Free Dabble Alternatives

The best free alternative to Dabble is Manuskript, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Dabble and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Dabble are Dendron, Bear, Rentry.co and bibisco.

Dabble alternatives are mainly Novel Authoring Tools but may also be Note-taking Tools or Text Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Dabble.

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Dabble

Paid • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool

Mac
Windows
Online

Craft your story. Write your novel. Dabble is software for writing novels for the desktop (Mac and Windows) and browser,...

Learn more about Dabble

Manuskript
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Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
FLATHUB
103 alternatives to Manuskript
Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.
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Manuskript Features
1. Support for MarkDownManuskript supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. File VersioningManuskript has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Outliner
Tree structure
Tracking of plots
Distraction-free Writing
Tracking of characters
Plot visualisation
Track Characters
Visual Organization
Tracking of locations
Outline folding
Dendron
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Visual Studio Code
222 alternatives to Dendron
Dendron is an open-source, local-first, markdown-based, note-taking tool built on top of VSCode. It supports all the usual features you would expect like tagging, backlinks, a graph view, split panes, and so forth.
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Dendron Features
1. Support for MarkDownDendron supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Dendron.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDendron can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Privacy focusedDendron is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Local Storage
Block reference
Graph view
VSCode
Backlinks
Quick reference lookup
Publishing
Tagging
Bidirectional links
Built-in themes
Discontinued
Dendron is no longer actively developed since 2022. See the last post in this thread for example https://github.com/dendronhq/dendron/issues/92 which links to Discord https://discordapp.com/channels/717965437182410783/737323300967022732/1072563304289030164 where the Developer wrote down about his burnout and so on....
Bear
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Mac
iPhone
iPad
235 alternatives to Bear
Bear is a beautiful and flexible writing app for note-taking and prose, both on the go for iOS devices and for the Mac OS desktop.
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Bear Features
1. Support for MarkDownBear supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
3. Syntax HighlightingBear supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. Web ClipperSave any page or content from the web with a single click with Bear.
Distraction-free Writing
Nested tags
Notes synchronisation
Search by tags
Tagging
Sync with iCloud
Export to PDF
Note Manager
Export to HTML
Safari extension
Rentry.co
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Text Editor
Note-taking Tool
Pastebin Service
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Console
Terminal
174 alternatives to Rentry.co
Rentry.co is a markdown pastebin and publishing service with preview, custom urls and editing. Fast, simple and free.
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Rentry.co Features
1. Support for MarkDownRentry.co supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
3. LightweightRentry.co consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Syntax HighlightingRentry.co supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
5. Command line interfaceRentry.co either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Publishing
Minimalistic
Tab preview
Distraction-free Writing
bibisco
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Electron / Atom Shell
Node.JS
39 alternatives to bibisco
bibisco is a novel writing software that helps you to write your story, in a simple way.
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bibisco Features
1. Ad-freebibisco doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Portablebibisco can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Character development
Timeline
Scene Management
Google Drive integration
Export to EPUB
Distraction-free Writing
No installation
Export to Word
Export to PDF
Visual Organization
Gingko
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Project Management Tool
Mind Mapping Tool
Note-taking Tool
Online
Software as a Service (SaaS)
90 alternatives to Gingko
Write and organize your ideas in Gingko tree documents.

Whether building a business or writing a bestseller, Gingko lets your ideas flow naturally into place.

Write, brainstorm, and organize your document, all in the same flow.

You can also work with others, with Real-time col.
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Gingko Features
1. Support for MarkDownGingko supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Gingko.
3. Support for LaTeXGingko supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
4. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Gingko simultaneously.
Document structure management
Web-Based
Export to LaTeX
Collaborative writing
Brainstorming
Screenwriting
Outliner
Story Architect (STARC)
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Text Editor
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
31 alternatives to Story Architect (STARC)
A smooth yet powerful writing experience for devoted authors. With only wanted features and native workflow it runs faster than all your previous apps combined.
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Story Architect (STARC) Features
1. LightweightStory Architect (STARC) consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Spell CheckingStory Architect (STARC) can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
3. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Story Architect (STARC) simultaneously.
4. PortableStory Architect (STARC) can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. AutocompletionStory Architect (STARC) can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
6. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Story Architect (STARC).
7. Distraction-freeStory Architect (STARC) has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
8. Dark ModeStory Architect (STARC) supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Story Architect (STARC).
Outliner
Screenwriting
Writing assistance
Collaborative writing
Export to PDF
Visual Novel
Tracking of plots
No Coding Required
Tree structure
Works Offline
Quoll Writer
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Windows
54 alternatives to Quoll Writer
Focus on your words not the interface. Quoll Writer is a writing application that helps you focus on your words. Clean and uncluttered. Feature rich. Features are where you would expect them to be.
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Quoll Writer Features
Track Characters
Outliner
Distraction-free Writing
Writing assistance
Writing statistics
Character database
Cross Linking
Fullscreen support
Story Management
Export to PDF
yWriter
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
Android
Android Tablet
55 alternatives to yWriter
yWriter is a writing tool that uses "scenes" as a unit of text and allows you to associate that text with all manner of story elements (characters, locations, items) as well as place it and rearrange it within the context of chapters.
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yWriter Features
1. LightweightyWriter consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortableyWriter can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Outline mode
Project Organization
KIT Scenarist
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
26 alternatives to KIT Scenarist
KIT Scenarist is a free and open source application for creating screenplays on desktops and commercial on mobiles.
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KIT Scenarist Features
1. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in KIT Scenarist simultaneously.
Screenwriting
Collaborative writing
Multiple languages
Auto Formatting