Overview

Novlr combines a manuscript workspace with a planning grid for tracking story arcs and plot threads, with notes alongside the draft. Focus and typewriter modes, writing sprints, goals, streaks and analytics give writers ways to structure sessions and monitor progress. This breadth makes it more useful than a bare writing space for people who want planning and routine support in one place, though the feature set matters less to writers who already prefer separate tools.

Writers can export manuscripts and notes as DOCX, PDF, ODT, EPUB or RTF. Publishing tools and real-time collaboration broaden its use beyond solo drafting, while version history can help recover earlier work. Novlr says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with database row-level security and secure session management. It also says it does not use writing for AI processing, analysis or training, and that its self-hosted grammar checker does not send text to a third party. User data is stored in the United States using Supabase and Google Cloud Platform.

Key features

Planning and writing tools

The planning grid keeps story arcs and plot-thread notes close to the manuscript, a practical fit for writers managing several strands in a project. Focus and typewriter modes support less cluttered drafting, while sprints, goals, streaks and analytics suit writers who want structure and progress tracking. These tools offer more scaffolding than a simple editor, but may be unnecessary for someone who only needs a place to type.

Publishing, exports and privacy

Publishing tools and exports in five formats make it easier to move work into document or ebook workflows. Studio adds Novlr Sites, where writers can create an author website with themes and a custom domain. Novlr's stated privacy approach may appeal to writers wary of AI processing: it says it does not process, analyze or train on users' writing with AI, and its grammar checker is self-hosted.

Pricing

The Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free and allows two projects. It includes online syncing, notes, the planning grid, focus mode, writing sprints and analytics. That is a useful way to try the core workspace, but the two-project cap limits it for writers managing multiple manuscripts.

Starter costs 8.00 USD per month, billed yearly, with 20% savings. It raises the cap to 10 projects and adds 30-day version history, goals, streaks, Academy courses and community access. It fits writers who need more room and progress tools, but gives up the unlimited projects and version history, website, advanced proofing, cloud backups and priority support reserved for Studio.

Studio costs 16.00 USD per month, billed yearly, with 20% savings. It includes unlimited projects and version history, Novlr Sites, a proofreader and advanced grammar and style checker, Google Drive or Dropbox backups, and priority support. It is the stronger fit for prolific writers or authors who want a site and extra backup options; the annual billing commitment is the tradeoff.

Lifetime Studio Member costs 499.00 USD per month and includes Studio features forever, no subscription, Novlr co-ownership and exclusive Discord channels. Its stated no-subscription terms may interest writers seeking ongoing access, but the listed monthly price makes the commitment substantially larger than the annual plans.

Platforms

Novlr is listed for Android, iOS and web, but it has no mobile apps. It runs in current major browsers, including Safari on iOS and Chrome or Firefox on Android. It requires an active internet connection even when saved to a phone or tablet home screen, so it is not a suitable choice for offline drafting despite its broad device support.

Who it's for

Novlr says it serves writers working on personal projects, fanfiction, traditional publishing or self-publishing. Its planning and motivation tools suit writers who want structure alongside drafting, and the exports and Studio website can support work headed toward readers. Writers who need native mobile apps or dependable offline access should look elsewhere. Support includes in-app chat, email and a writer community on Discord. Novlr also says it became partially writer-owned in 2023, with writer-owners having a say in development.

Pros and cons

Pros: Story planning, notes, drafting and motivation tools sit in one workspace, reducing the need to split a project across separate tools.
Pros: DOCX, PDF, ODT, EPUB and RTF exports give writers practical routes to share or prepare their work.
Pros: The free plan includes core planning and writing tools, while Studio adds a custom-domain author website and cloud backups.
Cons: The free plan is capped at two projects, and Starter is capped at 10.
Cons: Paid plans are billed yearly, and the web app needs an active connection; there are no mobile apps for offline use.

Alternatives

For broader category comparisons, browse Book Writing Software and Writing Apps.

Campfire is another freemium option with Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows support; choose it if that platform spread better matches your devices.
Plot Factory has a free plan for one story and one universe, with a 250-word daily narration limit, and a Hobbyist plan at 9.00 USD per month. It may suit a writer focused on a single story who wants to compare a lower-entry paid option.
DragonWriter is a free, online-only option for Android and web.
Novvler offers a Pro plan at 9.00 USD per month with 15,000 AI words per month and AI grammar and style checking; consider it if those AI features are a priority.
LivingWriter offers a free plan for one manuscript of up to 25,000 words, with a full editor and PDF export; it may fit a writer who wants to start with a manuscript-specific free tier.
Wavemaker Cards is a free option available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.
Dabble has a Writer plan at 19.00 USD per month and a free trial, but no free plan; compare it if you prefer to evaluate a paid option by trial.
bibisco offers a free Community Edition and supports web, desktop and mobile platforms.

Verdict

Novlr is a good choice for writers who want planning, drafting, motivation and publishing tools gathered around a manuscript, with a usable free tier to start. Choose it for the planning grid, broad exports and Studio's website and backup options; look elsewhere if offline writing, native mobile apps or monthly rather than yearly paid billing is essential.

	Essayist	Novlr
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	$6.67/mo	$8/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	macOS, iOS	Android, iOS, Web
Free plan	No	Yes
Offline mode	Yes	Yes
Mobile apps	Yes	No
Export formats	standard	extensive
Publishing tools	—	Yes
Real-time collaboration	—	Yes
Version history	—	Yes

Essayist vs Novlr

Essayist

Novlr