Slugline AlternativesNovel Authoring Tools and other similar apps like Slugline

Slugline is described as 'A minimal, distraction-free environment for screenwriting' and is a Novel Authoring tool in the news & books category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Slugline for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Linux apps. The best Slugline alternative is Scrivener. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Story Architect (STARC) or Trelby. Other great apps like Slugline are Final Draft, Inkwell Editor, Celtx and NovaScriber.

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Slugline alternatives page was last updated Nov 3, 2025

Scrivener
262 likes
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.
121 Scrivener alternatives
Cost / License
Pay once
Proprietary
Application types
Novel Authoring Tool
Note-taking Tool
Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
Mac
Windows
iPhone
iPad
PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
Wine
+9
Is Scrivener a good alternative to Slugline?
Scrivener is the most popular Windows, Mac, iPhone & iPad alternative to Slugline.
Scrivener is the most popular commercial alternative to Slugline.
Scrivener is Paid and ProprietarySlugline is also Paid and Proprietary
Story Architect (STARC)
14 likes
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.
42 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
Open Source
Application types
Novel Authoring Tool
Word Processor
Origin
International
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
AppImageHub
Flathub
Android
+7
Is this a good alternative to Slugline?
Story Architect (STARC) is the most popular Android & Linux alternative to Slugline.
Story Architect (STARC) is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Slugline.
Story Architect (STARC) is Freemium and Open SourceSlugline is Paid and Proprietary
Story Architect (STARC) is LightweightSlugline is not according to our users
Trelby
32 likes
Trelby is simple, fast and elegantly laid out to make screenwriting simple. It is infinitely configurable.
26 Trelby alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Origin
United States
Platforms
Windows
Linux
Flathub
Flatpak
+4
Is Trelby a good alternative to Slugline?
Ad
Arc Studio Pro
Distraction-free screenwriting software featuring real-time collaboration, automated versioning, data backup, comprehensive import and export options including Final Draft, PDF, Word, and Fountain formats, and tools for outlining...

https://www.arcstudiopro.com
Learn More
Final Draft
27 likes
Use your creative energy to focus on the content; let Final Draft take care of the style. Final Draft is the number-one selling word processor specifically designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics and stage plays.
50 Final Draft alternatives
Cost / License
Paid
Proprietary
Application types
Novel Authoring Tool
Story Writing Tool
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Windows
iPhone
iPad
+9
Is Final Draft a good alternative to Slugline?
Inkwell Editor
1 like
Inkwell is a modern screenwriting app that combines professional formatting with an integrated AI co-writer named Quill. Designed for writers, not robots, Inkwell helps you brainstorm ideas, improve dialogue, and refine your story while keeping your creative voice in full...
Cost / License
Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
Proprietary
Origin
United States
Platforms
Windows
Mac
Linux
+2
Is Inkwell Editor a good alternative to Slugline?
Celtx
42 likes
Based on the Firefox engine, supports standards, visual storyboarding, production scheduling, publication & international languages MUI support. Free tutorials, videos & wiki are available from the site. There is a very helpful community too.
42 Celtx alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium (Subscription)
Proprietary
Application type
Novel Authoring Tool
Origin
Canada
Platforms
Mac
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Is Celtx a good alternative to Slugline?
Celtx is the most popular Web-based & Android Tablet alternative to Slugline.
Celtx is Freemium and ProprietarySlugline is Paid and Proprietary
NovaScriber
8 likes
A most awesome tool to outline and write novels, stories, scripts and keep track of all your characters, locations, notes and ideas.
Cost / License
Free Personal
Proprietary
Application types
Novel Authoring Tool
Story Writing Tool
Platforms
Windows
+8
Is NovaScriber a good alternative to Slugline?
Fade In
5 likes
Fade In Professional Screenwriting Software is a complete application for writing motion picture screenplays, including tools for outlining, organizing, and navigating, plus extensive screenplay formatting and robust tools for managing rewrites and revisions.
17 Fade In alternatives
Cost / License
Pay once
Proprietary
Application type
Novel Authoring Tool
Origin
Canada
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
iPad
+2
Is Fade In a good alternative to Slugline?
Arc Studio Pro
1 like
Distraction-free screenwriting software featuring real-time collaboration, automated versioning, data backup, comprehensive import and export options including Final Draft, PDF, Word, and Fountain formats, and tools for outlining, structure, and revision management.
Cost / License
Freemium (Subscription)
Proprietary
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Online
iPhone
+1
Is Arc Studio Pro a good alternative to Slugline?
Highland
3 likes
With Highland, crafting a perfectly-formatted screenplay is as simple as writing an email. Just type. Highland will make it look good.
Cost / License
Freemium (Subscription)
Proprietary
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
iPhone
iPad
Is Highland a good alternative to Slugline?
DocxManager
7 likes
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.
Cost / License
Pay once
Proprietary
Platforms
Windows
+8
Is DocxManager a good alternative to Slugline?
Plot Factory
4 likes
A tailor-made writing application for fiction writers that lets you plan, organize, and write stories and series. You can create story outlines from pre-defined templates, create and manage rich and interesting characters, build immersive fictional worlds and more.
Cost / License
Freemium (Subscription)
Proprietary
Application types
Novel Authoring Tool
Story Writing Tool
Origin
United States
Platforms
Online
Software as a Service (SaaS)
+9
Is Plot Factory a good alternative to Slugline?
Plot Factory is the most popular SaaS alternative to Slugline.
Plot Factory is Freemium and ProprietarySlugline is Paid and Proprietary