Folian
by Folian
What Folian is
Folian is a paid, local-first writing workspace for authors, bringing manuscript drafting, planning, story information, and research into one Mac application. Its tools include a focused manuscript editor, chapter and scene planning, and project structure. A connected story bible holds characters, locations, canon, and continuity details. Folian records creative decisions and supports developmental, line, copy, pacing, dialogue, and consistency editing passes. Projects are stored locally on the Mac, with offline mode and export and backup tools. The maker says ordinary desktop writing does not upload project data to Folian servers. Optional AI connects through a key supplied by the user, with instructions for OpenAI or Claude; those providers bill AI usage separately. The Public Beta purchase includes the Mac app and updates released during the beta, while workflows and interface details continue to be refined. It supports Apple Silicon Macs with M1 or newer running macOS 12.0 or later. There are no mobile apps, and the maker says a Windows version is in development. The listed Public Beta price is $29 a month, billed as a one-time purchase; the maker is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates.
Who it suits
Folian suits novelists, series authors, worldbuilding writers, nonfiction writers, and screenwriters who want manuscript and project materials together. It is for users with a supported Apple Silicon Mac.
What it does well
- Stores projects locally and supports offline work.
- Connects story details to the manuscript.
- Includes export and backup tools.
- Optional AI can connect to OpenAI or Claude.
What to know first
- Supports Apple Silicon Macs only.
- No mobile apps are available.
- AI provider charges are billed separately.
- Beta workflows and interface details are still changing.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Public Beta | One-time purchase · Full manuscript workspace · Story bible and canon tools · Research and project material · Decisions tracking · Export capability · Local-first project storage | $29, paid once |
| Folian Public Beta for Mac | One-time purchase · Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or newer) · macOS 12.0 or later · Optional AI provider charges billed separately | $30, paid once |
As folian.app lists them, read 24 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Folian brings drafting, story reference, planning, and editing passes into a local-first Mac workspace. Buyers should account for its Mac-only beta support and separate charges for optional AI use.
Facts from Folian's own pages
- AI charges
- External AI usage charges are billed by the provider, not Folian. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- AI providers
- Optional AI uses a provider key supplied by the user; the help page describes connecting OpenAI or Claude. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Beta terms
- The purchase includes the Mac desktop app and updates released during the Public Beta; workflows and interface details continue to be refined. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Decisions and editing
- Folian records creative decisions and supports developmental, line, copy, pacing, dialogue and consistency editing passes. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Export and backup
- The beta includes export and backup tools for carrying work out of a project. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · folian.app, 24 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- United Arab Emirates · folian.app, 19 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Folian describes itself as suited to novelists, series authors, fantasy and worldbuilding writers, nonfiction writers and screenwriters. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Manuscript tools
- The workspace includes a focused manuscript editor, chapter and scene planning, and project structure. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- No · folian.app, 24 Sept 2026
- Offline mode
- Yes · folian.app, 24 Sept 2026
- Project storage
- Projects are stored locally on the Mac, and Folian says normal writing does not upload desktop project data to Folian servers. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Publishing tools
- Yes · folian.app, 24 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Folian is a local-first writing workspace for authors that brings manuscript work, planning, story materials and research together. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Security guidance
- Folian's help page says API keys should be treated like passwords and advises removing an exposed key through the provider account. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Story bible
- Characters, locations, canon and continuity tools keep story information connected to the manuscript. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support is available by email at [email protected] for the Mac app, purchases and account access. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported system
- The beta supports Apple Silicon Macs with M1 or newer running macOS 12.0 or later. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
- Windows
- The maker says a Windows version is in development. · folian.app, 12 Oct 2026
Where Folian stands on Freedom251
- Writing Apps#129 of 135