yWriter AlternativesTop Novel Authoring Tools & Word Processors like yWriter

yWriter is described as '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' and is a popular Novel Authoring tool in the news & books category. There are more than 50 alternatives to yWriter for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Web-based, Linux and iPhone apps. The best yWriter alternative is Microsoft Word. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Manuskript or bibisco. Other great apps like yWriter are Scrivener, Daino Notes, novelWriter and Ulysses.

filter to find the best alternatives

yWriter alternatives are mainly Novel Authoring Tools but may also be Note-taking Tools or Word Processors.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of yWriter.
yWriter iconyWriter
  66
  • ...

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...

More about yWriter
More about yWriter
yWriter alternatives page was last updated Apr 11, 2025
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Alternatives
  1. Microsoft Word icon

    Microsoft Word

     926 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Microsoft's leading word processor, enables professional-quality document creation with SmartArt graphics, seamless PDF support, and extensive search capabilities. Compatible across desktop, online, and mobile platforms with necessary subscription or standalone purchase options.

    92 Microsoft Word alternatives

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    New document view

    Top Microsoft Word Features

    1.  Convert Word documents to PDF
    2.  Document structure management
    3.  Ribbon Interface
    4.  Text to Speech
    5.  Real time collaboration
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Spell Checking
    8.  Cloud Sync
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Full-Text Search
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  PDF annotation

    Microsoft Word VS yWriter

     
    Comments about Microsoft Word as an Alternative to yWriter
    Guest
    Negative •Apr 11, 2025
    0

    Who the hell can afford Word these days? It's been around a long time and back then, it was the only way to write shit. When people try to write with something else, they panic.

    Foroneus
    Negative •Oct 29, 2023
    0

    yWriter has several features for writing novels that Word lacks.

    yWriter Icon
    Microsoft Word icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Microsoft Word is a legitimate yWriter alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Microsoft Word is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to yWriter.

    • Microsoft Word is the most popular commercial alternative to yWriter.

    • Microsoft Word is Paid and ProprietaryyWriter is Freemium and Proprietary
  2. Manuskript icon

    Manuskript

     160 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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

    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.  Ad-free
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  Support for MarkDown
    12.  File Versioning

    Manuskript VS yWriter

     
    Comments about Manuskript as an Alternative to yWriter
    Guest
    Positive •Sep 26, 2018
    0

    Manuskript combines concepts and functions of yWriter, Novel Factory and Scrivener. It's a bit rough in its presentation, but a good alternative for anyone who can't decide between the aforementioned tools.

    yWriter Icon
    Manuskript icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Manuskript is a great yWriter alternative.

    • Manuskript is the most popular Linux alternative to yWriter.

    • Manuskript is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to yWriter.

    • Manuskript is Free and Open SourceyWriter is Freemium and Proprietary
  4. Scrivener icon

    Scrivener

     257 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    107 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 yWriter

     
    Comments about Scrivener as an Alternative to yWriter
    Guest
    Positive •May 9, 2017
    2

    Structural similarity. But it's troublesome complicated program.

    Guest
    Negative •Jan 1, 2020
    1

    Scrivener doesn't have the same layout that yWriter does, nor does it focus on scenes as much as yWriter does. Way too many features and distracting.

    yWriter Icon
    Scrivener icon

    • Most users think Scrivener is a great yWriter alternative.

    • Scrivener is Paid and ProprietaryyWriter is Freemium and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Novlr icon
    Novlr

    Advanced writing tool supporting online and offline modes, accessible from any device. Features chapter and scene organization, grammar checks, version history, and export options including docx and epub. Novlr syncs with cloud s...

    https://www.novlr.org
    Learn More
  6. bibisco icon

    bibisco

     83 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    bibisco is a novel writing software that helps you to write your story, in a simple way.

    45 bibisco alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron / Atom Shell
    • Node.JS
    Novel architecture

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Character development
    2.  Timeline
    3.  Scene Management
    4.  Tracking of plots
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  WYSIWYG Support
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Spell Checking
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Hierarchical Structure
    12.  Portable

    bibisco VS yWriter

     
    Comments about bibisco as an Alternative to yWriter
    Guest
    Negative •Oct 20, 2017
    -1

    main character's option are really too numerous

    Guest
    Positive •Sep 17, 2015
    0

    It may not be as flexible as yWriter to move text between scenes and chapters.

    yWriter Icon
    bibisco icon

    • Most users think bibisco is a great yWriter alternative.

    • bibisco is Freemium and Open SourceyWriter is Freemium and Proprietary
    • bibisco is Privacy focusedyWriter is not according to our users
  7. Daino Notes icon

    Daino Notes

     8 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Daino is a fast and elegant place for all your thoughts. Write without fiddling. Store without worrying. Think without distraction.

    64 Daino Notes alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Daino Notes screenshot 1

    Properties

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

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Full-Text Search
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Hierarchical Structure
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Kanban Board
    10.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    11.  Native application
    12.  Tagging

    Daino Notes VS yWriter

     
  8. novelWriter icon

    novelWriter

     22 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    54 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 yWriter

     
  10. Ulysses icon

    Ulysses

     66 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Ulysses is a text editor for creative writers. Used by bloggers, poets, students and published novelists all over the world, it offers an integrated environment to brainstorm, draft, revise and even submit text on a professional level.

    111 Ulysses alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Ulysses screenshot 1

    Ulysses Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Export to PDF
    3.  Distraction-free Writing
    4.  Export to EPUB
    5.  Tabbed interface
    6.  Sync with iCloud
    7.  Brainstorming
    8.  Support for styluses

    Ulysses VS yWriter

     
  11. Quoll Writer icon

    Quoll Writer

     35 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    64 Quoll Writer alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    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 yWriter

     
    Comments about Quoll Writer as an Alternative to yWriter
    Linda Jenkinson
    Negative •Jun 30, 2022
    -1

    According to their website, Quoll Writer is not available for Linux or Mac

    yWriter Icon
    Quoll Writer icon

    • Most users think Quoll Writer is a great yWriter alternative.

    • Quoll Writer is Free and Open SourceyWriter is Freemium and Proprietary
  12. Lore Forge icon

    Lore Forge

     11 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    The only app you'll need to write your novels and build your worlds. Organize your thoughts and cross-reference anything at any time.

    37 Lore Forge alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Overview screen

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Places tracking
    2.  Character database
    3.  Custom characters
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Portable
    8.  Hierarchical Structure
    9.  Spell Checking
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  WYSIWYG Support
    12.  Live Preview

    Lore Forge VS yWriter

     

    • Lore Forge is the most popular Web-based alternative to yWriter.

    • Lore Forge is Free and ProprietaryyWriter is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Lore Forge is Lightweight and Privacy focusedyWriter is not according to our users
  13. Hemingway Editor icon

    Hemingway Editor

     55 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Hemingway App makes your writing bold and clear.

    133 Hemingway Editor alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Hemingway Editor screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Spell Checking
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Writing assistance
    4.  Collaborative writing
    5.  Ebook writer
    6. Readability icon  Readability integration
    7.  Distraction-free Writing
    8.  Automated proofreading
    9.  Writing suggestions

    Hemingway Editor VS yWriter

     
    Comments about Hemingway Editor as an Alternative to yWriter
    Guest
    Negative •Sep 26, 2018
    3

    Hemingway is more of a writing style tool, while yWriter focuses on organization and structure.

    yWriter Icon
    Hemingway Editor icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Hemingway Editor is a legitimate yWriter alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Hemingway Editor is Paid and ProprietaryyWriter is Freemium and Proprietary
10 of 67 yWriter alternatives