yWriter

Overview

yWriter is a novel-writing program built around chapters and scenes, rather than a blank-page editor or an idea generator. It is a strong fit for novelists who want to plan and rearrange a manuscript while keeping desktop work offline; writers seeking software to generate creative content should look elsewhere.

Key features

Scenes can be moved between chapters by drag and drop, and unused scenes can remain in a project without counting toward word totals or exports. That makes it practical to keep alternate or cut material nearby without letting it affect the active manuscript. Each scene can also hold a viewpoint character, goal, conflict and outcome, and can include multiple characters. These fields give a writer a useful planning structure, but yWriter leaves the creative work to the author.

Progress tools show word counts per project file and for the project overall, and keep a daily log of words written. Automatic backups run at intervals the user sets, while the editor can save timed snapshots of scenes. That combination is useful for tracking a long project and retaining earlier work. It is not a security system, however: Windows project passwords are reminders, not encryption, and do not prevent a determined person from reading project data.

Publishing tools, version history and extensive export formats round out the writing workflow. On Windows, yWriter stores data on the user's computer and works without an internet connection for ordinary use. The Windows edition connects online for update checks or when the user chooses FTP backup and provides server credentials. Mobile versions are intended to edit PC projects on the go using Dropbox; the Windows edition also has optional FTP backup.

Pricing

yWriter is freemium, but the desktop and mobile editions have different terms. yWriter7 for Windows is free, free to download and use, with optional registration encouraged. It supports Windows 7 SP1 or newer and requires .NET 4.8 or newer. This is the clearest fit for writers who want a no-cost desktop project organizer and local data storage.

yWriter for MacOS beta is free while the maker gathers feedback; the completed software will be paid. The beta is marked unstable, and users are advised to back up projects before opening them. The temporary price is attractive for willing testers, but its instability makes it a poor choice for a writer who needs a dependable primary workspace.

The Android and iOS apps are described as available for a small charge, but each has custom pricing. Android edits novels in chapters and scenes and is compatible with yWriter7 desktop projects. The iPhone and iPad edition also edits in chapters and scenes and supports transferring projects between local and cloud storage. Both are aimed at editing PC projects on the go using Dropbox. Linux use is tested through Wine rather than offered as a separate native plan.

Platforms

yWriter covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. The Windows edition is compatible with Windows 7 SP1 and newer; Linux compatibility is through Wine, which the maker says has been tested. The macOS offering is a beta, so it carries a different reliability caveat from the Windows software. Mobile apps are available for Android and iOS, with Dropbox intended for working on desktop projects while away from the computer.

The Windows application is standalone, keeps data on the user's computer and does not need the internet for ordinary use. Its online connections are limited to checking for updates or using FTP backup. The local-storage approach suits writers who prefer an offline desktop workflow, but project passwords should not be mistaken for file protection.

Who it's for

yWriter is best for novelists who think in scenes, want to move material around without deleting unused work, and value word-count tracking, backups and a structured manuscript. Its designer and programmer, Simon Haynes, identifies himself as a published author who built the software for novelists. That focus shows in the scene-planning fields and project organization. It is less suited to writers who expect the app to generate plot ideas, or who need the macOS beta to be stable enough for unbacked-up project work.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Drag-and-drop scene movement and the option to exclude unused scenes from counts and exports make structural revision easier without discarding material.
• Pros: Per-file and total word counts, a daily writing log, automatic backups and timed scene snapshots support both progress tracking and recovery.
• Pros: The Windows edition is free to use, stores projects locally and works offline for ordinary writing.
• Cons: Windows project passwords do not encrypt or secure project files, so they are not suitable for protecting sensitive writing.
• Cons: The macOS version is an unstable beta, and the eventual completed software will be paid.
• Cons: yWriter organizes a writer's material but does not generate ideas or perform creative tasks.

Alternatives

For a different novel-planning approach, Campfire offers writing and worldbuilding modules on Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows, with a free trial that provides limited access and requires no credit card. Choose it if its modular writing and worldbuilding approach is a better match than yWriter's chapter-and-scene organization.

Wavemaker Cards is a free option across Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows. It may suit readers who want to compare another free writing tool across desktop and mobile platforms.

LivingWriter offers a free plan for one manuscript of up to 25,000 words, with a full editor, chapters and subchapters, PDF export and three AI requests per month. It is the better fit for a writer whose project fits those limits and who wants the listed AI requests.

Novlr has a free plan with two projects, online syncing, notes and a planning grid, focus mode, writing sprints and analytics. Choose it if online syncing and those planning tools matter more than yWriter's offline Windows workflow.

Plot Factory has a Basic plan for one story, one universe and 250-word narrations per day, plus a Hobbyist plan at $9 a month or $90 a year for unlimited stories. Its stated story and universe tools make it worth considering if those limits or the Hobbyist plan suit the project better.

Author's Forge is another freemium option for Linux, macOS and Windows users. Consider it as an alternative if you want to compare desktop writing software.

Pagewright offers a free plan for one book, up to five chapters or 15,000 words, with all writing features, Save the Cat and Hero's Journey structures, and client-side encryption. It is a stronger match if encryption or those named story structures are priorities, provided the free-plan limits are enough.

Dabble requires a paid plan after its free trial; its Writer plan costs $19 a month and includes unlimited manuscripts, cloud backup and sync, access on any device, goals and stats. It suits writers who want those cloud and cross-device features and are comfortable with a paid monthly plan.

Browse more options in Book Writing Software and Writing Apps.

Verdict

Choose yWriter if you are a novelist who wants a free Windows workspace for organizing scenes, tracking output and keeping projects local and offline. Its most compelling advantage is the practical scene-level structure paired with progress and backup tools. Look elsewhere if you need creative idea generation, dependable macOS software today, or stronger project-file privacy than a reminder password can provide.