Campfire vs LivingWriter

Campfire

• Fantasy and science-fiction authors who keep detailed world notes beside the manuscript
• Writers who want to pay only for the planning tools they use
• Co-writers and editors, since collaborators need only a free account

LivingWriter

• Novelists who track characters, settings and plot threads beside the draft
• Writers who move between a computer, a phone and a tablet
• Authors who also write screenplays and want both in one app

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.

LivingWriter

• The Free plan covers one manuscript with a limited word count and exports only basic PDF.
• Sharing and collaboration, the full Boards system and the Canva and Google Drive integrations need Pro.
• Manuscript chat, AI outlines, rewrites, analysis and cover images are listed under the $30 Pro + AI plan.
• Quarterly and annual billing exist, but the public pricing page shows only the monthly prices.

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.

LivingWriter

Boards

Manuscript, Planning, Elements and Research boards lay out chapters, scenes, story elements and sources as cards that can be dragged into a new order.

Linked story elements

Characters, settings and objects get reusable profiles with aliases and relations. Auto-completion connects them to the text as you write, and each profile lists where it appears.

Outline templates

Ready-made structures include Story Circle, Hero's Journey, the 27 Chapter Method and Romancing the Beat, along with memoir, biography and PhD thesis outlines.

Screenwriting

A screenplay mode formats scene headings, action, characters, dialogue, parentheticals and transitions automatically, and an AI tool converts prose into a script.

AI writing assistant

Optional tools for outlines, rewriting, summaries, manuscript analysis and a chat that knows the manuscript. LivingWriter says manuscripts are not used to train AI models.

Version history and export

Earlier versions can be viewed, compared and restored. Manuscripts export to DOCX, PDF, EPUB and Amazon KDP formats, and existing documents can be imported.

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.

LivingWriter

• Free$0

  A first book with a limited word count, outlines, notes and to-dos, a taste of the AI tools and basic PDF export.

• Pro$15

  per month, billed monthly; quarterly and annual also offered

  Unlimited manuscripts and screenplays, the full Boards system, sharing and collaboration, pro export formats, and Canva and Google Drive integration.

• Pro + AI$30

  per month; the card itself shows no billing period

  Everything in Pro plus the full AI set: manuscript chat, outlines, rewrites, analysis, manuscript-to-screenplay, and cover and element images.

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.

LivingWriter

No public discounts listed.