Hands down the best desktop app I’ve used for writing. You can customize your layout to however suits you best. Here are some features:

• Binder & Organization Tools

  • Binder: A sidebar system that lets you organize your manuscript into folders and subfolders for chapters, scenes, research, characters, and more. You can easily reorder items via drag-and-drop.

  • Cork board: Visualize and reorganize your content using virtual index cards—ideal for planning structure and story flow.

• Flexible Writing Views

  • Split-Screen Mode: View and edit two files side-by-side—useful for referencing research or alternate manuscript sections.

  • Full-Screen (Composition) Mode: A distraction-free environment with customizable backgrounds for immersive writing.

• Research & Metadata Integration

  • Research Panel: Keep PDFs, images, web pages, and more within your project for quick cross-referencing.

  • Metadata & Keywords: Tag scenes or chapters with keywords like themes, characters, or locations—and filter or sort accordingly.

• Version Control & Snapshot Tool

  • Snapshots: Save versions of a document before making major edits; compare changes or revert to earlier states.

• Revision Mode & Linguistic Focus

  • Revision Mode: Track multiple rounds of edits, with each revision color-coded for clarity and easier management.

  • Linguistic Focus: Highlight specific elements—like dialogue—by dimming surrounding text, ideal for refining speech or narrative flow.

• Goals, Statistics & Tracking

  • Project & Session Targets: Set and monitor word-count goals for your writing project and individual sessions—Scrivener offers real-time updates.

  • Writing History: Track progress over time by viewing words written per day or month.

• Templates & Customization

  • Project Templates: Choose from built-in setups or find ones tailored for genres like fiction, non-fiction, or screenwriting.

  • Customizable Interface: Personalize toolbars, background themes in Composition Mode, and editor settings like rulers and format bars.

• Editing Aids & Auto-Saving

  • Auto-Save: Ensures your work is saved automatically to prevent loss.

  • Comments & Bookmarks: Add inline comments or bookmarks for easy reference—great for tracking feedback or toggling between alternate versions.

• Compilation & Export Features

  • Compile: Export your manuscript into various formats—Word, PDF, Final Draft, EPUB, MultiMarkdown, HTML, and more.

Overall, this is a GREAT tool to have if you are planning to make a career out of writing or just want to take your writing process up a notch. Another thing to note is that this is a One-Time Payment. In a world where everything is subscription-based, this is a bargain.

Standard License Price: $59.99. || Educational License Price: $50.99

Moving over to Brainstorming. Obsidian was one of those things I found through TikTok, and ever since I started, I never went back to regular note-taking for my ideas. In a nutshell, Obsidian allows you to create a Wiki of whatever you are writing. I mainly use it to keep track of links between characters, locations, and important plot points to ensure continuity.

Now, something to keep in mind, the app is code-heavy, which means that there are some things you’ll have to learn about coding (its not complicated, I promise) to get some things to work. I’m still navigating through the app, but I love everything I’ve seen so far.

Here are some features:

• Adaptable workflows

  • Users appreciate Obsidian’s flexibility. Some use it as a second brain for writing, journaling, project tracking or novel-writing. Workflow tools like Kanban boards and internal linking make it adaptable to many tasks.

• Local-first storage & privacy

  • Your notes are stored as plain-text Markdown (.md) files in a local folder known as a vault, giving you offline access and full control over your data—with zero reliance on cloud servers unless you choose to use additional services.

• Markdown support

  • Full support for Markdown formatting—including headings, lists, tables, code blocks, images, links, footnotes, and more. You can easily toggle between raw and rendered views.

• Backlinks & bidirectional linking

  • Use [[Note Title]] syntax to link between notes, creating a rich, interconnected web of ideas—perfect for building your own personal “second brain.”

• Graph view & Canvas view

  • Graph View: Visualize your notes and their connections as an interactive graph. (MY FAVORITE FEATURE)

  • Canvas View: Arrange notes freely in a spatial layout—like a pinboard or flowchart.

• Cross-platform availability

  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. (No web-based version at present.)

Currently, the app is Free to download and Use. However, you have the option to pay a subscription to unlock additional features. I currently use the free version.

Sync Subscription: $4/mo. || Publish Subscription: $8/mo.

Now we’re getting into the editing portion of the writing process. Sometimes we tend to miss grammar and spelling errors in our work, specially if you’re first language isn’t English (like yours truly) but here is where ProWritingAid comes into play. Even if you don’t have big $$$ to spend on an editor, this app can be a start to your revision process, while you find an editor that first within your budget.

Here are some features to highlight:

• Grammar, spelling, and punctuation checker

  • Provides real-time feedback, flags errors with explanations, and helps you improve as you write.

• 25+ in-depth writing reports

  • Analyze aspects such as overused words, clichés, sticky sentences, pacing, dialogue tags, sentence length, consistency, transitions, readability, and more.

• Readability scoring

  • Offers a readability grade to help your writing resonate with your audience.

• Passive voice detection

  • Helps make writing clearer and more direct by flagging passive constructions.

• Word tools

  • Includes synonyms, rhymes, anagrams, and contextual suggestions via a Word Explorer.

• Author comparison

  • Benchmark your writing style against renowned authors (e.g., Stephen King).

• Sensory report

  • Analyzes the use of the five senses in your writing to support “show, don’t tell” techniques.

• Custom rules and style guides

  • Create personalized dictionary entries and custom grammar/style rules to maintain consistent tone and formatting.

All and all, this is an excellent tool to start your editing/revision process. Not to mention that the app can be plugged into Microsoft Office Word for easier use.

Now, let’s talk pricing. ProWritingAid offers different price points depending on each person’s budget, which are as follows:

Free Subscription || Premium: $30/mo or $120/yr. || Premium Pro: $36/mo. or $144/yr.

Lifetime Licenses (One-Time Payment): Premium: $399.00 || Premium Pro: $699.00