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.
| Feature | Storyloft | Scrivener | Atticus | Sudowrite | Novelcrafter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |