Tolstoy Compose review
A strong fit for independent writers working on long, research-heavy documents.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Tolstoy Compose is a browser-based, local-first writing app for long documents, designed for independent writers who need drafting, research, review and publishing tools in one workspace. It keeps research notes, links, citations, comments, suggested edits and version history alongside the document. Tables, images, editable charts and PDF design tools extend it beyond a basic text editor, while imports support DOCX, ODT, Markdown, HTML and plain text.
The Free plan includes writing, research, review and PDF design, with export to Compose, ODT, Markdown, HTML and plain text. Pro costs £60 per user per year when billed annually and removes per-document limits, adds PDF and editable Word export, and includes up to 50 latest automatic versions. Teams provides Pro access for team members, plus team member, Space, seat and annual billing management. This structure makes Free suitable for trying the core workflow, while Pro is the practical choice for larger or more export-focused projects.
Platform coverage is a notable strength: Tolstoy Compose runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, with offline writing after installation. Automatic versions and named snapshots give long-form work a clear revision trail, and citation and bibliography tools suit research-led writing. The trade-off is a narrower collaboration and ecosystem profile, with support through email and documentation and no AI writing, rewriting or summarisation. Choose it for focused solo or small-team document work; writers prioritising extensive integrations, advanced collaboration or AI assistance should consider an alternative.
Tolstoy Compose pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Research shelves, citations and bibliographies stay with the document
- Offline writing, snapshots and automatic versions support long projects
- Runs across web, desktop and mobile with extensive import and export
- Where it doesn't
- Collaboration and integrations are limited
- AI writing, rewriting and summarisation are not included
- PDF and editable Word export require the Pro plan
Tolstoy Compose fact sheet, pricing and score →
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