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Head-to-head · Book Writing Software

yWriter vs NovelPad

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score yWriter #7 in Book Writing Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit yWriter
NovelPad #8 in Book Writing Software 8.5/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit NovelPad

yWriter leads on 1 check, NovelPad on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreyWriter · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly yWriter
  • Free trialonly NovelPad
  • Most featuresNovelPad · 1 of 5

yWriter scores higher on our rubric for book writing software: 8.6 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

yWriter offers free plan; NovelPad doesn't.

yWriter is the better fit for free multi-platform traditional writers. NovelPad is the better fit for cloud-based planners and collaborators.

  • yWriter fits best

    Free multi-platform traditional writers

  • NovelPad fits best

    Cloud-based planners and collaborators

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Side by side

Feature yWriter 8.6/10 Visit ↗ NovelPad 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.5
Ranking #7 in Book Writing Software #8 in Book Writing Software
Best for Free multi-platform traditional writers Cloud-based planners and collaborators
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $150/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop
Platforms Windows, Linux, iOS, Android Web, macOS, Windows, Linux
Integrations 2 integrations 1 integrations
Features yWriter 0/5 · NovelPad 1/5
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 ✓ (best)
Revision history Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Export formats extensive basic
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Scene, plot, character, and subplot boards support detailed planning
  • Version history, comparisons, and snapshot restore support revision work
  • Cloud plans combine offline writing, synchronization, sharing, and collaboration
Cons
  • 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
  • There is no free plan after the 14-day trial
  • Native mobile apps are not included
  • Desktop Only has no sync or cloud storage
Our verdict

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 →

NovelPad is writing software for professional and aspiring novelists who want one workspace for planning, drafting, revising, and sharing manuscript material. Its tools cover scene, chapter, plot, character, and subplot organization,…

Read the review →
  1. yWriterBook Writing Software 8.6Free plan
  2. NovelPadBook Writing Software 8.514-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • NovelPad — where it wins

    • Scene, plot, character, and subplot boards support detailed planning
    • Version history, comparisons, and snapshot restore support revision work
    • Cloud plans combine offline writing, synchronization, sharing, and collaboration

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan after the 14-day trial
    • Native mobile apps are not included
    • Desktop Only has no sync or cloud storage

More comparisons

All book writing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update