Trelby alternatives · Writing
Alternatives to Trelby with a one-time purchase
The Trelby listing shows no one-time purchase. 30 of the 136 other writing tools in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Trelby is free to use. 10 of them are free or have a free plan.
30 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
The 12 closest to Trelby
- Free trial · from $79.95 one-time
Fade In
One-time-purchase screenwriting software for Windows, Mac and Linux
- Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time. Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Fade In lists a web app.
- Fade In can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free trial · from $99.99/yr
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. Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Final Draft does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Final Draft lists a web app.
- Only Final Draft lists an iOS app.
- From $169 one-time
Movie Magic Screenwriter
Screenwriting software for scripts, stage plays and comics
- Movie Magic Screenwriter starts at $169 one-time (listed against a crossed-out $249.95). Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Movie Magic Screenwriter does not.
- Only Trelby lists a Linux app.
- Movie Magic Screenwriter can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 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. Trelby is free.
- Only bibisco lists iOS and Android apps.
- bibisco can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 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. Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
- Only Trelby lists a Linux app.
- From $147 one-time
Atticus
Book writing and formatting app for ebooks and print
- Atticus starts at $147 one-time. Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Atticus does not.
- Only Atticus lists a web app.
- Atticus can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free trial · from $199.99 one-time
Vellum
Mac app for formatting ebooks and print books
- Vellum starts at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks). Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Vellum does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Trelby lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Vellum can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free trial · from $19/mo
Dabble
Novel writing app with plotting, story notes and sync
- Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer). Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Dabble does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Dabble lists a web app.
- Dabble can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 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). Trelby is free.
- Only Campfire lists a web app.
- Only Campfire lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Trelby lists a Linux app.
- Free plan · from $19.99 one-time
Slugline
Plain-text screenwriting app for Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Slugline starts at $19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac. Trelby is free.
- Only Slugline lists an iOS app.
- Only Trelby lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Slugline can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Free trial · from $69.99 one-time
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. Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Mellel does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Mellel lists an iOS app.
- Only Trelby lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Free plan · from $29.99/yr
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. Trelby is free.
- Only JotterPad lists a web app.
- Only JotterPad lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Trelby lists Windows and Linux apps.
Common questions
Is there an alternative to Trelby that you buy once?
Yes. Fade In, Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter, bibisco, Scrivener, Atticus, Vellum, Dabble and 22 more can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Can you buy Trelby once instead of subscribing?
The Trelby listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 9, 2026 against the pages it cites.
Which of these writing tools are free?
bibisco, Campfire, Slugline, JotterPad, 4thewords, Hemingway Editor, Calmly Writer, Cold Turkey Writer and 2 more 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 13, 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 Trelby: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.