Due to their widespread availability, writing applications have recently gained significant popularity. You can use these apps to draft and revise various written materials, including documents, notes, essays, and more. Spell checkers, grammar checkers, text formatting tools, and the ability to share or collaborate on papers are just some of the capabilities they offer. In the end, they improve writing and save time.
This compilation is for you, iPad owners, as it contains only the most useful writing apps currently available. We have selected 13 writing apps for the iPad that can be used for school or work. Whether you’re just starting out or have been publishing for years, one of the apps on our list is sure to meet your needs.
Before we get to the list, there are a few things to keep in mind as you search for the ideal iPad writing app.
The Ultimate Guide to iPad Writing Programs
Consider what characteristics you find most useful. Is a spell checker necessary? One that checks your grammar? Choices in presentation? have the skill of working with others?
If you need to share or collaborate on papers with other people, you should pick an app that works on their devices.
Look for an app that doesn’t require a lot of time or effort to learn how to use.
Apps for writers come in a wide range of prices, from free to subscription or one-time purchase. It’s important to think about costs before settling on an app.
Some writing programs have cloud syncing so that you can continue working on the same document even if you move devices.
Also, check that you can take handwritten notes with the Apple Pencil within the app.
Top iPad Writing Programs
Apple Notes
iA Writer
Microsoft Word
Google Docs
Apple Pages
Evernote
Obsidian
Bear
Ulysses
Grammarly
Notability
Microsoft OneNote
Scrivener
Apple Notes: Integrated powerful notes app from Apple
Apple Notes, included with every iPad, is a convenient tool for taking and organizing notes on the go. Its user-friendliness stems from its straightforward design and intuitive layout.
Taking notes on the fly has never been easier than with Apple Notes. Apple Notes allows you to easily format text in a variety of styles, including bold, italic, and underline. It’s a terrific tool for collecting and organizing information of all kinds because users can add media such as images, videos, and web pages to their notes.
Apple Notes’ compatibility with the Apple Pencil makes it a great app for taking notes on the go. A user can quickly and simply use a pencil for any of these three tasks. The Apple Pencil can have its size, color, and style customized using the app’s settings. Users also have the option of adjusting the Pencil’s pressure sensitivity to their personal preference.
With Apple Notes, you can sync your notes across all of your Apple devices, including your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The iPad is the starting point for a note that can be continued on the iPhone or Mac. When utilizing Apple Notes across various devices, this capability can come in handy.
It also features a search feature that lets you look for specific notes using keywords. In addition, users can add an extra layer of security by password protecting their notes.
If you’re searching for a straightforward yet robust iPad writing app, look no further than Apple Notes. It works smoothly with the iPad’s operating system and is simple to use. The notes are also automatically synced across all of your devices, but the app’s built-in functionality and price tag are even more compelling.
iA Writer: Minimalist app for writing, reduces distractions
iA Writer is our next recommended iPad writing software. iA Writer is the ideal choice if you want a simple writing program that doesn’t get in the way of your work.
It’s minimalistic style and added functions make for a more efficient writing experience. A full-screen option is available to isolate the writing process from any outside distractions.
Users have the option of changing the font, size, and color of their text as well as the spacing between lines and paragraphs. Many useful shortcuts for moving around and modifying text are available via the app’s keyboard shortcuts.
The one-time cost of iA Writer is $29.99, and it can be downloaded on macOS, Windows, Apple, and Android devices. You can try out all the features for free for 14 days before committing to an expensive premium account.
Microsoft Word: Powerful Word editor
Microsoft Word is the best option if you need a robust word processor. It’s one of the most popular and powerful word processors out there, making it simple to create, edit, and publish professional-looking documents.
Word’s text formatting options are extensive, allowing users to alter things like font, size, color, and line and paragraph spacing. Also, users may easily incorporate visuals by inserting pictures, videos, and other forms of media into their works.
Word from Microsoft can be saved on the cloud, too. As you type, your data is being backed up in the background by the app. Users can work together in real time on documents from any device. The program also allows you to easily share and edit papers with others by supporting multiple file types, such as.doc,.docx, and.pdf.
Microsoft Word for iPad is an excellent alternative for anyone who wants to write on a tablet and needs a sophisticated writing program with advanced text formatting capabilities suitable for creating a novel, research paper, or business proposal. It also has thousands of pre-made templates that you may use as starting points for your own work.
Google Docs: Powerful with a user-friendly interface and easy access
If you’re overwhelmed by Microsoft Word, you might like Google Docs. If you’re looking for a sophisticated word processor with a straightforward UI, Google Docs is a much better option than Microsoft Word.
Google Docs’ greatest strength is its online availability. Simply launch your preferred web browser, navigate to Google Docs, and get started immediately. A document made on an iPad can be accessed from any computer or smartphone with an internet connection.
The ability to work together in real time with other users is another excellent feature of the Google Docs app for the iPad. It’s simple to collaborate on a single document in real time with others who have access to it. This is extremely helpful when working in teams or on collective projects. The app also syncs with Google Drive, Google’s own cloud service, so your papers are always backed up in real time.
If you need a robust word processor that’s also easy to learn and use, go no further than Google Docs for iPad. It allows for real-time collaboration and quick syncing with cloud storage, and it provides a number of options for formatting text. It’s the ideal device for everyone who needs to write while on the road, be they students, professionals, or authors.
Apple Pages: Best Apple alternative to Microsoft Word and Google Docs
Apple also provides an integrated version of Pages for Apple products called Apple Pages. Let’s say you own many Apple products and are in need of a robust word processor that can replace Microsoft Word and Google Docs. In that situation, I recommend Apple Pages.
Apple Pages has advanced tools for formatting text. Pages’ abundant template options are a major selling point. They can be altered in any way you choose, and come with a variety of predefined text formats and styles. In addition, Pages allows you to import Microsoft Word documents, making it simple to convert your existing files.
Apple Pages’ real-time collaborative editing feature is another strong suit. Because of this, the software is great for group projects and real-time collaboration because numerous users may work on the same document at the same time.
If you want to use an Apple product instead of Microsoft Word or Google Docs, Apple Pages is your best bet. It’s packed with capabilities, including a robust text editor, editable pre-built templates, and simple synchronization with other Apple devices.
Evernote: Powerful note organizer with support for multiple content formats
Perhaps you’ve heard of Evernote before in your search for the top iPad writing applications. When it comes to note-taking and organization, Evernote is up there with the best of them.
Evernote facilitates the taking of notes in a variety of forms. Evernote users favor the ability to store their notes in a variety of visual, auditory, and textual formats. The text formatting capabilities in Evernote are quite potent, allowing you to create beautiful designs with your written work.
Evernote’s real-time device synchronization is another wonderful feature. If you use Evernote on more than one device, this feature can come in handy.
Evernote is an excellent iPad writing app. Evernote is a useful tool for keeping track of ideas and completing projects on time because it allows users to create notes in various formats and sync them across devices.
Obsidian: VsCode for Writers
Another excellent iPad writing app is Obsidian. Because of its foundation in plain text and Markdown, this tool makes it simple and versatile to jot down and format notes. It’s often referred to as “VScode for writers.”
The fact that this program only uses local storage (on your device) and not some remote server to keep your data safe is its greatest feature. Apple’s iCloud service is another option for data backup.
All of your notes will be stored in plain text, which can be quickly modified with the in-app editor. Markdown, a basic syntax for transforming plain text into a formatted document, is supported by the software. The app also includes a search tool that works like your computer’s file explorer to help you find what you’re looking for. This program also has a privacy screen, the ability to use several windows, and the ability to quickly move between different vaults.
The ability to create a visual outline for your notes is another useful function of Obsidian. Users can tailor the program to their needs by installing a wide variety of available plugins and integrations.
This app’s one and only drawback is that it isn’t compatible with Apple Pencil or other stylus pens. Unfortunately, this software does not support handwritten notes.
Obsidian is a sophisticated and versatile writing app for the iPad that helps users organize their thoughts and ideas by allowing them to create notes in plain text, organize notes in a graphical-looking framework, and offer a number of text formatting capabilities.
Bear: Best design and usability
When it comes to writing apps for the iPad, Bear is among the best because of the immediate simplicity and ease of use it provides. Users can quickly and simply make changes to existing notes and create new ones.
The program provides numerous text formatting choices, like as headings, lists, and quotes, as well as the ability to embed media and provide links to external files while composing. The Advanced Markup Editor, which provides syntax highlighting for more than 150 programming languages, is also compatible with the app. Hashtags can be added to any note for easy categorization.
The program also allows you to lock bear apps with Face/Touch ID and encrypt individual notes. The Pro version unlocks the lock feature.
The Bear program also has some cool extras, like the ability to use different styles and export to various formats like HTML, PDF, Docx, JPG, and more.
Ulysses: Best for authors who publish their work online
Ulysses is the next option on our list. If you earn your living as a writer and regularly post articles to the web, this is the platform for you.
The software provides robust markup and editing features. You can use the integrated dictionary, thesaurus, and word search tools to improve the quality of your writing.
You may export your writings from Ulysses in a number of different forms, including Markdown, PDF, HTML, and more. Additionally, you can post your writings in their entirety on websites like WordPress and Medium.
In conclusion, Ulysses is a robust writing app that provides numerous tools for creating and sharing material on the web. Ulysses is an excellent option if you are a professional writer in need of a robust writing program.
The app can be used for $39.99 per year, or $5.99 per month. A student discount of $10 for up to six months is also available.
Byword is a cheaper alternative to the more expensive Ulysses that provides a comparable robust editing feature.
Grammarly: For productive and error-free writing
Grammarly is the finest option if you’re looking for a writing tool to help you avoid grammar problems. The app’s built-in grammar, spelling, and punctuation checkers are powered by sophisticated algorithms and natural language processing technologies that make it simple for users to discover and fix errors in their writing.
The program detects typos as the user types and highlights them with contextual help and correction suggestions. Users are better able to detect mistakes and make timely corrections as a result.
While the word processor’s formatting features might use some improvement, they do the job. In sum, Grammarly is an effective and flexible tool for iPad writers who want to sharpen their talents. Grammarly’s ability to detect and correct typos, misspellings, and grammatical problems in user writing is invaluable.
Notability: Best for handwritten notes using the Apple Pencil
Notability is the ideal option if you frequently jot down notes by hand. Whether you’re using PDF, Word, or another format, the app’s many helpful tools and features will make note-taking a breeze.
The ability to jot down notes by hand with an Apple Pencil is another selling point for this software. The program lets you format your text with bold, italics, and underlines, as well as add photographs, videos, and audio recordings to your notes. Multiple Apple Pencil text formatting choices are available within the app. You can use a wide variety of fonts, indents, and other formatting settings while you draw, type, write, or sketch.
Images and documents can be imported into the program for further editing and annotation. This program is great for both college note taking and general document annotation.
Taking notes, sorting them into categories, and creating handwritten papers are just a few of the many things that Notability can accomplish for iPad users.
The basic features of Notability, such as note taking and editing, are available in the free edition. Simple text formatting and bullet points are also available to users. However, the ability to import and export notes to different file formats, as well as the use of sketching tools, are reserved for the premium edition.
Microsoft OneNote: Powerful note organizer
Microsoft OneNote is our next recommended product. It’s a robust note-taking program that supports creating, saving, and sharing notes from any of your connected devices.
The ability to alter text extensively is one of Microsoft’s strongest selling points. Microsoft OneNote, like Microsoft Word, includes robust text editing features, such as the ability to insert tables, customize text size and font, and incorporate multimedia.
Microsoft’s OneNote is a fantastic collaborative tool as well. Share your handwritten notes with your team and have them make edits in real time with the integrated sharing and collaboration tool. Your collaborators will be able to provide feedback on your shared work.
Microsoft OneNote’s ability to utilize pre-existing templates for the creation of new notes is a great tool. Therefore, the pre-made note structure will save you even more time. Rather than starting from scratch with each new list of things to do, you may use a task list template to keep track of everything.
If you’re looking for a robust note-taking program for your iPad, Microsoft OneNote is your best bet. Create a note quickly and effortlessly, save time with premade templates, work in real-time with your team, and more with this handy tool.
Scrivener: For professional writers
Scrivener is the last program we recommend. This software is perfect for you if you read or write a lot of formal correspondence. The app’s goal is to make it easier for professional writers to keep track of their sources and produce polished writing.
The app’s well-thought-out architecture makes it easy to break down large tasks into more manageable chunks. Folders and subfolders can be created with ease for storing your work. To keep track of what you have written, this is extremely helpful when writing lengthy novels or documents.
All your research materials, including PDFs, photos, and web pages, may be kept in one location and easily accessed. This will make it simple to return to your sources as you compose.
Scrivener is the greatest writing tool for iPad if you’re a professional writer who needs to compose long documents, books, or letters on the go.
You should get the most appropriate iPad writing app for your needs.
That concludes our selection of top iPad writing applications. Here you will find a selection of note-taking apps suitable for writers of all skill levels. Leave a comment telling us which app you plan to utilize.