novelWriter
Novel & long-form writingMarkdown novel editor with a project tree and plain-text storage
- Stars
- ★ 3.2k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Free alternatives to Dabble
Last updated · 7 options
Quick answer: novelWriter has the most stars on its repository of the 7 options here (★ 3.2k), followed by Manuskript (★ 2.5k). Stars show popularity, not fit, so check formats, platforms and licence for your own work.
Cloud novel-writing app with plotting, goals and manuscript tools. Here are 7 free options, most-starred first.
Manuskript
Novel & long-form writingOpen-source novel organiser with outliner, index cards and story line
- Stars
- ★ 2.5k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
bibisco
Novel & long-form writingNovel-writing app focused on characters and architecture of the story
- Stars
- ★ 770
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
WaveMaker
Novel & long-form writingBrowser-based novel planner and writer with cards and manuscript view
- Stars
- ★ 19
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
LivingWriter
Novel & long-form writingCloud manuscript app with outlining, boards and collaboration
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Freemium
N
Novlr
Novel & long-form writingCloud novel workspace with goals, courses and manuscript tools
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Freemium
yWriter
Novel & long-form writingFreeware scene-based novel organiser from Spacejock Software
- Licence
- Freeware
- Status
- Free (proprietary)
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FAQ
Is there a free alternative to Dabble?
Yes. WriterAlts lists 7 options: novelWriter, Manuskript, bibisco, WaveMaker, LivingWriter, Novlr and yWriter.
Which Dabble alternatives are open source?
novelWriter (GPL-3.0), Manuskript (GPL-3.0), bibisco (GPL-3.0) and WaveMaker (GPL-3.0). The others are free or freemium but not open source.
Which Dabble alternatives run on a Mac?
novelWriter, Manuskript and bibisco. The others listed here aren't listed for macOS.
Related categories: Novel & long-form writing
Free tools are not always drop-in replacements. Check that a tool exports a format your editor, agent or printer accepts, and back up your manuscript before you switch mid-draft.