iPad Apps For Writers
December 31, 2011: Please note the info below is out-of-date; I originally posted it when I got my first iPad. Also, I am not longer regularly reviewing or comparing writer apps -- there are SO MANY available now. Please follow @iPadGirl on Twitter for my writer app recommendations, and @inkyelbows for general writing tweets.
To share this page on Twitter, you can use the shortened URL http://bit.ly/ipadwriterapps.
I've divided up my list of iPad apps for writers into sections for: (1) Apps I'm using most right now, (2) Writing apps that focus on longer notes and documents, (3) Apps for those who prefer writing by hand, (4) Brainstorming & outlining apps, (5) Apps for adding text to images, (6) Other useful tools for writers, and (7) Other people's writer app lists.
Writing & Project Management Apps I Use The Most Right Now
There are far too many iPad apps for quick notetaking for me to list them all. See the bottom of this page for other people's recommendations. The following is a list of apps I'm using the most right now. Keep in mind that this list is entirely subjective and likely to change on whim and depending on what projects I'm working on.
SimpleNote: My go-to app for taking quick notes, and is in my iPad main navigation bar. Super-easy to use, syncs across all devices and also on Web. iPhone version available. No folder storage, but I use tags. FREE.
iAWriter: Great for when I just want to WRITE and not be distracted by bells and whistles. When I've finished a session, I usually move it into Notebooks, storing it in the appropriate area. Love the font, which I never have to tweak for readability. Wordcount at top. Can go into 'focus' mode which turns off ALL extras on the screen except for the last three lines of text you've worked on. Dropbox sync. $4.99.
Notebooks: Great for longer notes. Imports all kinds of formats (incl HTML, RTF, PDF, MS Office, Apple iWork, photos, web archives). Can create new docs with clipboard contents. Can have nested notebooks. Can move, rename and restructure docs and notebooks. Can password-protect. Wish I could manually sort docs within a notebook. Needs better navigation system within notebooks. Dropbox sync. Contexts. TextExpander. Can send to Appigo ToDo. iPhone version available. $8.99.
Pages: I hate the flat storage system but I use Pages on my desktop computer, so it's handy. Pages also makes it easy for me to insert images, so I use it when I need to send some sample pages of cartoon-and-text. $9.99.
Evernote: I use this mainly as a backup for important e-mails, clippings and screenshots. FREE.
Appigo's To Do: I switched completely to this system when they started using cloudsyncing, though there are still sync issues they need to sort out. iPhone version available, plus I've signed up for the online syncing as well (extra fee). App costs $4.99.
Comparison Of Writing Apps (Longer Notes/Docs) For The iPad
FX = Formatting options (e.g. italics, etc.) / DP = Dropbox integration / FS = Font size changeable / FC = Can choose font / FF = Files can be stored in folders / WC = Wordcount
| App | FX | DP | FS | FC | FF | WC | Remarks |
| iAWriter Ver 1.0 |
-- | Y | -- | -- | -- | Y | Simple, no-distraction writing environment. $4.99. |
| Elements Ver 1.1 |
-- | Y | Y | Y | -- | Y | Text color, background color. Spellchecker & TextExpander option. Handy scratchpad for extra notes. Can sort by name & creation date, list view. $4.99. |
| Manuscript For iPad ver 1.0 |
-- | Y | -- | 2 | -- | -- | Paper texture choice, export to HTML / RTF / TXT. Chapters, online dictionary & other tools. $9.99. |
| My Writing Nook Ver 1.0.6 |
-- | -- | Y | Y | -- | Y | Syncs with Google. Can password-protect. Online dictionary & thesaurus. $4.99. |
| Notably 1.1.1 |
-- | -- | 2 | Y | -- | -- | Can disable autocorrection. Choice of 2 font sizes. $2.99 |
| Notebooks Ver: 2.0 |
-- | Y | Y | Y | Y | -- | Nested notebooks, imports a wide variety of formats incl RTF, PDF, MS Office, iWork, text, photos, web archives. Can reorg docs & notebooks. Search. Password option. Cross-ref docs w/links. TextExpander. $8.99. Review | Review. |
| Office2 HD Ver 3.4.2 |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | -- | Can view, create, edit Word (DOC) & Excel (XLS) files. Can password-protect. PDFs. Syncs w/MobileMe. Can insert images. $7.99 |
| Pages Ver 1.2 |
Y | -- | Y | Y | -- | Y | Many formatting options. Can import images. Companion desktop app. $9.99 |
| Plaintext Ver 1.0 |
-- | Y | -- | -- | Y | -- | Created by the same developer who did WriteRoom. Simple text editor with uncomplicated user interface. Organize docs in folders. Free. $4.99 to remove ads (update coming soon) |
Notetaking Apps For Writers Who Prefer Writing By Hand
C = Close-up writing / I = images / T = text / TT = text tags
F = folders or hierarchical storage / DP = Dropbox
| App | C | I | T | TT | F | DP | Remarks |
| FastFinga Ver 2.4.3 |
Y | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Post to Evernote. 3 pen sizes, 4 pen colors, eraser, undo, emojis. $1.99 |
| iNib Ver 1.0 |
Y | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Export as images through e-mail. Supports high performance longhand (e.g. The Palmer Method). No way to erase or move writing once written. $4.99. |
| Notetaker HD Ver 4.1 |
Y | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Can organize by tag, date/time modified, favorites, more. Multi-level undo, redo & eraser. Zoom with pinch gesture. VGA support for output. $4.99. |
| Paperdesk Ver 1.5 |
-- | -- | Y | -- | -- | -- | Audio, VGA output. Export as PDF. $1.99. Also a free version. |
| Penultimate Ver 1.2 |
-- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Separate notebooks. Wrist protection mode. Eraser, undo. PDF. Pen color & line weight choice. $2.99 |
Useful Outlining/Brainstorming Apps For Writers
QN = good for quick notes / WC = wordcount / I = images / T = tags
F = folders or hierarchical storage / DP = Dropbox
| App | QN | WC | I | T | F | DP | Remarks |
| Corkulous Ver 1.4.2 |
Y | -- | -- | Y | Y | -- | Great corkboard environment. Pull-out drawer with tools. Easy to use. $3.99. |
| Index Card Ver 1.2 |
Y | Y | -- | -- | -- | Y | Create & rearrange index cards. Wordcount, character count. Label by color. Two list views. Draft & compile features. Many export options. RTF. $2.99 |
| iThoughtsHD Ver 1.3 |
-- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Y | Mind mapping tool. Many export options. Textexpander. $9.99. |
PDF Annotation Apps
| App | Remarks |
| GoodReader For iPad Ver 3.0.0 |
PDF reader with advanced reading, annotating, markup and highlighting, file managing, TXT file reader/editor, audio/video player. Scroll/pinch. Can add text or hand-drawn annotations. Dropbox support. $0.99. |
| iAnnotate PDF Ver 1.2.2 |
Can open docs from e-mail, copy text, transfer PDFs via email, iTunes sync, Dropbox or PDF web link. Tabbed browsing. Search PDF library, keywords. Very flexible, lots of features. Online manual needs help. Mac Observer review. $9.99. |
| Noterize Ver 3.02 |
View & annotate any PDF or PowerPoint doc using freehand, typed text, sticky notes. Box.net, Dropbox, Google Docs. e-mail, Facebook, Twitter. Can import from Web, WebSnaps. $2.99. |
| PDF Notes Ver 0.9.0 |
No Dropbox sync. No support for pinch zoom. Free. |
Apps For Adding Text To Images
Unless otherwise noted, all the apps below are also available for iPhone.
| App | Remarks |
| ScribeIt Ver 3.0 |
Import image from photo library, add multiple sections of text. Modify font color, type, size, opacity. Autosave. E-mail/save. Saved caption. Can rotate text. Also works with Bluetooth keybd (yay). $1.99. |
| Image/Words Ver 1.0 |
Import image from photo library. Can add one piece of text. Choice of text size, transparency, two colors, fonts. Doesn't work with Bluetooth keybd. No iPhone version. $1.99. |
| -- | -- |
Other Useful iPad Apps For Writers
Unless otherwise noted, all the apps below are also available for iPhone.
FT = file transfer tool | CT = clipping tool
| App | FT | CT | -- | -- | -- | -- | Remarks |
| Dropbox Ver 1.3. |
-- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Text editor that can open, edit and save plain text files from your Dropbox account. Create & delete files and folders. Supports TextExpander. $0.99. |
| DropText Ver 1.1.4 |
Y | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | Sync & share files online and across computers. Free (fee for more storage). |
| Evernote Ver 3.3.10 |
-- | CT | -- | -- | -- | -- | Create text, photo, audio notes. Snapshot text searchable. Free (fee for premium service). |
| Instapaper Ver 2.2.6 |
-- | CT | -- | -- | -- | -- | Save web pages for offline reading, optimized for readability on mobile devices. $4.99 |
The following is a list of some of the iPad apps I've tested out in the past. Please note the version date; some of these apps may have come out with updates by the time you visit this page. Click on the name of the app to read my full review. See the bottom of this page for a list of other lists of iPad apps for writers.
A must-have for all writers. Enables users to store and sync files across computers. Review: September 14, 2010.
Manuscript for iPad (v1.0) $9.99
A solid first version and includes Dropbox integration. Needs text sizing options. Virtual index cards feature would be more useful if you could rearrange the cards. Reviewed Sept. 13, 2010.
Apple's iWork word processing program has a nice interface but needs better import/export options.
Great for students & anyone taking courses, nice design. Reviewed May 23, 2010.
Wide range of annotation options, detailed documentation, somewhat buggy export. Reviewed May 23, 2010.
Napkin image background (plus other options), fun. Only saves image, not the text. Review May 22, 2010.
Good writing app for those who need the formatting options. Hierarchical folder storage. Can't use external keyboard shortcuts. Reviewed May 13, 2010.
Mimics corkboard, easy-to-use interface, excellent. Reviewed May 13, 2010.
For the low price tag, this is a decent app for fun scribblings and casual notes. Reviewed May 6, 2010.
My Writing Nook (v 1.0.5) $4.99
Clean, simple interface and intuitive controls make this app easy to use. This is usually the app I open when I'm showing my iPad to someone for the first time and they want to try typing. Reviewed April 27, 2010.
A good first version of a notetaking app. I'm going to keep this on my iPad for now and use it for one writing project, but the lack of list re-ordering and folders means I wouldn't use this for multiple projects. Reviewed May 10, 2010.
OTHER REVIEWS OF IPAD APPS FOR WRITERS
a great look at 20 apps for taking notes on an iPad from TouchMyApps.
10 Tasty iPad Apps For Writers - Editorial Engine
5 Of The Best iPad Apps For Poets and Writers - Cloudy Day Art
5 Killer Apps For Authors - Bookwright
Best iPad Apps For Writers - Helium
iPad Apps For Writers - Write On The Water