Most writing applications in 2025 have some sort of built-in editing, but few are specialized for it. Although they’re obligated to offer suggestions or be relegated to the antiquated state of Wordpad, not a lot of the programs in which we write end up being the best place to offer editing advice as well.
If you’re looking for something on-top of your usual writing app’s features to help you edit your manuscript, below are three major editing software just for that!
ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid boasts itself as an analytical tool tailored to assess every aspect of your writing. Of all the listed software, it is the most applicable to long-form manuscript editing with its "Chapter Critique" and "Manuscript Analysis" tools.
Unlike Grammarly which will simply rewrite your words to something cleaner on prompt, ProWritingAid leans toward "[teaching] you how to improve," by offering suggestions like "show, don’t tell."
ProWritingAid has some unique features like "Sensory reports" which identify your use of the five senses in your writing, and subsequent "pacing improvements" it thinks would help with reader engagement.
ProWritingAid is an add-on applicable for the writing app you usually use: Word, Google Docs, or Scrivener. As for ProWitingAid’s pricing, it’s free to try, and afterward available through monthly($36)/yearly($120) subscription plans, or through a lifetime license ($699).
Grammarly
Grammarly is an AI tool that’s "designed to improve your communication," and it promotes its use outside of typical story writing to include business emails or brand content creation. Grammarly’s focus is on helping you convey yourself as accurately as possible, with suggestion tabs such as "Adjust tone," "Stay on-brand," and "Rewrite for clarity."
If you are someone who struggles with matching genre tones, or just have a habit of writing "awkward" sentences, Grammarly’s correction tools could be a huge time-saver.
Grammarly comes in a desktop app or a browser extension (even on mobile). Grammarly is available to use for free for basic grammar help, or through a monthly subscription plan ($12) which adds the lengthier, in-depth features.
Hemingway
Hemingway Editor is an application which highlights your writing to be improved so it is considered "concise and correct." Its top features are that it offers an overall "Readability score," highlighting wordy sentences that could be simplified—as well as other writing issues.
Hemingway is the best option for writer’s who want to study language use and play around with it themselves, although there is a word-cap that’s quite limiting if you were hoping to drop your whole 40k manuscript in to edit all at once.
In Hemingway’s browser application, Pro Rate plans (ranging under $15/mo) can unlock AI assistance. However, Hemingway is also available as a classic desktop app for Mac or Windows, which allows for offline use and does not include AI ($19.99).
These three software are a great means to kick your manuscript up a literary-notch, but it is important to be wary of the current AI landscape. If you aren’t comfortable with using software with integrated AI features, or you’ve already self-edited your story to death, the next step should be seeking other, experienced human eyes. Check out this fantastic list of 13 Editors for Self-Published Authors, with extra tips on how to find your perfect fit!