Best Free Tools-A Guide to the Best & Most Useful Tools for Authors in 2023

Writing a book can be an intimidating task, but there are plenty of helpful resources and tools to help guide you along the way and make your work easier. This article will summarize and share the best free tools for your writing all in one place. Feel free to revisit this article anytime you need to find the tools listed.

Types of Tools & Their Applications

There are many types of tools available to writers, ranging from free-to-use apps to professional services, spanning all aspects of the production process. Whether you’re starting out as a writer or you already have a little experience under your belt, you’ll probably agree that staying within your budget can make or break a project. 

 

The good news is that when the more expensive services are out of the question, there are plenty of free and easy-to-use alternatives. In this article, you will find some of the best free tools available in 2023.

 

This list is broken down into 3 main categories: writing, editing, and project management. All of the tools listed are easy to sign up for and use right away, and you’ll learn the ins and outs in no time. 

 

Now, let’s look at the best free tools for writers in 2023.

The Five Best Free Tools for Writers

  • Google Docs

Google Docs is one of the many free applications offered by Google, and as a word processor, it rivals even Microsoft Word. It is designed to be simple and comprehensive for all your writing and editing needs. Additionally, as part of your Google account, it automatically connects to all your other devices and updates to the Google Drive cloud. There is no need to obsessively save your work either, as it automatically does that too!

 

Google Docs is our favorite option for word processors, though there are other options as well. LibreOffice Writer, DropBox Paper, and WPS Office Free Writer are all free online word processors, and they all share similar features. We chose Google Docs because of its ease of accessibility and easy connection to other Google software.

  • Hemingway

Hemingway is a relatively new tool that provides a web-based text editor that includes numerous tools to make your writing clear and simple and streamline your writing process. It is better for shorter content, but the tools it provides can be more intuitive than a word processor like Google Docs. 

  • Grammarly

Grammarly is a free editing tool that most commonly works as a browser extension, providing live editing suggestions and proofreading as you write. It provides feedback on your writing in real-time, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, citations, and even more sophisticated feedback such as conciseness and tone detection. Grammarly’s website describes their tool as “your constant companion in all the places you love to write, providing instant writing suggestions so you can communicate with confidence no matter the context.” 

 

As the all-around tool that it is, Grammarly works not only on Google Docs but many other websites and word processors as well. Grammarly also offers its own dedicated text editor, though it seems to be in its infant stages of development. Grammarly also offers several premium tiers, including for individual and business use.

  • Toggl Track

Toggle Track is a time tracker and invoicing tool which grants you the ability to log all your time spent working on multiple different projects, categorizing by project, client, date, and more. Toggl offers multiple tiered services, including free for personal use, as well as business tiers which allow for teams of writers to collaborate and share their projects with one another. The free version has nearly all of the same features as the paid tiers, with the exception of collaboration.

 

Additionally, Toggl offers several ways to work, including a mobile app, a desktop app, a web based app, and a chrome extension which lets you activate your timers hassle free from anywhere you may need to.

  • Pomodoro Timer

If time management is a struggle for you, or even if you’re looking for a simpler way to track your time, the Pomodoro timer will be a very useful tool to add to your belt. By setting intervals for work and taking breaks, the Pomodoro timer allows you to be more productive as well as prevents you from becoming tired quickly. Writing can become a draining and arduous task if you don’t manage your time well, so consider using a timer such as this to maximize your efficiency.

 

Conclusion

 

In 2023, there are more free tools than ever for new and experienced writers to use and benefit from. There are so many more tools than the top 5 that we mentioned, including paid tools that offer more features and support. If you like the tools that we shared, feel free to bookmark or save this article for later reference. We wish you luck on your authorship journey!

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