Novlr

Novlr is a writing workspace for writers who want to plan, draft and prepare manuscripts to share or publish. Its strongest case is bringing story organization and writing routines together; the requirement for an active internet connection is a real drawback.

Overview

Novlr pairs a manuscript editor 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 keep track of progress. That mix suits projects that benefit from planning and routine, though writers who want only a bare-bones editor may not need the extra structure.

Writing and notes export to DOCX, PDF, ODT, EPUB and RTF, so work can move into common document and ebook formats. Novlr also offers publishing tools, real-time collaboration and version history. It says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, protected with database row-level security and secure session management, and that it 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, with Supabase and Google Cloud Platform hosting services.

Key features

Planning and writing tools

The planning grid keeps story arcs, plot threads and planning notes close to the manuscript. Focus and typewriter modes support less distracted drafting, while sprints, goals, streaks and analytics serve writers who find structured sessions and progress measures useful. These features make Novlr more than a place to store a draft, but they are of less value if you prefer to plan elsewhere or avoid goal tracking.

Publishing and backups

Export options cover DOCX, PDF, ODT, EPUB and RTF, and Novlr includes publishing tools. Studio adds Novlr Sites, where writers can build an author website using themes and a custom domain, plus backups to Google Drive or Dropbox. Those additions are most relevant to writers preparing to publish and wanting a site or an extra backup destination in the same service.

Privacy and support

Novlr says it does not use writing for AI processing, analysis or training, and that its self-hosted grammar checker keeps text from being sent to a third party. It also says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with row-level database security and secure session management. The stated US data storage location may matter to writers with specific data-location requirements. Support includes in-app chat, email and a writer community on Discord.

Pricing

Novlr has a free plan and paid plans billed yearly. The free tier costs nothing and allows 2 projects, with online syncing, notes and the planning grid, focus mode, writing sprints and analytics. It is a useful way to keep a small number of projects in one workspace, but it does not include the larger project allowance and expanded features of paid tiers.

Starter costs $8 a month, billed yearly, and saves 20%. It allows 10 projects and includes 30-day version history, goals, streaks, Academy courses and community access. It suits writers who have outgrown the free project's cap or want writing goals and a limited history, but it does not include the unlimited projects and history or Studio's website, proofreader, advanced grammar and style checker, backups and priority support.

Studio costs $16 a month, billed yearly, and saves 20%. 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 fit for writers who need those publishing and backup features; occasional writers may find the free plan or Starter sufficient.

Lifetime Studio Member is priced at $499 a month and includes Studio features forever, no subscription, Novlr co-ownership and exclusive Discord channels. Its stated price is monthly, so it is not a lower monthly-cost alternative to the yearly-billed Studio plan.

Platforms

Novlr works in current major browsers, including Safari on iOS and Chrome or Firefox on Android, and is categorized for web, Android and iOS. It has no mobile apps: adding the web app to a phone or tablet home screen does not make it work offline. An active internet connection is required, so it is a poor fit for travel or writing sessions without reliable access. Its browser-based approach can suit writers who prefer not to install a native app.

Who it's for

Novlr serves writers working on personal projects, fanfiction, or manuscripts intended for traditional or self-publishing. The planning grid and progress tools are especially useful for writers who want a structured home for long projects. Its collaboration and export features broaden its use beyond private drafting, while the always-online requirement makes it unsuitable for anyone who needs offline access. Novlr says it became partially writer-owned in 2023, with writer-owners having a say in its development.

Pros and cons

• Strong project organization: The planning grid, notes and manuscript share a workspace, with goals and progress tools to support a writing routine.
• Flexible exports: DOCX, PDF, ODT, EPUB and RTF cover common document and ebook handoffs.
• Useful Studio additions: A custom-domain author site, third-party backups, unlimited projects and version history suit writers managing a larger or publication-bound body of work.
• Always online: Novlr requires an active internet connection even when saved to a phone or tablet home screen.
• No native mobile app: Mobile use is through supported browsers, not a dedicated app.
• Annual billing on paid plans: Starter and Studio prices are monthly amounts billed yearly, which is less flexible than month-to-month payment.

Alternatives

Campfire is worth considering if you want writing and worldbuilding modules across Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows; its free tier offers limited access and requires no credit card.

Wavemaker Cards is a free option for writers who want a tool available across web and desktop and mobile platforms.

LivingWriter may suit a writer who can work within one manuscript and a 25,000-word free-plan limit, with a full editor for chapters and subchapters and PDF export.

Plot Factory has a free Basic tier limited to one story, one universe and 250-word narrations per day; its Hobbyist plan costs $9 a month, billed at $9 / month or $90 / year, for writers who need more room.

Author's Forge is another freemium writing option for Linux, macOS and Windows users.

Dabble is an alternative for writers who want unlimited manuscripts, cloud backup and sync, and access across devices; its Writer plan costs $19 a month and there is no free plan.

oStorybook suits readers looking for free desktop software for Linux, macOS or Windows, provided they can use Java 8 or higher.

DragonWriter is a free, online-only option for Android and web.

For broader comparisons, browse Book Writing Software or Writing Apps.

Verdict

Novlr is a strong fit for writers who want story planning, drafting routines and publishing-oriented tools in one workspace, with a free tier for up to two projects. Choose it for the planning grid, export range and Studio's site and backup features; look elsewhere if you need offline writing, a native mobile app or month-to-month paid billing.