Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n
- \n
- What Is Technical Writing?<\/a><\/li>\n
- What Should You Look for in Technical Writing Software?<\/a><\/li>\n
- The 10 Best Technical Writing Tools to Use in 2024<\/a>\n
- \n
- 1. ClickUp AI<\/a><\/li>\n
- 2. Document360<\/a><\/li>\n
- 3. Atlassian Confluence<\/a><\/li>\n
- 4. Adobe FrameMaker<\/a><\/li>\n
- 5. Copyscape<\/a><\/li>\n
- 6. Paligo<\/a><\/li>\n
- 7. Jasper AI<\/a><\/li>\n
- 8. Awesome Screenshot<\/a><\/li>\n
- 9. MadCap Software<\/a><\/li>\n
- 10. Speedwrite<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What Is Technical Writing?<\/h2>\n
Technical writing involves communicating complex technical information clearly and concisely. It\u2019s commonly used for documents such as the following:<\/p>\n
- \n
- User manuals<\/li>\n
- Standard operating procedures\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n
- Scientific papers<\/li>\n
- Technical reports<\/li>\n
- Software handbooks<\/li>\n
- Project documentation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Technical writers must ensure their writing is accurate and error-free. And they must do this while condensing that knowledge into something easy to understand for non-technical end users.<\/p>\n
In addition to having a solid grasp of what they\u2019re writing about and for whom, technical writers must be skilled in writing, editing, formatting, and research.<\/p>\n
What Should You Look for in Technical Writing Software?<\/h2>\n
Identifying the features you need in your technical writing software is a must. Here are some essential elements to look for:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Templates<\/strong>: <\/strong>The process of creating technical documents<\/a> becomes easier when you can start with a premade framework (trust us)<\/li>\n
- Artificial intelligence: <\/strong>There\u2019s no reason not to tap into the power of machine learning and AI writing tools<\/a> in today\u2019s age, and they\u2019ll save you tons of time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n![\"Thread](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ClickUp-AI-Thread-Summarizing.gif\")
Instantly summarize lengthy comment threads with a click of a button using ClickUp AI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n - \n
- Collaborate permissions: <\/strong>If you\u2019re working with a team, you\u2019ll want something with user management features to allow you to assign specific permissions and roles<\/li>\n
- Reporting features: <\/strong>Built-in reporting tools<\/a> can highlight insights about how your technical content is performing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This isn\u2019t an exhaustive list, but chances are you know the other features you\u2019re looking for: think editing tools, screen capture, grammar-checking, spell-check tools, and integration with software like MS Word<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The 10 Best Technical Writing Tools to Use<\/h2>\n
Whether you\u2019re looking for writing assistant software<\/a> or plagiarism checkers, you\u2019ll find what you need on this list for the best technical documentation.<\/p>\n
1. ClickUp AI<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n![\"Technical](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ClickUp-AI-Reprompting-feature-for-Writing-Blog-Posts.gif\")
Reprompting features allow you to rewrite large amounts of content to match your specific tone of voice\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n You\u2019re probably not surprised that ClickUp topped our list, but we\u2019re not the only ones who give it top marks. Just this year, we made the top of G2\u2019s Best Project Management Software Products for 2024<\/a>, and that\u2019s no small feat! \u2728 ?<\/p>\n
ClickUp is a cloud-based tool with tons of features to make the life of a technical writer easier. It\u2019s a comprehensive productivity platform and knowledge base<\/a>, allowing you to bring everything together with features like ClickUp Docs<\/a>, Whiteboards<\/a>, and List view<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Use ClickUp Board view as a drag-and-drop home base for new projects, then switch to List view to group, sort, and filter your tasks. Or take advantage of the styling options in ClickUp Docs to add tables and format knowledge bases in a snap.<\/p>\n
And then there\u2019s the all-star ClickUp AI<\/a> writing assistant! It\u2019s a super-smart AI tool<\/a> that can trim hours off your workflow by creating snippets, tables of contents, and entire web pages. ClickUp AI can also handle formatting and copy editing in seconds while helping you parse technical info into user-friendly wording.<\/p>\n
You can also use ClickUp\u2019s ChatGPT Prompts for Technical Writing<\/a> to take the headache out of getting started, so you can focus on putting those writing skills to work where it matters.<\/p>\n
ClickUp best features:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Integration with 1,000-plus tools, including WordPress, Google Drive, Microsoft Word, GitHub, HubSpot, and Google Docs<\/li>\n
- Tons of templates to let you focus on authoring (not structuring) your content\u2014think requirements gathering templates<\/a>, content management<\/a> templates, and more<\/li>\n
- Compatible with most devices and operating systems, including Chrome, Windows, iOS, Android, and MacOS<\/li>\n
- Collaboration features like real-time comments, Chat, gifs, and custom dashboards make it easy to keep your team members on the same page<\/li>\n
- ClickUp AI can create entire emails, social media posts, and document summaries. You can also use it as an online text editor to shorten, lengthen, or expand upon specific pieces of content<\/li>\n
- ClickUp Automations can save time<\/a> and streamline your workflow by automating custom Triggers and Actions for time-consuming and repetitive tasks like updating due dates and creating action items<\/li>\n
- Clip feature provides video recording capability to send recorded videos to teammates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ClickUp limitations:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Some reviewers report having to customize their notification settings according to what they want to see<\/li>\n
- ClickUp AI isn\u2019t available on the Free Forever plan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ClickUp pricing:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Free Forever<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Unlimited: <\/strong>$7\/month per user, paid annually; $10\/month per user, paid monthly<\/li>\n
- Business: <\/strong>$12\/month per user, paid annually<\/li>\n
- Enterprise: <\/strong>Contact for pricing<\/li>\n
- ClickUp AI:<\/strong> Available on all paid plans for $5 per Workspace member per month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ClickUp ratings and reviews:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (8,500+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (3,700+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Document360<\/h3>\n
\n![\"Technical](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Document360.jpg\")
via Document360<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Document360 is one of the best technical writing tools for publishing in multiple formats. Easily create and publish articles, user guides, tutorials, lists of FAQs, and knowledge base articles using the tool\u2019s many helpful features.<\/p>\n
You can also shift the focus off layouts and more onto media-rich content creation with the HTML Editor. Or use the SEO settings to boost online visibility and include custom CSS to make your webpage stand out!<\/p>\n
Document360 best features:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Integrations with 20-plus tools, including Google Analytics, FullStory, and Chatra<\/li>\n
- Collaborations tools<\/a> let you set due dates, assign roles, and manage workflows for your team<\/li>\n
- Multiple text editor features to minimize the busywork of correcting mistakes<\/li>\n
- Specialized tools enable you to create a high-quality knowledge base for customers and employees in half the time with a reliable XML-type sitemap generator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Document360 limitations:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Some reviewers report encountering character and page limits that interfered with their software documentation<\/li>\n
- Free version limits access to most of the advanced documentation tools<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Document360 pricing:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Free<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Standard: <\/strong>$149\/month per project, paid annually<\/li>\n
- Professional: <\/strong>$299\/month per project, paid annually<\/li>\n
- Business: <\/strong>$399\/month per project, paid annually<\/li>\n
- Enterprise: <\/strong>$599\/month per project, paid annually<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Document360 ratings and reviews:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (350+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (150+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Check out these Document360 alternatives<\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
3. Atlassian Confluence<\/h3>\n
\n![\"Technical](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Confluence-Knowledge-Base-Example.png\")
via Atlassian Confluence<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Confluence is an excellent open, shared workspace for remote teams and collaboration. Plan, create, share, and update technical documentation, and choose from several plugins to save time throughout the document\u2019s life cycle.<\/p>\n
You can create anything from product launch plans<\/a> to marketing campaigns<\/a> to knowledge base articles with an open and collaborative structure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Atlassian Confluence best features:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Integrations with multiple software tools and plugins, including Google Drive, Draw.io, Jira, Slack, and Miro<\/li>\n
- Templates for project planning, product management, software development, and online documentation<\/li>\n
- Customizable workflows, complete with image editing tools, screen capture tools, and private notepads<\/li>\n
- Whiteboards are designed to make brainstorming with your team easier with features like Smart Links and sticky notes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Atlassian Confluence limitations:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Some users report a steep learning curve while familiarizing their team with the Atlassian suite<\/li>\n
- Some reviews mention problems with text-based search functions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Atlassian Confluence pricing:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Free<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Standard: <\/strong>$5.75\/month per user<\/li>\n
- Premium: <\/strong>$11\/month per user<\/li>\n
- Enterprise: <\/strong>$102,500\/year for 801-plus users<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Atlassian Confluence ratings and reviews:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.1\/5 (3,600+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.5\/5 (3,000+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Bonus: Document Editing Software<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
4. Adobe FrameMaker<\/h3>\n
\n![\"Technical](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Adobe-FrameMaker.jpg\")
via Adobe FrameMaker<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Adobe Framemaker is a popular tool for technical writers, editors, and content creators. You can format, create, and edit long and complex documents, technical manuals, reports, and books using structured authoring and publishing tools.<\/p>\n
Use it with other Adobe products to handle all your to-do list tasks in one place. Need to convert your document to plain text for things like online help? Use Adobe\u2019s help authoring tool, Adobe RoboHelp, to put it in WebHelp format. Need to add animations to an interactive end user page? Use Adobe\u2019s HTML5 editor, Adobe Animate, to bring your vision to life.<\/p>\n
Adobe FrameMaker best features:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Integration with other Adobe products like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe XD<\/li>\n
- Innovative navigation and What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) views make it easier to produce engaging technical documentation<\/li>\n
- Template-based structure and tools allow you to insert rich media into technical writing without the hassle<\/li>\n
- Robust authoring environment designed to take the challenge out of creating and updating structured and unstructured content<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Adobe FrameMaker limitations:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Some users report frustration that FrameMaker is not part of other Adobe packages, such as Adobe Creative Suite, which is popular for graphic design and video editing<\/li>\n
- Some reviews mention disrupted workflow due to the inability to export FrameMaker MIF to Markdown, MkDocs, and Material formats or to use tools like GitHub for version control<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Adobe FrameMaker pricing:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Adobe FrameMaker<\/strong> Subscription: <\/strong>$39.99\/month per user<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Adobe FrameMaker ratings and reviews:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.1\/5 (30+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>N\/A<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. Copyscape<\/h3>\n
\n![\"Copyscape\"](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Copyscape.jpeg\")
via Copyscape<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Copyscape is a straightforward plagiarism detection tool that allows users to quickly and easily check for duplicate content. It checks for intentional plagiarism, allowing you to make sure no one has copied your content, and unintentional plagiarism, which can happen with technical writing.<\/p>\n
Copyscape produces complete reports that allow you to check the originality of content, see which sources the content matches, and view what percentage of the content flags as plagiarism.<\/p>\n
Copyscape best features:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Integration with WordPress allows users to use their favorite blogging tools<\/a> and reply on the Copyscape plugin to ensure content is original before publishing<\/li>\n
- Options to copy\/paste content directly into Copyscape or upload entire documents for plagiarism checking<\/li>\n
- Reviewers report that results are quick and reliable, even when checking large documents<\/li>\n
- Simple platform with no additional features eliminates the learning curve, so all your team members can start using it right away<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Copyscape limitations:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Some reviews mention a desire for lower pricing when checking content in bulk<\/li>\n
- Free version can only check individual web pages and isn\u2019t helpful for most businesses or teams<\/li>\n
- No AI detection<\/a> capabilities <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Copyscape pricing:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Free<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Copyscape Premium: <\/strong>$0.03\/search (up to 200 words), plus $0.01\/additional 100 words<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Copyscape ratings and reviews:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.5\/5 (20+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.8\/5 (60+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
6. Paligo<\/h3>\n
\n![\"Paligo\"](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Paligo.jpg\")
via Paligo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n Paligo is a cloud-based Component Content Management System (CCMS) solution and technical writing tool designed to create, manage, update, translate, and publish documents. Use it for technical documentation, procedures, policies, training content, and knowledge management<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Paligo was designed explicitly to be a tool for content authors and technical writers. It uses AI to help repurpose written content into multiple output formats to save hours. \ufeff?\ufe0f\ufeff<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n
Paligo best features:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Integrations with 24-plus tools, including Zendesk, GitLab, and Coveo\u00a0<\/li>\n
- User-friendly SaaS user interface makes it straightforward to use features such as version history, version roll-back, and release management<\/li>\n
- CCMS allows users to organize and categorize content in minutes<\/li>\n
- Structured and topic-based authoring makes it easy to create, release, and update content<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Paligo limitations:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Some reviews report a lack of flexibility with application programming interface documentation and publishing options<\/li>\n
- Some users mention delayed login times and lag when logging into the Paligo workspace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Paligo pricing:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Professional: <\/strong>Contact for pricing<\/li>\n
- Business: <\/strong>Contact for pricing<\/li>\n
- Enterprise: <\/strong>Contact for pricing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Paligo ratings and reviews:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (50+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>3\/5 (1+ review)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
7. Jasper AI<\/h3>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>3\/5 (1+ review)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Business: <\/strong>Contact for pricing<\/li>\n
- Professional: <\/strong>Contact for pricing<\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.8\/5 (60+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Copyscape Premium: <\/strong>$0.03\/search (up to 200 words), plus $0.01\/additional 100 words<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Free<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>N\/A<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- G2: <\/strong>4.1\/5 (30+ reviews)<\/li>\n
- Adobe FrameMaker<\/strong> Subscription: <\/strong>$39.99\/month per user<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.5\/5 (3,000+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Standard: <\/strong>$5.75\/month per user<\/li>\n
- Free<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (150+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Standard: <\/strong>$149\/month per project, paid annually<\/li>\n
- Free<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Capterra: <\/strong>4.7\/5 (3,700+ reviews)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Unlimited: <\/strong>$7\/month per user, paid annually; $10\/month per user, paid monthly<\/li>\n
- Free Forever<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Reporting features: <\/strong>Built-in reporting tools<\/a> can highlight insights about how your technical content is performing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Artificial intelligence: <\/strong>There\u2019s no reason not to tap into the power of machine learning and AI writing tools<\/a> in today\u2019s age, and they\u2019ll save you tons of time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- 2. Document360<\/a><\/li>\n
- What Should You Look for in Technical Writing Software?<\/a><\/li>\n
![\"Jasper.ai\"](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Jasper.ai_.jpg\")