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LivingWriter alternatives · Writing

Alternatives to LivingWriter with a one-time purchase

The LivingWriter listing shows no one-time purchase. 21 of the 67 other writing tools in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

LivingWriter has a free plan. Paid plans start at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro). 8 of them are free or have a free plan.

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

The 12 closest to LivingWriter

  1. 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. LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • LivingWriter has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only LivingWriter lists a web app.
    • Only LivingWriter lists an Android app.
    Scrivener vs LivingWriterScrivener pricing and details

  2. Dabble

    Novel writing app with plotting, story notes and sync

    • Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer). LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • LivingWriter has a free plan. Dabble does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Dabble lists a Linux app.
    • Only LivingWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
    Dabble vs LivingWriterDabble pricing and details

  3. Campfire

    Modular novel writing and worldbuilding app with per-module pricing

    • Campfire starts at $0.50 per month for one module; $12 per month for all modules (Standard). LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • Campfire can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • LivingWriter also covers chat assistant.
    Campfire vs LivingWriterCampfire pricing and details

  4. Atticus

    Book writing and formatting app for ebooks and print

    • Atticus starts at $147 one-time. LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • LivingWriter has a free plan. Atticus does not.
    • Only Atticus lists a Linux app.
    • Only LivingWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
    Atticus vs LivingWriterAtticus pricing and details

  5. Final Draft

    Screenwriting software with automatic script formatting

    • Final Draft starts at $99.99 per year or $16.99 per month (Suite); $249.99 one-time for Final Draft 13. LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • LivingWriter has a free plan. Final Draft does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only LivingWriter lists an Android app.
    • Final Draft can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Final Draft pricing and details

  6. Fade In

    One-time-purchase screenwriting software for Windows, Mac and Linux

    • Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time. LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • LivingWriter has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists a Linux app.
    • Only LivingWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
    Fade In pricing and details

  7. JotterPad

    Markdown and Fountain editor for books, papers and screenplays

    • JotterPad starts at $29.99 per year on the App Store; $3.33 per month billed annually on the web. LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • Only LivingWriter lists a Windows app.
    • JotterPad can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • JotterPad also covers Markdown and citations.
    JotterPad pricing and details

  8. Vellum

    Mac app for formatting ebooks and print books

    • Vellum starts at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks). LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • LivingWriter has a free plan. Vellum does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only LivingWriter lists a web app.
    • Only LivingWriter lists Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    Vellum pricing and details

  9. 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. LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • LivingWriter has a free plan. Plottr does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only LivingWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Plottr can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Plottr pricing and details

  10. The Novel Factory

    Novel-writing software with a built-in step-by-step roadmap

    • The Novel Factory starts at $82.50 per year, or $8.25 per month billed monthly (Basic). LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • LivingWriter has a free plan. The Novel Factory does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only LivingWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
    • The Novel Factory can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    The Novel Factory pricing and details

  11. 4thewords

    Writing game where your word count defeats monsters

    • 4thewords starts at $10 per month, or $96 per year (Member). LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • Only 4thewords lists a browser extension.
    • Only LivingWriter lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • 4thewords can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    4thewords pricing and details

  12. Hemingway Editor

    Readability editor that flags wordy, hard-to-read sentences

    • Hemingway Editor starts at $8.33 per month, billed annually ($100); desktop app $19.99 once. LivingWriter starts at $15 per month, billed monthly (Pro).
    • Only LivingWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Hemingway Editor can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Hemingway Editor also covers grammar & style.
    Hemingway Editor pricing and details

9 more that can be bought with a one-time purchase

All 21 in one table

Common questions

Is there an alternative to LivingWriter that you buy once?

Yes. Scrivener, Dabble, Campfire, Atticus, Final Draft, Fade In, JotterPad, Vellum and 13 more can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy LivingWriter once instead of subscribing?

The LivingWriter listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 6, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these writing tools are free?

Campfire, JotterPad, 4thewords, Hemingway Editor, bibisco, Slugline, Calmly Writer and Cold Turkey Writer are free or have a free plan.

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 LivingWriter: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.