Alternatives · Writing
Gingko Writer alternatives
Gingko Writer compared with 5 alternatives: Scrivener, Plottr, Dabble, Ulysses and Novlr.
Gingko Writer is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $9.75 per month, billed yearly ($117). 1 of the 5 alternatives is free or has a free plan. 4 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gingko WriterThis tool | Free trial · from $9.75/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Scrivener | Free trial · from $23.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Plottr | Free trial · from $60/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows |
| Dabble | Free trial · from $19/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ulysses | Free trial · from $39.99/yr | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Novlr | Free plan · from $8/mo | Yes | Web |
How each one differs from Gingko Writer
- 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. Gingko Writer starts at $9.75 per month, billed yearly ($117).
- Only Scrivener lists macOS, Windows and iOS apps.
- Only Gingko Writer lists a web app.
- Scrivener can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Scrivener also covers templates.
Suits: Novelists and academics managing book-length projects
- 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. Gingko Writer starts at $9.75 per month, billed yearly ($117).
- Only Plottr lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Plottr can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Plottr also covers templates.
- Gingko Writer also covers Markdown and long-form writing.
Suits: Novelists and screenwriters who outline visually before drafting
- Free trial · from $19/mo
Dabble
Novel writing app with plotting, story notes and sync
- Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer). Gingko Writer starts at $9.75 per month, billed yearly ($117).
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Dabble also covers grammar & style.
- Gingko Writer also covers Markdown.
Suits: Novelists who want plotting, notes and the manuscript in one place
- Free trial · from $39.99/yr
Ulysses
Markup-based writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone
- Ulysses starts at $39.99 per year, or $5.99 per month. Gingko Writer starts at $9.75 per month, billed yearly ($117).
- Only Ulysses lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Only Gingko Writer lists a web app.
- Ulysses also covers grammar & style.
Suits: Writers who work only on Apple devices and want their texts on all of them
- 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). Gingko Writer starts at $9.75 per month, billed yearly ($117).
- Novlr has a free plan. Gingko Writer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Novlr also covers grammar & style.
- Gingko Writer also covers Markdown.
Suits: Novelists who want a clean, distraction-free place to draft
Limits worth knowing in Gingko Writer
- There is no free plan: after the 14-day trial the app needs a subscription.
- The vendor's FAQ, last updated about four years ago, says collaboration and LaTeX are not supported yet and points to the legacy gingkoapp.com version for both.
- Images cannot be uploaded: the FAQ says they are added by linking to a file hosted elsewhere with Markdown image syntax.
- The current version is a web app. An older desktop version is still on GitHub, but the vendor says it has not been brought up to date.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Gingko Writer?
The alternatives to Gingko Writer in this directory are Scrivener, Plottr, Dabble, Ulysses and Novlr. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Gingko Writer.
Is there a free alternative to Gingko Writer?
Yes. Novlr has a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Gingko Writer alternatives work on Windows?
The Gingko Writer listing does not include a Windows app. Scrivener, Plottr and Dabble list one.
Which Gingko Writer alternatives work on macOS?
The Gingko Writer listing does not include a macOS app. Scrivener, Plottr, Dabble and Ulysses 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.