Campfire vs Plot Factory (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 Plot Factory if

• Fits if you like to proofread by listening to your story read aloud
• Works for writers who want several linked stories inside one universe in a browser

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you want more than 1 story on the free plan; stories after the third cannot be edited if you cancel a paid plan
• Pricey if you want the plot organizer or unlimited narration, which start at $14 a month
• Skip it if you need ePub export, drafts or versioning, which need the $19 Novelist plan
• Watch out: the site banner points to Plot Factory Studios, so plans and prices may change
• Not for you if you need offline writing or collaboration, as there is no offline mode and collaboration is coming soon

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.

Plot Factory

• The free plan allows 1 story; the FAQ says stories after the third cannot be edited if you cancel a paid plan.
• There is no offline mode, and collaboration is described as coming soon.
• Plot organizer, ePub export and drafts need the $14 or $19 plans.
• The site banner points to a new version, Plot Factory Studios; plans and prices may change.

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.

Plot Factory

Planner and manuscript editor

Chapters, scenes, characters and notes live together in one project, with a manuscript editor for the draft itself.

Audio narration

Reads a story aloud to catch run-on sentences; the daily word allowance grows by plan, and English accents with female voices are supported.

Character sheets

Built-in character sheets or your own custom sheet; available from the Hobbyist plan upward.

Writing stats and goals

Tracks daily, weekly and monthly word counts against a goal you set, on every plan.

Exports

Export to ePub for self-publishing and to docx for querying; the vendor lists ePub export on the Novelist plan.

Phone-friendly editing

The site is optimized for mobile browsers so you can write away from a computer.

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.

Plot Factory

• Basic$0

  1 story and 1 universe with backups, goal tracking, thesaurus lookup and 250 narrated words a day.

• Hobbyist$9

  per month, or $90 per year

  Unlimited stories and universes, no ads, character sheets and 1,000 narrated words a day.

• Enthusiast$14

  per month, or $140 per year

  Adds a plot organizer, story questionnaires, a sidebar quick viewer and unlimited narration.

• Novelist$19

  per month, or $190 per year

  Adds ePub export, story drafts and versioning, word analysis, beats mode, mp3 export and beta narrations.

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.

Plot Factory

• Annual discount

  Yearly pricing for each plan

  Plans list a yearly price beside the monthly one: $90, $140 and $190 a year against $9, $14 and $19 a month.