Price against what you get
Best-value writing tools
Going by our grades, Microsoft Word, JotterPad and LibreOffice Writer give the most for the money among writing tools: no tool on this chart scores higher without costing more.
Paid plans start at a middle price of $8 a month across the 43 that charge, from $0.50 (Campfire) to $59 (Jasper). 8 more cost nothing at all. 16 of the 51 score above the category's average while starting at or below its middle price. 5 cost more than the middle price and score below the average.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- Nothing scores higher without costing more
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/charts/writing"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/charts/writing/chart.svg" alt="51 writing tools by starting price and by ToolGPA score" width="1200" height="675" style="max-width:100%;height:auto"></a>The best at every price
Each step is the highest score writing tools reach at that price or below. Nothing on the chart beats these without costing more.
Free
No paid plan · scores 2.7 of 4
- LibreOffice WriterFreeBBC
$2.50
a month to start · scores 3.3 of 4
- JotterPad$29.99 per year on the App Store; $3.33 per month billed annually on the webBBA
$8.33
a month to start · scores 4.0 of 4
- Microsoft Word$9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal)AAA
Paying more for less
The writing tools that the most others beat on both counts: a higher score and a lower starting price.
- FictionaryStarts at $14 a month and scores 2.0 of 4.35 of 50 score higher for lessCCC
- Gingko WriterStarts at $9.75 a month and scores 2.0 of 4.27 of 50 score higher for lessCCC
- AutoCritStarts at $15 a month and scores 2.3 of 4.26 of 50 score higher for lessBCC
- NovlrStarts at $8 a month and scores 2.0 of 4.22 of 50 score higher for lessCCC
- Type.aiStarts at $8 a month and scores 2.0 of 4.22 of 50 score higher for lessCCC
A high starting price often means a product is sold to companies and has no small plan, and a score is three letters, not the whole product. Read a tool’s own page before ruling it out.
The four quarters
Where the tools fall when the chart is cut at the middle price and the average score.
More for less16
Each scores above the category's average and starts at or below its middle price.
JotterPad, WriterDuet, bibisco, Trinka, LanguageTool, Arc Studio, WPS Writer, DeepL Write and 8 more
Costs more, scores more15
Each scores above the average and starts above the middle price.
Microsoft Word, QuillBot, Grammarly, ProWritingAid, Celtx, Paperpal, LivingWriter, Dabble and 7 more
Costs less, scores less15
Each scores below the average and starts at or below the middle price.
FocusWriter, ghostwriter, MarkText, Story Architect, Ellipsus, Wordtune, 4thewords, Manuskript and 7 more
Costs more, scores less5
Each scores below the average and starts above the middle price.
Hemingway Editor, NovelAI, AutoCrit, Gingko Writer, Fictionary
All 51 on the chart
Highest score first, then lowest price. The last column counts the tools that score higher and start lower.
| # | Tool | Score | Features, ease, platforms | A month | As its listing states it | Score higher for less |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Word | 4.0 | AAA | $8.33 | $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal) | None |
| 2 | JotterPad | 3.3 | BBA | $2.50 | $29.99 per year on the App Store; $3.33 per month billed annually on the web | None |
| 3 | WriterDuet | 3.3 | BBA | $7.49 | $7.49 per month, billed annually ($89.88); $9.99 billed monthly (Plus) | None |
| 4 | QuillBot | 3.3 | BBA | $8.33 | $8.33 per month, billed annually (Premium) | None |
| 5 | Grammarly | 3.3 | BBA | $12 | $12 per member / month, billed annually | 1 |
| 6 | bibisco | 3.0 | BBB | $3.49 | $3.49 per month for Everywhere sync; desktop Supporters Edition is $69 one-time | 1 |
| 7 | Trinka | 3.0 | BBB | $4 | $48 per year, billed annually (shown with $80 crossed out) | 1 |
| 8 | LanguageTool | 3.0 | BBB | $4.99 | $4.99 per month on a 2-year plan ($119.80); $69.90 billed annually | 1 |
| 9 | Arc Studio | 3.0 | BBB | $5.75 | $69 per year (Essentials) | 1 |
| 10 | WPS Writer | 3.0 | BBB | $5.83 | $5.83 per month, billed $69.99 per year (WPS Pro+) | 1 |
| 11 | DeepL Write | 3.0 | CBA | $7.83 | €6.99 per month add-on plus a €7.49 per month Individual plan, billed annually | 2 |
| 12 | ProWritingAid | 3.0 | BBB | $10 | $10 per month, billed yearly ($120) | 4 |
| 13 | Celtx | 3.0 | ACB | $11.24 | $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer) | 4 |
| 14 | Paperpal | 3.0 | BBB | $12 | $12 per month, billed annually ($144) | 4 |
| 15 | LivingWriter | 3.0 | BCA | $15 | $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro) | 5 |
| 16 | Dabble | 3.0 | BBB | $19 | $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer) | 5 |
| 17 | LibreOffice Writer | 2.7 | BBC | Free | Free | None |
| 18 | Campfire | 2.7 | BCB | $0.50 | $0.50 per month for one module; $12 per month for all modules (Standard) | None |
| 19 | Novelcrafter | 2.7 | BCB | $3.33 | $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe) | 1 |
| 20 | Ulysses | 2.7 | BBC | $3.33 | $39.99 per year, or $5.99 per month | 1 |
Show the other 31
| # | Tool | Score | Features, ease, platforms | A month | As its listing states it | Score higher for less |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Highland Pro | 2.7 | BBC | $4.99 | $4.99 per month, billed $59.99 annually | 3 |
| 22 | The Novel Factory | 2.7 | BBC | $6.88 | $82.50 per year, or $8.25 per month billed monthly (Basic) | 6 |
| 23 | Rytr | 2.7 | CBB | $7.50 | $7.50 per month, billed yearly (Unlimited) | 7 |
| 24 | Typst | 2.7 | BCB | $7.99 | $7.99 per month, billed monthly ($79.99 billed yearly) | 8 |
| 25 | Final Draft | 2.7 | BCB | $8.33 | $99.99 per year or $16.99 per month (Suite); $249.99 one-time for Final Draft 13 | 8 |
| 26 | Sudowrite | 2.7 | BCB | $10 | $10 per month, billed annually (Hobby & Student) | 10 |
| 27 | Jenni AI | 2.7 | BCB | $12 | $12 per month, billed annually | 12 |
| 28 | Writefull | 2.7 | CBB | $12.50 | $12.50 per month, billed annually ($150) | 14 |
| 29 | HyperWrite | 2.7 | BBC | $16 | $16 per month, billed annually ($192) | 15 |
| 30 | Overleaf | 2.7 | BCB | $16.75 | $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25 | 15 |
| 31 | Jasper | 2.7 | BCB | $59 | $59 per seat / month, billed yearly | 16 |
| 32 | FocusWriter | 2.3 | CBC | Free | Free | None |
| 33 | ghostwriter | 2.3 | CBC | Free | Free | None |
| 34 | MarkText | 2.3 | CBC | Free | Free | None |
| 35 | Story Architect | 2.3 | CCB | $4.17 | $4.17 per month, billed annually | 7 |
| 36 | Ellipsus | 2.3 | CBC | $6 | $6 per month for 24 months, or $99 one-time | 11 |
| 37 | Wordtune | 2.3 | CCB | $6.99 | $6.99 per month, billed annually (Advanced) | 12 |
| 38 | 4thewords | 2.3 | CCB | $8 | $10 per month, or $96 per year (Member) | 16 |
| 39 | Hemingway Editor | 2.3 | CBC | $8.33 | $8.33 per month, billed annually ($100); desktop app $19.99 once | 16 |
| 40 | NovelAI | 2.3 | CCB | $10 | $10 per month (Tablet) | 19 |
| 41 | AutoCrit | 2.3 | BCC | $15 | $15 per month, billed annually | 26 |
| 42 | Manuskript | 2.0 | CCC | Free | Free | None |
| 43 | novelWriter | 2.0 | CCC | Free | Free | None |
| 44 | Zettlr | 2.0 | CCC | Free | Free | None |
| 45 | Reedsy Studio | 2.0 | CCC | $4.42 | $4.99 per month, or $52.99 billed annually (Craft add-on) | 11 |
| 46 | Plottr | 2.0 | CCC | $5 | $60 per year (Plottr); Plottr Pro is $9.99 per month or $99 per year | 13 |
| 47 | Novlr | 2.0 | CCC | $8 | $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter) | 22 |
| 48 | Type.ai | 2.0 | CCC | $8 | $8 per month, billed annually ($96) | 22 |
| 49 | Gingko Writer | 2.0 | CCC | $9.75 | $9.75 per month, billed yearly ($117) | 27 |
| 50 | Fictionary | 2.0 | CCC | $14 | $14 per month, billed annually ($168); $19 billed monthly | 35 |
| 51 | Trelby | 1.7 | CDC | Free | Free | None |
How writing tools grade
Every bar is all the writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got on that count.
- Value for moneyaverage 2.7
- Free plan and trialaverage 2.4
- Featuresaverage 2.5
- Ease of useaverage 2.5
- Platforms and integrationsaverage 2.6
An A is worth 4 and an F nothing. C is the ordinary grade. Every writing grade in one table
Not on the chart
Sold for a single payment, or with no public price that can be put as dollars a month. They are graded like the rest.
- 1Writer$4.99 one-time on the App Store
- AntidoteCA$59.95 for the first year, then CA$48 per year (Antidote+ Personal)
- Atticus$147 one-time
- Beat$11.99 one-time for the iOS app
- Calmly Writer$16.99 one-time (Android); $23.90 one-time for Windows, Mac and Linux
- Cold Turkey Writer$14.99 one-time (Writer Pro)
- Fade In$79.95 one-time
- iA Writer$19.99 one-time (iPhone and iPad); $29.99 Windows, $49.99 Mac
- LexNo public price
- Markdown Monster$99 one-time per user (version 4 license)
- Mellel$69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99
- Scrivener$23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows
- Slugline$19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac
- Typora$14.99 one-time, before tax
- Vellum$199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks)
- World AnvilNo public price
- yWriter$5.49 one-time for the Android app
Common questions
Which writing tools give the most for the money?
Microsoft Word, JotterPad and LibreOffice Writer. Each is the highest-scoring tool at its price or below: LibreOffice Writer scores 2.7 out of 4 and is free; JotterPad scores 3.3 out of 4 and starts at $2.50 a month when paid by the year; Microsoft Word scores 4.0 out of 4 and starts at $8.33 a month when paid by the year. This goes by ToolGPA's own grades for features, ease of use and platforms, averaged out of 4, set against the price each tool's paid plans start at.
Which are the best free writing tools?
Of the 8 writing tools here with no paid plan at all, LibreOffice Writer scores highest, at 2.7 out of 4. 30 more have a free plan beside their paid ones.
Which writing tools are best for under $5 a month?
JotterPad, with a score of 3.3 out of 4: the highest among the 19 that start at $5 a month or less. JotterPad starts at $2.50 a month when paid by the year.
Which writing tools are best for under $10 a month?
Microsoft Word, with a score of 4.0 out of 4: the highest among the 39 that start at $10 a month or less. Microsoft Word starts at $8.33 a month when paid by the year.
Which writing tools cost the most for what they offer?
On this chart, Fictionary (starts at $14 a month, scores 2.0 out of 4, and 35 tools score higher for less), Gingko Writer (starts at $9.75 a month, scores 2.0 out of 4, and 27 tools score higher for less) and AutoCrit (starts at $15 a month, scores 2.3 out of 4, and 26 tools score higher for less). A high starting price often means a product is sold to companies and has no small plan, so check what the price includes before ruling one out.
How much do writing tools cost?
The middle starting price is $8 a month: half of the 43 writing tools with a recurring price start below that and half above. 8 of the 68 in this directory have no paid plan, and 30 of those that charge also have a free plan.
How is the score on this chart worked out?
It is the average of three of the five grades ToolGPA gives every tool: features, ease of use, and platforms and integrations, with an A worth 4 and an F worth 0. The other two grades, value for money and the free plan, are about price, so they are left out and price gets an axis of its own. 51 of the 68 writing tools are on the chart; 17 are left off because they are sold for a single payment or publish no price that can be put as dollars a month.
How this chart is made
- The score is the average of three of a tool’s five grades: features, ease of use, and platforms and integrations. An A is 4 points and an F none. Value for money and the free plan are left out because they are about price, and price has an axis of its own.
- The price is what paid plans start at, in dollars a month, on the cheapest way of paying the listing names. A yearly price is divided by twelve, and a price in another currency is converted. A price for each person is shown for one person.
- A tool with no paid plan sits in the band marked Free. A tool with a free plan beside paid ones is placed at its paid price and drawn as a filled dot.
- The grades are ToolGPA’s own judgement from each vendor’s pages and from public reviews, not from testing, and no vendor can pay for one. How we grade
More charts
- All writing tools
- Meeting Notes
- AI Assistants
- AI Agents
- AI Research
- App Builders
- Dictation
- Note-Taking
- Docs & Wikis
- Whiteboards
- Spreadsheets
- Presentations
- To-Do Lists
- Daily Planners
- Calendar
- Project Management
- CRM
- Team Chat
- Automation
- Forms
- Focus
- Time Tracking
- Habit Trackers
- Journaling
- Read Later
- Screen Recording
- Utilities
- Browsers
- Passwords
- File Storage