Overview

Novlr brings a manuscript workspace together with a planning grid that tracks story arcs and plot threads, with notes kept alongside the draft. Focus and typewriter modes, writing sprints, goals, streaks and analytics help writers structure sessions and monitor progress. That breadth is useful for writers who want planning and motivation in the same place as their manuscript, rather than a separate outlining tool.

Writing and notes export to DOCX, PDF, ODT, EPUB and RTF, making it practical to move work into common document and ebook formats. Publishing tools and real-time collaboration add scope beyond drafting, while version history gives paid writers a way to revisit earlier work. Novlr says it encrypts data in transit and at rest, uses database row-level security and secure session management, and does not use writing for AI processing, analysis or training. Its self-hosted grammar checker does not send text to a third party. User data is stored in the United States through Supabase and Google Cloud Platform.

Key features

Planning and writing

The planning grid is the central distinction: writers can follow plot threads and story arcs beside their manuscript, then use focus or typewriter mode when drafting. Sprints, goals, streaks and analytics support deliberate writing routines, though they are less relevant to writers who simply need a flexible text editor.

Publishing and author presence

Export formats cover common editing and publishing handoffs, including EPUB, DOCX and PDF. Studio adds Novlr Sites, with themes and a custom domain, so authors who want a simple web presence can keep that work within the same subscription. Studio also adds backups to Google Drive or Dropbox.

Pricing

Novlr has a free plan and two paid annual plans. The free tier costs 0.00 USD per free and allows two projects, online syncing, notes, the planning grid, focus mode, writing sprints and analytics. It is a capable way to begin, but the two-project cap makes it restrictive for writers juggling several manuscripts.

Starter costs 8.00 USD per month, billed yearly, with a stated 20% saving. It raises the cap to 10 projects and adds 30-day version history, goals, streaks, Academy courses and community access. It fits writers who want more room and progress tools without Studio’s additional services.

Studio costs 16.00 USD per month, billed yearly, also with a stated 20% saving. It includes unlimited projects and version history, Novlr Sites, a proofreader and advanced grammar and style checker, cloud-drive backups, and priority support. Choose it when those publishing, editing or backup features justify the higher recurring cost; otherwise Starter covers the core writing workflow.

Lifetime Studio Member is shown at 499.00 USD per month and includes Studio features forever, no subscription, Novlr co-ownership and exclusive Discord channels. The stated price and no-subscription term sit uneasily together, so confirm the offer terms before choosing it.

Platforms

Novlr runs in a web browser and supports current major browsers, including Safari on iOS and Chrome or Firefox on Android. Android and iOS are listed as platforms, but Novlr has no mobile apps. Saving the web app to a phone or tablet home screen does not make it available offline: an active internet connection is required. That is a substantial limitation for writers who travel, work without reliable connectivity or prefer native mobile software.

Who it's for

Novlr is best suited to writers who value a guided manuscript process, especially those planning fiction with interwoven arcs or building consistent writing habits. Its intended audience spans personal writing, fanfiction and work for traditional or self-publishing. The in-app chat, email support and Discord community give users several support channels; Novlr also says writer-owners have a say in development after the company became partially writer-owned in 2023.

It is a weaker fit for anyone who needs offline access or native mobile apps. Writers with only one active project may also find the free tier sufficient, while those seeking unlimited projects, longer version history, a site and backups need Studio.

Pros and cons

Pros: Planning notes and plot-thread tracking sit beside the manuscript, keeping story organization connected to drafting.
Pros: DOCX, PDF, ODT, EPUB and RTF exports support a range of sharing and publishing workflows.
Pros: Studio combines unlimited projects and history with author-site tools, advanced checking and cloud-drive backups.
Cons: The two-project free cap can constrain writers with multiple active works.
Cons: There are no mobile apps, and the browser workspace requires internet even on a phone or tablet.

Alternatives

For a broader selection of tools, browse Book Writing Software or Writing Apps.

Campfire is another freemium option, with apps across desktop, mobile and web platforms.
Novvler is a freemium alternative with a Pro plan that includes 15,000 AI words per month and AI grammar and style checks.
Plot Factory offers a Basic tier capped at one story, one universe and 250-word narrations per day, with a $9.00 USD per month Hobbyist plan.
LivingWriter offers a free manuscript tier capped at one manuscript and 25,000 words, with access across web, desktop and mobile platforms.
Squibler is a web-based freemium option with a free tier built around monthly AI credits and book and screenplay creation.
Dabble is worth considering if you want access across mobile, desktop and web platforms and are willing to pay for its Writer plan.
bibisco offers a Community Edition and platform support spanning web, desktop and mobile.
NovelPad is a paid option with a free trial and desktop and web access, including cloud sync and beta-reader sharing on its Pro Cloud Monthly plan.

Verdict

Choose Novlr if you want manuscript planning, writing routines and publishing exports in one organized workspace, with Studio available for sites, backups and advanced checking. Look elsewhere if offline access or native mobile apps are essential; Novlr’s internet-dependent browser experience is its clearest drawback.

	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