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Fade In alternatives · Writing

Open-source alternatives to Fade In

Fade In is not described as open source on its own site. 12 of the 67 other writing tools in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Fade In is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $79.95 one-time. All of them are free or have a free plan.

12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Fade In

  1. Trelby

    Free, open-source screenwriting program for desktop

    • Trelby is free. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • Trelby has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    • Trelby is open source, according to its own site.
    Trelby vs Fade InTrelby pricing and details

  2. Beat

    Free, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS

    • Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • Beat has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Beat lists an iOS app.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    Beat vs Fade InBeat pricing and details

  3. Typst

    Markup-based typesetting system with a collaborative web app

    • Typst starts at $7.99 per month, billed monthly ($79.99 billed yearly). Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • Typst has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Typst is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Fade In can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Typst pricing and details

  4. LibreOffice Writer

    Free, open-source word processor for Windows, macOS and Linux

    • LibreOffice Writer is free. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • LibreOffice Writer has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    • LibreOffice Writer is open source, according to its own site.
    LibreOffice Writer pricing and details

  5. bibisco

    Novel planning and writing software built around characters

    • bibisco starts at $3.49 per month for Everywhere sync; desktop Supporters Edition is $69 one-time. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • bibisco has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only bibisco lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    bibisco pricing and details

  6. Zettlr

    Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing

    • Zettlr is free. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • Zettlr has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    • Zettlr is open source, according to its own site.
    Zettlr pricing and details

  7. Manuskript

    Free, open-source novel planner with an outliner and index cards

    • Manuskript is free. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • Manuskript has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    • Manuskript is open source, according to its own site.
    Manuskript pricing and details

  8. novelWriter

    Free, open-source plain-text editor for writing novels

    • novelWriter is free. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • novelWriter has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    • novelWriter is open source, according to its own site.
    novelWriter pricing and details

  9. LanguageTool

    Grammar and style checker for more than 30 languages

    • LanguageTool starts at $4.99 per month on a 2-year plan ($119.80); $69.90 billed annually. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • LanguageTool has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only LanguageTool lists an iOS app.
    • Only LanguageTool lists a browser extension.
    LanguageTool pricing and details

  10. FocusWriter

    Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux

    • FocusWriter is free. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • FocusWriter has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    • Only Fade In lists a macOS app.
    FocusWriter pricing and details

  11. ghostwriter

    Free, open-source Markdown editor from KDE for focused writing

    • ghostwriter is free. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • ghostwriter has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    • Only Fade In lists a macOS app.
    ghostwriter pricing and details

  12. MarkText

    Free, open-source Markdown editor with in-place live rendering

    • MarkText is free. Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time.
    • MarkText has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists a web app.
    • MarkText is open source, according to its own site.
    MarkText pricing and details

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Fade In?

Yes. Trelby, Beat, Typst, LibreOffice Writer, bibisco, Zettlr, Manuskript, novelWriter and 4 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Fade In open source?

Fade In is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 6, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Fade In: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.