Uncovering the Best novelWriter Alternatives for Your Next Novel

novelWriter is a fantastic tool for authors, offering a minimalist plain text editor, structured file organization, and features like tags, comments, and a unique timeline view. Its focus on keyboard shortcuts, a fixed root folder structure (Novel, Character, Plot, etc.), and the ability to open two documents simultaneously makes it a powerful choice for many. However, for some, its specific workflow or platform availability might lead them to seek a novelWriter alternative. Whether you're looking for different export options, more collaborative features, or simply a different user experience, there are many excellent writing software options available.

Top novelWriter Alternatives

If novelWriter doesn't quite fit your writing style or needs, don't worry! We've compiled a list of excellent alternatives that offer diverse features, from distraction-free interfaces to robust organizational tools, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your next literary masterpiece.

Joplin

Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application with robust synchronization capabilities, making it a versatile novelWriter alternative. It supports Markdown, offers end-to-end encryption, and can sync across various platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS. Its hierarchical structure and extensive feature set, including tags, cloud sync (Dropbox, Nextcloud, WebDAV), and powerful search, make it ideal for writers who prioritize secure, organized, and accessible notes for their projects, even though its primary focus isn't novel writing specifically.

Typora

Typora offers a seamless, distraction-free writing experience, functioning as both a reader and a writer. As a free option available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a strong novelWriter alternative for those who prefer a minimalistic interface. Its key features include live preview, Markdown support, WYSIWYG editing, and the ability to export to HTML, Word, and PDF. Writers will appreciate its focus on the text itself, removing the clutter of preview windows and syntax symbols.

FocusWriter

FocusWriter is a simple, configurable, and themeable distraction-free text editor, making it an excellent open-source novelWriter alternative for writers across Mac, Windows, and Linux. Its core appeal lies in its minimalist interface, which helps users concentrate solely on their writing. Features like auto-saving, a daily progress tracker, fullscreen support, and writing statistics provide useful utilities without overwhelming the user.

Scrivener

Scrivener is a comprehensive writing studio designed for long-form projects, often described as a typewriter, ring-binder, and scrapbook combined. It's a powerful commercial novelWriter alternative available for Mac, Windows, iPhone, and iPad. Scrivener excels in its organizational capabilities, offering corkboard views, character databases, scene management, and an outliner. Writers can easily split files into sections, compile documents for export (Word, ePub, PDF), and benefit from its integrated search and distraction-free writing mode.

Manuskript

Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, making it a compelling novelWriter alternative, available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It provides an outliner, character management, plot development tools, and a distraction-free editor. Key features include tracking of characters, locations, and plots, revision history, Markdown support, and export options to ePub and PDF. Its visual timeline and tree structure for file organization cater to detailed novel planning.

iA Writer

iA Writer is a commercial writing tool focused on simplicity and focus, available across Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS. As a novelWriter alternative, it emphasizes distraction-free writing and a clean interface. Its features include nested folders for organization, Markdown support, Night mode/Dark Theme, and seamless integration across Apple devices. It’s ideal for writers who value a minimalist environment for pure content creation.

ghostwriter

ghostwriter is a free and open-source text editor for Markdown, available on Windows and Linux. It's a lightweight novelWriter alternative that prioritizes a distraction-free writing environment. Notable features include cross-platform compatibility, fullscreen support, live preview of Markdown, syntax highlighting, and writing statistics, making it a solid choice for those who prefer working with plain text and Markdown.

Zettlr

Zettlr is a supercharged Markdown editor that integrates many writing features into one application. As a free and open-source novelWriter alternative for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it aims to speed up your workflow. Features include file tagging, linking files, multiple export options (HTML, LaTeX, Word, PDF), integrated search, and file organization, along with academic-focused features like Zotero integration. Its robust file management capabilities make it excellent for complex projects.

Ulysses

Ulysses is a commercial text editor tailored for creative writers, including bloggers, poets, and novelists. Available on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, it serves as a premium novelWriter alternative focused on providing an integrated writing environment. Key features include Markdown support, a distraction-free interface, brainstorming tools, iCloud sync, and export options to ePub and PDF. Its strong organizational system and clean design make it a favorite among Apple users.

bibisco

bibisco is a freemium, open-source novel writing software designed to simplify story creation. Available for Linux, MacOS, and Windows, it's a dedicated novelWriter alternative for fiction writers. It offers character development, novel planning, timeline views, and scene management. With features like integrated search, distraction-free writing, and export to Word, ePub, and PDF, bibisco provides a structured yet intuitive environment for crafting your next novel.

Choosing the right novelWriter alternative depends heavily on your specific needs: whether you prioritize a distraction-free environment, robust outlining tools, cross-platform compatibility, or extensive export options. We encourage you to explore these excellent alternatives and find the software that best empowers your writing process.