Apps similar to novelWriter include Zettlr, which is free and open source. Other options are Typora, Manuskript, ghostwriter and Scrivener. You're spoiled for choice with Novel Authoring Tools like novelWriter: we list more than 100 alternatives for Windows, Mac, the web, Linux and iPhone.
Cloud-based novel writing platform with tree-structured binder, corkboard, outliner, detailed character sheets, mind mapping, DOCX import with auto chapters, PDF/DOCX/EPUB export, built-in encyclopedia, distraction-free writing, and multilingual support.
Italy
EU
Offers fast, distraction-free note-taking via a high-performance editor with real-time Markdown, local-first storage, image support, Kanban task boards, intuitive drag-and-drop, keyboard shortcuts, configurable themes, fast search, and cross-platform access.
Israel
The only app you'll need to write your novels and build your worlds. Organize your thoughts and cross-reference anything at any time.
United States
Writemonkey is a Windows zenware writing application with an extremely stripped down user interface, leaving you alone with your thoughts and your words.
SloveniaEU
Untold Novel is a fresh new approach to planning your next bestseller. It helps you keep all your notes, ideas, characters, locations, and much more organized in one convenient place.
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.
Australia
Free, open-source writing app for fiction writers who outline. Each scene opens with its beats, characters and notes beside the draft. Imports Scrivener, Plottr, yWriter, Obsidian and novelWriter. No AI, no subscription, no account.
Canada
A simple tool for building stories and the worlds they live in.
United States
Modern workspace for novels with ethical AI that analyzes writing but never writes, live readability, import/export, auto-save, full version history, character and plot tools, structured critique, and provenance tracking while ensuring all text remains original.
Norway
Rayuela Editor is moderm, privacy-focused writing environment designed for long-form fiction (novels, screenplays, and theses). It bridges the gap between the structural power of Scrivener and the portability of modern web technology, wrapped in a native desktop application.
Privacy oriented, without vendor lock in note organizer, todo list desktop application. Work offline with text, markdown and pdf files.
