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Overleaf alternatives · Writing

Alternatives to Overleaf with a one-time purchase

The Overleaf listing shows no one-time purchase. 25 of the 100 other writing tools in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Overleaf has a free plan. Paid plans start at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25. 8 of them are free or have a free plan.

25 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to Overleaf

  1. Mellel

    Mac word processor for long academic and technical documents

    • Mellel starts at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99. Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Overleaf has a free plan. Mellel does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Mellel lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Only Overleaf lists a web app.
    Mellel vs OverleafMellel pricing and details

  2. 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. Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Only JotterPad lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • JotterPad can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    JotterPad pricing and details

  3. 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. Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Overleaf has a free plan. Final Draft does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Final Draft lists macOS, Windows and iOS apps.
    • Final Draft can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Final Draft pricing and details

  4. Fade In

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

    • Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time. Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Overleaf has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Fade In can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Fade In pricing and details

  5. 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. Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Overleaf has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Scrivener lists macOS, Windows and iOS apps.
    • Only Overleaf lists a web app.
    Scrivener pricing and details

  6. Atticus

    Book writing and formatting app for ebooks and print

    • Atticus starts at $147 one-time. Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Overleaf has a free plan. Atticus does not.
    • Only Atticus lists Windows, macOS and Linux apps.
    • Atticus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Atticus pricing and details

  7. Vellum

    Mac app for formatting ebooks and print books

    • Vellum starts at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Overleaf has a free plan. Vellum does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Vellum lists a macOS app.
    • Only Overleaf lists a web app.
    Vellum pricing and details

  8. Dabble

    Novel writing app with plotting, story notes and sync

    • Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Overleaf has a free plan. Dabble does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Dabble lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
    • Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Dabble 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. Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Overleaf has a free plan. Plottr does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Plottr lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Plottr can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Plottr pricing and details

  10. 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). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Only Campfire lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • Campfire can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Campfire pricing and details

  11. 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). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Overleaf has a free plan. The Novel Factory does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only The Novel Factory lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • The Novel Factory can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    The Novel Factory pricing and details

  12. 4thewords

    Writing game where your word count defeats monsters

    • 4thewords starts at $10 per month, or $96 per year (Member). Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25.
    • Only 4thewords lists a browser extension.
    • 4thewords can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    4thewords pricing and details

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

All 25 in one table

Common questions

Is there an alternative to Overleaf that you buy once?

Yes. Mellel, JotterPad, Final Draft, Fade In, Scrivener, Atticus, Vellum, Dabble and 17 more can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy Overleaf once instead of subscribing?

The Overleaf listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these writing tools are free?

JotterPad, Campfire, 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 Nov 12, 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 Overleaf: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.