Novelist AlternativesNovel Authoring Tools and other similar apps like Novelist

Novelist is described as 'A portable writing assistant for novelists' and is a Novel Authoring tool in the news & books category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Novelist for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Web-based, SaaS and Linux apps. The best Novelist alternative is Zettlr, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Novelist are Manuskript, Scrivener, Roam Research and Quoll Writer.

Novelist iconNovelist
  5
  • ...

A portable writing assistant for novelists.

More about Novelist
More about Novelist
Novelist alternatives page was last updated Sep 14, 2023
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  1. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     226 likes
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    Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.

    160 Zettlr alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Zettelkasten note method
    3.  File Tagging
    4.  Multiple export options
    5. Zotero icon  Zotero integration
    6.  Note organization
    7.  Link files
    8.  Built-in themes
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Export to LaTeX
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Write files in markdown

    Zettlr VS Novelist

     

    • Zettlr is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Novelist.

    • Zettlr is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Novelist.

    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceNovelist is Free and Proprietary
    • Zettlr is Privacy focusedNovelist is not according to our users
  2. Manuskript icon

    Manuskript

     162 likes
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    Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.

    109 Manuskript alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Manuskript screenshot 1

    Top Manuskript Features

    1.  Outliner
    2.  Tree structure
    3.  Tracking of plots
    4.  Distraction-free Writing
    5.  Tracking of characters
    6.  Track Characters
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Support for MarkDown

    Manuskript VS Novelist

     
  4. Scrivener icon

    Scrivener

     257 likes
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    Tailored for extensive writing, this tool offers flexible structure and organization, integrates project outlines, supports various formats, and allows reorganization through drag and drop, ensuring research materials are within reach for efficient work.

    108 Scrivener alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
    • Wine
    Scrivener screenshot 1

    Top Scrivener Features

    1.  Corkboard
    2.  Document compiler
    3.  Character database
    4.  Scene Management
    5.  Visual Organization
    6.  Split files into sections
    7.  Support for scripting
    8. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    9.  Multi-document View
    10.  Integrated Search
    11.  Folders
    12.  Word counter

    Scrivener VS Novelist

     

    • Scrivener is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Novelist.

    • Scrivener is the most popular commercial alternative to Novelist.

    • Scrivener is Paid and ProprietaryNovelist is Free and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Scrivener icon
    Scrivener

    Tailored for extensive writing, this tool offers flexible structure and organization, integrates project outlines, supports various formats, and allows reorganization through drag and drop, ensuring research materials are within ...

    https://www.literatureandlatte.com
    Learn More
  6. Roam Research icon

    Roam Research

     57 likes
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    As easy to use as a word document or bulleted list, and as powerful for finding, collecting, and connecting related ideas as a graph database. Collaborate with others in real time, or store all your data locally.

    142 Roam Research alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Roam Research screenshot 1

    Top Roam Research Features

    1.  Bidirectional links
    2.  Block reference
    3.  Graph view
    4.  Cloud Sync
    5.  Pomodoro Timer
    6.  Full-Text Search
    7.  Support for MarkDown
    8.  Real time collaboration
    9.  End-to-End Encryption
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Kanban Board
    12.  Syntax Highlighting

    Roam Research VS Novelist

     

    • Roam Research is the most popular Web-based & Android alternative to Novelist.

    • Roam Research is Paid and ProprietaryNovelist is Free and Proprietary
  7. Quoll Writer icon

    Quoll Writer

     36 likes
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    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.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Quoll Writer screenshot 1

    Top Quoll Writer Features

    1.  Track Characters
    2.  Character database
    3.  Outliner
    4.  Distraction-free Writing
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  WYSIWYG Support
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Writing statistics
    11.  Writing assistance
    12.  Export to EPUB

    Quoll Writer VS Novelist

     
  8. yWriter icon

    yWriter

     67 likes
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    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.

    68 yWriter alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Main screen on Windows XP

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Outline mode
    3.  Tracking of plots
    4.  Project Organization
    5.  Track Characters
    6.  Scene Management
    7.  Plot visualisation
    8.  Character database

    yWriter VS Novelist

     

    • yWriter is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to Novelist.

    • yWriter is Freemium and ProprietaryNovelist is Free and Proprietary
    • yWriter is LightweightNovelist is not according to our users
  10. novelWriter icon

    novelWriter

     23 likes
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    novelWriter is a Markdown-like text editor designed for writing novels and larger projects of many smaller plain text documents. It uses its own flavor of Markdown that supports a meta data syntax for comments, synopsis and cross-referencing between files.

    55 novelWriter alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Qt
    Screenshot of older version

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Spell Checking
    6.  Support for MarkDown
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Live Preview
    9.  Tree structure
    10.  Outline organization
    11.  Scene Management
    12.  Plot visualisation

    novelWriter VS Novelist

     
  11. Skribisto icon

    Skribisto

     6 likes
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    Skribisto is born from the ashes of Plume Creator , keeping the goals while adopting more recent ways to think an application.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • FR flagFrance
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Skribisto screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    The latest version (2.0.6) was released in May 2023.

    Skribisto Features

    1.  Distraction-free Writing

    Skribisto VS Novelist

     
  12. Bookwiz icon

    Bookwiz

     2 likes
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    Got a story in mind, but not sure how to write it? Bookwiz's AI creates your entire book, step-by-step, from synopsis to chapters. We lay out the roadmap; you steer the course.

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Bookwiz screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Hierarchical Structure
    2.  Text to Image Generation
    3.  Autocompletion
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Coding Required
    6.  Support for MarkDown
    7.  Live Preview
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Ebook writer

    Bookwiz VS Novelist

     

    • Bookwiz is the most popular SaaS alternative to Novelist.

    • Bookwiz is Paid and ProprietaryNovelist is Free and Proprietary
    • Bookwiz is LightweightNovelist is not according to our users
  13. Campfire Write icon

    Campfire Write

     7 likes
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    Campfire provides a one-stop-shop for novelists: organizational and writing tools (Campfire Write), a hub of writing resources (Campfire Learn), & a writing and reading platform for building an audience and sharing your work (Campfire Explore).

    63 Campfire Write alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    Campfire Write screenshot 1

    Campfire Write Features

    1.  Goal Tracking
    2.  Storyboard
    3.  Distraction-free Writing
    4.  Collaborative writing
    5.  Reading
    6.  Sci-fi

    Campfire Write VS Novelist

     
  14. NovaScriber icon

    NovaScriber

     8 likes
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    A most awesome tool to outline and write novels, stories, scripts and keep track of all your characters, locations, notes and ideas.

    77 NovaScriber alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Write your story

    NovaScriber Features

    1.  Real time collaboration
    2.  Tree structure
    3. Microsoft Word icon  Export to Word
    4.  Corkboard
    5.  Export to EPUB

    NovaScriber VS Novelist

     
  15. Fortelling - Writer Tools icon

    Fortelling - Writer Tools

     8 likes
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    Fortelling provides the tools you need to plot & write your book.

    50 Fortelling - Writer Tools alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Web Browser
    Fortelling is optimised for both a smal and a large screen.

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Character database
    2.  Track Characters
    3.  Portable
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Goal Setting
    7.  Real time collaboration
    8.  WYSIWYG Support
    9.  Goal Tracking
    10.  Built-in viewer
    11.  Cloud Sync
    12.  File Versioning

    Fortelling - Writer Tools VS Novelist

     
12 of 21 Novelist alternatives