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Novlr alternatives · Writing

Open-source alternatives to Novlr

Novlr 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.

Novlr has a free plan. Paid plans start at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter). 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 Novlr

  1. 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. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only LanguageTool lists macOS, Windows and iOS apps.
    • Only LanguageTool lists a browser extension.
    • LanguageTool is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    LanguageTool pricing and details

  2. LibreOffice Writer

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

    • LibreOffice Writer is free. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only LibreOffice Writer lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Novlr lists a web app.
    • LibreOffice Writer is open source, according to its own site.
    LibreOffice Writer 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). Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only Typst lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Typst is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Typst also covers templates, citations and presentations.
    Typst pricing and details

  4. Zettlr

    Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing

    • Zettlr is free. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only Zettlr lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Novlr lists a web app.
    • Zettlr is open source, according to its own site.
    Zettlr pricing and details

  5. Manuskript

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

    • Manuskript is free. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only Manuskript lists Windows, Linux and macOS apps.
    • Only Novlr lists a web app.
    • Manuskript is open source, according to its own site.
    Manuskript pricing and details

  6. novelWriter

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

    • novelWriter is free. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only novelWriter lists Linux, Windows and macOS apps.
    • Only Novlr lists a web app.
    • novelWriter is open source, according to its own site.
    novelWriter pricing and details

  7. 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. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only bibisco lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Novlr lists a web app.
    • bibisco is open source, according to its own site.
    bibisco pricing and details

  8. Trelby

    Free, open-source screenwriting program for desktop

    • Trelby is free. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only Trelby lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Novlr lists a web app.
    • Trelby is open source, according to its own site.
    Trelby pricing and details

  9. Beat

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

    • Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only Beat lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Only Novlr lists a web app.
    • Beat is open source, according to its own site.
    Beat pricing and details

  10. FocusWriter

    Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux

    • FocusWriter is free. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only FocusWriter lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Novlr lists a web app.
    • FocusWriter is open source, according to its own site.
    FocusWriter pricing and details

  11. ghostwriter

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

    • ghostwriter is free. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only ghostwriter lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Novlr lists a web app.
    • ghostwriter is open source, according to its own site.
    ghostwriter pricing and details

  12. MarkText

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

    • MarkText is free. Novlr starts at $8 per month, billed yearly ($96); $10 billed monthly (Starter).
    • Only MarkText lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Only Novlr 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 Novlr?

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

Is Novlr open source?

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