When you decide to write a book or a screenplay, the first challenge you face isn’t gathering ideas—it’s choosing where to write them down.
Before we started developing Mergen Ink, we reviewed nearly all the popular writing software on the market and tried many of them ourselves. However, we encountered a simple disappointment: Most tools had cloud-based delays, the interfaces were complex, and worst of all, there was a risk that our unpublished works would be stored on servers of unknown ownership for the purpose of “training AI.” For writers working on sensitive material, this was an unacceptable situation.
So, what is the best book-writing program on the market? In this list, we’ve fairly evaluated the top apps—tailored to different writer profiles—along with their pros and cons. (And yes, at the top of our list is Mergen Ink, which we developed specifically to address the industry gaps we just mentioned.)
1. Mergen Ink: Privacy-Focused, AI-Powered Studio
Price: Free
Born out of our own writing needs, Mergen Ink solves the two biggest problems in the market: complete privacy and AI under the writer’s control. Instead of sending your texts to someone else’s cloud server, it keeps everything in a local database on your device. Thanks to its “privacy-first” architecture, your work is secure. You work directly with the AI using your own API key, without any intermediaries.
The feature that excites us the most is “Challenge Mode.” Instead of writing for you, the AI acts like a ruthless editor, identifying logical flaws, weak arguments, and contradictions in your draft. With its Section > Chapter > Subsection hierarchy, the Lorebook (world/research panel), and one-click offline EPUB/PDF export, it’s an ideal, distraction-free solution for both desktop and mobile platforms.
2. Ulysses: The Aesthetic Peak of the Apple Ecosystem
Price: Monthly/Annual Subscription (Approx. $40/year)
If you use only Mac and iOS and want to “write without distractions in a sleek interface,” Ulysses is the gold standard. It’s Markdown-based, iCloud synchronization works flawlessly, and its focus modes are a visual feast.
The downside: It’s not available for Windows or Android users. It doesn’t offer advanced writing tools or integrated AI support. The long-term subscription model can strain your budget.
3. Manuskript: For Masters of Plot and Structure
Price: Free (Open Source)
As an open-source alternative to Scrivener, Manuskript is ideal for those who embrace the “Snowflake” method, which weaves the plot with mathematical precision. It offers detailed tables for character tracking and world-building.
Disadvantage: Its interface remains quite clunky by today’s standards and may occasionally experience stability issues with complex or large projects.
4. Novlr: A Sleek, Web-Based Experience
Price: Free basic version / Premium Subscription ($10+)
Novlr, which runs in a browser, features a modern, fluid interface and has recently added AI (co-pilot) support. It’s highly practical for those who want to access it from any device using only a browser.
Disadvantage: It’s entirely cloud-based, and working offline always carries some risk. For a privacy-conscious writer, having text stored on remote servers is a major drawback.
5. Reedsy Studio: Typesetting and Export Expert
Price: Free
Reedsy Studio is actually less of a “first draft” writing app and more of an excellent web tool for typesetting your book once it’s finished. It’s the perfect final stop for converting your book into professional-looking, publication-ready EPUB or PDF formats.
Drawback: It’s not a deep writing or storytelling tool. It doesn’t offer structural planning, split-screen, or detailed note-taking features.
6. Novelist: For Mobile-Focused Planners
Price: Free
Novelist, which works specifically on Android, iOS, and the web, is a highly capable tool for planning plotlines and creating storyboards. It’s ideal for organizing your ideas on the go and creating character cards.
Disadvantage: It lacks a robust word processing experience on the desktop. It shines more as a note-taking and idea organizer than as a tool for actually writing the novel.
7. Werdsmith: Your Pocket Writing Studio
Price: Free basic version / Premium Subscription
Designed for writers who say, “You never know where or when inspiration will strike,” this is a cloud-based app. It’s highly motivating for taking quick notes, setting daily word goals, and building a writing habit.
Drawback: It lacks the depth of tree structures needed to manage the massive plot of a comprehensive novel or a complex screenplay.
8. Vaveyla: A Local Alternative for Social Writers
Price: Free
If you want to instantly share your writing with an audience, receive feedback from readers, host readings accompanied by music, and publish in installments, this is a local and fun platform.
Disadvantage: It’s not suited for those who want to draft a book with deep focus, away from distractions, behind closed doors.
9. LiteWriter: For Those Seeking a Simple and Lightweight Editor
Price: Free
This is a very lightweight app designed for writers who only need basic text editing features, a word count, and cloud backup options like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Disadvantage: It does not include professional export options, advanced book chapter formatting, or integrated AI research tools.
10. Sigil: The Power Behind E-Books
Price: Free (Open Source)
Sigil is not technically a book-writing program; it is an industry-standard, open-source EPUB code editor.
Disadvantage: You won’t write the first draft of your book here. However, once your work is complete and converted to EPUB format, you’ll want to have this tool on hand if you wish to edit the HTML/CSS code within the file like a professional publisher.
Conclusion
Writing is a marathon, and the tools you use are entirely shaped by your needs as an author. If your goal is to quickly share your work with a wide audience, Vaveyla might be the right choice; if you want to take notes in a sleek environment within the Apple ecosystem, Ulysses could be the better option.
However, if you place a high value on the privacy of your work, want your data to remain on your own device, and wish to use AI not as a “ghostwriter” but as an objective editor to strengthen your arguments, we recommend trying Mergen Ink, which we developed with this philosophy in mind.
Remember, the best app is the one that steps back and leaves you alone with your words. Happy writing!