There are many very good options for mind mapping software to help you capture and organize your ideas, but we think that MindNode is the best for most people because it has a beautiful design, is easy to use, supports very reliable iCloud sync, and there are just enough import/export options to be a really useful tool in almost any workflow. As a first-year law student, one of the most frustrating aspects of law school is how to structure class outlines in preparation for finals. I switched from using a typical Microsoft Word document to Outliner 4.0 software for taking notes, which has been an immense time-saver.

Writers tend to make a very big deal of their tools, whether those tools are delicate pens or ancient typewriters. Increasingly, though, they'll talk about their software. Even the most genteel literary event can soon devolve into a fist-fight between fans of Scrivener and Ulysses (both of which cost around £27, US$40, AU$50).

Microsoft Word is the default tool for many writers, but a subscription to Office 365 costs £59.99/US$69.99/AU$89 per year for one user – pretty steep if you only need the word processing element.

There's often a better option for those of us starving in garrets: free software. Come with us as we discover the best free apps to turn your writing talent into something tangible.

1. FocusWriter

Montserrat font family free download for mac. Keep your mind on your work with the best free app for writers

Blocks all distractions

Auto-save function

Available for Linux, Windows and macOS, FocusWriter is designed to eliminate distractions so you can actually get on with the job of writing. To that effect it enables you to hide other apps, customize the way your text appears on screen and keep track of your progress. If you're feeling particularly old-school you can even add typewriter sound effects.

FocusWriter isn't for everyone – it's not the right tool for going back through and editing your work – but it's a lovely little app with a very modest footprint that stops you keeping an eye on Twitter all day.

2. WriteMonkey

A text editor that cuts down on distractions, not features

Distraction-free interface

Handy keyboard shortcuts

We're big fans of Markdown, the text-editing language that enables you to format, annotate, classify and link as you type with the minimum of fuss, and the superb WriteMonkey makes good use of it.

This free program delivers an incredibly stripped-down user interface that's considerably more powerful than it looks. There's an excellent outliner, automatic syntax highlighting and file organisation, and although markdown takes a bit of getting used to, you'll be very glad you made the effort.

Once you've mastered WriteMonkey, you can use it to create blog posts, print publications and anything else that needs words in it.

3. LibreOffice Writer

A fully-featured free alternative to Microsoft Word

Document template galleries

LibreOffice is a free, open source alternative to Microsoft Office, and that means its word processing app, Writer, has many of the power features of Word without the accompanying price tag.

One of its most useful features is the LibreOffice Template Center, where you'll find templates for all kinds of content.

If you're interested in more full office suites, see our guide to the best free office software.

4. Scribus

Create great-looking magazines and books without InDesign

Professional-level print design tools

Cross-platform

If your words' appearance is as important as their meaning, give Scribus a go: it's a free, highly-rated desktop publishing application for Linux, OS X and Windows that's suitable for producing entire magazines.

It's been kicking around – and regularly updated – since 2001, and while it's a little tricky to use at first, it offers professional-grade publishing with layered, multi-page documents and good colour management support. If you've ever used Adobe InDesign, you'll find the similarity striking. If you can use one, you'll pick up the other in seconds.

We wouldn't want to lay out a 400-page book in it (though that's quite possible), but for shorter works it's ideal. Playlist export mac app.

5. Freemind

Organize your ideas and defeat writer's block before it can strike

Very flexible

Looks a little old-fashioned

Here's another app for writers that isn't strictly for putting your words on the screen: Freemind is all about mind mapping, and it enables you to record all the leaps and bounds your imagination makes whether you're plotting a potboiler or trying to organize complex threads of an investigation.

Freemind isn't something we'd necessarily recommend for mind mapping beginners – it looks a bit like a desktop publishing app having some kind of breakdown – but if you're an experienced intellectual explorer it's a lot tidier than a wall full of index cards and sticky notes.

We’ve uncovered the best cheap laptops you can buy on a writer’s budget
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Best Mac Photo Editing Software 2019 - Photo Editor Reviews

Recently, we spent over 50 hours testing 10 Mac photo editing programs. We compared the programs' editing capabilities by importing the same group of photos into each one and applying the same edits. We also took into account how easy each program is to use, preferring those that are powerful as well as easy to learn. We further evaluated each software’s photo organizing features, including how many categorization and search options it offers. After all our testing was said and done, CyberLink PhotoDirector Ultra 10 stood out as the best Mac photo editing software. We think it is a good fit for users of any skill level, but it has features that make it especially good for beginners. To find out if this software is a good option for you, check out CyberLink’s 30-day free trial.

Best Overall

CyberLink PhotoDirector Ultra 10

PhotoDirector not only offers some of the easiest-to-use editing tools, it also offers one of the best photo organizing systems we've seen.

Best Budget

Pixelmator 3.3

Avast for mac options. Pixelmator 3.3 is easy to learn and costs less than many other programs. It is compatible with a wide range of file types and offers editing tools to enhance your images like a pro.

Best Alternative to Photoshop

Affinity Photo

This software's tools are comparable to Adobe Photoshop. One of the biggest differences between the two programs is Affinity's lower-cost.

Product	Price	Overall Rating	Pricing	Editing Tools	Organizing	File Compatibility & Sharing	Trial	Ease of Use Score	Filter Presets	Editing Tools Score	Photo Organizing Score	Supported Image File Formats	Sharing Options Score	Help & Support Score	Minimum OS X Supported
CyberLink PhotoDirector Ultra 10	View Deal	4.5/5	6.8	9.5	10	9.5	30 Days	100%	42	100%	100%	7	100%	84%	10.9
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2018	View Deal	4/5	6.5	9.3	7.8	9.8	30 Days	100%	98	96%	86%	10	100%	100%	10.11
Acorn 6	View Deal	4/5	9.5	10	2.3	10	14 Days	90%	139	99%	29%	12	100%	84%	10.11
Corel AfterShot Pro 3	View Deal	4/5	7.8	6.8	9.5	5	30 Days	100%	21	86%	86%	4	80%	100%	10.9
Pixelmator 3.3	View Deal	3.5/5	9.5	7.5	4	8.8	30 Days	90%	126	89%	43%	10	80%

Best Outliner Program For Mac