Alternatives · Writing
Wavemaker Cards alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded Wavemaker Cards alternative is yWriter (3.0 GPA). It's also the best free one.
Wavemaker Cards compared with 5 alternatives: Plottr, novelWriter, Manuskript, yWriter and bibisco.
Wavemaker Cards is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wavemaker CardsThis tool | Free | Free | Web |
| Plottr | Free trial · from $60/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows |
| novelWriter | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| Manuskript | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| yWriter | Free plan · from $5.49 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| bibisco | Free plan · from $3.49/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
Price against what you get
Wavemaker Cards has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 4 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
bibisco scores higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Wavemaker Cards
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.
- Plottr has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Wavemaker Cards.
- Plottr also lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Plottr can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Plottr also covers templates.
Suits: Novelists and screenwriters who outline visually before drafting
novelWriter
Free, open-source plain-text editor for writing novels
- novelWriter is free.
- novelWriter also lists Linux and Windows apps.
- novelWriter lists no web app, which Wavemaker Cards has.
- novelWriter is open source, according to its own site.
- novelWriter also covers Markdown.
Suits: Novelists on Linux or Windows who want a free plain-text editor
Manuskript
Free, open-source novel planner with an outliner and index cards
- Manuskript is free.
- Manuskript also lists Windows, Linux and macOS apps.
- Manuskript lists no web app, which Wavemaker Cards has.
- Manuskript is open source, according to its own site.
- Manuskript also covers Markdown.
Suits: Novelists who outline and plan before drafting
yWriter
Novel-writing software that organizes a book into scenes
- yWriter starts at $5.49 one-time for the Android app.
- yWriter also lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- yWriter lists no web app, which Wavemaker Cards has.
- yWriter does not cover notes, which Wavemaker Cards does.
Suits: Novelists who plan and draft scene by scene
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.
- bibisco also lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- bibisco lists no web app, which Wavemaker Cards has.
- bibisco is open source, according to its own site.
- bibisco can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Novelists who want structured character and plot planning
Limits worth knowing in Wavemaker Cards
- The FAQ says it currently needs the latest Chrome browser for installation and offline use.
- The FAQ describes a one-person project, so support and long-term upkeep depend on one maintainer.
- The optional AI assistant needs your own OpenAI API key, which is billed by OpenAI, not by Wavemaker.
- Mac and iOS support are described as believed to work but untested.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Wavemaker Cards?
The alternatives to Wavemaker Cards in this directory are Plottr, novelWriter, Manuskript, yWriter and bibisco. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Wavemaker Cards.
Is there a free alternative to Wavemaker Cards?
Yes. novelWriter and Manuskript are free to use. yWriter and bibisco have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Wavemaker Cards alternatives work on Windows?
The Wavemaker Cards listing does not include a Windows app. Plottr, novelWriter, Manuskript, yWriter and bibisco list one.
Which Wavemaker Cards alternatives work on macOS?
The Wavemaker Cards listing does not include a macOS app. Plottr, Manuskript, yWriter and bibisco list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Wavemaker Cards?
novelWriter, Manuskript and bibisco are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.