The best tech tools for fantasy and sci-fi writers in 2026
It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that a writer in possession of a story idea will clean their entire house to avoid writing.
But not even a looming deadline can inspire me to clean. Instead, I try new writing tools. I can pretend it's writing because hey, I might use this tool to finish a book. Mostly it's procrastination.
On the upside, I've tested many of the sites and software marketed to writers. Based on 15 years of writing, publishing, and messing around with programs, here are the best tech tools for writers as of early 2025. From word processing to indie publishing, it's all here.
Writing and editing:
The classic: Word
Word is probably what you used when you first started writing. For some writers, they're all you'll ever need. But if you've run into their limits like a coyote into a wall, read the next sections.
I've included it here so I can give you a little pro tip that makes them much more functional for writing long-form works like fantasy and sci-fi novels:
Create an easy way to jump between chapters by highlighting your chapter title and selecting Heading 1 from the Styles menu.
Next, open the Navigation panel on the left-hand side of your document. It'll show a list of all chapter titles. Click on one to jump directly to that chapter.
If Word is your jam, our worldbuilding and character creation workbooks come in Word formats, including one that works well with screen readers. No set-up or need to organize a million ideas on your end. Just open and write.
The guaranteed no-AI alternative to Word and Google Docs: Ellipsus
I can't say enough nice things about Ellipsus. It's a free web-based writing program that respects your privacy and doesn't tack on any AI bullshit. Plus, it comes in different color themes, which I like for setting the mood of the scene I'm writing.
It's a great option if you're looking to collaborate or collect feedback since it has built-in sharing options, comments, and chats.
The one downside is that it's a bit cumbersome for organizing super-long projects. For that, you might like:
The most powerful: Scrivener
Scrivener is the most feature-rich writing software out there. You can organize notes, timelines, photos, scrapbooks, and write your novel all in one place. You can even format an eBook (though it won't look fancy. More on formatting in a section below). It's your sonic screwdriver of writing software.
Unlike most writing software, it's on your hard drive rather than the cloud, so you always have your files. But syncing across devices can be a bit tricky because you have to do it through a third-party app like DropBox or Google Drive.
The downside is that it can be overwhelming. Entire courses and books are dedicated to making the most of Scrivener. All those features are a lot to learn and remember, but also helpful once you get the hang of it.
Our worldbuilding, character creation, and plotting workbooks are available as Scrivener templates. Everything you need to plan your fantasy or sci-fi novel is already set up for you. Just open Scrivener and start writing.
Simpler than Scrivener but with more features than Docs: Novlr
If you want something with less of a learning curve than Scrivener but that's better for novel-writing than Word or Docs, I like Novlr.
Like Scrivener, you can create chapters and scenes and drag and drop them to organize them. It also has a built-in progress tracker and writing community.
Because Novlr is on the cloud, you can access your projects from any device and keep your words safe in case your laptop dies like a Game of Thrones character you just started to like (okay, maybe my references are a little out-of-date).
Pro tip: The Word versions of our workbooks can easily be added to Novlr, so you can build your world and character arcs in the same program you're using to write your chapters.
Like Scrivener but free: yWriter
yWriter's creator, Simon Haynes, is a writer and programmer who has done a wonderful thing: He created a free novel-writing software to help you organize your many scenes and chapters.
(One caveat: It's only free for Windows.)
It does almost everything Scrivener does, and like Scrivener, all your files are stored on your local hard drive, so you can block the internet when you sit down to write without losing access to your books.
Notes and project bibles:
The jack of all trades: OneNote
I use OneNote for EVERYTHING. I even wrote a million-word fantasy series in it once.
It can handle all notes and project bibles in any format you want. Drag and drop items anywhere on a page, free draw, create a chart, and add images.
I recommend the local version on your hard drive rather than the online one, which is clunkier. But the online one is free if you're not able to shell out for Microsoft Office.
We have worldbuilding and character creation templates just for OneNote. They save you time on setting up and organizing your project bible.
Find connections in your ideas: Obsidian
A free note-taking program (with paid options), Obsidian is more than place to write down your ideas. It also visualizes your notes in graphs to help you find connections you might have missed.
Your files are stored on your hard drive in plain text files that you can use with many other programs, so your data is never locked in. And you can use their plugins to customize your note-taking space.
Progress tracking:
Back in the day (read: the early 2000s), I tracked my word counts and editing progress in Excel sheets.
But if you want to fancy up your word tracking to add multiple goals, record different types of progress (words vs. chapters vs. time), and graphs, you have two options: Pacemaker and TrackBear.
Both also let you add friends so you can spy on--I mean support--their writing progress as well.
Motivation and avoiding distractions:
Gamify writing: 4thewords
Have you ever wanted to murder someone with words? Now, you can like a bard who has finally snapped.
4thewords is an RPG where you defeat monsters by writing. Each enemy has a certain number of words you need to write in a specified time limit. Reach the goal, beat the monster, and earn XP.
Like in any good RPG, you can earn equipment to fancy up your character, design and decorate your own cozy writing home, and explore new regions of a colorful world with quirky NPCs.
Write without the internet: FreeWrite
If you start writing and then open Reddit instead (or your time-wasting, brain-destroying website of choice), the FreeWrite can help.
It's like a laptop except all it does is word processing. No games, no programs, and the only internet is to back up your files. Just you and a keyboard.
Everyone I know who has bought one wrote more with it than they ever did on a laptop. The one downside is that it is expensive.
Be very mean to yourself to make yourself write: beeminder
Is nothing else working to get your fingers on the keyboard? Are you staring down a deadline (either one you set or one someone else imposed)? And do you hate losing money?
Wellll... beeminder might be the tool for you. I've used it when up against a tight book deadline with a complete lack of motivation (thanks, ADHD).
You add your goal and payment details. For each day you fail to reach your goal, it charges you an amount you set. Didn't write today? That'll be $10, or $20, or more if you're a sadist.
Formatting eBooks and paperbacks:
For Mac Users: Vellum
Vellum is the gold-standard software for book formatting. If you hire someone to format your indie novel, they're probably using Vellum.
It's easier to learn than the Macarena (okay, I'm maybe dating myself with that one) and the results always look gorgeous (unlike doing the Macarena).
The downside is that it's only for Macs. So if you're a PC user, you'll need...
For PC Users: Atticus
Unlike Vellum, you can use Atticus on a PC, and unlike Vellum, you can also write directly in it, which I like because I tend to lose track of where I fixed a typo when formatting and writing in different programs.
A neat feature of Atticus is the Master Pages: a page you create once and slot into every book. This is handy for pages that are in every novel, such as your bio or Also By page. When you edit the master page, it updates in every book that uses it, so you only have to change it once.
Getting reviews:
Deliver advanced reader copies (ARCs) and find promos: BookFunnel
BookFunnel is the go-to service for indie authors who need to send their own ARCs.
BookFunnel will send the eBook, track who downloaded it, email readers automatic reminders, and even provide tech support to anyone who has a hard time accessing the download.
They also have a sneaky little feature that helps you fight pirates without having to pick up a sword or get your feet wet.
Every file they send includes a hidden watermark that the reader can't see, but that lets BookFunnel uncover who downloaded the file. So, if your book shows up on a pirate site, you can send BF the file, and they'll tell you who (if anyone) on your ARC list shared it. Then, you can block that person from receiving future books.
They're also great for distributing freebies to get new readers on your mailing list. They have a marketplace where authors host and join free group promos to find new readers and email subscribers.
The one downside is that you need to find your ARC readers yourself from somewhere besides BookFunnel. If you don't have dedicated readers yet or you need some more, then...
Find ARC readers: Book Sprout
If you're new to indie publishing or need to refresh your ARC team, Book Sprout is your friend.
They have a community of over 70K active book reviewers. You can post your ARC and requirements and start getting readers right away. Book Sprout will also track who reads and reviews so you can thank reviewers and block those who download but don't leave a review.
Like BookFunnel, you can add your own ARC team if you already have one, and they'll handle tech support for any readers who are having a hard time getting your eBook on their device.
Those are my picks for the best tech tools for fantasy and sci-fi writers in 2025. Did I miss any of your faves? Let us know: info @ scribeforge.ink.