Alternatives · Writing
novelWriter alternatives
novelWriter compared with 5 alternatives: Manuskript, bibisco, yWriter, Scrivener and Zettlr.
novelWriter is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| novelWriterThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Manuskript | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| bibisco | Free plan · from $3.49/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| yWriter | Free plan · from $5.49 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Scrivener | Free trial · from $23.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Zettlr | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
How each one differs from novelWriter
- Free
Manuskript
Free, open-source novel planner with an outliner and index cards
- Manuskript is free. novelWriter is free.
Suits: Novelists who outline and plan before drafting
- Free plan · from $3.49/mo
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. novelWriter is free.
- Only bibisco lists iOS and Android apps.
- bibisco can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- novelWriter also covers Markdown.
Suits: Novelists who want structured character and plot planning
- Free plan · from $5.49 one-time
yWriter
Novel-writing software that organizes a book into scenes
- yWriter starts at $5.49 one-time for the Android app. novelWriter is free.
- Only yWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only novelWriter lists a Linux app.
- novelWriter is open source, according to its own site.
- novelWriter also covers Markdown.
Suits: Novelists who plan and draft scene by scene
- 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. novelWriter is free.
- novelWriter has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
- Only novelWriter lists a Linux app.
- Scrivener can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Novelists and academics managing book-length projects
- Free
Zettlr
Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing
- Zettlr is free. novelWriter is free.
- Zettlr also covers linked notes and citations.
Suits: Researchers and students writing papers or theses in Markdown
Limits worth knowing in novelWriter
- macOS DMG releases were discontinued as of release 2026.1; on a Mac it runs only by installing the Python package.
- The Windows installer is made for Windows 10 or newer.
- It is scoped to novels and short fiction and uses its own Markdown-like syntax, not standard Markdown.
- No web or mobile version is offered.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to novelWriter?
The alternatives to novelWriter in this directory are Manuskript, bibisco, yWriter, Scrivener and Zettlr. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with novelWriter.
Is there a free alternative to novelWriter?
Yes. Manuskript and Zettlr are free to use. bibisco and yWriter have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which novelWriter alternatives work on Android?
The novelWriter listing does not include an Android app. bibisco and yWriter list one.
Which novelWriter alternatives work on iOS?
The novelWriter listing does not include an iOS app. bibisco, yWriter and Scrivener 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.