Campfire vs The Novel Factory

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

The Novel Factory

• First-time novelists who want a guided, step-by-step process
• Writers who plan characters, locations and plot before drafting
• Authors who want writing software with no AI in it

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.

The Novel Factory

• There is no free plan: after the 30-day trial it needs a subscription or the $649 lifetime license.
• Basic is limited to one novel and leaves out dark mode and importing characters and locations between novels.
• The lifetime license covers Version 3 only, for as long as that version lasts.
• Offline work needs the desktop app on a PC or Mac. The browser version, which phones and tablets use, requires a stable internet connection.

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.

The Novel Factory

Novel Writing Roadmap

A built-in guide of fifteen steps takes a novel from first idea to final manuscript, with a practical task at each step that can be checked off in the software.

Plot Manager and plot templates

Scenes sit on drag-and-drop index cards that give an overview of the story's structure, and genre-specific plot templates set out the beats to hit.

Characters, locations and items

Dedicated sections hold character profiles built from development prompts, locations with sensory details and images, and items. Characters and locations can be linked to scenes.

Manuscript with related notes

A sidebar beside the text shows the scene synopsis, the linked characters and locations, and the plot points that happen in that scene.

Writing statistics and goals

A Statistics tab tracks word counts and writing rates against custom goals, with progress graphs and a weekly average word count.

Version history and Word export

Turn Back Time restores earlier versions of the work. The manuscript and its supporting data export to Word, and a Word manuscript 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.

The Novel Factory

• Basic$82.50

  per year, or $8.25 per month billed monthly

  One novel with the core features: Plot Manager, characters, items and locations, the manuscript section and writing statistics.

• Standard$220

  per year, or $22 per month billed monthly

  Unlimited novels, plus dark mode, importing characters and locations between novels and additional formatting features.

• Lifetime$649

  one-time payment

  Access to Version 3.0 for as long as that version lasts, with unlimited novels and all features. Equivalent to Standard.

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.

The Novel Factory

• Annual discount

  Two months free with annual billing

  Annual plans cost ten times the monthly price: $82.50 against $8.25 a month for Basic and $220 against $22 a month for Standard.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime license to Version 3 for $649

  A one-off payment gives Standard-level access to The Novel Factory Version 3 for the life of that version, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

• Other savings

  Hardship licenses and discounts

  The company says it offers hardship licenses and discounts for people with low incomes or disabilities. No amounts are published.

• Other savings

  Credit for original Windows Desktop licenses

  Owners of the original Windows desktop version can ask for a discount on a subscription equal to what they paid for that license.