Alternatives · Writing
Dabble alternatives
Dabble compared with 12 alternatives: Scrivener, Novelcrafter, LivingWriter, Novlr, Plottr and 7 more.
Dabble is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer). 5 of the 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 6 more offer a free trial.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| DabbleThis tool | Free trial · from $19/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Scrivener | Free trial · from $23.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Novelcrafter | Free trial · from $4/mo | Trial only | Web |
| LivingWriter | Free plan · from $15/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Novlr | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web |
| Plottr | Free trial · from $60/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows |
| 4thewords | Free plan · from $10/mo | Yes | Web, Browser extension |
| Atticus | From $147 one-time | No | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ellipsus | Free plan · from $6/mo | Yes | Web |
| Fictionary | Free trial · from $14/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Gingko Writer | Free trial · from $9.75/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Reedsy Studio | Free plan · from $4.99/mo | Yes | Web |
| Sudowrite | Free trial · from $10/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Dabble
- Free trial · from $23.99 one-time
Scrivener
Manuscript writing app with a binder, corkboard and outliner
- Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows. Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
- Only Dabble lists a web app.
- Only Dabble lists a Linux app.
- Scrivener also covers templates.
Suits: Novelists and academics managing book-length projects
- Free trial · from $4/mo
Novelcrafter
Novel writing platform with a story wiki and optional AI
- Novelcrafter starts at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe). Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Novelcrafter also covers chat assistant.
- Dabble also covers grammar & style.
Suits: Novelists and series writers who want a story bible tied to the manuscript
- Free plan · from $15/mo
LivingWriter
Cloud writing app for books and screenplays with planning boards
- LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro). Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- LivingWriter has a free plan. Dabble does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only LivingWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Dabble lists a Linux app.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Novelists who track characters, settings and plot threads beside the draft
- Free plan · from $8/mo
Novlr
Browser-based novel writing workspace built around writing goals
- Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter). Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Novlr has a free plan. Dabble does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Novelists who want a clean, distraction-free place to draft
- Free trial · from $60/yr
Plottr
Visual book outlining and series bible software
- Plottr starts at $60 per year (Plottr); Plottr Pro is $9.99 per month or $99 per year. Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Only Dabble lists a Linux app.
- Plottr also covers templates.
- Dabble also covers long-form writing and grammar & style.
Suits: Novelists and screenwriters who outline visually before drafting
- Free plan · from $10/mo
4thewords
Writing game where your word count defeats monsters
- 4thewords starts at $10 per month, or $96 per year (Member). Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- 4thewords has a free plan. Dabble does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only 4thewords lists a browser extension.
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- 4thewords also covers habit tracking and goals.
Suits: Writers who are motivated by game rewards and daily streaks
- From $147 one-time
Atticus
Book writing and formatting app for ebooks and print
- Atticus starts at $147 one-time. Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Atticus also covers templates.
- Dabble also covers grammar & style.
Suits: Self-publishing authors who format their own ebooks and print books
- Free plan · from $6/mo
Ellipsus
Collaborative writing tool for creative writers
- Ellipsus starts at $6 per month for 24 months, or $99 one-time. Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Ellipsus has a free plan. Dabble does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Ellipsus also covers documents.
Suits: Co-authors, editors and beta readers working on fiction together
- Free trial · from $14/mo
Fictionary
Story-structure software for outlining, writing and editing novels
- Fictionary starts at $14 per month, billed annually ($168); $19 billed monthly. Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Fictionary also covers templates.
- Dabble also covers grammar & style.
Suits: Novelists revising a first draft for structure before line editing
- Free trial · from $9.75/mo
Gingko Writer
Tree-based writing app that breaks long documents into cards
- Gingko Writer starts at $9.75 per month, billed yearly ($117). Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Gingko Writer also covers Markdown.
- Dabble also covers grammar & style.
Suits: Writers who outline and draft at the same time
- Free plan · from $4.99/mo
Reedsy Studio
Browser-based book writing app with free EPUB and PDF typesetting
- Reedsy Studio starts at $4.99 per month, or $52.99 billed annually (Craft add-on). Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Reedsy Studio has a free plan. Dabble does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Reedsy Studio also covers templates.
Suits: Self-publishing authors who want EPUB and print-ready PDF files at no cost
- Free trial · from $10/mo
Sudowrite
AI writing partner for drafting and revising fiction
- Sudowrite starts at $10 per month, billed annually (Hobby & Student). Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer).
- Only Sudowrite lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Sudowrite also covers dictation and chat assistant.
Suits: Novelists who want AI help drafting and revising fiction
Limits worth knowing in Dabble
- There is no free plan. Without a subscription, projects stay viewable and exportable but become read-only.
- Comments, track changes, sticky notes, advanced grammar checks and Read-to-Me need the Author plan at $29 a month or higher.
- On phones and tablets Dabble is a web app added to the home screen from the browser; it is not in the App Store or Google Play.
- The pricing page lists monthly prices only and says annual billing saves 20%, without showing the annual amounts.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Dabble?
The alternatives to Dabble in this directory are Scrivener, Novelcrafter, LivingWriter, Novlr, Plottr, 4thewords, Atticus, Ellipsus, Fictionary, Gingko Writer, Reedsy Studio and Sudowrite. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Dabble.
Is there a free alternative to Dabble?
Yes. LivingWriter, Novlr, 4thewords, Ellipsus and Reedsy Studio have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Dabble alternatives work on Android?
The Dabble listing does not include an Android app. LivingWriter and Sudowrite list one.
Which Dabble alternatives work on iOS?
The Dabble listing does not include an iOS app. Scrivener, LivingWriter and Sudowrite list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.