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novelWriter
by novelWriter
What novelWriter is
novelWriter is a free, open-source plain text editor for organizing fiction projects and related notes as smaller documents. It uses Markdown-inspired formatting and metadata lines for details such as characters, point of view, and locations. Documents can be sorted into folders, reordered, nested as sub-documents, tagged, and cross-referenced with project notes. Novel View and Outline View show chapters and scenes alongside their metadata and links. The Manuscript Build tool assembles selected project documents for printing or export to Open Document, Word, PDF, HTML, and Markdown. Project files live in a dedicated local folder and can be synchronized between computers with standard file-sync tools; the maker also documents use with version control software. During local use, the app says it sends no usage data. Update checks contact GitHub’s public API, and critical error reports are shown to users rather than sent automatically. The software runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS, but current downloads list Linux and Windows packages and macOS releases are discontinued. A Python package can still be installed on a Mac with a Python environment. The project began in 2018. It is intended for fiction, not technical writing or research organization.
Who it suits
novelWriter suits fiction writers who want to organize chapters, scenes, and notes in local project files. It is not intended for technical writing or research organization.
What it does well
- Free and open source.
- Organizes documents with tags and cross-references.
- Builds manuscripts for print and multiple export formats.
- Project files can use sync tools and version control.
- Critical error reports are not automatically submitted.
What to know first
- Current downloads list Linux and Windows packages.
- macOS releases are discontinued.
- Not intended for technical writing or research organization.
- Update checks contact GitHub’s public API.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| novelWriter | Free and open source | Free |
As novelwriter.io lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://novelwriter.io/.
- Choose a Linux or Windows package from the current downloads.
- On Mac, install the Python package with a Python environment.
- Create a project in its dedicated local folder.
- Arrange project documents and notes, then use Manuscript Build to prepare an export.
Verdict
novelWriter offers structured document organization and manuscript export for fiction projects across Linux, Windows, and macOS. Mac users should note that releases are discontinued, though the Python package remains an installation option.
Questions
How much does novelWriter cost?
The listed plan is free. The app is free and open source.
Which platforms does it support?
The platform list includes Linux, macOS, and Windows. Current downloads list Linux and Windows packages; macOS releases are discontinued, though the Python package can still be installed on a Mac with a Python environment.
What can it export?
Manuscript Build can assemble selected project documents for printing or export to Open Document, Word, PDF, HTML, and Markdown.
Does novelWriter store projects online?
Project files are stored in a dedicated local folder. Standard file synchronization tools can be used to sync them between computers.
Is novelWriter intended for research organization?
No. It is designed for fiction writing and is not intended as a research organization tool.
Facts from novelWriter's own pages
- Audience and limits
- The app is designed for fiction writing, is not suitable for technical writing, and is not intended as a research organization tool. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Download verification
- Checksum files are provided alongside the Linux AppImage, Linux Flatpak, and Windows installer for verifying downloads. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Error reporting
- Critical error reports are shown to the user and are not automatically submitted; they may include system information and file or folder paths. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Export
- The Manuscript Build tool can assemble selected project documents for printing or export to Open Document, Word, PDF, HTML, and Markdown. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- extensive · novelwriter.io, 19 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2018 · novelwriter.io, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · novelwriter.io, 19 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The maker documents use of standard file synchronization tools and version control software with project files. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Maker and origin
- Creator Veronica Berglyd Olsen says she began developing novelWriter in 2016 and started the project that became novelWriter in 2018 while at CERN in Geneva. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- No · novelwriter.io, 19 Sept 2026
- Organization
- Documents can be arranged in folders, reordered, and nested as sub-documents, with tags and cross-references linking to project notes. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Outline views
- Novel View and Outline View show chapters and scenes alongside associated metadata and cross-references. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Platform availability
- The current downloads page lists Linux and Windows packages; macOS releases are discontinued, though the Python package can still be installed on a Mac with a Python environment. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The app says it transmits no usage data during local use; checking for updates contacts GitHub’s public API, which may collect access information. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Publishing tools
- Yes · novelwriter.io, 19 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- novelWriter is a plain text editor for organizing novels and associated notes as smaller documents. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Project files are stored in a dedicated local folder, and standard file synchronization tools can be used to sync them between computers. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Support and contributions
- The project links to GitHub discussions for release feedback and says it relies on contributors to add features, particularly translations. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Writing format
- It uses Markdown inspired formatting and metadata lines for details such as characters, point of view, and locations. · novelwriter.io, 11 Oct 2026
Where novelWriter stands on Freedom251
- Book Writing Software#8 of 34
- Writing Apps#39 of 135
- Text App#8 of 24