Dabble
Cloud-based writing platform tailored for novelists, featuring cross-device syncing, distraction-free focus mode, advanced plotting tools, detailed character and story planning, daily word goal tracking, scene organization, annotation, and editing with grammar checks.
Cost / License
- Pay once or Subscription
- Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
Features
- Dark Mode
- Works Offline
- Auto-saving
- Fullscreen support
- Multi Device Support
- Customer Analytics
- Tree view
- Password encryption
- Word counter
- Batch plotting
- Learn with Flashcards
- Event tree analysis
- Search and Replace
Dabble News & Activities
Recent activities
brian-chalfant added Dabble as alternative to Insanitomeium
sceneweaver added Dabble as alternative to SceneWeaver
spiffai added Dabble as alternative to InkBreaker
POX added Dabble as alternative to Writers Studio
Dabble information
Developed by
Dabble Writer, Inc. Licensing
Proprietary and Commercial product.Pricing
One time purchase that costs $699, and / or subscription ranging between $9 and $29 per month.Alternatives
90 alternatives listedSupported Languages
- English
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What is Dabble?
Dabble is a novel-writing software designed for both desktop (Mac and Windows) and browser platforms, with the ability to sync across multiple devices. Its core purpose is to facilitate the creation of novels, providing a streamlined environment for authors to construct their narratives.
The software is equipped with comprehensive plotting and notation tools, enabling users to meticulously develop their characters, story arcs, and settings. For those who prefer a more spontaneous approach to storytelling, the software allows for immediate immersion into writing, with the option to refine the plot later to identify and rectify any gaps in the narrative.
Dabble also supports writers in their productivity, offering features such as daily word count goals, automatic numbering and formatting of scenes and chapters, along with a focus mode that provides a clean, distraction-free interface. It further assists in the editing process, providing tools like sticky notes, comments, and advanced grammar and style checks. These features are designed to help users polish their manuscripts to perfection.
Comments and Reviews
Dabble is the closest to a real online alternative to Scrivener—trust me, I'm pretty sure I've tested them all. I tried Dabble shortly after it came out and wasn't sure how it would go, but I've recently made a new account and have been amazed by how far they've come and how clearly focused they are on being an online novel writing tool. In the long run, Literature & Latte should probably kiss their Windows users goodbye, and maybe even prepare to lose some of their Mac users.
This service has a lot of features already (quite a few of the best from Scrivener, including a powerful search function), but still needs some more tools and customizable options. It's clearly getting there, though, and has a viable payment structure to afford ongoing development. (In fact, they could probably make subscriptions a hair cheaper...) As a bonus, being web-based, Dabble's editor is pretty easy to make small tweaks to with a tool like Stylus if you're on desktop and comfortable with CSS. This is a big deal for me personally and the usual reason I choose web tools.
Right now, my biggest concern about Dabble is security. As with Novelize, which I've left a poor review for in the past, novels are not encrypted on the backend. However, unlike Novelize, they make it a point of explaining their policy regarding that (how content is only accessed during content-related support). It still bothers me, and I'd like to see it change, but they're upfront about everything, and it's not like most services where we keep our work are doing what they should when it comes to encryption, anyway. For now the company seems legit, here to stay, and committed to big things.
Feels like a mashup of Microsoft Wordpad and early versions of Scrivener, which can be both good and bad. The program is (as of this writing) fairly new (having launched in September 2017) and trying to fill a niche that seems to be already crowded, so in my opinion, it's already somewhat behind the curve.
One of the unique things about it is that it seems to duplicate your work between the desktop (Windows or Mac) and web versions, so that no carrying of files anywhere is needed. The notes and character sections need work, but are in keeping with a new program and I'm sure will be improved. The SaaS nature of the program, however, might turn off some looking for a one-and-done buy like Scrivener, however.
Keep an eye on this one: it has the potential to grow, but it's not there yet. Hopefully soon it might just be.