
• Typefaces and customizable typography
• A bit of a learning curve
• Backup is finicky

Pricing: $30 per year

App Store rating: 5.0/5

Download Jotterpad

When we use any new devices, it isn’t completely app-less. You will find some delightful apps and some worthless ones.

I spent a few days looking for the best apps for writing on iPad, and it was right under my nose the whole time.

Pages is a robust word processor bundled with iPhone and iPads as standard.

Unless you have deleted the app without knowing what it did, you still have it on your iPad.

Pages won’t come across as a good-looking app, but it does what is right in the name – offer writers fully functional pages.

Templates galore. Yes, I would put it that way since I had a hard time choosing which one to choose. The pre-designed templates and styles are made for writing letters or designing resumes.

You can write, doodle, annotate drafts, and take notes with these powerful pre-installed apps.

If you own a lot of Apple devices, Pages will sync without any hassle.

• It is free and pre-installed on iPad
• Useful templates
• iCloud integration
• Less-attractive interface
• A slight buggy app

Pricing: Built-in, free.

Download Pages

15. Apple Notes

Oh, would you look at that! Apple Notes is one of the best writing apps for iPad.

I know many would question my decision to put it on last or include it at all.

But hear me out.

Apple Notes is the perfect app for writing down your thoughts, taking handwritten notes with the Apple Pencil, making quick tables, making quick to-do lists, or notes that can be locked.

Even though it is no competition to Scrivener or OneNote, the app has many features of its own that stand out.

Firstly, it’s pre-installed, saving the additional step of looking for it on the App Store. Secondly, it instantly syncs across all your Apple devices.

The app is also strong in organizing notes with the help of sections and folders.

Apple Notes can invoke Siri to take a quick note for writers who need to jot down thoughts quickly. So, the next time you are walking your dog or taking a shower, say, “Hey Siri, take a note.” And then dictate your next big idea.

Moreover, the newer iPadOS has a little Notes shortcut in the Control Center. If not, you can set it up in the settings.

Need I say more?

• Great for those deep in the Apple ecosystem
• Quick note feature
• Take notes using “Hey Siri”
• Notes cannot be exported to a format that can be imported again
• Lacks cross-platform support

Pricing: Built-in, free

App Store rating: 3.6/5

Download Apple Notes

How easy is writing on an iPad?

If you have the Magic Keyboard or similar accessory, then writing on the iPad is a cakewalk as it also includes a trackpad. If you don’t have any, then you should buy one.

What app do I need to write letters on my iPad?

Apple Notes app is great for just writing letters, and it is pre-installed. Google Docs is another great free option, and Microsoft Word will also get the job done if you have a subscription.

Can an iPad be used to write a book?

Yes, you can use an iPad to write a book. The regular iPad, iPad Air, or the iPad Pros are better options, as writing on a Mini would be terrible. I suggest you use the iPad with a keyboard as it will make typing fun.

Is the iPad Pro good for writers?

The iPad Pro is great for writers who want to write and read. As I have been saving, that iPad is great if you pair it with the right accessories. If you don’t own an iPad, don’t buy one just to write. Some of the apps on this list have Mac apps.

Are there any free apps to write on the iPad?

Many free apps will help you jot down your thoughts. Some are Pages, Apple Notes, Google Docs, and Simplenote.

Wrapping it up

These are the 15 best apps for writing on iPad.

No single app is best for an iPad, and I currently use Notion, iA Writer, and Apple Notes.

I would recommend that you fully try Apple Notes for its amazing features.

For journalists, researchers, novelists, Scrivener provided unparalleled power and flexibility.

You can, of course, try a few different writing apps, like opting for the free trial, and continue with the plan if you like it.

iPad is a sweet spot between a smartphone and a laptop, but it means it has the power of these two devices.

It doesn’t matter which iPad you are using; you can get a good writing experience out of it.

• Can iPad be used as a Phone?
• How to Delete iPad Apps

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Best Writing Apps in 2024

Showing 127 writing apps that match your search.

Polish & improve your novel. Identify word and phrase over-use. Monitor adverbs and clichés, crutch words and phrases. Improve sentence structure and punctuation.

Platforms: Windows, PC

Best for: Editing, Proofreading, Book, and Story

Website: https://smart-edit.com/

Base price:

Premium price:

★★★★ Performance

★★★ Features

★★ Accessibility

LanguageTool

LanguageTool’s multilingual grammar, style, and spell checker is used by millions of people around the world.

Platforms: Online, Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, PC

Best for: Editing, Proofreading, Essay, Blog, and Free

Website: https://languagetool.org/

★★★★★ Accessibility

Also rated 4.8 ★ on the App Store

We’re more than a doc. Or a table. Customize Notion to work the way you do.

Platforms: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, Chrome, PC

Best for: Note-taking, Outlining, Journal, Book, Story, Essay, Poetry, Blog, and Free

Website: https://www.notion.so/product

★★★★★ Features

★★★★★ Value

Also rated 4.0 ★ on TechRadar

Learn more about Reedsy Studio .

Writing Analytics

Track your progress. Stay accountable. Finish your drafts.

Platforms: Online, Chrome

Best for: Drafting, Book, and Story

Website: https://www.writinganalytics.co/

Writemonkey

Writemonkey is a Windows zenware writing application with an extremely stripped down user interface, leaving you alone with your thoughts and your words. It is light, fast and free.

Platforms: Windows, PC, Mac

Best for: Drafting, Book, Essay, Journal, Poetry, Story, Blog, and Free

Website: https://writemonkey.com/

★★★★★ Performance

★★★★ Accessibility

Also rated 4.5 ★ on TechRadar

Gingko is a new kind of tool, that lets you shape your ideas with lists, outlines and cards, all in the same clean interface.

Platforms: Online

Best for: Outlining, Essay, Book, Story, and Blog

Website: https://gingkowriter.com/

★★★ Performance

LivingWriter

Start your book, plot your book, write your book, organize your book, and export it for publishing all in one place. Leave your word processor in the dust.

Platforms: Online, Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, PC

Best for: Outlining, Drafting, Publishing, Book, and Story

Website: https://livingwriter.com/

Also rated 3.5 ★ on the App Store

All great writing begins with inspiration. The writing process, however, begins with an unyielding blank page. You could keep battling it. Or you could organize your research snippets on it. So you fill the page with your ideas, data and inspiration. And write a world-class piece that's supported by cited research.

Best for: Outlining, Drafting, and Essay

Website: https://www.airstory.co/

★★★★ Features

A tool for thoughtful writing. See your work in new ways, think with an integrated concept map, and export with an automatic reference section, all in a distraction free environment.

Platforms: Mac

Best for: Drafting, Book, Story, Essay, and Free

Website: https://www.augmentedtext.info/author

Also rated 4.4 ★ on TechRadar

Writer is a writing application without the fuss and distraction of a traditional word processor. It's perfect for everything from taking notes to writing a novel on your phone or tablet.

Platforms: Android

Best for: Note-taking, Book, Story, Journal, Essay, Blog, Poetry, and Free

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jamesmc...

Also rated 3.8 ★ on Google Play

Apple Pages

Pages is a powerful word processor that lets you create stunning documents, and comes included with most Apple devices. And with real-time collaboration, your team can work together from anywhere, whether they’re on Mac, iPad, iPhone, or a PC.

Platforms: iPad, Mac, iPhone

Website: https://www.apple.com/pages/

★★★ Accessibility

Also rated 3.6 ★ on the App Store

Create ebooks for every platform: Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and more. Each specialized file can guide readers to buy your next book in their favorite store.

Best for: Publishing, Story, and Book

Website: https://vellum.pub/

Also rated 3.0 ★ on Reedsy

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The 6 Best Writing Apps for iPad

iPad has become an indispensable tool for writers seeking a seamless and efficient writing experience. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist, a seasoned journalist, or a student juggling assignments, having the right writing app can make all the difference. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best writing apps for iPad that combine functionality, versatility, and user-friendly interfaces, ensuring that your words flow effortlessly onto the digital canvas.

The Best Writing Apps for iPad

Price: $49.99

Extremely easy to use, iA Writer eliminates distractions and helps you focus. With its style, features, and ease of use, iA Writer is the indispensable app for writers and ranks first among the iPad apps for writers. Start typing in plain text without getting stuck with the format, then preview it in HTML. 

Also, the app focuses on the current sentence, word, or paragraph and obscures the rest with focus mode. iA Writer allows writers to choose their layout, it’s up to you to rearrange your keys or choose new ones from the extensive list! You can start the frequently used operations in iA Write from the search field, and the app detects unnecessary adjectives, weak verbs, repetitive nouns, and wrong conjunctions and offers authors the opportunity to write correctly. 

Moreover, whenever you want to work day or night, this app provides writers a comfortable working opportunity with an inverted light mode in the dark. When you want to export your articles Customize your Templates and export them as WordPress or Medium, HTML, Microsoft Word (.docx), or PDF. In addition, you can visit iA Writer’s website for more detailed information.

iA Writer on the App Store

Also Read: The Best Note Taking Apps for iPad

Price: Free

Discover this powerful word processing app from Microsoft on your iPad. Enjoy writing your articles with beautifully designed modern templates. Use the app’s rich formatting and layout options for projects, assignments, novels, letters, blog posts, screenplays, and more. Submitted documents remain intact in their format and layout, and appear as they should on any device.

Furthermore, collaborate anywhere with MS Word. Share your thoughts with your colleagues or project team by commenting on documents and staying informed of changes to text, layout, and formatting.

MS Word on the App Store

Also Read: The Best To Do List Apps for iPhone

Price: $23.99

Scrivener is one of the best writing apps for iPad with extensive features, especially for iPad. Specially designed Scrivener allows you to compose your text in the order you want, in large or small sections as you want. Write when inspiration strikes, and Scrivener will guide you! Meticulously outline, identify and reconstruct every detail. The app offers the ability to import Word, RTF, Final Draft, and plain text files and easily divides the imported text into sections.

Additionally, you can view all chapters as a single text with the “Draft Explorer” (iPad only). Quickly navigate sections and format your texts with fonts and presets with the “Linker” sidebar in the app. Take notes for yourself and your teammates with comments, footnotes, links, and highlights. The customizable keyboard row in the app allows you to type in your style faster. Discover your writing style with Scrivener! Plus, Check out Scrivener’s website for detailed information.

Scrivener on the App Store

Also Read: The Best Drawing Apps for iPad

Ulysses offers writers an enjoyable focused writing experience with features such as effective document management, smooth synchronization, and flexible export. Ulysses’ uniquely streamlined toolset covers the entire writing process. The focusing problem will disappear with the clean and simple interface of Ulysses. Ulysses keeps you in the flow, so you can fully immerse yourself in the text from the first draft to the last.

Furthermore, the app stores content you’re about to write, such as novels, diaries, or study notes, in Ulysses’ Unified Library. What you type is automatically synchronized and saved. Misspellings are minimized with Ulysses’ integrated grammar and style checking. The app provides informed suggestions and guides writers.

Moreover, the app has an easy publishing feature for WordPress, Ghost, Medium, and Micro.Blogs. Ulysses offers a built-in preview of the fix before shipping for all four of them. Create eBooks, DOCX, PDFs, and HTML for export based on your use case. Plus, for more information visit the app’s website .

Ulysses on the App Store

Price: $4.99

1Writer covers all the basic text editing features you would expect. It is a successful typing app for typing your ideas with maximum efficiency, so it is just one of the best iPad apps for writers. Use the app’s handy extended keyboard for navigation, formatting, and special characters, and type flawlessly with the app’s full, rich-text preview.

Moreover, sync with iCloud, Dropbox, and WebDAV for importing. Create or modify text directly from other apps using the 1Writer URL scheme. To share text, share your document as plain text or PDF.

Additionally, the app has two dark themes and 20 different fonts. Writers can shape the app according to their style. Also, 1Writer has Touch ID/Face ID for those who want to create more secure documents. For more info, visit the app’s website .

1Writer on the App Store

Also Read: The Best Apps for Apple Pencil

Price: $5.99

Designed to make it easier to write with Markdown, Byword is among the best writing apps for iPad.Text documents can be synchronized on your Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices by Byword. Documents are always accessible in offline mode. Byword offers an alternative dark theme for extra comfort in low light conditions for writers who write for hours.

In addition, Byword provides the most complete support for Markdown, including footnotes, tables, and cross-references. Writers can export their documents to PDF and HTML documents and publish them on Medium, WordPress, Tumblr, Blogger, and Evernote with the Byword. Also, browse the app’s website for more information.

Byword on the App Store

Choosing the best writing app for your iPad depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize organizational tools, distraction-free interfaces, collaborative features, or stylistic aesthetics, the diverse array of writing apps discussed in this guide ensures that there’s an ideal option for every writer. Elevate your writing experience on your iPad with these best writing apps for iPad and let your creativity flow effortlessly onto the digital canvas.

Related posts:

• The 5 Best Grammar Checker Apps
• Apple’s Vision Pro Headset welcomes iPhone and iPad apps
• The 6 Best Calligraphy Apps
• The 10 Best Note Taking Apps
• COVID-19 Lockdowns Lead To A Spike In iPad App Downloads

Written by Nisa Ozcelik

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7 best apps for writing documents on iPad

Super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.

• Gorgeous writing space
• Silky-smooth typing
• Deep personalization (Pro)
• Markdown or Plain Text
• Syncs with iCloud
• Writes and edits texts with ChatGPT AI
• Publishes drafts to Medium, WordPress, or Ghost
• Exports to PDF, HTML, RTF, DOCX, image, or clipboard
• Works seamlessly across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Create documents, make impact. When your work needs to wow, Craft gives you the tools to make it magnificent.

Don't just process words - build documents

Craft brings structure to your documents - and gives you the tools and freedom to do it your way. Seamlessly combine images, text, media or tables for the perfect experience. Drive deep understanding and engagement by allowing the reader to consume your document just as they would a website. Add your brand and personal touches on top for the prefect document.

Big on impact, teensy weensy on effort

Organizing your workflow, writing your report, creating your code or mapping your masterplan; whatever you’re doing, the freedom to do it your way matters. Tables, toggles, markdown and blocks, back-linking, forward-thinking, in, out and shake it all about - Craft’s ingeniously rich feature-set gives you endless possibilities to love how you work. Just click and create for amazingly beautiful docs in minutes, then bring it all together in your own unique way.

One beautiful experience. All of your devices.

At your desk, on the go, on or offline, enjoy Craft’s powerful performance and legendary UI across your entire toolkit, courtesy of the native app experience. Lose the lag and fall in love with instant sync; quickly jump into any document on any device; and free your creativity with the same beautiful experience whatever device you’re on. We’ve even got a web-based app so you’ll never drop the ball again.

And plenty of ways to share the love

Why keep your brilliant work to yourself when we’ve made it really simple to share? Secret Linking, shared spaces, external guests, and fast, easy export; inspire action across teams, clients, and everyone who’s anyone with the kind of content that’ll make you look way more wow than yet another Google Doc. Or Word doc. Or (insert app you’re using here).

Scrivener takes tools familiar to writers everywhere and integrates them in new and exciting ways.

For writing. And writing. And writing.

Scrivener is the go-to app for writers of all kinds, used every day by best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, lawyers, journalists, translators and more. Scrivener won't tell you how to write—it simply provides everything you need to start writing and keep writing.

Grow your manuscript your way

Tailor-made for long writing projects, Scrivener banishes page fright by allowing you to compose your text in any order, in sections as large or small as you like. Got a great idea but don't know where it fits? Write when inspiration strikes and find its place later. Grow your manuscript organically, idea by idea.

See the forest or the trees

Whether you plan or plunge, Scrivener works your way: hammer out every last detail before typing a word, or carve out a draft and restructure later. Or mix your methods and do a bit of both. In Scrivener, everything you write is integrated into an easy-to-use project outline. So working with an overview of your manuscript is only ever a click away, and turning Chapter Four into Chapter One is as simple as drag and drop.

Research within reach

Need to refer to research? In Scrivener, your background material is always at hand, and you can open it right next to your work. Write a description based on a photograph. Transcribe an interview. Take notes about a PDF file or web page. Or check for consistency by referencing an earlier chapter alongside the one in progress.

Getting it out there

Once you're ready to share your work with the world, compile everything into a single document for printing, self-publishing, or exporting to popular formats such as Word, PDF, Final Draft or plain text. You can even share using different formatting, so that you can write in your favorite font and still satisfy those submission guidelines.

Get focused. iA Writer offers a unique writing experience that lets you concentrate and clarify your message. Used by half a million people worldwide, its powerful interface is crafted to cut out noise, let you focus on what you want to say, and help you structure and trim your text. Available for Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android.

Simple and Powerful

No rulers, no formatting bars. iA Writer provides the crisp, uncluttered environment you need to write well, supported by discrete, powerful features, from Content Blocks, to Syntax Highlighting.

Focus and Flow

Focus is the key to good writing, and the guiding principle behind iA Writer. With shortcuts and simplified settings, you can keep your hands on the keyboard and your mind in the text.

Ownership and Control

We think every craftsperson should own their own tools, so when you download iA Writer, you own it. No forced subscriptions, microtransactions, or compatibility concerns. Your work, your files, your app.

Hack Your Syntax

Highlight parts of speech to improve your writing. Spot superfluous adjectives, weak verbs, and unwanted repetitions. Developers have long used syntax highlighting to improve their code. Now you can hack your text.

Power of Style Check

Style Check is like having a personal editor-in-chief on your device, carefully reviewing your text for redundancies, clichés and filler words as you type. It’s simple, different, and powerful.

The Original Focus Mode

Focus only on the sentence or paragraph that you’re working on. Introduced in 2010 with the original iA Writer, Focus Mode has since been copied by many writing apps. This is the original, and still (we think) the best.

Flexible Content Blocks

Swap sections around, add media, and construct your content with flexible building blocks of text, .csv tables and image files. Stitch separate chapters together into one master file. Express yourself through experimentation.

Optimized Typeface

We have created an innovative typeface for iA Writer, specifically designed to enhance the writing experience. The family comes in three flavors: classic Mono, Duo for larger screens, and Quattro for small devices.

Parallel PDF Preview

iA Writer now offers a live, paginated PDF preview, parallel to the text you are editing. Instantly see how your document translates into PDF pages, as you edit.

Advanced Markdown to Word Export

iA Writer features one of the most advanced Markdown-to-Word export functions available anywhere. Quickly export your Markdown documents to MS Word (and back too!). Includes support for tables, images and footnotes.

The Ultimate Writing App for Mac, iPad and iPhone. Powerful features and a pleasant, focused writing experience combined in one tool, made for people who love to write and write a lot — this is Ulysses.

Like 12 Fingers, 25 Hours a Day

Some things simply work better when you’ve got the right tool. Ulysses’ well thought-out features boost your productivity through the entire writing process; its distraction-free interface keeps you in the flow so you can get things done.

Projects Cannot Get Too Big

Be it college essays, blog posts, or the next Great American Novel: No matter what you’re working on, Ulysses is equipped for managing writing projects of all sizes and ambitions.

Built-In Proofreader and Editing Assistant

Write with confidence: Ulysses’ built-in grammar and style check helps you avoid mistakes and meet the right tone. Available for over 20 languages, it offers suggestions for capitalization, punctuation, semantics, redundancy, style and more.

Let Your Words Shine

After you’re done writing, Ulysses can turn your texts into beautiful PDFs, Word documents, ebooks and even blog posts. Everything is just a click away, with on-the-fly switching of styles and a live preview built right in.

Powerful, beautiful Markdown editor for iOS. 1Writer combines all the basic text editing features you would expect with all the advanced features you will ever need. Use 1Writer to write, research, revise, and share your ideas with maximum efficiency.

1Writer provides a distraction free writing environment. You can create and edit plain text or Markdown files. It does have many features including inline Markdown preview, word count, dark theme, TextExpander support, insert photo, an extra keyboard row, and many more. See the formatted results with inline Markdown preview while you write and a full, rich-text preview when you're done.

Pick and choose existing Dropbox or WebDAV folders you want to sync or sync them all. Work offline and your changes will be synced next time you connect to the Internet. It also supports iCloud Drive - start a new document on your Mac and continue editing it in 1Writer, and vice versa. You can send text to 1Writer from Safari and other apps via the Share extension or 1Writer URL scheme.

1Writer has a powerful action system. It comes with a ton of built-in actions. Generate a link to share your document in plain text or PDF. Email your document in plain text, formatted text or PDF, and much more.

You can create even more powerful custom actions using URL scheme or JavaScript - text manipulation, replace the clipboard contents, perform a find & replace, insert a document template, look up synonyms - the possibilities are endless.

iWriter Pro

iWriter Pro is elegant and minimalist text editor with built-in MultiMarkdown support.

Clean and Simple

iWriter Pro is designed to be easy yet powerful text editing app. It provides distraction-free writing experience with a bunch of handy features.

Markdown Highlighting

Markdown is a good way to format your text, apply styles, insert lists and block quotes. iWriter Pro automatically highlights text as you type.

iCloud Support

Use iCloud to store your documents. You can easily create, view and edit your files on Mac, iPad and iPhone devices.

10 Best iPad Apps For Writers

Are you a writer and fancy the idea of using your iPad to create more content? You are probably just a student and would love to utilise your device to complete pending assignments. Or you’re creative and need to take notes whenever an idea pops up unexpectedly.

You might be unaware, but the iPad contains numerous applications for writers and editors. Selecting one that meets your writing needs might be challenging. We’ve combed through the web, and here are the ten best iPad apps for writers. 

• Apple notes
• MS Word 

Before proceeding further, it’s essential to understand what to look for in an iPad app. Therefore, here are five factors to guide your app selection.

• Compatibility. Apps are designed differently depending on your device. Ensure there is enough space to accommodate your desired app. You’ll need to find out whether the app is compatible with other tools.
• Price There are a lot of free applications. However, others can be acquired at a fee, while others will require you to upgrade your plans.
• Performance. As a writer, you need to be clear about what you want to write. How do you intend to use the app? And what features would you like to see? 
• User experience. A customer rating defines the performance of the app. Go through the reviews and identify the pain areas. If they are persistent, that app is not for you.
• Support. Check out the options available to contact the customer support team. It’s essential to understand the support structure before things get worse.

As well as covering the main features, the review will also show you who’s best suited to using the app and their ratings and prices. Let’s dive right in to find out more.

Byword is an excellent choice for writers who create content for websites and blogs. It incorporates Markdown capabilities and is accessible via the iPad, iPhone, and Mac, and this allows you to convert your writing into PDF and HTML. 

Besides offering a great text editor, the app allows users to publish their content on Medium, WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, and Evernote.

Other prominent features include;

• Manage your work both online and offline.
• Screen splitting 
• Word and character count
• Grammar checker
• Incorporated dictionary

The app is best suited for blog writers, student notetaking, and drafting an official email.

Rating : 4.4 stars

Price: $5.99.

The iA writer is designed with a minimalistic user interface. It stays clear from all the other non-writing features and provides the users with the needed environment to write. 

The iA Writer is a four-time award winner with commendations from The New York Times, The Guardian and Wired. 

Some of the notable features include;

• Markdown support
• Save and share content as PDF or HTML
• Direct posting to WordPress and Medium
• In-built editor
• Built-in dictionary/ thesaurus/ rhyming dictionary
• Offline and online writing capabilities

The app is best suited for blog writers, authors and anyone doing notetaking.

Rating : 4.5 stars

Price: Get it at $29.99

Ulysses is another writing app with minimalistic features that allow users to focus on writing. You can access it from either an iPad, an iPhone, or a Mac. This app enables creatives to capture their ideas while on the go. 

The key features include;

• Subscription option
• A 14-day trial
• Grammar and spelling checker
• Available in over 20 languages.

The app has a minimalist user interface with the main focus of giving the writer space to focus and write. 

The app is best suited for blog writers, screenplay writers, to-do lists, and novel authors.

Available for a monthly price of $5.99 .

The GoodNote app is ideal for organising and capturing ideas, thoughts, concepts, etc. All this is achieved by putting them down in a digital notebook, and you can access them on all of your devices through the iCloud platform.

Key features include:

• The app syncs with iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
• There is a variety of editing, formatting, and writing templates.
• Presentation capabilities are available.
• Ease of sharing using a link.
• Simplified editing function.
• Use the keyboard or the Apple pencil to write your notes.

You can use it as a student, during a meeting, to plan your to-do list, or on your shopping list during a meeting.

Rating : 4.8 stars

Price: Free an option. Upgrade for additional features at a price of  Price: $7.99 .

Journaling requires practice, and the best ideas often show up when you least expect them. The Simplenote app helps you create, organise, and execute your plans, and you can sync it with your mobile devices for ease of access. 

The key features to look out for include:

• Ease of team collaboration
• Organise your notes into tags and folders.
• Publish directly to wordpress
• Markdown component
• Find and replace option
• Use a password to lock your notes.
• Available in 20 languages.

It’s ideal for anyone who enjoys journaling, taking notes, learning, and working with lists.

Price: Free .

Notability 

Notability is another great digital tool for notetaking and organisation. It is available on Mac, your iPhone and iPad devices. It’s been featured as Apple Editor’s Choice on various occasions as ranked highest on the App store.

Some of the prominent features to note include:

• Presentation mode helps you showcase your ideas on an external display.
• Record, save, and playback options.
• Ease of navigation with a drag and drop option
• Variety of tools, formats, fonts and layouts to choose from

It’s ideal for teaching, group presentations, notetaking, and creative writing.

Rating : 4.7 stars

Price: Free option . You can upgrade to a monthly $2.99 or an annual subscription of $11.99.

Writing gives birth to ideas, and AppleNotes is a companion that should help you capture those moments. The app syncs with iCloud and is available on all Apple mobile devices. 

It’s not only for note-taking but also to capture images, documents, and website links. 

What are the key features of this app:

• Scan photos, documents, and images.
• Create charts
• Secure using a passcode
• Collaborate and share concepts with teams.
• Available in over 30 languages

The app is suitable for writers, journalists, writers, students, and professionals.

Rating : 3.5 stars

Price: Free 

This is a great app for writers who are stagnant at the beginning or finishing that book. The app is designed to help writers accomplish what they started at each stage of their writing journey.

You can start by writing your plot, making an outline, breaking down your thoughts, and planning out your book. You can break down your manuscripts into sizeable pieces of content for you to follow through. Some of the other distinct features include:

• Useful editing tools like comments, highlights, etc.
• Various templates and formatting options exist.
• Customisable keyboard to suit the user.
• Compare research drafts and written content on screen.
• Multitasking screen split.
• Sync with iCloud and Dropbox.
• Organise and track your work using labels.

It’s ideal for screenplay writers, novelists, and authors.

Rating : 4.4stars

Price: $19.99

Werdsmith is designed with the writer in mind. It encourages you to give it your all and, in the end, brings out the best in you. From setting time limits to giving you writing prompts, this app provides you with the needed tools to finish writing.

Werdsmith journeys with you from planning your idea to giving it life and ultimately publishing it. Some of the notable features in the app include:

• Varied fonts and layouts are available.
• An AI idea generator.
• Passcode security option
• Filing system with folders
• You get to personalise your theme selection.
• Option to auto-save
• Cloud-based text editor
• Make any necessary changes to the font's colour and size.

It’s ideal for screenplay writers, novelists, and poets.

Rating : 4.7stars

Price: Free . Get an upgrade by purchasing a monthly or annual subscription for $4.99 or $49.99. 

Microsoft Word

Whether handling a class assignment or delivering a multimillion-dollar project, Ms. Word is your trusted writing partner. You can easily create, copy, paste, edit, and share your ideas. It’s available on your iPad and iPhone devices.

It’s flexible and available in desktop and mobile versions. Other features to look out for include:

• There are numerous templates for business or personal letters or posts.
• Strong formatting options
• Work and share concepts with teams.
• Sync with other mobile devices.

It’s ideal for students, resume writing, authors, bloggers, etc.

Price: The app is free . However, you can get additional features for personal and business use, which cost $6.99 and $10.99, respectively. 

These applications can boost your writing, and they allow for remote access. So, make the most of these top iPhone writing applications to improve your skills.

This article has demonstrated some fascinating possibilities for taking notes on your iPad. It's now easier than ever to acquire the benefits of pen and paper writing without sacrificing the organisational capabilities of digital tools.

Writing should, of course, become a habit. Select a suitable option from one of the ten best iPad apps for writers and reap its benefits. 

About The Author

Arielle Phoenix

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Best note-taking apps for iPad and Apple Pencil 2024

These note-taking apps can help you jot down all your important reminders and notes.

GoodNotes 6

Microsoft onenote, pdf expert – read, edit, sign, nebo: notes & pdf annotations, google keep, noteshelf - notes, annotations.

The best note-taking apps for iPad and Apple Pencil can help you jot down thoughts, share them with friends and colleagues and back them up to the cloud and across devices. These apps, combined with their handwriting features, can be perfect for work, studying, or if you simply need to quickly make a shopping list.

Additionally, all of these work with Apple's best iPads — if you want to use Apple's Notes app with an Apple Pencil on an iPad mini , it can be done. It's worth noting, though, that if you're an artist, we also have a guide for the best drawing apps for iPad and Apple Pencil as well.

For this guide, we've laid out a bunch of apps that work great with Apple Pencil and iPad — but before you decide to buy a new Apple Pencil or download any of the apps below, we recommend you check which iPad models support Apple Pencil first.

Apple Notes

Notes (Free)

You can always trust iMore. Our team of Apple experts have years of experience testing all kinds of tech and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and criticisms are accurate and helpful. Find out more about how we test.

The built-in Notes app is a reliable bet for many people looking to use an Apple Pencil for note-taking. It does more than just allow you to type notes or dictate things. It's possible to add handwritten notes, sketches, and drawings in the Notes app . All you have to do is start a new note, pick the drawing tool, and then get writing or sketching to your heart's content.

The app has native text recognition search and in-line scanning. It also has annotation support, so it immediately covers all the most essential features required from a note-taking app. In comparison to third-party apps, it can feel a little limited such as its primary use of iCloud, but it's the perfect starting point, especially if you don't want to download anything new.

You can download Notes on the App Store .

Goodnotes 6 (Free with in-app purchases)

Goodnotes is ideal for the note-taking power user, and it has a ton of great features. There's handwriting and sketching with Apple Pencil, of course, but there's a lot more. You can pick from a huge selection of digital paper types to suit your needs. Options include lined, graph, design, music notation, and much more.

It's also possible to upload your own custom paper template if you have something specific in mind — from Ruled Paper to Checklists and Planner. You can also choose from multiple cover styles for digital notebooks so you can keep things personal and well-organized.

For actual handwriting, Goodnotes 6 supports writing and drawing with your Apple Pencil, as well as a third-party stylus. Add on built-in handwriting search recognition, text conversion, and more, and GoodNotes is a feature-rich package of useful tools. You can download Goodnotes 6 on the App Store .

Notability (Free with in-app purchases)

Many of us at iMore use Notability as it's one of the best options. Like GoodNotes, it's powerful but it's also a little easier to use in some ways. It has tools for handwriting and drawing. You can also annotate PDFs here, along with creating shapes, highlighting sections, moving objects around the page, and even adding audio notes. Integration with photos and web clips is also an option if you need a more media-rich set of notes.

Notability provides plenty of paper styles for your handwritten notes or sketches, with grid-based paper likely to be popular among many users. It's easy to share your notebooks with third-party cloud apps like Dropbox and Google Drive.

For anyone unsure where to start, a tutorial helps guide you through the basics the moment you launch the app.

You can download Notability on the App Store .

Microsoft OneNote (Free with in-app purchases)

For those users already invested in the Microsoft Office ecosystem, OneNote is a logical choice to make. Even for those who aren't, it's still useful for viewing and editing notes. The app has handwriting and sketching tools that are perfect to use with your Apple Pencil. It's simple to handwrite everything from important notes to quick reminders, to sketching out diagrams and ideas. You can also annotate existing documents you already have in OneNote. 

Other features include rich text notes, photos and audio support, calendars, and a fair few other things too. It's easy to share a link to your digital notebook any time you want others involved too. You can download Microsoft OneNote on the App Store .

PDF Expert (Free with in-app purchases)

Anyone who deals with PDFs often knows they can be awkward to annotate or change, which is why PDF Expert is such a welcome inclusion here. It does all the basics like allowing for annotations or marking up PDFs. You can also quickly open those PDFs from iCloud or third-party syncing services.

From there, you can easily fill out forms, sign documents, and use tools like a digital pen, as well as add shapes, underline, strikethrough, or highlight pieces of text. It's even possible to create stamps for frequently used wording, and you can edit the structure of the PDF document too.

The free version of PDF Expert allows you to read, annotate, highlight, draw, fill forms, and more. For features like being able to edit the original PDF text, add or edit images, sign documents, or password-protect a file, you'll need a Pro subscription. 

You can download PDF Expert on the App Store .

Nebo (Free with in-app purchases)

Easily the best note-taking app for anyone who wants to write handwritten notes before converting them to regular text, MyScript Nebo is certainly flexible. Write something with your Apple Pencil and Nebo converts it on-the-fly. The conversion is non-destructive so you can preserve both the handwriting and the text to check for any errors.

There's support for multiple digital pen tools so it's easy to make things look how you want them to. Support for adding photos and videos is also possible, along with diagrams, and even quotations to go alongside your text. If you don't need the whole handwritten document converted, it's possible to convert one paragraph at a time. 

Once completed, it's then possible to export as text, HTML, PDF, or Word document, with syncing available through iCloud, MyScript's own service, Dropbox, and more.

You can download Nebo on the App Store .

Google Keep - Notes and Lists (free)

Simple yet refined, Google Keep is well-designed for jotting down quick thoughts, ideas, or lists. It's not as comprehensive at systematic note-taking as other apps here, but it's so simple to use that it's very appealing. It's even possible to create checkboxes for your lists, forming a type of to-do list. There's rich text support too, while it automatically works alongside the rest of the Google ecosystem that many of us rely on.

That makes it very appealing for anyone who uses Google regularly. It's easy to write a quick note before accessing it from another one of your devices, while Apple-native tools can be pickier about exporting and using in different formats.

You can download Google Keep on the App Store .

Noteshelf ($9.99)

Noteshelf claims that its experience is like writing on a notepad being smooth and fluid. It offers different pen styles to work within the app including an elegant fountain pen choice. Its notes can consist of your handwriting, PDF annotations or even recorded audio.

The app also offers handwritten note conversion so you gain easy search features for looking through your notes and creations. There are hundreds of different paper styles and templates too, so it's ideal for a more attractive digital paper experience. 

You can download Noteshelf on the App Store .

Whink (Free with in-app purchases)

Simple yet with a sleek interface, Whink is an instantly appealing app. It offers natural handwriting tools so it feels like writing with a pen and paper. There's also a gel-pen tool with natural ink colors, so it looks professional while being simple too. Users can zoom in on their notes for extra precision, so it's good for sketching and drawing.

Taking notes is only ever a tap away, while there are also PDF and photo annotations. It's possible to add shapes along with audio recordings, so you're covered for most needs. Sharing notes is a matter of syncing with iCloud or other services like Dropbox. 

You can download Whink on the App Store .

Why use the best note-taking apps for iPad and Apple Pencil?

Sometimes you just can't beat the old paper-and-pen experience, but digital notes offer many benefits. It might not be possible to send your digital note into flight like a paper plane can, but everything else is very similar. Add on Apple Pencil 2 and you get a pen-to-paper-style experience with all the convenience of digital.

There's also the added benefit of drawing the odd design while you take notes, although for a pure experience, check out the best drawing apps for iPad for the most functionality.

If you're more interested in reading with the occasional moment of interaction, the best e-reader apps for iPad might be better.

Finally, if you're still not sold on the need for an Apple Pencil, you may prefer checking out one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives around to keep costs down and do things a little differently.

Master your iPhone in minutes

iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!

Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way. 

Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz .

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7 Best Essay Writing Apps For Students And Academics

In a rush? One of the best essay writing apps is Grammarly . Learn how these apps can help you with research paper writing!

To write a strong essay, you must follow a logical order when you organize your writing . If you omit this feature, your reader will become confused. Fortunately, there are numerous essay writing applications that can help you stay focused and organized. The best essay writing app for students should help you with grammar, proofreading, and writing style.

As you try to ease your writing load, you need to find applications that can help you with analytics, argumentative, narrative, expository, and critical writing. Whether you are looking for an essay writing app for PC, Mac, iPhone, or iPad, there are plenty of options out there. Take a look at the best essay writing apps, and find the right one to meet your needs.

1. ProWritingAid

2. grammarly, 3. hemingway, 4. ulysses, 5. evernote, 6. focus writer , 7. freemind, how we evaluated the applications, why trust our opinions, final word on the best essay writing apps, how does a writer app or writing software compare to a professional essay writing service, is there an automated tool that writes essays for you, can a brainstorming tool really help your writing process, essay writing resources.

Pricing: $79.00 per year or $20.00 per month. 

ProWritingAid  is a cloud-based editing tool for essay writing, copywriting, and blogging. This software can help you identify proofreading issues, eliminate mistakes, and correct punctuation in essays.

You have access to both a free version and a paid version. You can try the premium version for 14 days to decide whether you want access to the premium features. Premium features include optimizing word choice, avoiding cliches, and fixing sentence length issues.

ProWritingAid helps you improve your readability and writing style while also picking up grammar issues You can use ProWritingAid in Microsoft Word, Scrivener, Google Docs, and Chrome. Free users can only run 500 words at a time through the program.

• The interface is easy to use.
• There are numerous integrations available.
• You can access more than two dozen writing analysis reports.
• The free version is limited to only a few hundred words at a time.
• It can also take a long time to get used to the myriad features available.

ProWritingAid is a powerful, accurate grammar checker and style editor. It's suitable for non-fiction and fiction writers and doesn't require a monthly subscription. Save 20% per month or year.

Pricing: $139.95 billed annually or $25 per member per month. You may be able to negotiate a lower rate if you need multiple users for your business.

Grammarly is one of the strongest essay-writing apps available today. Grammarly helps you correct spelling mistakes, fix stylistic issues, and catches punctuation.

Grammarly has a free version and a premium version available. The free version can help you correct basic grammar , spelling, and punctuation issues. It can also help you optimize long sentences. 

The premium version gives you access to word choice issues, stylistic corrections, and even a plagiarism checker. The premium version can also automatically fix many of these mistakes, helping you save time during the editing process. There is no premium trial available. Grammarly is available as a browser extension and as a separate window into which you can upload documents. 

• Free version relatively powerful
• Contains built-in plagiarism checker
• Works everywhere
• Less suitable for longer essays
• Plagiarism checker is premium only

We tested dozens of grammar checkers, and Grammarly is the best tool on the market today. It'll help you write and edit your work much faster. Grammarly provides a powerful AI writing assistant and plagiarism checker.

Pricing: The web application is free, but the desktop version is $20.

Hemingway is known as a tool that can help you improve your readability score, but it is also a comprehensive proofreading tool.

Hemingway can point out sentences that are too complex for readers, helping you streamline your thoughts. As a virtual proofreader, it can make your sentences clear, concise, and bold.

As you write your essay , the editor will mark sentences that are deemed too complex. Then, you can let Hemingway go to work, picking up passive voice , comma splices, and even run-on sentences. By keeping your sentences short, you hold the attention of the reader. 

• Easy to use
• Ideal for copyediting
• No plagiarism checker
• No specific tools or checks for essays

Pricing: $4.99 per month of $39.99 for the year, following a 14-day free trial.

Ulysses  has been dubbed as the top writing app for Apple products such as Mac, iPad, and iPhone; however, the program is not compatible outside of Apple products. What sets Ulysses apart is that it can sync your files directly to the iCloud. Even if the original file is destroyed, you will not lose your work.

Ulysses uses something called markdown language. This helps you apply styles to your writing without having to worry about a formatting menu.

You can also take advantage of “focus mode,” which helps you streamline your writing to a single line and reduces on-screen distractions. Then, when you finish, you can export your files in a variety of formats to make it easier to finalize your work.

• You will store all of your writing in one place, eliminating the annoying back and forth between multiple folders and files.
• You can store older images of your files, reverting to them if you do not like your work.
• You can use the distraction-free interface to improve your productivity.
• The customer support team is exceptional.
• Ulysses is not available for Windows or Android.
• You do not have access to any pre-designed templates.

Pricing:  Evernote has a free tier, a plus tier at $34.99 per year, and a premium tier at $69.99 per year.

Evernote  is another application that can help with essay writing. The program is a cross-platform, note-taking application that is ideal for processing hand-written notes, such as the outline of a potential essay, or articles from the web, which can be helpful for a research paper. 

Evernote can store just about everything you would ever need, ranging from a simple typed note to an article you came across. That way, you never have to worry about losing your essay ideas. 

While Evernote is most popular among Mac users, it works on multiple devices. Evernote is available for Windows and Mac users, giving people offline access. Evernote also has a convenient Android and iPhone app. 

• Great for research
• Powerful note-taking features
• Fast, reliable sync
• Less enjoyable to write with
• Large libraries get clunky
• Not purpose-built for essays

Pricing: Free, but donations to the maker are encouraged.

Focus Writer  is a free word processor that is available across all major operating systems. This word processor is largely seen as an alternative to Microsoft Word.

Because Microsoft products can be expensive, a lot of students cannot afford them. Therefore, Focus Writer is growing in popularity. 

This tool will give you access to a wide variety of statistics including word count and character count. Furthermore, the program stores its files in an RTF format. This is read by most other word processors, so you can open your essays on other platforms when required.

• The tool is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Android products.
• It gives you access to important text statistics as you write.
• It is a strong word processor for students and writers on a tight budget.
• The program does not give you access to advanced proofreading or editing features.

Pricing: Free

FreeMind is a mind-mapping program that helps users create structured diagrams. If you have recently finished conducting your research and need to organize it before you start biting, this is the perfect program to help you.

You can also use this program to keep track of projects, tasks, and time. It is possible for you to brainstorm an essay, using different colors to show which parts of the essay you are referring to. Then, you can use these color-coding features to keep track of your essay as you write. 

Furthermore, the program comes with advanced DES encryption to help you protect your work. You can protect your work from accidental loss as you finish your project.

• The program is completely free to use.
• The diagram process is versatile for those writing essays in a variety of fields.
• There is DES encryption that protects your work from being lost.
• The diagram process can be challenging for people to use for the first time.
• It does not have a very flashy visual appearance, lacking numerous advanced features.

Because there are so many essay writing applications available, we used a variety of criteria to evaluate each program. Our testing criteria include: 

• The availability of each application across multiple platforms
• The ease of use of each individual application
• The variety of features available
• The price of the program in comparison to the features offered
• The security of each program

After testing the individual features of each program, we developed a ranking system designed for students, essayists, and research paper writers. 

There are several reasons why you should trust our opinions regarding essay writing applications. These include:

• We have written essays for a variety of reasons across multiple platforms.
• We have thoroughly tested all of these applications.
• We have paid close attention to the reviews, ratings, criticisms, and features of each individual application.

Even though everyone has slightly different needs when it comes to essay writing applications for academic papers, we are confident that one or more of these applications will meet your needs. 

Whether you are in high school, college, or working on your Ph.D., there are essay writing apps that can help you along the way. If you compare the benefits and drawbacks of each tool, you can find the right application to help you with your essays and research papers.

FAQs About The Best Essay Writing Apps

A professional service could be a stronger option than an automatic writing tool, but professional services will be more expensive.

Yes, there are tools that can write custom essays and short stories for you, but these programs often produce incoherent babble that will not improve your writing skills or make a good impression on your reader.

Yes. If you want to write a quality paper, you need to use a high-quality brainstorming process to get all of your ideas on the page. A strong writing software program can help you with that.

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Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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The 10 Best Writing Apps of 2024

Useful tools for novelists, playwrights, editors, and other wordy types

• The University of Phoenix
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If you're serious about writing, consider getting serious about your writing tools. These writing apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS , and Android put your words into the right format, adding polish and professionalism to your creations.

Best Word Processor for All Genres: Microsoft Word

Hundreds of templates make creating any document simple and fast.

Easily add charts, graphs, and images.

Built-in translation tools.

Overwhelming interface.

Full app is expensive.

Only one person can edit shared documents at a time.

No writing tool list is complete without Microsoft Word. This word processor is the best option for all genres, complete with hundreds of templates to choose from, endless formatting tools, and a robust online support system. From a poem to an e-book to a novel, Word can help you do it all. You can even create your own Word templates .

Word is available for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. You can start with a free trial of Microsoft 365, which includes other Microsoft applications as well. If you choose to purchase, packages range from $69.99 a year to a one-time payment of $149.99. If those prices are too high for you, you can also use Word for free .

Download For:

Best Tool for Long-Form Content: Scrivener

Keyboard shortcuts make writing a breeze.

Templates are ready-made to jumpstart your creativity.

Easy to manage and rearrange pages and chapters.

Has a learning curve.

Spelling and grammar check are not enabled by default.

Intended for users who have an intermediate understanding of word processing.

Do you write long-form works like novels or non-fiction books? If so, you need a tool that performs some of the low-level tasks for you. Scrivener offers ready-made templates that eliminate the need to spend time on tedious formatting tasks.

This application also includes features for storing details about your characters and other critical background information, writing sections and placing them in your manuscript later, and viewing a detailed outline built from synopses that you write for each chapter. If you don't like the flow, you can move chapters around. When you're ready to publish, Scrivener makes it simple to compile and export a completed manuscript.

Scrivener is available for macOS, Windows, and iOS. You can try it free for 30 days. After the trial, a standard license costs $59.99 or $50.99 for students.

Best Screenwriting Application: Final Draft

It has everything professional screenwriters need to meet industry standards.

Powerful story mapping tools.

Integrates with Storyboard Pro.

May not be great for beginners due to the hefty price and steep learning curve.

You must sign in to the platform each time you use it.

No support for real-time collaboration.

Final Draft is used by 95 percent of film and television productions. Why? There are hundreds of templates to choose from and Final Draft automatically paginates and formats your script to the industry standard, allowing you to focus on writing.

With advanced tools, the program allows you to easily brainstorm and collaborate as well as plan set pieces or store character research with customized visualizations.

Final Draft offers a free 30-day trial. After that, the cost is $199.99. The program works with both macOS and Windows and also offers a mobile app for iOS devices.

Best Organizational Companion: Evernote

Add photos, audio snippets, and more.

Robust collaboration tools.

Search for text in PDFs, images, scanned documents, and handwritten notes.

Only 60 MB of monthly upload space is available for free.

May include more features than you need for simple note taking.

Free version limits you to two devices.

To electronically capture ideas on the fly, use a text-based note app on your device. For an enhanced organizational experience, we recommend Evernote. It enables you to collect many types of input, including whiteboard photos, website screenshots, different document formats, audio recordings, and your handwriting. You can separate items into different notebooks for multiple projects.

Evernote is free to download for both Android and iOS devices, or you can use it online. Users can upgrade to Evernote Premium for $7.99 per month or Evernote Business for $14.99 per user per month.

Best Application for Distracted Writers: FocusWriter

The tool is easy start using as soon as it downloads.

Free with no catches.

Simple, intuitive interface.

There are no editing functions outside of cut and paste.

Need another word processor for editing purposes.

No mobile version.

Given all the distractions in the world and especially online, it's easy to get off track during your writing time. FocusWriter allows you to focus and get your work done. The interface is basic, with all the tools hidden beyond a screen until you need them, so it's just you and the document in front of you. Hidden timers and alarms alert you when it's time to stop.

Best Writing Software for Bloggers: Google Docs

Changes to your documents save automatically, so no more lost work.

View the history of edits and track changes.

Collaborate in real time.

The Google Docs app for mobile devices is slower than the desktop version.

Limited options for adding charts and other visuals.

Fewer formatting features than premium word processors.

One of the best things about Google Docs is how easy the program makes it to collaborate with others. No more "version shuffle" as you send drafts and revisions back and forth in email.

When you share a document with your blog editor, they can insert suggestions, comments, and changes right there. Then, when it's time to implement the changes, accept the revisions and close comments about issues you resolved. You can even use Google to work on Microsoft Word documents.

Google Docs is a free online tool that's also available as an app for Android and iOS devices.

Best Writing App for Novelists: Werdsmith

Keeps track of your writing goals and tells you how close you are to reaching them.

Lots of helpful templates and formatting options.

Publish your writing to the web from the app.

Must purchase a membership to use the novel and screenplay features.

Text formatting tools could be more intuitive.

Not worth the price if you don't regularly use all the features.

Werdsmith is a portable writing studio, complete with instant formatting for novels and screenplays. You can even use it to publish your online writing portfolio. Werdsmith features a clean design, it's easy to use, and it's the perfect place for keeping your notes and finished work. The goals and stats function helps keep you motivated.

Werdsmith is free to download and use for iOS devices. In-app purchases are offered through a membership for $4.99 per month. Members receive four new themes, novel and screenplay writing tools, hundreds of writing prompts, and more.

Best App for Journalists: Dictation

It's designed for one thing: dictation. This simplicity makes it an easy tool to use on the go.

Accurate transcriptions.

Helps prevents strain on your joints and back.

Without the pro version, you'll see an ad after each dictation you create.

Doesn't integrate with word processing apps, so it can be tedious to use.

No word counter.

For journalists who interview individuals for news stories and features, a good dictation tool is a must-have. Dictation is a speech-to-text app that translates voice to text for mobile devices. It can also be used to dictate any voice while on the go. It's perfect for capturing your brilliant ideas as well.

Dictation is free to download for iOS devices. Dictation Pro, which costs $44.99 per year, removes ads and allows you unlimited app usage.

Best Application for Editors: TextEdit

When the full-scale capabilities of a word processing program are unnecessary, TextEdit fills in the gap.

HTML and JavaScript support.

Save files in various formats (.DOCX, ODF, and others).

Only available for macOS devices.

No third-party plugins.

Formatting issues when you copy-and-paste.

This simple tool is perfect for editing documents, including Word files, on the fly and converting them into other formats seamlessly. Need to change a Rich Text Format (RTF) document to another format quickly? TextEdit is the perfect app for that. You can also easily create and edit HTML documents for the web.

TextEdit comes standard with macOS.

Best App for Song Writers: Lyric Notepad

Record yourself performing and attach the file to your song.

Counts syllables and tracks rhyme schemes to help you maintain your flow.

Inexpensive pro version.

The interface is a bit clunky.

No way to back up your lyrics to the cloud.

No search tool.

For poets, rappers, songwriters, and lyricists, inspiration can strike at any moment. That's why it's important to have a tool available at your fingertips. Lyric Notepad goes beyond typical word processing tasks to track rhyme and syllable schemes, help you find new words, and record your lyrics, all in one app. The built-in notepad allows you to add notes about your songs as you write and the metronome helps you easily keep time.

Lyric Notepad is free to download for both iOS and Android devices.

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10 Mac Writing Apps That Will Level Up Your Writing

Back in the early '90s, a study was conducted on how personal computing machines would impact student writing. On IBM, 50% of students produced "complex sentences" compared to Macintosh's 30%. In an analysis of the study, The San Jose Mercury News said, "The same icons, mouse, fonts, and graphics that make the [Macintosh] easy to use may well turn off the brain's creative-writing abilities" (via Human Progress ). How ironic then that today's Mac is widely regarded as the machine for writing. Author J.K. Rowling claimed the "MacBook Air changed my life," and Stephen King is known to have used both the iMac and the MacBook Pro to craft some of his legendary works. Chris Cleave — author of "Gold" — says it plainly: "I use a MacBook... same as every other writer."

It's impossible to choose just one reason writers love working on a Mac, so take your pick. They have lots of built-in features to help you to be more productive , and 97% of office users who make the switch claim that they feel like they get more done. It has surprisingly good voice dictation out of the box, a single-button "Do Not Disturb," and unparalleled battery life so there's no low-battery anxiety getting in the way of your next great American novel. But where the Mac really smashes the competition is with its many writer-focused software suites. If you're still in search of that end-game writing daily driver, then let us present some great options to choose from.

Ulysses easily takes the cake as Mac's best writing app for any project of any size. It's a Markdown editor — Markdown being a formatting language you should use instead of Microsoft Word's RTF  – so you can do virtually everything without your fingers leaving the keyboard. Writing, thanks to Ulysses' clean interface and Markdown formatting, is simple and distraction-free, without skimping on features like letting you open documents side-by-side. Everything — including research material like images — can be kept within the program, and it offers intuitive ways to cut up documents, merge them together, and bundle them into relevant groups. You can organize projects into nested folder structures and sync them via iCloud. Periodic, automatic backups even let you go back and restore previous document versions straight from the app.

That's just the beginning. Ulysses helps you polish up your prose with a proofreader, and export it in one click to your blog or your editor. It also has built-in goal tracking, to help you monitor your growing word count and better meet your deadlines. We could honestly write a dozen articles and still fail to chart the depths of Ulysses' features — which makes the trim 40 MB size all the more surprising. Ulysses is available only on Apple devices and costs $39.99 per year. It's not cheap, but it does support Ulysses' continued development, which has been going strong since 2003.

For those with devices outside the Apple ecosystem — and who are tired of feeling like everything charges a subscription fee — Scrivener is a breath of fresh air. You pay $59.99 one time and keep that version for life with all its future updates. Scrivener is a rich text editor, so unlike Ulysses, you're not forced to use Markdown if you find it unsightly. It also has much of the same functionality as Ulysses, letting you organize large projects like manuscripts into "ring binders" of nested folders and documents that you can stitch together or break up as needed. It even has a couple unique features, like a corkboard for planning and organization.

As wonderful as Scrivener can be, it's got one very noteworthy downside: cloud syncing issues. Scrivener has no built-in syncing feature, instead requiring you to do so via your own cloud storage service. Sadly, Scrivener's non-typical file structure doesn't play nice with most cloud clients. The devs are very open about the fact that using OneDrive, Box, Google Drive, and iCloud could cause data loss. Dropbox is the only recommended option, and even then you have to use it in a very specific way — speaking from personal experience, this still leads to frequent file corruption. We only recommend Scrivener for those who keep their files on a flash drive or a single computer.

One of  the best Mac notetaking apps  is Bear . The app has three main goals: to be lightweight and minimalist, beautiful, and support Markdown. It also comes with a unique "Hide Markdown" feature so you get the benefits without even knowing it's there. Despite being a primarily note-taking app, Bear is excellent for writers working on smaller projects who want a clean, simple interface. It uses an uncommon note organization feature — tags — ideal for those who want to write first and organize later. All you have to do is create a hashtag with a keyword anywhere in the document. That tag then appears in the sidebar and groups all notes with it, effectively creating a "folder" in Bear. You can even create nested tags (the Bear version of subfolders) for deeper organization.

Bear may not be for power users who require the deep customization and functionality of Ulysses and Scrivener, but it punches above its weight with its feature set. It lets you add tables and footnotes, insert all kinds of attachments, clip web pages, provide link previews, and more. The pro version lets you sync via iCloud, get access to more themes, and even search inside PDFs for text. Bear will likely be a bit pricey for some at $29.99 a year, but thankfully the free version — something Ulysses and Scrivener lack — is plenty capable. The only major downside we can think of is that there's no folder-only alternative to the tag organization feature.

Like Bear, UpNote is a notetaking app with enough features to easily make it a writer's cornerstone, and it's much cheaper than the competition – $0.99 per month or $29.99 for life. It's very similar to Bear with a focus on simplicity while still offering nested notebooks and folders for those who weren't sold on Bear's tag system. The note editor window works with Markdown and supports practically any text editing function: attachments, code blocks, text highlighting, you name it. Writers will especially love the automatically enabled file syncing, focus mode, and version history, among other things. There are a handful of features you won't find on other apps in this list, such as a sticky note window that always stays on top and collapsible lists.

Where UpNote really smokes the competition is its cross-platform compatibility. You can find it on all your Apple devices, plus Windows, Android, and Linux. That said, there are some downsides. There is no support for external cloud services, which could be problematic since UpNote does not and will not support end-to-end encryption — a must-have feature in things like encrypted messaging apps that makes it virtually impossible for unauthorized people to read your notes. Further, UpNote has potential sustainability concerns due to its uncharacteristically low price and lifetime plan for a live service. To be fair to the devs, they claim to have very lean operating costs and will raise prices and discontinue the lifetime subscription if necessary.

Every app on this list has some flavor of distraction-free writing mode, but none do it like iA Writer's marquee Focus Mode. It works by highlighting only the active sentence or paragraph you're working on. The philosophy, it seems, is to prevent writer procrastination, the sort where you compulsively proofread other sections of text after hitting writer's block. The app supports Markdown, too, so you can keep your hands on the keyboard as much as possible. Somewhat similar to Scrivener, iA Writer uses .txt files that you store in your regular documents folder, then organize and edit inside iA Writer — there are no proprietary file formats to hold your work hostage in a single app. iCloud is supported by default, but the app lets you source files from popular cloud storage providers like Dropbox and OneDrive.

iA Writer's features go plenty deep, same as Markdown apps like Ulysses and Bear, letting you customize all the typography bells and whistles you could want. And there's one new feature that's going to be incredibly useful in our AI-enabled world: authorship. In a nutshell, iA Writer Authorship grays out pasted-in text that originates from other writers or — importantly — from ChatGPT. Useful, since with OpenAI's next ChatGPT-5 release , it's going to become even more difficult for writers to remember what they wrote, and what was written by a bot. iA Writer is a one-time, $49.99 purchase on Mac, and supports all other major platforms.

Cold Turkey Writer

iA Writer does an admirable job of keeping you on track, but at the end of the day, you can easily exit fullscreen and get sucked into internet distractions. Short of unplugging your router, there's not much you can do to prevent that, which is where Cold Turkey Writer comes to your aid. It's a sister app to Cold Turkey Blocker, a program capable of denying you access to specific web pages and apps during focus sessions. Cold Turkey Writer takes this approach one step further. Once opened and enabled, it prevents you from leaving the editor until a certain amount of time has elapsed, or you've written a certain number of words.

If you trust yourself not to get distracted enough to exit the app, but need something that stops you from casually glancing at Dock or Menu bar notifications, you can use it as the ultimate distraction-free editor without setting a time limit or word count. It's a small, portable executable file you can run off a thumbstick, and the free version gives you all the most important functionality with no strings attached. Getting Pro for $9.00 unlocks "productivity hacks," like the option to disable the backspace and arrow keys to prevent yourself from compulsive editing. Pro also gives you access to dark mode, extra formatting options, and background soundtracks. Writer saves your work to a .txt file for you to do with what you will when finished.

The  Drafts  app takes the idea of managing local .txt files seen in Scrivener and iA Writer and jacks it up to eleven. It describes itself as a "launching-off point for text," or a "Swiss Army knife for text" rather than a text editor. Think of it as an overlay that grabs text from all your other apps so you can edit and organize it from a single location. It pulls from your email, your messages, and even your tweets, and lets you organize it all via Tags, Flags, or the built-in Archive. Similar to Bear, there's a "write first, organize later" mentality at play here. For writers who have hands in all sorts of cookie jars — that is, all sorts of apps –  Drafts may be the thing you've been looking for.

All this power may seem like it comes at a steep price, but that's where Drafts defies your expectations: it's totally free on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and even watchOS. Subscribing to Drafts Pro for $19.99 a year unlocks the feature set even further. You'll be able to customize actions and integrations with third-party apps, change themes and syntax, automate some of your processes, and set up a special Drafts email address to send text directly to the application. Our only complaint about Drafts is that there's a bit of a learning curve for new users.

So far, every app we've mentioned is either paid or has some of its best features locked behind a paywall. A brief, weeklong trial may not be enough for someone who wants to give novel writing a shot — especially those on a tight budget. Manuskript mimics the functionality of greats like Ulysses and Scrivener for the low, low price of $0.00, and includes many features they don't. In addition to the same folder organization and distraction-free editor mode common to Mac writing apps, Manuskript adds things like character-building sheets, plot outlines, a world-building item tracker, and a word frequency analyzer to avoid overusing certain words. Manuskript markets itself toward fiction writers, particularly planners rather than pantsers. It incorporates the "snowflake method" that allows writers to additively build up small ideas into a full-blown novel.

The app isn't just free, it's open-source, letting you use, modify, and distribute the code if you so choose. That said, there are some caveats. Manuskript, per its own words, is in the "early development stages." The devs recommend creating frequent backups since it's unstable, beta software — though you should always back up your Mac to iCloud as a matter of principle. If you use Manuskript and want it to continue improving, please donate to the developer.

iWriter Pro

Not to be confused with iA Writer, iWriter Pro is yet another Markdown-focused app — seeing a theme here? This app aims for a balance between simplicity and power in a subscription-free package. Same as Scrivener and iA Writer, iWriter Pro uses your local on-device .txt and .md files,and syncs them via iCloud. Other cloud storage services work too, but be warned that you may lose out on some iCloud-specific functionality. iWriter Pro includes many expected features such as Markdown syntax highlighting, typewriter mode, and split-view mode for working on two files at once. Many of the baseline backend components seen in competitors are found here, too, such as autosave and file versioning. Preview mode appears as a split screen inside the text editor, unlike most on this list, so you can see a more aesthetically pleasing view of your Markdown document as you write without having to open a separate export window.

Long story short, iWriter Pro keeps things clean and uncluttered without shortchanging you on the most important fare. It's one of the cheapest non-subscription options on this list at $9.99 for macOS. For an extra $2.99, you can get iWriter on your iPhone and iPad to take that writing on the go — though it appears there have been no updates for the latter two platforms since September 2021.

Obsidian has been making waves primarily among notetakers, but we think it offers something special to writers — especially fiction authors. Big shots like Brandon Sanderson, who need to keep track of dozens of characters and world-building details, often rely on a personal Wiki as their fictional world's concept database. Wikis take time to get used to, but Obsidian takes far less. The basic principle underpinning every aspect of the app is that you can link text in one document to other notes simply by adding double square brackets. It's that simple. Over time, as you link more and more notes together, you begin to create "Maps of Content" or MOCs. Then, you can see a visual representation (not unlike neurons in the brain, hence Obsidian's marketing about being your "second brain") and better understand how the information links together.

For writers who need to link character descriptions to character sheets, items to worldbuilding sheets, and lingo to fictional slang lists, Obsidian is a game-changer. It could, if you're willing to invest the time, be your Wiki and writing app all in one. Obsidian is free on Mac. Paying for the Sync version lets you sync it cross-platform for $8 a month. The app supports syncing via your preferred cloud storage, such as iCloud, but you'll have to set that up yourself.

How we chose the apps for this list

The primary deciding factor for this list was how strongly each app supports the Mac platform, with bonus points for cross-platform options on iPad and iOS. The writer has personal experience with many of these choices and gave special preference to the ones that proved to be the most intuitive and capable of delivering on their marketing promises. Markdown was also given special consideration, as it's a vital tool for transferring your writing to other platforms and easily exporting to other formats.

At SlashGear, we believe in monetarily supporting developers to keep their projects alive in the long term. That said, we tried to keep a balance between free, one-time payment, and subscription options to avoid alienating readers on tighter budgets. This list is not comprehensive, and many more apps exist — or will exist — that may better scratch your writing itch than these.

Best Reading Tablets: Get the Right Tablet for Your Books and Comics

Get reading done, but without a book.

Reading your favorite books on the go can be a difficult thing to do, especially if you’re already carrying about a million things with you, so turning to e-books may end up saving you from a backache. Whether you prefer an actual e-reader, like one of the best kindles or if you'd rather just read on one of the best tablets , that’s up to you – there are advantages to either.

TL;DR - These are the best tablets to read on:

• Kindle Paperwhite 2021
• Kindle Fire HD 8
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
• Boox Note Air3

To have a great experience when reading an e-book, you need a tablet with a good screen that's easy to handle. While dedicated e-readers are fantastic, you can simply install apps to read your e-books on a regular tablet as well.

1. Kindle Paperwhite

The best kindle and best reading tablet.

• Great illuminated display and battery life
• Water-resistant
• No wireless charging

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is king among e-book readers. It's small enough that you can carry it anywhere, with battery that'll last for days. The Kindle Paperwhite features a 6.8-inch e-Ink screen with a 300 ppi resolution, which is ideal for reading since there’s no glare to speak of and little to no blue light. Even better, the Paperwhite has 17 LEDs to light up the display from the sides, making it super comfortable to read in any condition.

The Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best ways to read books, allowing us to focus on the book and eliminating all outside distractions such as app notifications, emails, calls, and so on. It’s just you and your book. If necessary, the Kindle’s browser gives you access to anything you need to research.

2. iPad Mini

Best ipad for reading.

• Fantastic display
• Compact and portable
• Screen glare due to glossy screen

If you’re caught in the Apple universe, then you’re going to want an iPad mini to read your books. It’s a smaller tablet, measuring just 8.3 inches, but it’s still an iPad. It has a Liquid Retina display, which is gorgeous and you can adjust the screen brightness to match whatever you need when reading. Thanks to the True Tone technology, the iPad will automatically adjust the display’s color temperature based on the ambient light conditions, which is always great.

At the same time, the iPad mini features Apple’s A15 chipset, which means it’s quite a powerful device, being able to run any app you want, from social media to streaming to games. This is also a super light tablet so you can easily carry it with you anywhere you go while also holding it in a single hand when lying in bed and trying to get through another chapter. The only downside is battery life – at least when compared to an e-reader – because you’ll need to charge the iPad mini pretty frequently. Apple boasts that it has battery life of about 10 hours, but if you watch videos and so on, you’ll get much less than that.

3. Kindle Fire HD 8

Best tablet for reading comics.

• Long battery life
• Lower resolution

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly tablet that will also serve as a great platform to read comics on, then the Fire HD 8 may be a solid option. Not only is this Amazon tablet compact enough to carry anywhere you want to go or to hold in one hand when you’re trying to finish another issue, but it’s also super affordable. Since you can get this one for as low as $65 during sale events, you can’t expect it to be a speed devil with a fantastic screen and fabulous battery.

So, while it may not be the best tablet out there, you can launch the Kindle app to read your books or comics, use Alexa to control various smart home devices or scroll through TikTok while still reeling from that one scene you just finished reading. The Fire HD 8 even has a decent battery life, so you’ll do just fine using this tablet for reading.

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Best Android Tablet for Reading

• Large and bright display
• Comes with an S-Pen for note-taking
• LCD screens could tire your eyes easily

If you want an Android tablet, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a great option. While it’s slightly larger than other tablets on our list, we picked it over other models for its screen quality. With a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels, you’ll get crisp and clear letters even if you do go for a smaller font size.

The Tab S6 Lite also comes with an S Pen, so you can easily take notes based on what you read. What’s more, since this is an Android tablet, you can do everything you do on your phone – watch movies, doomscroll through social media, play games, and so on. You also get a wide range of e-book and audiobook apps to choose from.

5. Boox Note Air3

Best Reading and Writing Tablet

• Large E-Ink display
• Allows note-taking

The Boox Note Air3 is a bit more expensive than other tablets for reading, but it will easily cover all your reading and writing needs. This is an Android tablet with an E-Ink screen, meaning you get the same fantastic reading experience as a Kindle. There’s no glare and your eyes will be less tired than when reading on an LCD screen since there’s no blue light to speak of.

The Boox Note Air 3 will also replace your notebooks because you can use the stylus to write down your thoughts, make lists, and so on. You can install whatever Android apps you want to, but keep in mind that the E-Ink screen has loads of limitations when it comes to watching videos or playing games. So, while the tablet does have the power to do everything else an Android tablet can do, not even setting the maximum refresh rate available will help this screen deliver a decent video.

How to Choose the Best Reading Tablet

Choosing the best reading tablet requires careful consideration of several factors to ensure that the device meets your specific needs. Whether you're an avid reader delving into novels, a student reviewing textbooks, or a professional keeping up with all the files your boss keeps sending, selecting the right tablet can significantly enhance your reading experience.

One of the main things you have to look into is the display's quality. The screen is where your eyes will spend most of their time, making display quality paramount. Eye comfort is also crucial, especially for extended reading sessions. Tablets with blue light reduction features or e-ink technology, which mimics the appearance of paper, can help reduce eye strain. E-Ink screens are easier on the eyes, but LCDs are more versatile if you want to use the same tablet for multiple purposes.

Long battery life is essential for uninterrupted reading, especially when on the move. Looking into tablets with a solid battery life will ensure that you can enjoy your books, magazines, or documents without constantly worrying about finding the next power outlet.

Lastly, size and weight affect how comfortably you can hold the tablet for long periods. While larger screens provide more immersive reading experiences, they should not compromise the device's portability. A lightweight, slim design makes it easier to carry your tablet in a bag or even hold it with one hand.

Best Tablets for Reading FAQ

What is the best tablet for reading?

If you want a device that’s fantastic for reading, then the Kindle Paperwhite is the one to choose. It has a great screen, it’s comfortable to use for long hours, has a great battery life and it’s even IPX8 waterproof. If you’re looking for a device that can help you multitask, then you’re going to want to get the iPad Mini or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, depending if you prefer iOS or Android.

Are tablets good for reading books?

Sure they are, but you’re going to be well aware that regular LCD screens will tire your eyes much faster than an e-Ink model. Battery life is also something you’ll want to keep in mind because tablets don’t last as long as a Kindle, for instance, since their hardware is more demanding.

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