You do not need the perfect tool to start writing a book. You need one you will actually open during a 20-minute nap window or a quiet moment before bed.
That is the real test. The busiest parents who finish drafts are rarely the ones with the fanciest software. They are the ones who picked something simple, opened it often, and kept going.
This guide gives you a simple way to choose. Instead of a ranked list of apps, you will get a short decision framework, a few use-case examples, and a one-hour test drive so you can confirm the fit before you commit.
Jump to:
What Actually Matters for Beginners
Before comparing apps, get clear on what you personally need. Most writing tools handle the same core job. The differences that matter are small and specific.
Run through this quick checklist and jot down your answers.
- Devices. Will you write on a phone, tablet, laptop, or all three? Pick an app that works well on the screen you reach for most.
- Offline use. If you write on a commute or in waiting rooms, make sure the app works without Wi-Fi and syncs later.
- Autosave and sync. You want your words saved automatically and available on your other devices without extra steps.
- Drafting style. Some people just want a blank page. Others want folders, index cards, and research storage.
- Export formats. If you plan to publish someday, the app should export to KDP-friendly files like DOCX or EPUB.
- Collaboration. If a partner or beta reader will review your work, look for comments or tracked changes.
- Budget. Free is fine to start. Paid tools can wait until you know your project is real.
Quick Picks by Scenario
There is no single winner here. The right choice depends on your situation. Below are common scenarios with useful features and a practical caveat for each.
If you want free and everywhere
Google Docs runs in a browser and on phones, tablets, and laptops. Its document outline can detect headings so you can jump around a long draft. Each Google Account also includes up to 15 GB of free storage shared across Drive, Gmail, and Photos. The caveat: it is a general document editor, not a book-specific workspace.
If you need deep organization and easy exporting
Some writers want everything in one place: a binder for chapters, a corkboard with index cards, research notes, and flexible export. Scrivener fits this use case. Its Compile feature can export a manuscript to PDF or Microsoft Word for sharing or submission. Recent versions removed .mobi export because Amazon now requires EPUB for book submissions, which lines up with current KDP guidance. If this all-in-one style appeals to you, its product tour can help you find the best app for writing a book for your workflow. The caveat: Scrivener has more moving parts, so expect a short learning curve.
If you want a plot-first cloud app
Dabble runs in the cloud and leans into story planning. Its 3.0 update introduced real-time co-authoring and reviewable track-changes suggestions, which can help if a writing partner is involved. The caveat: it is subscription-based, so factor the ongoing cost into your budget.
If you want formatting-ready with a one-time purchase
Atticus lets you write and format in one place and exports to EPUB and PDF for digital and print-ready books. It sells as a one-time purchase rather than a subscription. The caveat: formatting tools are most useful once you have a finished draft.
The One-Hour Test Drive
Reading about apps only gets you so far. The real test is one focused hour on your own device. Here is a simple run-through that reveals friction fast.
- Build a small skeleton. Create five chapter headings and write one 150-word scene. This shows how the app handles structure.
- Set a short goal. Start a 20-minute timer or a word goal and draft. Notice whether the app helps you focus or gets in your way.
- Add a comment and resolve it. Leave yourself a note, then clear it. This mimics working with a beta reader.
- Try offline, then sync. Write a sentence on your phone with Wi-Fi off, then open the file on your laptop to confirm it synced.
- Export a sample. Export to DOCX and, if supported, EPUB. Open the file and check that headings and any table of contents look right.
Jot down anything that annoyed you. Small irritations add up over months, so it is better to notice them in an hour than in chapter twelve.
Exporting Without Headaches
Export is where beginners often get surprised, so plan for it early. Current KDP-friendly formats include DOCX, EPUB, and KPF, the Kindle Create file format. MOBI is retired, with fixed-layout MOBI support ending March 18, 2025.
A simple rule keeps you safe: save a clean DOCX master file, even if your app can export EPUB directly. DOCX opens almost anywhere and is easy to hand to an editor or a formatting tool later.
If your app exports EPUB, great. Test it on one sample chapter before you rely on it for the whole book. Checking headings and the table of contents on a small file is far less stressful than fixing a full manuscript.
A Simple Beginner Workflow
Once you pick a tool, a light routine keeps momentum going. You do not need a complicated system.
- Pick one app and stop shopping. The comparing phase can quietly eat your writing time.
- Set a tiny daily target. Something like 100 to 300 words is easy to hit in a short window and keeps the streak alive.
- Use navigation aids. A document outline or index cards let you find your place quickly when you only have a few minutes.
- Turn on autosave and sync. Then back up to the cloud so a lost device never means a lost chapter.
- Batch your research. Keep notes in one spot so writing time stays for writing, not looking things up.
Word documents can be opened in Viewing, Reviewing, or Editing mode, and Reviewing mode enables suggested edits. That is worth knowing when you eventually share drafts. Grammarly can also run inside Google Docs through its browser extension if you want a light grammar check.
Common Hiccups and Easy Fixes
A few small problems come up again and again. None of them are serious once you know the fix.
Formatting quirks during export
Headings shift or spacing looks odd. Test on a single sample chapter first, correct the settings, then export the full book. This turns a scary problem into a quick one.
A Quick Reference Before You Start
Keep these two short lists handy. The first confirms your choice. The second protects your writing time.
Five-item pre-flight check:
- Does it work on my main device?
- Does it work offline and sync later?
- Can it export to DOCX or EPUB?
- Does it support comments or tracked changes if I need them?
- Does the price fit my budget right now?
A 20-minute writing routine:
- Open the document.
- Glance at your outline for five minutes.
- Draft for twelve minutes without editing.
- Tidy and save for three minutes.
Start Now, Refine Later
The best app for writing a book is not the one with the longest feature list. It is the one you will open again tomorrow, and the day after that.
Pick a low-friction option that matches your devices, budget, and export needs. Run the one-hour test drive to confirm it feels right in your real routine. Then write your first small scene today.
If your project grows into something bigger, with many chapters and research notes, a deeper workspace like Scrivener is easy to move into later. For now, the goal is momentum. Choose, open the file, and let those short windows add up into a book.
Leave a Reply