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yWriter alternatives

yWriter compared with 5 alternatives: Scrivener, Manuskript, bibisco, novelWriter and The Novel Factory.

yWriter has a free plan. Paid plans start at $5.49 one-time for the Android app. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
yWriterThis toolFree plan · from $5.49 one-timeYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
ScrivenerFree trial · from $23.99 one-timeTrial onlymacOS, Windows, iOS
ManuskriptFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
bibiscoFree plan · from $3.49/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
novelWriterFreeFreemacOS, Windows, Linux
The Novel FactoryFree trial · from $82.50/yrTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows

How each one differs from yWriter

  1. 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. yWriter starts at $5.49 one-time for the Android app.
    • yWriter has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only yWriter lists an Android app.
    • Scrivener can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Scrivener also covers templates.

    Suits: Novelists and academics managing book-length projects

    Scrivener vs yWriterScrivener pricing and details

  2. Manuskript

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

    • Manuskript is free. yWriter starts at $5.49 one-time for the Android app.
    • Only Manuskript lists a Linux app.
    • Only yWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Manuskript is open source, according to its own site.
    • Manuskript also covers Markdown.

    Suits: Novelists who outline and plan before drafting

    Manuskript vs yWriterManuskript pricing and details

  3. 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. yWriter starts at $5.49 one-time for the Android app.
    • Only bibisco lists a Linux app.
    • 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

    bibisco vs yWriterbibisco pricing and details

  4. novelWriter

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

    • novelWriter is free. yWriter starts at $5.49 one-time for the Android app.
    • Only novelWriter lists a Linux app.
    • Only yWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
    • 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

    novelWriter vs yWriternovelWriter pricing and details

  5. 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). yWriter starts at $5.49 one-time for the Android app.
    • yWriter has a free plan. The Novel Factory does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only The Novel Factory lists a web app.
    • Only yWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
    • The Novel Factory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: First-time novelists who want a guided, step-by-step process

    The Novel Factory vs yWriterThe Novel Factory pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in yWriter

  • Only the Windows version is free: the Android app costs $5.49 and the iOS app $14.99 in the US stores.
  • The macOS version is an unstable beta, free for now; the site says it will become paid software.
  • There is no native Linux version; the site documents running the Windows program under Wine.
  • The Android page says Google Drive support is not working, which leaves Dropbox for sharing projects.
yWriter pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to yWriter?

The alternatives to yWriter in this directory are Scrivener, Manuskript, bibisco, novelWriter and The Novel Factory. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with yWriter.

Is there a free alternative to yWriter?

Yes. Manuskript and novelWriter are free to use. bibisco has a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which yWriter alternatives work on Linux?

The yWriter listing does not include a Linux app. Manuskript, bibisco and novelWriter list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to yWriter?

Manuskript, bibisco and novelWriter 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 Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.