5 Writing Apps You Need to Download

Last updated on 26 November 2024

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase with one of these links, I recieve a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read the full Affiliate Policy.

It’s no secret that grammar is hard, but there are writing apps to the rescue!

Not all the time, of course, but sometimes it’s a battle to get your sentences to sound how they should, look like they should, and be understood as they should.⁠ It’s tricky to convey just what you want to convey when sometimes the structure of the English language restricts you somewhat.

I remember when I actually got excited when I bought a dictionary. I was super stoked. It was a Collins Dictionary, and it was really pretty (for a dictionary anyway) and was full of opportunity. It was also a thesaurus all in one, and I loved flicking through to find a better, more eloquent word to replace a mediocre, boring, common word.

That’s just who I am as a person.

Now, of course, I’m basically the same. The only difference is that I use Thesarus.com.

The struggle with grammar and spelling and sentence structure is the bad news.

But you know what the good news is? ⁠

There are so many tools and resources out there that can help you out.⁠ Whether you’re not that hot-flash at spelling, or you can’t remember how to form a sentence (I mean, I get it! Uni was a while ago for a lot of us!), there are tools to help you out.

The best thing about these writing apps, I found, is that the more you use them, the more your writing, grammar and spelling improve anyway. This means soon they might even be redundant for you. My writing, my grammar, and my use of colons and semi-colons have definitely improved and that’s before I run a grammar checker over them.

Learning as we go, amirright?

So let’s get into it.

5 writing apps (and programmes) that I recommend checking out

Grammarly
Hemingway App
Word Rake
ProWriting Aid
AutoCrit

Let’s dive into them in a little more detail.

Grammarly

One of the best things about Grammarly is that the free version is exceptionally good. You don’t need the paid version if you’re using it for simple word processing like blog writing, captions for Instagram, or even coursework.

You can download the chrome extension and it will automatically kick in while you’re writing and make suggestions on spelling and grammar. It will point out where you’ve got an additional space in a sentence, or you’ve used the same word twice in a row without meaning to.

Or you can open it up and run it over a document to pull out suggestions and spelling fixes.

Grammarly is what I use, and I love it.

Cost: Free with paid plans

Hemingway App

Another popular option is the Hemingway App. Tons of bloggers and writers I know use Hemmingway, and while I don’t use it myself at the moment, I have done in the past and it’s very helpful.

rather than giving you suggestions as you type, like Grammarly, Hemmingway App lets you copy and paste your work (or type directly into) their online platform, which will then scan through for spelling and grammar issues, and offer suggestions. There is now also a new desktop programme, which you can download.

Cost: Free with paid plans

Word Rake

Have Word Rake rake through your words! Their catchphrase on the website is ‘Seamlessly edit for clarity and brevity in Microsoft Word and Outlook’. Doesn’t that sound great? Cut out all the jibber-jabber in your writing, and sound like the professional that you are!

Cost: Word Rake is a paid programme that you can download straight to your laptop or desktop. You can buy it for 1 year or for 3 years, and choose the Windows options or the Mac + Windows option.

ProWritingAid

Must like Grammarly, ProWritingAid can be download on Chrome as an extension to help you with your writing. With the promise of ‘Better Writing in Less Time’, it’s worth checking out. As well as the check-as-you-go grammar and spelling functions, ProWritingAid also has a number of resources to help you out, including a Grammar Guide, Word Explorer, and free downloadable writing guides.

Cost: Free with a paid plan

AutoCrit

If you’re a writer of long prose or stories, then this is for you!

Made with writers in mind, AutoCrit not only gives spelling and grammar suggestions, but the writing tool also gives you recommendations for improvements to your sentences. It helps you ‘ hone your manuscript and fine-tune’ your writing and even compares your writing with famous authors in your chosen genre, and gives you the secrets as to how they might write your story.

Cost: Free and paid plans

Do you use any of these writing apps? Which is your favourite? Do you have any other recommendations?⁠