yWriter Alternatives

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, Linux, Online / Web-based and iPhone. The best 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, Hemingway Editor, Quoll Writer and Gingko.

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

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yWriter

Freemium • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool

Mac
Windows
Android
Android Tablet

yWriter is a writing tool that uses "scenes" as a unit of text and allows you to associate that text with all...

Learn more about yWriter

Microsoft Word
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
89 alternatives to Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word, part of the Microsoft 365 (Office) but also sold as a standalone application, is Microsoft's word processor. Its proprietary (but open-specification) DOC format is considered a de-facto standard, although from 2007 and...
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Microsoft Word Features
1. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Microsoft Word simultaneously.
2. Dark ModeMicrosoft Word supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Spell CheckingMicrosoft Word can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
4. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
5. PDF annotationMicrosoft Word support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
6. Works OfflineMicrosoft Word can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Convert Word documents to PDF
Document structure management
Ribbon Interface
Custom styles
Export to PDF
Text boxes
Digital Signage
Integrated PDF Viewer
Onedrive integration
Cross-references
Manuskript
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Novel Authoring 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
Manuskript vs yWriter opinions
Almost everyone thinks Manuskript is a great alternative to yWriter.
Guest
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.
Positive comment•
-1
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
Split files into sections
Visual Organization
Scene Management
Character database
Folders
Export to PDF
Scrivener vs yWriter opinions
Most users think Scrivener is a great alternative to yWriter.
Guest
Structural similarity. But it's troublesome complicated program.
Positive comment•
2

Guest
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.
Negative comment•
1
bibisco
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Electron / Atom Shell
Node.JS
39 alternatives to bibisco
bibisco is a novel writing software that helps you to write your story, in a simple way.
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bibisco Features
1. Ad-freebibisco doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Portablebibisco can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Character development
Timeline
Scene Management
Google Drive integration
Export to EPUB
Distraction-free Writing
No installation
Export to Word
Export to PDF
Visual Organization
bibisco vs yWriter opinions
Most users think bibisco is a great alternative to yWriter.
Guest
main character's option are really too numerous
Negative comment•
-1

Guest
It may not be as flexible as yWriter to move text between scenes and chapters.
Positive comment•
0
Hemingway Editor
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Text Editor
Grammar Checker
Mac
Windows
Online
119 alternatives to Hemingway Editor
Hemingway App makes your writing bold and clear.
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Hemingway Editor Features
1. Spell CheckingHemingway Editor can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
2. Distraction-freeHemingway Editor has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
3. Works OfflineHemingway Editor can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Writing assistance
Collaborative writing
Ebook writer
Readability integration
Distraction-free Writing
Automated proofreading
Writing suggestions
Hemingway Editor vs yWriter opinions
Guest
Hemingway is more of a writing style tool, while yWriter focuses on organization and structure.
Negative comment•
3
Quoll Writer
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Yes
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
Quoll Writer vs yWriter opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
lndjenkinson
According to their website, Quoll Writer is not available for Linux or Mac
Negative comment•
-1
Gingko
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Project Management Tool
Mind Mapping Tool
Note-taking Tool
Online
Software as a Service (SaaS)
90 alternatives to Gingko
Write and organize your ideas in Gingko tree documents.

Whether building a business or writing a bestseller, Gingko lets your ideas flow naturally into place.

Write, brainstorm, and organize your document, all in the same flow.

You can also work with others, with Real-time col.
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Gingko Features
1. Support for MarkDownGingko supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Gingko.
3. Support for LaTeXGingko supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
4. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Gingko simultaneously.
Document structure management
Web-Based
Export to LaTeX
Collaborative writing
Brainstorming
Screenwriting
Outliner
Gingko vs yWriter opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
it's the only one that actually offers a dynamic word documenting system that is fluid and able to be used by NON-FICTION writers, which is harder to find than you'd think. Still no where near the set up of yWriter though.
Positive comment•
0
Ulysses
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Text Editor
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
iPhone
iPad
97 alternatives to Ulysses
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.
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Ulysses Features
1. Support for MarkDownUlysses supports MarkDown for document formatting.
Distraction-free Writing
Sync with iCloud
Brainstorming
Export to PDF
Support for styluses
Export to EPUB
Tabbed interface
novelWriter
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
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
oStorybook
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
41 alternatives to oStorybook
oStorybook is a free, open source novel-writing software for creative writers, novelists and authors which will help you to keep an overview of multiple plot-lines while writing texts.
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oStorybook Features
Character database
Detailed toolbar
Java based
Text editing
oStorybook vs yWriter opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Layout is easier to use, more intuitive. Character database is excellent. However, yWriter shows you word count for each scene, very helpul.
Positive comment•
0