Head-to-head · Writing Apps
Novlr vs LivingWriter
Novlr leads on 1 check, LivingWriter on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreNovlr · 5.8/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly LivingWriter
Novlr scores higher on our rubric for writing apps: 5.8 against 4.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #37 and #51.
Novlr offers offline mode; LivingWriter doesn't. LivingWriter offers mobile apps; Novlr doesn't.
Novlr is the better fit for goal-driven novelists. LivingWriter is the better fit for authors wanting AI-assisted drafting.
- Novlr fits best
Goal-driven novelists
- LivingWriter fits best
Authors wanting AI-assisted drafting
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Side by side
| Feature | Novlr 5.8/10 Visit ↗ | LivingWriter 4.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 5.8 | 4.4 |
| Ranking | #37 in Writing Apps | #51 in Writing Apps |
| Best for | Goal-driven novelists | Authors wanting AI-assisted drafting |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $8/mo | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | 7 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Integrations | 2 integrations | 2 integrations |
| Features Novlr 4/5 · LivingWriter 4/5 | ||
| Publishing tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time collaboration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Version history | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline mode | ✓ (best) | — |
| Mobile apps | — | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Export formats | Extensive | Extensive |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Novlr is a browser-based creative writing workspace for novelists and other writers who want their drafting, planning and progress tracking in one place. It combines a fullscreen focus mode with project and chapter organization, notes,… Read the review → |
LivingWriter is a cloud-based writing application for authors, screenwriters, novelists, students, and professionals who want a single place to plan and draft longer work. Its chapter, scene, and section organization supports drag-and-drop… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Novlr — where it wins
- Free plan includes focus mode, writing goals, planning and two projects.
- Studio adds unlimited projects, version history and proofreading tools.
- Novlr Sites and cloud backups support author publishing workflows.
Where it doesn't
- The Free plan is limited to two projects.
- Starter limits projects to 10 and version history to 30 days.
- Mobile access is through browsers rather than a native app.
LivingWriter — where it wins
- Organizes chapters, scenes, research, notes, and story elements in boards
- Revision history supports comparison and restoration of earlier drafts
- Exports manuscripts to DOCX, PDF, EPUB, and Amazon KDP
Where it doesn't
- The Free plan is limited to one manuscript and 25,000 words
- Free and Pro plans limit AI requests to 3 and 25 per month, respectively
- No offline mode limits writing when an internet connection is unavailable
- Novlr5.8/10 · Free plan
A browser-based novel-writing workspace with planning, goals and publishing tools.
Visit NovlrFull verdict → - LivingWriter4.4/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial
A cloud-based writing workspace with manuscript planning, revision history, exports, and AI tools.
Visit LivingWriterFull verdict →
All writing apps comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update

