Head-to-head · Fanfiction App
Archive of Our Own vs FanFiction.Net
Archive of Our Own leads on 0 checks, FanFiction.Net on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreArchive of Our Own · 9.3/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresFanFiction.Net · 3 of 3
Archive of Our Own scores higher on our rubric for fanfiction app: 9.3 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.
Archive of Our Own is the better fit for readers and writers seeking a broad fanwork archive. FanFiction.Net is the better fit for readers wanting mobile, offline, and community features.
- Archive of Our Own fits best
Readers and writers seeking a broad fanwork archive
- FanFiction.Net fits best
Readers wanting mobile, offline, and community features
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Side by side
| Feature | Archive of Our Own 9.3/10 Visit ↗ | FanFiction.Net 9.1/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.3 | 9.1 |
| Ranking | #1 in Fanfiction App | #2 in Fanfiction App |
| Best for | Readers and writers seeking a broad fanwork archive | Readers wanting mobile, offline, and community features |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Android, iOS |
| Support | Docs | |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business |
| Features Archive of Our Own 0/3 · FanFiction.Net 3/3 | ||
| Offline reading | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Writing and publishing | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Rating controls | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Not checked yet | Web, Android, iOS; mobile page also lists Kindle Fire and Nook |
| Export formats | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Community features | Not checked yet | Forums, writing groups, private messaging, community archives, beta-reader discovery, reviews |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Archive of Our Own (AO3) is a nonprofit, noncommercial archive for transformative fanworks, including works inspired by books, music, art, games, film, and television. It is aimed at readers and creators who want to share fanworks or find… Read the review → |
FanFiction.Net is an online archive for fan-created stories across categories including anime, books, comics, games, movies, and television. It suits readers looking to explore fandoms and writers who want to submit and publish stories.… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Archive of Our Own — where it wins
- Browse and search works, fandoms, tags, bookmarks, collections, and people
- Follow works, series, or users to get update notifications
- Save visited works and reading lists; join challenges
Where it doesn't
- Account creation uses an invitation queue
- Focused on fanwork hosting, not general-purpose community management
- Web-based access rather than a native mobile app
FanFiction.Net — where it wins
- Browse and filter stories across fandom categories and crossovers
- Download stories and sync library items between devices
- Connect through forums, writing groups, and beta-reader discovery
Where it doesn't
- Editing stories is listed for the Android app, not iOS
- AI translation is an app feature rather than a core discovery tool
- The support channel listed is email
- Archive of Our Own9.3/10 · Free plan
A free, web-based archive for sharing and discovering fanworks across fandoms.
Visit siteFull verdict → - FanFiction.Net9.1/10 · Free plan
A free fanfiction archive pairing fandom discovery with mobile reading and community tools.
Visit FanFiction.NetFull verdict →
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- FanFiction.Net vs Wattpad
- FanFiction.Net vs Adult-FanFiction.org
All fanfiction app comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update