Novelist Alternatives

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, SaaS, Linux and Online / Web-based. The best alternative is Zettlr, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Novelist are Manuskript, Scrivener, Roam Research and novelWriter.

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

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Novelist

Free • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool
Android

A portable writing assistant for novelists.

Learn more about Novelist

Zettlr
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Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
141 alternatives to Zettlr
Zettlr is a supercharged markdown editor that combines many writing editor features and collect them in one application. It aims at speeding up your workflow and help you write without any interruptions.
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Zettlr Features
1. Support for MarkDownZettlr supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. File TaggingZettlr can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
3. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
4. Dark ModeZettlr supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
5. Privacy focusedZettlr is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
6. Ad-freeZettlr doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Pomodoro TimerPractice the Pomodoro Technique in Zettlr to stay focused and productive.
8. LightweightZettlr consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
9. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Zettelkasten note method
Multiple export options
Zotero integration
Note organization
Built-in themes
Export to LaTeX
Link files
Integrated Search
Sync with Nextcloud
Tasklists
Manuskript
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No
Free • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Note-taking Tool
Project Management Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
FLATHUB
102 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
Scrivener
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool
Note-taking Tool
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
iPhone
iPad
PlayOnLinux (PlayOnMac)
Wine
96 alternatives to Scrivener
Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines everything you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion to final full stop.
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Scrivener Features
1. Support for scriptingScrivener supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
2. Support for LaTeXScrivener supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
Corkboard
Integrated Search
Document compiler
Multi-document View
Visual Organization
Scene Management
Character database
Folders
Split files into sections
Word counter
Roam Research
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No
Paid • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Online
Android
iPhone
123 alternatives to Roam Research
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.
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Roam Research Features
1. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
2. Full-Text SearchRoam Research lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
3. Pomodoro TimerPractice the Pomodoro Technique in Roam Research to stay focused and productive.
4. End-to-End EncryptionRoam Research has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Syntax HighlightingRoam Research supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
6. Works OfflineRoam Research can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Support for MarkDownRoam Research supports MarkDown for document formatting.
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Roam Research simultaneously.
9. Kanban BoardRoam Research allows you to organize your workflow by moving cards with drag-and-drop functionality between multiple columns.
Bidirectional links
Block reference
Query Engine
Backlinks
Graph view
Hyperlinks
Outliner
Knowledge Base structuring
Dynamic content
Note organization
novelWriter
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No
Free • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Text Editor
Windows
Linux
Qt
37 alternatives to novelWriter
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.
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novelWriter Features
1. Dark ModenovelWriter supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. Support for MarkDownnovelWriter supports MarkDown for document formatting.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in novelWriter without registration.
Tree structure
Comments and metadata saving
Quoll Writer
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No
Free • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Windows
53 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
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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
DocxManager
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No
Paid • Proprietary
Windows
120 alternatives to DocxManager
A document manager and site builder/generator for Word users. You can open Word documents in tabs, manage documents on a project basis, full-text search documents across multiple project folders, attach tags, notes, stars, and so on to the documents.

DocxManager has no features, suggest some!
NovaScriber
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No
Free Personal • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool
Note-taking Tool
Mind Mapping Tool
Windows
69 alternatives to NovaScriber
A most awesome tool to outline and write novels, stories, scripts and keep track of all your characters, locations, notes and ideas
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NovaScriber Features
Tree structure
Export to Word
Export to EPUB
Corkboard
Fortelling - Writer Tools
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No
Freemium • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool
Note-taking Tool
Word Processor
Android
iPhone
iPad
Web Browser
42 alternatives to Fortelling - Writer Tools
Fortelling provides the tools you need to plot & write your book.
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Fortelling - Writer Tools Features
1. Works OfflineFortelling - Writer Tools can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. PortableFortelling - Writer Tools can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Goal Setting Fortelling - Writer Tools can set individual or group goals to meet over a particular period.
4. Distraction-freeFortelling - Writer Tools has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
5. Goal TrackingFortelling - Writer Tools can be used for tracking progress toward personal or business goals.
6. Built-in viewerFortelling - Writer Tools shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
7. Dark ModeFortelling - Writer Tools supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Fortelling - Writer Tools simultaneously.
9. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Character database
Lightweight
File Versioning
Support for @mentions
WYSIWYG Support