Quick Answer
Go with Apple Notes or Google Docs for simple, free note-taking. If you use an Apple pencil, check out Notability. If you want a minimal app, try Bear or iA Writer if you don’t mind paying. Apple’s Pages is perfect for a free word processor with Apple pencil support. Evernote, Microsoft Word, and One Note for team collaboration. Grammarly is great for fixing your writing for free. Ulysses and Scrivener are awesome for professional writers, but they subscription-based.
Writing apps have recently become very popular thanks to their greater availability. These apps can create and edit written content such as documents, notes, articles, etc. They have features like spell and grammar checkers, various text formatting options, and the ability to share or collaborate on documents with others. Overall, they make writing better and more efficient.
If you own an iPad and are looking for the best writing app, this list is for you. This guide has compiled 13 iPad writing apps for personal or professional use. Whether you are a beginner or a professional writer, this list should help you find the best app.
Before we turn to the list, you should consider a few points before choosing the best writing app for your iPad.
Table of Contents
Best Writing Apps for iPad
Sl No | App Name | Description | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Apple Notes | Integrated powerful notes app from Apple. | Quick notes and basic tasks. |
2 | Obsidian | VSCode for writers. | Advanced note management with Markdown. |
3 | Bear | Best design and usability. | Stylish, minimal note-taking and writing. |
4 | Notability | Best for handwritten notes using the Apple Pencil. | Detailed note-taking with multimedia. |
5 | Google Docs | Powerful with a user-friendly interface and easy access. | Real-time document collaboration. |
6 | Evernote | Powerful note organizer with support for multiple content formats. | Organizing extensive information. |
7 | Microsoft Word | Powerful word editor. | Comprehensive document creation and management. |
8 | Apple Pages | Best Apple alternative to Microsoft Word and Google Docs. | Creating complex documents on Apple devices. |
9 | Grammarly | For productive and error-free writing. | Enhancing writing quality and correctness. |
10 | Ulysses | Best for authors who publish their work online. | Distraction-free writing for professionals. |
11 | Microsoft OneNote | Powerful note organizer. | Organizing notes across multiple devices. |
12 | iA Writer | Minimalist app for writing that reduces distractions. | Focus-driven writing with a clean interface. |
13 | Scrivener | For professional writers. | Long-form content like novels and research. |
Apple Notes: Integrated Powerful Notes App From Apple
Apple Notes is a built-in notes app for iPad. It allows you to create notes and organize them easily. It has a simple interface and easy-to-organize structure which makes it the best choice for most users.
You can easily write notes on the go. Apple Notes has various formatting options, such as bold, italic, and underline, making it easy to format text differently. You can also add photos, videos, and web pages to the notes.
One of Apple Notes’ best features is that it supports handwritten notes using the Apple Pencil. You can use an Apple pencil or any supported style to write, draw, and sketch in the notes. The app also offers a variety of settings to specify different pencil styles, colors, and sizes. You can also customize the Pencil’s pressure sensitivity to suit their needs.
Apple Notes also supports sync and an Apple continuity feature that allows notes to be synced with other Apple devices, such as the iPhone and Mac. You can start a note on their iPad and pick up where you left off on their iPhone or Mac. This feature can be useful if you live in the Apple ecosystem. It also has a built-in search function to find specific notes easily based on keywords and also the ability to lock notes for privacy.
Key points:
- Price: Free.
- Key features: Syncs across all Apple devices, supports multimedia notes, and offers handwriting and drawing with the Apple Pencil.
- Format Text: You can format text with lists, styles, and even scan documents.
- Multimedia Support: Add photos, videos, and drawings to your notes.
- Handwriting Recognition: Use Apple Pencil to write notes and automatically convert them to typed text.
- Apple Pencil Support: Sketch and draw directly in your notes with Apple Pencil.
- Collaboration Features: Share and collaborate with others in real-time.
- Offline Support: Use and edit notes offline.
Obsidian: VSCode for Writers
Obsidian is another powerful writing app for the iPad. This app is primarily based on the principles of plain text and Markdown, which makes writing and formatting notes easy and flexible. The app is also popularly known as VScode for writers.
The best thing about this app is that it stores files locally in your file system and not on the app server, which makes it more secure. There is also support for Apple’s iCloud service if you want to backup and access it on other devices.
Notes are saved in plain text format, which can be easily edited using the built-in formatting tools. The app also has a built-in search function to search the file using your Explorer. Other features of this app include a privacy screen, support for multiple Windows, quick switching between different vaults, and more.
Another nice feature of Obsidian is the ability to organize notes in a graphical structure. This can be especially handy for students or professionals who like to create Mind maps. Additionally, the app also allows users to install various plugins and integrations to customize the app to their specific needs.
The only downside to this app for me is that it doesn’t support the Apple Pencil or any stylus pens. You cannot take handwritten notes with this app. Or else this would have been my top pick for an iPad note-taking app.
Key points:
- Price: It’s free, but you can opt for paid upgrades for more features.
- Key features: Offers advanced markdown editing capabilities, link suggestions, graph view for visualizing notes connections, and custom plugins for enhanced functionality.
- Format Text: Comprehensive text format options.
- Multimedia Support: You can embed links, images, and other media directly into your notes.
- Handwriting Recognition: Not supported.
- Apple Pencil Support: Doesn’t support Apple Pencil or any stylus input.
- Collaboration Features: Offers real-time collaboration in the paid version.
- Offline Support: Works completely offline, storing all files locally.
Bear: Best Design and Usability
Bear is one of the best note-taking apps for iPad. It offers a simple and easy-to-use interface. You can easily create and edit notes in the app. The app has all the necessary features for good note-taking with the advantage of the best-looking interface.
It offers a variety of text formatting options, including headings, lists, and quotes. It also supports multi-media, You can add images and links to documents. Comes with Advanced Markup Editor, highlighting over 150 programming languages. You can add hashtags to any note to quickly organize your notes.
In addition, the app supports encryption of individual notes, and you can lock notes with the Face/Touch ID. The lock feature is only available in the Pro version. Other notable features of the Bear app include support for multiple themes and export options, including HTML, PDF, Docx, JPG, and more.
Key points:
- Price: Free, Costs $1.49 per month for premium.
- Key features: Markup options, focus mode, cross-device syncing via iCloud.
- Format Text: It offers comprehensive text formatting and supports Markdown.
- Multimedia Support: You can insert photos and add hyperlinks to your notes.
- Handwriting Recognition: Not available.
- Apple Pencil Support: It supports sketching with the Apple Pencil.
- Collaboration Features: Not available.
- Offline Support: Works fully offline.
Notability: Best for Handwritten Notes Using the Apple Pencil
If you often take handwritten notes, Notability is your best choice. The app offers a variety of tools and features that make it easy to write and format notes in various file formats, including PDF, Word, and more.
The app supports various text formatting options, such as bold, italic, and underlined, and allows you to insert images, videos, and audio recordings into your notes. The app also supports a variety of text formatting options for Apple Pencil. You can draw, type, write, and sketch with different styles and format options in the same notes.
In addition to creating notes, you can also import external documents and images and annotate and edit them within the app. I use this feature to import books (PDFs) and annotate with Apple Pencil. It is very handy thanks to its clean interface and support for Apple pencil. However, the free version only allows you to create limited notes. You can delete old ones and use that space for new notes.
Key points:
- Price: Freemium, Available for a one-time purchase of $8.99.
- Key features: Combines typing, handwriting, audio recording, and photos within a single note.
- Format Text: Provides rich text editing and organizational features.
- Multimedia Support: Enables embedding of audio recordings, photos, and sketches.
- Handwriting Recognition: Offers advanced recognition and conversion features.
- Apple Pencil Support: Fully supports Apple Pencil, including pressure sensitivity, for natural writing and drawing.
- Collaboration Features: Supports real-time document collaboration.
- Offline Support: Fully functional offline, allowing access and use without an internet connection.
Download Notability (Freemium)
Microsoft Word: Powerful Word Editor
Microsoft Word is the best choice if you are looking for a powerful writing app for your iPad. Microsoft Word is a widely used and powerful word-processing software on Windows. It lets you easily write, edit, and format documents.
It comes with powerful text formatting tools, users can choose from different fonts, sizes, and colors and adjust line and paragraph spacing. Moreover, you can also insert tables, images, videos, and other media into their documents, making it easy to add visual elements to their texts. It also integrates with another suite of Microsoft applications making it easy to create and share notes if you use Windows.
Microsoft Word also supports cloud-based storage. In real-time, the app backs up your data as you write. It also helps you to collaborate and edit documents from anywhere. The app also supports various file formats, including .doc, .docx, and .pdf, making it easy to share and edit documents with others.
Key points:
- Price: Freemium
- Key features: Comprehensive text formatting options, integration with other Microsoft Office tools, real-time collaboration, and advanced document review tools
- Format Text: Offers rich text editing and organizational features.
- Multimedia Support: Allows you to embed audio recordings, photos, and sketches.
- Handwriting Recognition: Provides advanced recognition and conversion capabilities.
- Apple Pencil Support: Fully supports Apple Pencil, including pressure sensitivity for a natural writing and drawing experience.
- Collaboration Features: Enables real-time collaboration on documents.
- Offline Support: Yes.
Download Microsoft Word (Freemium)
Google Docs: Powerful With a User-Friendly Interface and Easy Access
If you think Microsoft Word is too complex, try Google Docs. Compared to Microsoft Word, Google Docs is easily accessible and offers a user-friendly interface.
The best thing about Google Docs is that it’s easily accessible online. You can instantly open your favorite browser, visit Google Docs, and start writing. Once you create a document on the iPad, you can access it from any device including the well-built web interface.
Related Read: 13 Best iPad Drawing Apps
Another great feature of the Google Docs app for iPad is real-time collaboration with other users. You can easily share your document with others and work on it together in real time. This is especially useful for group projects or team collaboration. Also, the app saves your documents directly to Google Drive.
Key points:
- Price: Free.
- Key features: Real-time collaboration, access from any device, and integration with Google Drive.
- Format Text: Offers extensive tools for formatting and editing.
- Multimedia Support: Embed images and tables in documents.
- Handwriting Recognition: Not available.
- Apple Pencil Support: Not supported.
- Collaboration Features: Supports real-time collaboration with a detailed revision history.
- Offline Support: Available offline when set up in Chrome or through the app.
Evernote: Powerful Note Organizer With Support for Multiple Content Formats
If you have been looking for the best writing apps for your iPad, you may have already heard of Evernote. Evernote is not only one of the best and most powerful writing apps but also a powerful organizer for notes.
You can easily create notes in different formats. The most popular formats on Evernote include plain text, lists, images, videos, and audio. The app also comes with powerful text formatting tools to format the text the way you want. You can also insert multi-media content, it comes with support for templates and more.
Another great feature of Evernote is the ability to sync between different devices in real time. This can be especially useful if you use Evernote on multiple devices. However, the app’s decision to limit the number of notes and notebooks that free users can have sparked controversy. With the new restrictions that took effect on December 4, 2023, free users are now limited to just one notebook and 50 notes.
Key points:
- Price: Offers a free version; premium plans begin at $7.99 per month.
- Key features: Powerful tagging and search functionalities, multimedia support.
- Format Text: Offers advanced text formatting options.
- Multimedia Support: Attach files, photos, and audio to your notes.
- Handwriting Recognition: Can search through handwritten notes.
- Apple Pencil Support: Supports basic drawing and handwriting.
- Collaboration Features: Share and collaborate.
- Offline Support: Available with premium plans only.
Apple Pages: Best Apple Alternative to Microsoft Word and Google Docs
If you are looking for a free powerful word processor that is an alternative to Apple’s Microsoft Word and Google Docs and integrates easily with other Apple devices. Apple Pages is the best option for you.
Apple Pages offers powerful text formatting options. One of the most important features of Pages is the wide selection of templates. They are fully customizable and include built-in text styles and formatting options. Moreover, Pages also supports importing Microsoft Word documents, so you can easily transfer your Word documents to Apple pages.
You can create notes, and documents with rich formatting options. Pages also support multiple media. The outstanding feature of Apple Pages is support for Apple Pencil. You can use an Apple pencil to draw, and write on the pages.
It also supports real-time collaboration. Multiple users work on the same document simultaneously, making the app perfect for group projects and real-time collaboration.
Key points:
- Price: Free.
- Key features: Rich text formatting tools, templates, and integration with other Apple apps.
- Format Text: Provides advanced formatting and layout options.
- Multimedia Support: Integrates with other Apple apps for rich media embedding.
- Handwriting Recognition: Not available.
- Apple Pencil Support: You can draw and comment using Apple Pencil.
- Collaboration Features: Collaborate through iCloud.
- Offline Support: Works completely offline.
Grammarly: For Productive and Error-Free Writing
If you want a writing app to correct your grammar mistakes, Grammarly is the best choice. The app uses advanced algorithms and natural language processing technologies to check grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, making it easy for users to spot and correct text mistakes.
As you type, the app scans their text and highlights any errors in real-time. The formatting tools are not as powerful as those of other word processors. Also, you can add multimedia to the notes which is something you should keep note.
Key points:
- Price: Freemium, Plans start at $12 per month.
- Key features: Advanced grammar and style checking, vocabulary enhancements, plagiarism detector.
- Format Text: Basic
- Multimedia Support: You can add images, and import documents to edit.
- Handwriting Recognition: Not supported.
- Apple Pencil Support: Not supported.
- Collaboration Features: Not available.
- Offline Support: Functions within other apps that offer offline capabilities.
Ulysses: Best for Authors Who Publish Their Work Online
The next choice on our list is Ulysses. It is the best choice if you are a professional writer and frequently publish content online. The app offers powerful editing tools and markup features. It also includes a built-in dictionary, thesaurus, and word search features to help you write better content.
Ulysses also supports exporting your texts in various formats, including Markdown, PDF, and HTML. Besides, you can publish your texts directly to WordPress, Medium, and other platforms. There is no free version of the app. The app costs $39.99/year or $5.99/month. A student discount of up to 6 months is available for $10.If Ulysses is too expensive, you can choose Byword, which offers a similarly powerful editing feature but is less expensive.
Key points:
- Price: Premium, costs $39.99 annually or $4.99 monthly.
- Key features: Markdown support, seamless sync across all Apple devices, and publishing tools for bloggers.
- Format Text: Provides a streamlined text editor with markup support.
- Multimedia Support: Focuses primarily on text, with minimal multimedia capabilities.
- Handwriting Recognition: Not supported.
- Apple Pencil Support: Not supported.
- Collaboration Features: Not available.
- Offline Support: Offers complete offline access for writing and editing.
Download Ulysses ($39.99 per year)
Microsoft OneNote: Powerful Note Organizer
Microsoft OneNote is another powerful note-taking app for iPad. You can create, save, and share notes across devices. Microsft One Note is a dedicated Notes app while Microsoft Word is a word processor that is part of Microsoft Office suite.
The best thing about Microsoft apps is that they offer powerful text editing options. Like Microsoft Word, Microsoft OneNote has powerful text editing tools, including creating tables, changing text size and font, adding multimedia, and more. Additionally, One Note comes with drawing and sketching tools that help you to draw and take written notes.
Microsoft OneNote is also great for teamwork. It comes with built-in sharing and collaboration features to easily share your written notes with your teammates and ask them to make changes in real time. You can also add comments to the work you have shared.
The built-in templates to create new notes are also handy. For example, you can use a task list template to keep track of all your tasks without creating them from scratch. One Note is free and seamlessly syncs and integrates with other Microsoft applications.
Key points:
- Price: Free.
- Key features: Excellent for multimedia notes, collaborative features, and extensive organizational tools.
- Format Text: Support for comprehensive text formatting options.
- Multimedia Support: Add images, audio, and videos to your notes.
- Handwriting Recognition: Compatible with touch and stylus including Apple pencil.
- Apple Pencil Support: Yes
- Collaboration Features: Allows multiple users to work on the same notebook at the same time.
- Offline Support: Access and edit notes without an internet connection.
Download Microsoft OneNote (Freemium)
iA Writer: Minimalist App for Writing That Reduces Distractions
The next choice on our list of best writing apps for iPad is iA Writer. If you want a minimal writing app that focuses primarily on writing, iA Writer is your best option.
It has a minimalist design and special features for a streamlined distraction-free writing experience. It has a full-screen mode that hides all other apps, allowing users to focus on writing without interruption.
You can choose from various fonts, sizes, and colors and adjust line and paragraph spacing and more. The app primarily focuses on text. If you struggle with taking notes from apps, this app can help. iA Writer is available for macOS, Windows, Apple, and Android devices for a one-time fee of $29.99. It also has a 14-day free trial that allows you to test the features before upgrading. You can try the free trial and check if the app can be useful.
Key points:
- Price: Costs $29.99 as a one-time purchase.
- Key features: Simple, clean interface with focus mode, syntax highlighting, and Markdown support.
- Format Text: Offers comprehensive text formatting options.
- Multimedia Support: Limited to mainly text.
- Handwriting Recognition: Not supported.
- Apple Pencil Support: Not supported.
- Collaboration Features: Not supported.
- Offline Support: Yes
Scrivener: For Professional Writers
The final pick on our list is Scrivener. If you read or write a lot of research documents and letters, this is the app for you. The app is designed to help professional writers organize their research and write high-quality documents.
Thanks to the strong organizational structure in the app, you can divide your work into smaller amounts. You can also easily save your work in folders and create subfolders. This is especially useful when writing large books or documents, where you need to keep track of everything you have written.
You can also store and organize all your research content, such as PDFs, images, and web pages, in one place. This way, you can easily refer to your research as you write. The app costs $49. Only consider if you are someone who writes research papers and wants a tool that makes your job easy.
Key points:
- Price: Costs $49 for a one-time purchase.
- Format Text: Provides comprehensive text formatting tools perfect for complex writing projects.
- Multimedia Support: Allows integration of images, PDFs, and multimedia files directly into projects.
- Handwriting Recognition: Not supported.
- Apple Pencil Support: Does not support Apple Pencil or other stylus inputs.
- Collaboration Features: Designed mainly for single-user use, but you can export files to share.
- Offline Support: Operates fully offline, enabling uninterrupted work without internet access.
How to Choose the Best Writing App for iPad
- Features: Consider what features are important to you. Do you need a spell checker, a grammar checker, formatting options, or the ability to collaborate with others?
- Platform compatibility: If you need to share or collaborate on documents with others, ensure the app you choose is compatible with the platforms you use.
- Ease of use: Look for an app that is easy to navigate and understand.
- Price: Some writing apps are free, while others require a subscription or one-time purchase. Consider your budget before choosing the app.
- Cloud sync: some writing apps offer cloud syncing, allowing you to pick up where you left off, even if you switch devices.
- Apple Pencil Support: Make sure the app supports the Apple Pencil for handwritten notes.
Choose the Best iPad Writing App for Your Use Case
So, that’s the list of the best writing apps for iPad. We have included various apps for both beginners and professional writers that offer different note-taking features. In the comments below, let us know which app you will use.
FAQs about Best iPad Writing Apps
What are the must-have apps for writers?
Most writers use a variety of apps for writing. Scrivener, MS Word, Google Docs, and iA Writer are the most common - but there are many other great apps that bestselling authors use for their writing process. Ulysses, Apple Pages, and Notability are the other good options for writers.
What is the best app for writing on iPad?
The best apps for writing depending on the features you need as a writer. Here's a list of the most common things you should consider before choosing the best writing app for your iPad. These include features of the app, platform compatibility, ease of use, price, cloud syncing, Apple Pencil support, and more. Personally, I use Apple Notes and Notability to do most of my writing.
What is the best app novel writing app on iPad?
Living Writer is the best app for writing novels on the iPad. The app is specifically designed for writing substantial fiction books. With its easy-to-use interface, you can easily organize and plan your stories. The app is available for Windows, Apple's Mac, Android, iPad, and even iPhone. It is available for free and also includes in-app purchases.
Is GoodNotes or Notability better?
While GoodNotes has been around for a while and has its sets of fans, Notability can add more items to your notes than GoodNotes. In addition to images, stickers, and importing documents, you can also add audio recordings, sticky notes, and GIFs on Notability, which isn't yet possible on GoodNotes. So, if you ask us, we would choose Notability over GoodNotes.
Does iPad have a text editor?
iPads don't come with a built-in text editor as such, but one can download TextEdit+ for free. It's a sleek and fast text editor for iPad and iPhone. It's compatible with desktop text editors like WordPad and TextEdit. It supports TXT, RTF, MarkDown, etc.
