Storyist vs yWriter

Storyist8.8Visit YyWriter8.6Visit

Higher score Storyist #5 in Book Writing Software 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Storyist

vs

Y yWriter #7 in Book Writing Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit yWriter

• Storyist fits best

  Mac and iOS book writers

• yWriter fits best

  Free multi-platform traditional writers

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Side by side

Feature	Storyist 8.8/10 Visit ↗	YyWriter 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.6
Ranking	#5 in Book Writing Software	#7 in Book Writing Software
Best for	Mac and iOS book writers	Free multi-platform traditional writers
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$19 one-time	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	macOS, iOS	Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations	6 integrations	2 integrations
Features Storyist 0/5 · yWriter 0/5
Outlining tools	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Manuscript formatting	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Cloud sync	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Collaboration	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Revision history	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Export formats	extensive	extensive
Our review
Pros	Combines rich-text editing, outlining, story sheets, and index cards Exports books to ePub, Kindle, and PDF Automatic versions support browsing and restoration	Free desktop software with Windows support and Linux use through Wine Organizes chapters, scenes, characters, locations, and items Exports documents, ebooks, HTML, and LaTeX for publishing workflows
Cons	Available only on macOS and iOS Requires separate one-time purchases for Mac and iOS Cloud storage workflows depend on supported services	Linux use depends on Wine rather than a native desktop version Mobile-app prices are one-time regional store prices that vary by country Its chapter-and-scene structure may not suit one-document writing workflows
Our verdict	Storyist is a creative writing application for novelists and screenwriters who want drafting, planning, project organization, and publishing tools in one workspace. Its rich-text editor supports stylesheets, comments, images, headers,… Read the review →	yWriter is novel-writing software for authors who prefer building a book from chapters and scenes instead of working in one large document. It combines a built-in scene editor with automatic backups, earlier-project restoration, word-count… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Storyist — where it wins

  • Combines rich-text editing, outlining, story sheets, and index cards
  • Exports books to ePub, Kindle, and PDF
  • Automatic versions support browsing and restoration

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on macOS and iOS
  • Requires separate one-time purchases for Mac and iOS
  • Cloud storage workflows depend on supported services

• yWriter — where it wins

  • Free desktop software with Windows support and Linux use through Wine
  • Organizes chapters, scenes, characters, locations, and items
  • Exports documents, ebooks, HTML, and LaTeX for publishing workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Linux use depends on Wine rather than a native desktop version
  • Mobile-app prices are one-time regional store prices that vary by country
  • Its chapter-and-scene structure may not suit one-document writing workflows

• Storyist8.8/10 · Paid

  A focused Mac and iOS workspace for drafting, planning, and publishing books.

  Visit StoryistFull verdict →
• YyWriter8.6/10 · Free plan

  A free, structured writing workspace with broad export and mobile editing options.

  Visit yWriterFull verdict →