Choosing a writing tool
There is no single best writing tool, only the one that fits how you work. This is a fair look at eight of them, including our own, to help you find yours.
| Inkwell | Scrivener | Dabble | Reedsy | MS Word | Google Docs | Ellipsus | Obsidian | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free tier |
$60 once |
$19–49/mo |
Free core |
~$70/yr |
Free |
Free core |
Free core |
| Cloud sync | Automatic |
Manual setup |
Automatic |
Automatic |
If set up |
Automatic |
Automatic |
Paid add-on |
| Built for novelists | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Comments & collab | Basic |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Worldbuilding tools | Deep |
Deep |
Deep |
Light |
None |
None |
Light |
DIY |
| Export formats | EPUB, PDF |
EPUB, PDF |
Word, Text |
EPUB, PDF |
No EPUB |
No EPUB |
No EPUB |
Plugins only |
| Focus mode | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Plugin-based |
| Offline access | Yes |
Yes |
Desktop app |
Browser only |
Yes |
If enabled |
Browser only |
Yes |
✓ Full support ≈ Partial or conditional ✗ Not available
For writers who want a deep local workspace for notes and research, with fine control over compiling the finished manuscript.
For writers who want a subscription tool focused on plotting and drafting, with story-organization features built in.
For writers who want a clean, free writing space with professional typesetting.
For writers who already live in Word and want a familiar page, though it was built for documents rather than novels.
For writers who want simple, free, cloud-based writing and easy sharing, without any novel-specific structure.
For writers who value collaborative drafting and version history, especially those writing with others.
For writers who think in linked notes and want to build their own system, with the setup that flexibility asks for.
A broader breakdown of eleven novel-writing tools, including several not covered in the cards above.
This portal is made by Inkwell, and we have tried to be fair to every tool on it, including the ones we compete with. Where another tool is the better fit for how you write, we have said so. The best way to be sure is always to try a few and see what feels right.
Pricing and features current as of mid-2026 and subject to change. Check each provider directly before deciding.