Campfire vs Dramatica (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Campfire if

• Fits if you write fantasy or sci-fi and keep piles of world notes beside the manuscript
• Works for writers who only want a couple of planning modules, at $0.50 to $2 a month each

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you're staying free, because 25,000 words and 10 characters run out fast and extras turn read-only
• Skip it if you write offline on a phone or on Linux, as offline work is Mac and Windows only
• Pricey if you pay monthly for everything, at $144 over a year against $99 on the annual plan
• Watch out: monthly plans can't be refunded, and the phone app leaves out four modules
• Not for you if you want it linked to other tools, as Inkarnate is the only integration and there's no API

Pick Dramatica if

• Fits if you plan a story's structure before you draft it
• Works for writers who want guided steps for characters and plot

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you want AI help, which needs a Narrova plan at $20 a month or more
• Pricey if you want a team, since every collaborator needs their own paid plan
• Watch out: the prices shown are billed monthly and the yearly prices could not be read
• Watch out: Dramatica Studio is a separate offer with no prices listed

Campfire

• The free plan caps every module (25,000 manuscript words, 10 characters); elements past a limit are read-only on browser and desktop.
• Offline work is limited to the Mac and Windows desktop app. No Linux app is listed, and the mobile app needs an internet connection.
• The mobile app leaves out the Arcs, Calendar, Languages and Relationships modules.
• Monthly subscriptions are non-refundable; annual and lifetime purchases can be refunded within 30 days.

Dramatica

• Essentials includes only a one-time AI introduction; ongoing AI needs a Narrova plan at $20 a month or more.
• Prices shown are billed monthly; a yearly option is mentioned on the pricing page, but its prices could not be read.
• Every collaborator on a shared story needs their own paid plan.
• A separate Dramatica Studio offer for studios is described, with no prices listed.

Campfire

Manuscript module

A word processor with chapters shown as index cards, focus mode, word-count goals and version history. It imports DOCX and EPUB files and exports EPUB and PDF.

Worldbuilding modules

Separate modules cover characters, locations, species, cultures, religions, magic systems, invented languages, calendars and an encyclopedia of wiki-style articles.

Timelines and arcs

The Timeline module tracks story and historical events across several timelines and comes with more than 10 free story-structure templates.

Interactive maps

Upload a map or link one from Inkarnate, then add pins for story elements, nest other maps inside it and mark up regions.

Collaboration and sharing

Any number of people can be invited to view, comment on or edit a project, and they need only a free account. Link sharing gives view-only access.

Desktop and mobile apps

The desktop app for Mac and Windows syncs with the browser version and can work offline. CF Creators for iOS and Android covers most modules and needs a connection.

Dramatica

Story Guide

Writing activities that move a story through inspiration, development, exposition and storytelling, ending in a synopsis and treatment.

Story Expert and Storyform Builder

Questions about the story's main choices, drawn from the original Dramatica application, and a direct view of the structure you have chosen.

Build Characters

Works through each character's motivations, methodologies, purposes and evaluations to set their dramatic roles.

Plot Progression

Shows the four throughlines side by side, from signposts down to individual storybeats.

Narrova AI assistant

A conversation grounded in Dramatica Theory and your story context; responses can be saved to notes. Paid Narrova plans only.

Teams

Share stories and storyforms with collaborators; each collaborator needs their own paid plan.

Campfire

• Free$0

  Limited use of every module, such as 25,000 manuscript words, 10 characters, 20 timeline events and 2 maps.

• Build Your OwnFrom $0.50

  per module / month; annual and lifetime options

  Unlimited use of only the modules chosen, at $0.50 to $2 a month each; every other module stays on the free limits.

• Standard Monthly$12

  per month, billed monthly

  Unlimited use of all 18 modules. Shown against a crossed-out $19.00, the sum of the modules' separate monthly prices.

• Standard Annual$99

  per year, billed annually

  The same unlimited access billed once a year. Shown against a crossed-out $160.00.

• Standard Lifetime$336

  one-time purchase

  Permanent access to every module, including modules Campfire releases later.

Dramatica

• Dramatica Starter$0

  Story Guide for your first story in one workspace; no credit card required.

• Dramatica Essentials$9

  per month, billed monthly

  Story Expert, Subtxt, Build Characters, Plot Progression, Storyform Builder, multiple stories and Teams; no ongoing AI.

• Narrova$20

  per month, billed monthly

  Includes Essentials plus ongoing AI conversations, a basic monthly allowance, 7 story sources and 2 GB.

• Narrova Plus$50

  per month, billed monthly

  4x the Narrova usage, 20 story sources, 10 GB, Dramatica Interactive and multiple Custom Personas.

• Narrova Pro$200

  per month, billed monthly

  Plus-level allowance that resets weekly, 50 story sources, 20 GB, API access by request and onboarding.

Campfire

• Annual discount

  About 31% less on the annual Standard plan

  Standard costs $12 a month or $99 a year. Twelve monthly payments come to $144, so the annual plan works out about 31% cheaper.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime access to all modules for $336

  Standard Lifetime is a one-time purchase covering every module and any released later. Individual modules can also be bought for life, without future modules.

Dramatica

No public discounts listed.