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Best Writing Apps for Mac: Top 5 Apps for Writers

There are plenty of great writing apps for Mac you can use to jot down your creative ideas, build work projects, or even write your thesis.

Much like Windows, Mac users have access to a natively installed program called Pages, which offers plenty of functionality and tools.

However, plenty of alternative programs are equally as helpful, if not easier, to get the hang of right away.

Writing Apps for Mac: Top 5 Recommendations

Let’s get right into the list of the best writing apps to help you meet your desired readability scores.

1. Ulysses

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Ulysses has one of the most powerful writing environments, thanks to its straightforward user interface with plenty of great features.

With this tool for authors, you can customize your writing at all stages, even when it comes time to export your file.

There’s even the option to tailor the general appearance of the program, ensuring you get to have a more comfortable writing experience.

Features of Ulysses

Let’s get into the great features Ulysses can bring to your Mac.

  • Exporting Options

One of the most convenient features of this program is that it can export your work into an assortment of formats.

Firstly, you can choose to export it as a regular word document or .pdf for sharing.

Alternatively, you can create eBooks and blog posts directly through the software, ready to be published.

  • Optimized for Book Writing

Finding a writing program that adapts to your specific needs can be challenging as an author.

Ulysses is an excellent application that offers common eBook formats for writers to take advantage of.

You can divide long passages, gather chapters with a quick overview, and even develop a manuscript to send to a publisher.

  • Blog Post Tools

This program is one of the flexible options if you are a professional blogger or online content creator.

Through this app, you can create an entire post, including tags, images, excerpts, and more.

You can also publish directly to your platform of choice, whether that be WordPress, Medium, Micro.blog, or Ghost.

Another massive feature for writers is the ability to set writing goals, such as specific character limits.

With Ulysses, you can enter the specifications of every project, and the software tracks your progress as you write.

  • Seamless Syncing

You will love Ulysses’ syncing feature if you are the type of writer who is always on the go.

Any time you work on a project, it is stored in the program’s library.

This process allows you to access your work on any connected device, whether your MacBook, iPhone, or iPad.

2. Scrivener

Scrivener
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Scrivener has always been the optimal solution for people who typically work on long-form writing.

It is a high-quality program with serious tools that professionals would love to have at their fingertips.

As you work, you will see how easily it adapts to your writing style, giving you access to many essential features.

However, Scrivener isn’t free forever, unlike some of the other writing programs on this list.

You can download a free 30-day free trial, but the premium subscription costs $45.00 after the 30-day trial version ends.

Even though this is an extra cost, many writers suggest it is worth the investment.

Features of Scrivener

Undoubtedly, Scrivener is sleek and highly responsive. It comes with several notable features, including:

  • Multitasking

Have you ever heard of a word processor or writing app that allows multitasking?

Scrivener is designed to help you navigate between your writing, references, and quick notes easily.

You will find different sections for all your must-have memos on your screen, making it easier to write informed content without navigating to other pages.

  • Customizable Edits

Instead of looking at your project as a whole, this online editor makes it easier by providing you with bite-sized pieces.

You can customize the length of the edits you want to make, allowing you to create separate edits per chapter or content blocks.

Once finished, you can add all the edits to create one document.

  • Familiar Features

Aside from its higher-end additions, Scrivener has the tools you would expect from a standard word processor.

You can highlight phrases, insert tables and images, make lists, and switch your page view.

There is also an extensive list of basic formatting presets to choose from, making it easier to tailor your content.

  • Corkboard Planning

When developing a project, having all your notes and brainstorming laid out in one place is best.

With the Corkboard feature, you can create various miniature index cards to keep all your ideas in one place.

Essentially, it is as if you will have a real planning board to refer to before writing.

3. Bear

Bear app
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When discussing the best writing apps you can download for Mac, Bear is undoubtedly one that needs mentioning.

Its minimalistic design makes it easy to use for an assortment of projects. It is also one of the more powerful notetaking programs you can consider.

Features of Bear

As mentioned, Bear is one of the more minimalistic writing apps you will find for Mac.

That said, it still has plenty of valuable functions you can put to good use, including:

  • Note Linking

Being a minimalist writing app does not mean it lacks interesting features you can use on a daily basis.

As you jot down ideas for inspiration, you can link your notes together if they relate to one another.

Using the hashtag feature, you can create a database of like-minded thoughts to formulate an entire project.

  • Note Protection

One of the more intuitive features of Bear is that it allows you to protect important or sensitive notes.

After jotting down an idea, you can choose to lock it using Touch ID or Face ID, depending on what your Apple device has.

The best part is that you are unlikely to find this feature in any other writing app.

  • Focus Mode

Although Bear is often seen as one of the best apps for writing notes, you can also use it for writing full-length essays in a single document.

With the addition of the Focus Mode, you can access advanced markup options, fewer menus, and a distraction-free interface.

If you are looking for the perfect writing tool with an uncluttered environment, this is the writing software for you.

  • Customizable Formatting

Bear is one of the best programs to consider when designing the look and feel of your writing software.

You can choose from a wide range of formats and a variety of themes for personalization and a distraction-free writing experience.

Aside from this array of customization options, it boasts a dark theme that can help reduce eye strain and fatigue.

  • Export Options

After you’ve finished your current writing project, you can then choose to export the document in various formats.

This writing software allows you to export documents as DocX, MD, JPG, HTML, and PDF files.

It is an excellent writing app for long-form writing, especially for authors who prefer flexibility with file formats.

4. Manuscripts

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For as many advanced features as Manuscripts has, it is a wonder it’s an entirely free app you can use on Mac for academic papers and other writing goals.

Writers can plan their work, create a document outline, edit it, and begin writing.

It is not a perfect writing tool, but it lets you add citations and publish your work directly to an online source.

Features of Manuscripts

One thing to know about this flexible writing app for Mac is that it is beautifully designed for various writing goals.

If you need more than what a minimalistic writing app offers, let’s look at the advanced features of Manuscripts.

  • Outline Tool

One of the most powerful features of this tool for writers is its outline tool, which offers high-level features to improve weak writing and streamline the writing process.

You can begin by creating a document outline, which is easily navigable and allows you to focus on specific sections as needed.

To outline items properly, writers can drag and drop changes to their work until their content achieves good flow.

  • Reference Importing

Manuscripts offers more than just excellent writing features. When you need to add citations to your work, you will find that it is one of the better tools for writers.

You can directly import your reference library from multiple sources, including Papers 3, EndNote, and Bookends.

Alternatively, you can cite through Schiwheel, Papers (Magic Citations), or Bookends.

  • Inserting Equations

Depending on the kinds of writing you create, this feature is a niche but also unique, especially for math projects.

Using Manuscripts, you can design equations directly into your project using LaTeX markup. It’s also possible to paste equations directly from MathType.

  • Sharing

If you’re working on a project where you need to collaborate with others, Manuscripts comes with great sharing tools.

You can choose to share a document for editing or a specific section of your writing with others.

There’s also the option to drag and drop your formatted data directly into Microsoft Word, Markdown, or LaTeX without needing reformatting.

5. ApolloPad

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ApolloPad is free, much like Manuscripts. That said, it’s currently in beta, so you can test its assortment of fantastic features.

As a tool for writers who work on long-form content and academic papers, it could be a great alternative to standard Mac writing apps.

Also, it is a web-based application, so you won’t have to worry about downloading anything to your computer.

Features of ApolloPad

This tool for authors has several great features you can take advantage of, including:

  • Timeline Creation

When working on a current writing project, it is important to ensure you keep track of how long you’re working on the task.

With Timeline Creation, you can link documents in order of importance.

Accomplished writers can add document icons and color code assignments to ensure you complete and submit projects on time.

  • In-Line Notes

With ApolloPad, your edits are always easy to read and easily accessible.

You can leave in-line notes to reference specific things, add suggestions, or even insert additional context if needed.

All in all, this excellent writing app streamlines the entire writing process with its efficient editing and writing tools.

  • Improved Dashboard

When it comes to managing all elements of your document to increase readability scores, you will love the ApolloPad dashboard.

You can have a quick overview of all your most recent papers and edits you’ve made on content blocks for easier navigability.

  • Tracked Progress

Keeping an eye on how quickly you complete your writing tasks is of the utmost importance.

Using this app for writers, you can set specific writing goals, such as daily targets for how many words to type.

As you work on your document, ApolloPad tracks your progress to keep you informed.

Level Up Your Content With the Best Writing Apps

There are many writing apps for Mac that will help you improve weak writing and create beautiful paragraph styles, whether you want a free or premium subscription.

With plenty of great writing features, you can have an upgraded writing experience instead of settling for standard online editors you can find in the Apple Store.

From the five popular text editors we looked at, which one is your favorite writing app?

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