{
    "product": {
        "slug": "novelwriter",
        "name": "novelWriter",
        "kind": "app",
        "website": "https://novelwriter.io/",
        "page": "https://listme.name/software/novelwriter",
        "tagline": "Free open-source plain text editor for novels and notes",
        "summary": "novelWriter is a free, open-source plain text editor for novels, built on plain text files with metadata for synopses, comments and cross-references. It is licensed under GPL-3.0 and runs on Linux, Windows and macOS. Its source is published on GitHub.",
        "platforms": [
            "linux",
            "windows",
            "macos"
        ],
        "pricing": "open-source",
        "price_note": "Free under GPL-3.0; macOS users install through Python",
        "free_to_use": true,
        "open_source": true,
        "license": "GPL-3.0",
        "source": "https://github.com/saga-soft/novelWriter",
        "strengths": [
            "Free and open source under GPL-3.0",
            "Plain text files you can back up and move",
            "Synopsis and cross-reference metadata per file"
        ],
        "limits": [
            "No macOS installer since release 2026.1",
            "Desktop only, with no mobile app listed"
        ],
        "checked": "2026-10-10",
        "connected_to_publisher": false,
        "overview": "novelWriter stores each scene and note as a plain text file in a project folder, which keeps the work portable and easy to back up. Files carry metadata for comments, synopses and cross-references, so one file can link to another. The editor uses a Markdown-like syntax and is built for novels and larger collections of short documents.\n\nThe program is free and open source under GPL-3.0. Its 2026.2 release line is current, and its repository was updated in October 2026. The project discontinued DMG files for macOS with release 2026.1, so Mac users install it from PyPI in a Python environment. The site lists no mobile app and describes no sync service, so backups and sharing rely on your own tools.",
        "highlights": [
            "Plain text project files",
            "Synopsis and comment metadata",
            "Cross-references between files",
            "Python package on PyPI",
            "Runs on Linux, Windows and macOS"
        ],
        "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/products/novelwriter.json"
    },
    "rankings": [
        {
            "list": "novel-and-long-form-writing-apps",
            "name": "Novel and long-form writing apps",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/novel-and-long-form-writing-apps",
            "rank": 9,
            "of": 10,
            "score": 83.5,
            "verdict": "Free, open source under GPL-3.0 and updated in 2026, with synopsis and cross-reference metadata. It is a desktop program with no mobile version listed.",
            "best_for": "Free open-source writing on Linux, Windows or macOS"
        }
    ],
    "alternatives": [
        {
            "slug": "scrivener",
            "name": "Scrivener",
            "score": 94.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/scrivener"
        },
        {
            "slug": "atticus",
            "name": "Atticus",
            "score": 91.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/atticus"
        },
        {
            "slug": "ulysses",
            "name": "Ulysses",
            "score": 90.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/ulysses"
        },
        {
            "slug": "reedsy-studio",
            "name": "Reedsy Studio",
            "score": 89.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/reedsy-studio"
        },
        {
            "slug": "plottr",
            "name": "Plottr",
            "score": 88.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/plottr"
        },
        {
            "slug": "vellum",
            "name": "Vellum",
            "score": 87.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/vellum"
        },
        {
            "slug": "novelcrafter",
            "name": "Novelcrafter",
            "score": 86.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/novelcrafter"
        },
        {
            "slug": "dabble",
            "name": "Dabble",
            "score": 85.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/dabble"
        },
        {
            "slug": "ywriter",
            "name": "yWriter",
            "score": 76.5,
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/ywriter"
        }
    ],
    "links": {
        "page": "https://listme.name/software/novelwriter",
        "markdown": "https://listme.name/software/novelwriter.md",
        "badge": "https://listme.name/badge/novelwriter.svg",
        "alternatives_page": "https://listme.name/alternatives/novelwriter",
        "alternatives_json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/alternatives/novelwriter.json"
    },
    "source": "https://listme.name",
    "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to listme.name.",
    "docs": "https://listme.name/developers"
}