7 Best Book Writing Software in 2026
In this article, you will know what the best book-writing software programs are that you can use in 2026.
Writing a book can be a complicated process. Besides needing to write consistently, we also need to organize our ideas, chapters, notes, and revisions properly. If we don’t use the right tools, then the book-writing process can become much more difficult and confusing.
Fortunately, there are now many software options that can help people write books more easily and quickly. Some software focuses on distraction-free writing while others offer tools for outlining, collaboration, formatting, and manuscript organization.
However, because there are many choices available, it can be difficult to determine which software is the best one for your needs. That is why Compute Expert has tried to compile this list of the best book-writing software that you can use as your reference when choosing your book-writing software.
Want to know what the book-writing software programs we recommend are? Let’s dive into the list right away.
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| Software | View Their Offerings |
|---|---|
| Scrivener | |
| Microsoft Word | |
| Reedsy | |
| Atticus | |
| Google Docs | |
| Dabble | |
| Obsidian |
Table of Contents:
What are the Best Book-Writing Software Programs?
Now, let’s take a look at the book-writing software we think can be just what you need to write your books. Using one of these software programs should enable you to do great writing.1. Scrivener
Scrivener is probably one of the most popular software choices when we talk about book-writing software. Many professional and aspiring authors use it because of the complete writing and organization tools it offers.This software is designed specifically for long-form writing projects like novels, non-fiction books, scripts, and research-heavy manuscripts. Instead of putting everything into one long document, Scrivener allows us to divide our writing into smaller sections and organize them neatly.
The corkboard and binder features also help us visualize our story structure much better. If you often work with many chapters, notes, and research materials at once, then Scrivener can become an excellent writing companion.
Features
Some of the features in Scrivener that we think are the most useful are:- Corkboard for story planning
- Binder for chapter organization
- Distraction-free writing mode
- Research and notes management
- Export to multiple publishing formats
System Requirements
Here are the minimum system requirements of Scrivener if you want to use it on a Windows device.- Operating System (OS): 64-bit Windows 10 or newer (doesn’t officially support Windows ARM devices)
- Processor: 1 GHz
- RAM: 2GB
- Graphics: DirectX 10 capable
- Resolution: 1024 x 768
And here are the minimum system requirements for a Mac device.
- OS: macOS 11.0 or later
- Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon chips
- Resolution: 1024 x 76
You can also use it on an iOS device, with the minimum system requirements of iOS 12.0 or later.
Pricing
Scrivener offers a one-time purchase license.- Windows version: $59.99 with a special price of $50.99 for students and academics
- macOS version: $59.99 with a special price of $50.99 for students and academics
- iOS version: around $23.99
You can also use their free 30-day trial offer before deciding to purchase the software.
2. Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is still one of the most widely used software choices for writing books today. Many authors already feel familiar with its interface and tools, making it an easy option to start writing immediately.Although Word is not designed specifically for novel writing, it still offers many features that can support people to do that well. Tools such as comments, track changes, formatting styles, navigation pane, and cloud synchronization can help make the writing and editing process much smoother.
Another advantage of Microsoft Word is its compatibility. Editors, publishers, and clients often prefer receiving manuscripts in Word document format because it is easy to review and edit.
If you want software that is simple to use, widely accepted, and powerful enough for most book-writing needs, then Microsoft Word can surely become a great choice for you.
Features
Some of the features in Microsoft Word that we think are useful for authors are:- Track Changes and comments
- Navigation pane for chapter movement
- Cloud synchronization with OneDrive
- Templates for book formatting
- Collaboration tools
System Requirements
Here are the minimum system requirements if you want to use Microsoft Word (Office 2024) on a Windows device.- OS: Windows 11
- Processor: 1.1 GHz, 2-core
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 4GB of available disk space
- Graphics: Direct3D 9.1 graphics adapter with a WDDM 1.3 graphics driver
- Resolution: 1280 x 768
And here are the minimum system requirements for a Mac device.
- OS: Three most recent versions of macOS
- Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon (as supported by the three most recent versions of macOS)
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 10GB of available disk space
- Resolution: 1280 x 800
Pricing
You can check the link given to get the most updated price.3. Reedsy
Reedsy is a browser-based writing software that is quite popular among self-publishing authors. Besides offering writing tools, it also provides formatting and collaboration features that can help authors prepare their books much better.One of the most interesting things about Reedsy is its clean and minimal interface. It allows us to focus more on writing without too many distractions. The software also automatically formats the manuscript professionally when exporting it into EPUB or PDF formats.
If you want a simpler writing experience with useful publishing features, then Reedsy can become a great option for you.
Features
Some of the features in Reedsy that we think are interesting are:- Clean writing interface
- Automatic book formatting
- Collaboration tools
- Goal and progress tracking
- EPUB and PDF export
System Requirements
- Modern web browser
- Internet connection
- A Reedsy account
Pricing
Reedsy’s writing software is free to use.If you want, you can get add-ons on a monthly or annual subscription basis, although they might not be necessary for standard book-writing activities.
4. Atticus
Atticus is a relatively newer book-writing software that has become increasingly popular among authors. It combines writing, organization, and formatting tools into one platform.Many people compare Atticus with Scrivener because of their similarities in helping authors manage long-form writing projects. However, Atticus also focuses heavily on formatting books for publishing.
The software works directly from the browser while also allowing offline writing. Because of this, authors can access their projects from different devices much more easily.
Features
Some of the features in Atticus that we think are useful are:- Book formatting tools
- Chapter and scene organization
- Cloud synchronization
- Goal tracking
- Dark mode writing environment
System Requirements
- Modern web browser
- Internet connection
Pricing
Atticus offers a one-time purchase model for $147.5. Google Docs
Google Docs is another writing software that many authors use for their books. One of the biggest reasons for this is its simplicity and collaboration capabilities.Because it is cloud-based, Google Docs allows us to access our manuscripts from almost anywhere. We can also collaborate with editors, co-authors, and beta readers in real-time.
Its automatic saving feature is also very helpful as we don’t need to worry too much about losing our writing progress accidentally.
Features
Some of the features in Google Docs that we think are helpful are:- Real-time collaboration
- Automatic cloud saving
- Comment and suggestion mode
- Version history
- Cross-device accessibility
System Requirements
- Modern web browser
- Internet connection
- A Google account
Pricing
Google Docs can be used for free with a Google account.6. Dabble
Dabble is a book-writing software that focuses on helping authors organize and finish their manuscripts more efficiently. The interface is relatively simple while still offering many useful writing management tools.One thing that many writers like about Dabble is its plotting and story planning features. It helps us structure our books and monitor the progress of our writing more easily.
Because the software syncs automatically in the cloud, we can continue writing from different devices conveniently.
Features
Some of the features in Dabble that we think are interesting are:- Plot grid organization
- Story notes management
- Cloud synchronization
- Goal tracking
- Drag-and-drop chapter arrangement
System Requirements
- Modern web browser
- Internet connection
Pricing
Dabble offers subscription-based pricing with three different plans. The more expensive plan has additional features you can use in your writing.- Basic plan ($9 per month)
- Standard plan ($19 per month)
- Premium plan ($29 per month)
There is also one-time payment pricing at $699 for lifetime access to Dabble.
They provide a free 14-day trial for new users as well if you want to try their product first before deciding to subscribe/buy.
7. Obsidian
Obsidian is primarily known as a note-taking and knowledge management software. However, many authors now use it as a powerful writing tool because of its linking and organization capabilities.This software allows us to connect notes, characters, ideas, and story concepts together easily. For writers who often create complex worldbuilding or detailed story structures, Obsidian can become extremely useful.
Its customization and plugin support are also some of the strongest advantages that it has.
Features
Some of the features in Obsidian that we think are useful for authors are:- Linked notes system
- Graph view visualization
- Markdown writing support
- Plugin customization
- Offline local storage
System Requirements
- OS: Windows 10, macOS 10.15, Linux, iOS 14.5, Android 5.1
- Processor: 2-core
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 200MB of available disk space
Pricing
Obsidian is free to use.However, you can purchase its optional add-ons and licenses if you want.
What are the Things We Should Consider When Choosing Book-writing Software?
Here are the things we think you should consider when choosing book-writing software for you to use.- Ease of use. Some software has many advanced features but they can feel complicated for beginners. If you prefer a simpler learning process, then you may want software with a cleaner and easier interface
- Organization features. If you write long books with many chapters, notes, and characters, then organization tools in the book-writing software you choose can become extremely important. Features such as folders, corkboards, note linking, and drag-and-drop chapter management may help you tremendously
- Collaboration capabilities. Some book writers often work together with editors, proofreaders, or co-authors. If this is your situation, then collaboration features like comments, suggestions, and cloud sharing can become highly valuable
- Export and formatting options. You may want software that can export your manuscript into formats like PDF, EPUB, or DOCX easily. This can simplify your publishing process significantly
- Pricing. Some software uses one-time purchases, while others use monthly or yearly subscriptions. You should consider your budget and whether the features justify the price you need to pay
- Device compatibility. You may want to write your books on different devices like laptops, tablets, or smartphones. Therefore, cross-platform compatibility can become an important factor too
Wrap Up
Writing a book can become easier if we use the right software for our needs. Some software focuses more on manuscript organization, while others focus more on collaboration, formatting, or simplicity.There are many book-writing software programs with different features that we can use. This can make it difficult for us to determine which book-writing software we should use. With that in mind, Compute Expert has compiled a list of book-writing software programs we think are excellent to help you write your best books.
To summarize, here are the best book-writing software options that we recommend.
We hope our list can help you in choosing the best book-writing software for you to use.
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