Side by side
Etherpad vs Novlr
Both stand on writing apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5
Etherpad combines collaborative editing, detailed revision history, and self-hosting with broad app and API support. Its installation and server responsibilities matter for organizations deploying it themselves.
Visit Etherpad
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb
Novlr combines manuscript work, planning, publishing tools, and multiple export formats. Its browser-based access requires internet, and some features such as Novlr Sites and cloud backups are limited to Studio.
Visit NovlrThe facts
| Etherpad | Novlr | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Android, iPhone, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Starter: $8 a month |
| Plans published | None | 4 |
| Maker | Etherpad | Not published |
| Website | etherpad.org | novlr.org |
| On writing apps | #22 of 135 | #26 of 135 |
Etherpad: what it does well
- Real-time collaborative editing
- Character-level revision history
- Self-hosted deployment
- Apache 2.0 open source
- HTTP API and authentication plugins
What to know first
- Installation requires Git and Node.js 24+
- Maintained by a small volunteer team
- Self-hosting requires a controlled server
Novlr: what it does well
- Planning grid tracks story arcs and plot threads.
- Exports include DOCX, PDF, ODT, EPUB, and RTF.
- Free plan supports two projects.
- Studio includes author websites and cloud backups.
- Novlr says writing is not used for AI processing or training.
What to know first
- Requires an active internet connection.
- No mobile apps are listed.
- Starter and Studio are billed yearly.
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