Alternatives · Writing
Novelcrafter alternatives
Novelcrafter compared with 9 alternatives: Sudowrite, Scrivener, Dabble, Plottr, Campfire and 4 more.
Novelcrafter is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe). 3 of the 9 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 6 more offer a free trial.
9 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| NovelcrafterThis tool | Free trial · from $4/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Sudowrite | Free trial · from $10/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Scrivener | Free trial · from $23.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Dabble | Free trial · from $19/mo | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Plottr | Free trial · from $60/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows |
| Campfire | Free plan · from $0.50/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| LivingWriter | Free plan · from $15/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| NovelAI | Free trial · from $10/mo | Trial only | Web |
| Type.ai | Free trial · from $8/mo | Trial only | Web |
| World Anvil | Free plan | Yes | Web |
How each one differs from Novelcrafter
- Free trial · from $10/mo
Sudowrite
AI writing partner for drafting and revising fiction
- Sudowrite starts at $10 per month, billed annually (Hobby & Student). Novelcrafter starts at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe).
- Only Sudowrite lists iOS and Android apps.
- Sudowrite also covers dictation.
Suits: Novelists who want AI help drafting and revising fiction
- 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. Novelcrafter starts at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe).
- Only Scrivener lists macOS, Windows and iOS apps.
- Only Novelcrafter 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 $19/mo
Dabble
Novel writing app with plotting, story notes and sync
- Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer). Novelcrafter starts at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe).
- Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Dabble also covers grammar & style.
- Novelcrafter also covers chat assistant.
Suits: Novelists who want plotting, notes and the manuscript in one place
- 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. Novelcrafter starts at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe).
- Only Plottr lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Plottr can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Plottr also covers templates.
- Novelcrafter also covers chat assistant and long-form writing.
Suits: Novelists and screenwriters who outline visually before drafting
- Free plan · from $0.50/mo
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). Novelcrafter starts at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe).
- Campfire has a free plan. Novelcrafter does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Campfire lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Campfire can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Campfire also covers templates.
Suits: Fantasy and science-fiction authors who keep detailed world notes beside 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). Novelcrafter starts at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe).
- LivingWriter has a free plan. Novelcrafter does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only LivingWriter lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- LivingWriter also covers templates.
Suits: Novelists who track characters, settings and plot threads beside the draft
- Free trial · from $10/mo
NovelAI
AI co-writer for fiction with an anime-style image generator
- NovelAI starts at $10 per month (Tablet). Novelcrafter starts at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe).
- Novelcrafter also covers chat assistant.
Suits: Fiction writers who want an AI that continues their own prose
- Free trial · from $8/mo
Type.ai
AI document editor for books, screenplays and long-form stories
- Type.ai starts at $8 per month, billed annually ($96). Novelcrafter starts at $4 per month, or $40 billed annually (Scribe).
- Novelcrafter also covers chat assistant.
Suits: Novelists and screenwriters drafting with AI assistance
- Free plan
World Anvil
Web-based worldbuilding platform for writers and game masters
- World Anvil has a free plan. Novelcrafter does not, though it has a free trial.
- World Anvil also covers templates.
- Novelcrafter also covers chat assistant.
Suits: Fantasy and science-fiction writers documenting a setting as linked articles
Limits worth knowing in Novelcrafter
- There is no free plan. Without an active subscription, data stays viewable and exportable but cannot be added to or edited.
- AI starts at the Hobbyist plan and is bring-your-own-key, so model usage is paid separately to the AI provider unless local models are used.
- Workshop Chat needs Artisan, and inviting collaborators or creating teams needs Specialist. Each user needs a subscription of their own.
- It runs in the browser with nothing to install, and is described as mobile compatible; no desktop or mobile app is listed.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Novelcrafter?
The alternatives to Novelcrafter in this directory are Sudowrite, Scrivener, Dabble, Plottr, Campfire, LivingWriter, NovelAI, Type.ai and World Anvil. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Novelcrafter.
Is there a free alternative to Novelcrafter?
Yes. Campfire, LivingWriter and World Anvil have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Novelcrafter alternatives work on Windows?
The Novelcrafter listing does not include a Windows app. Scrivener, Dabble, Plottr, Campfire and LivingWriter list one.
Which Novelcrafter alternatives work on macOS?
The Novelcrafter listing does not include a macOS app. Scrivener, Dabble, Plottr, Campfire and LivingWriter 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.