Best Writing Apps for Authors Compared

Compare Storyloft, Scrivener, Atticus, Vellum, Sudowrite, Novelcrafter, Google Docs, and Microsoft Word across writing, editing, AI, formatting, illustration, collaboration, export, and publishing features.

FeatureStoryloftScrivenerAtticusSudowriteNovelcrafter
Full Manuscript Editor✓✓ Powerful but steep learning curve✓ Clean, modern editor~ Basic editor, not manuscript-focused✓ Scene-based editor
Book-Native Structure (chapters, front matter, endnotes, bookmarks)✓ Chapters, front matter, endnotes, bookmarks✓ Binder / folder-based structure~ Chapter-level only✕~ Acts, chapters, scenes — no front matter
Page View with Trim Sizes (see print layout while writing)✓ Custom trim sizes + margin control✕~ Preview in formatting mode only✕✕
Focus / Distraction-Free Mode✓✓ Composition mode✓✓✓
Real-Time Collaboration✓ Live cursors, inline comments✕~ Requires collaborator to own Atticus✕~ In development (Specialist tier)
Named Version Snapshots✓ Named snapshots + restore✓ Snapshots per section✕✕✓ Autosave + version history
Word Count & Writing Goals✓✓✓✕✓
Built-In AI (no API key required)✓ Eddy — fully built in, ready from day one✕ No AI whatsoever✕ No AI whatsoever✓ Proprietary Muse model + GPT / Claude~ BYOK only — requires your own API keys
In-Editor AI Rewrites (apply edits directly — no copy-paste)✓ Select, ask, done — applied in place✕✕~ Rewrites generated separately~ Scene-level, not inline
Voice Personalization (AI learns your writing style)✓ Author profile — rewrites in your voice✕✕~ Style matching via Muse model~ Custom prompts can approximate this
Manuscript Memory / RAG (AI draws from your actual draft)✓ Semantic retrieval from your draft✕✕~ Story Bible — manual context input✓ Codex — strong context management
Persistent AI Chat History✓ Sessions persist with the manuscript✕✕✕✓
AI Research & Citations (search web, save structured sources)✓ Web search + citation library built in✕✕✕✕
AI Plot / Craft Analysis✓ One-click prompts for all craft layers✕✕✓ Brainstorm, describe, rewrite tools✓ Via custom chat prompts
Voice Input (dictation)✓ Whisper transcription built in✕✕✕✕
Character & World Wiki~ Via character profiles + insight library~ Custom metadata / character sheets✕~ Story Bible — manual entry✓ Codex — strongest in class
Story / Plot Outlining~ Heading outline + section manager✓ Corkboard + outliner✕~ Story Bible + Canvas board✓ Plan view, beats, story grid
AI Illustration Generation (characters, scenes, world assets)✓ Characters, scenes, artifacts✕✕✕✕
Character Visual Consistency (reference images across generations)✓ Reference images maintained per character✕✕✕✕
Prose-to-Image Generation (select text → generate illustration)✓ One gesture from the bubble menu✕✕✕✕
Visual Style Presets (lock aesthetic across all images)✓ Style Brain — apply across all assets✕✕✕✕
Masked Image Editing / Inpainting✓ Paint mask + targeted instruction✕✕✕✕
AI Cover Generation (manuscript-aware, character-referenced)✓ Connected to your manuscript & characters✕✕✕✕
AI Back-Cover Blurb Writer✓ Hook-first, genre-appropriate✕✕~ Can generate via prompt~ Via AI chat
Professionally Designed Book Themes (genre-appropriate typography)✓ Multiple genre themes — not web templates✕ No interior design✓ Good formatting templates✕✕
Curated Font Pairings (selected for reading quality)✓ Paired for genre + readability✕~ Font selection available — not curated pairs✕✕
Designed Chapter Headers (decorative elements, counters, image headers)✓ Counter + image library integration✕~ Custom chapter styling available✕✕
Print-Ready PDF Export (trim size, margins, production quality)✓ From inside the editor✓ Via compile — complex workflow✓ Core strength of the platform✕✕
Ebook / EPUB Export (retail-ready for KDP, Apple Books, Ingram)✓ Guided metadata + retail-ready✓ Via compile✓ Core strength✕✕
DOCX Export (Word-compatible for agents & editors)✓✓✓✕✓
Live Print Preview in Editor (see your book as it prints, while writing)✓ Page view with trim size in editor✕~ In formatting mode — not the editor✕✕
Cloud-Based / Any Device✓~ Desktop app — iOS sold separately✓ Browser-based + desktop✓✓
No API Key Setup Required✓ Works from day one✓ No AI to configure✓ No AI to configure✓ Built-in AI included✕ BYOK required before any AI works
Free Trial Available✓ 7-day free trial + 30-day money-back✓ 30-day trial (use-days based)~ 30-day money-back guarantee✓ Free trial available✓ 21-day trial — no card required
Learning Curve~ Moderate — designed to be approachable✕ High — especially the compile system✓ Low — intuitive from day one✓ Low-moderate — easy to start~ High — technical setup required
Ready when you are

See what your book feels like in Storyloft.

Bring in a manuscript or start with a blank page. Write your first 5,000 words free and experience a calm, focused workflow with your own book.

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Your first 5,000 words Start with the book you're actually writing.
  • Write and organize your manuscript
  • Work with Eddy alongside your book
  • Create book covers and illustrations
  • Save and organize notes with your book
  • Prepare your book for print and ebook
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