What is the best Linux writing software for novelists?

Question

12

Options
Considered

106

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Recs.

1 min

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

10 Options Considered

Best Linux writing software for novelists	Price	Platforms	API
-- Joplin	FOSS	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS	Yes
-- FocusWriter	Free	-	-
-- Zettlr	0	Linux, macOS, Windows	-
-- Turtl	Free	Windows, Linux, Android	-
-- LibreOffice Writer	-	Windows, Linux, Mac, Android	-

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score 23 · Answer 1

Joplin

Top Pro

Cross-platform

Supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS

Top Pro

Dropbox support

Can sync using Dropbox. See More

Top Pro

Offline access

Top Pro

Encryption

Top Pro

External editor

Write using your preferred text manipulation software. See More

Top Pro

Web clipper

Browser extension saves full pages, clean content, or screen selections to new notes. See More

Top Pro

Supports file attachments

Top Pro

Supports tags for notes

Top Pro

Open source

Peace of mind that there is no malicious piece of software in the app. See More

Top Pro

Supports markdown

Top Pro

Optional CLI interface

Provides a CLI interface for terminal lovers. See More

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score 7 · Answer 2

FocusWriter

Top Pro

Word count

Top Con

No Vim keys

Top Pro

Cross platform including Linux, Windows, Mac OS X

Top Pro

Customizable

Allows for personalized theming. See More

Top Pro

Distraction-free

Configured to offer a distraction-free environment by default. See More

Top Pro

Can save as ODT, RTF, DOCX and TXT

In addition to Text Open Document (ODT), FocusWriter allow to save as Office Open XML (docx), Righ Text Format (RTF) and text file (TXT). See More

Top Pro

Open Source and free with or without donation

Top Pro

Document navigation

Snippet sidebar for jumps and easy content reorganization. See More

See All

score 10 · Answer 3

Zettlr

Top Pro

Focuses on writers

While many Markdown editors don't offer specific support for a certain type of workflow, or offer features for scientific workflows only, Zettlr offers features that help the writing process of journalists or researchers in the arts and humanities. It's a lot more text-focused than most editors. See More

NiceApate's Experience

Works perfectly to create a very flexible Zettelkasten. Only regret is that, so far, Zettlr does not have an iOS version to work on my iPad. See More

Specs

Platforms:Linux, macOS, Windows

License:GPL v3

Cost:0

Top Pro

Citation support

While it supports a lot of syntax (chart, easy image insert, etc.) found in other editors, the great citation support makes it possible to write real articles. Citations from Zotero and Mendeley can be inserted easily, which is a huge plus. See More

Top Pro

Almost perfect

Compared to more than 30 alternatives, paid and free, this is the best option, still not perfect, there are some bugs like creating / editing tables and resizing images, but the PROS destroy the CONS: easy quotes, WYSIWYM , attachments tab (supports attaching and opening links to any file), table of contents, TAGs, easy hyperlink between files (same as citations), export to many formats (like Word, HTML5, PDF), etc. See More

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score 5 · Answer 4

Turtl

All

1

Specs

Platforms:Windows, Linux, Android

score 4 · Answer 5

LibreOffice Writer

Top Pro

Mouse-friendly interface

Unlike command line editors, Writer doesn't require learning special keybindings or memorizing specific commands. Every option and setting is available at the click of a button! See More

Top Con

No mobile apps

No app for Android, iOS. See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows, Linux, Mac, Android

Top Pro

Easy to use

Top Pro

Familiar interface

The GUI is reminiscent of Microsoft Word and just as easy, if not easier, to use. See More

Top Pro

WYSIWYG

What you see is what you get when you hit print! See More

Top Pro

Open source

See All

score 6 · Answer 6

Manuskript

Top Pro

Internal reference system to keep track of everything

Top Pro

Many export formats

Using pandoc, one can export to: HTML, PDF, ePub, DocX, ODT, LaTeX, etc. See More

Top Pro

Free and open source

Manuskript is totally free, and the software is accessible which means anybody can make changes to it if they wish . This means that there are likely plugins and/or add-ons to allow you to do whatever you want with the program. See More

Top Pro

Cross platform

Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. See More

Top Pro

Markdown syntax

Compatible with markdown markup language. See More

See All

score 3 · Answer 7

novelWriter

Top Pro

Reference tags

Specs

Platforms:Linux, Mac, Windows

License:GPL 3.0

Top Pro

Cross-references

Top Pro

Stats on writing

Top Pro

Outline window

Top Pro

Sets up nice chapter, scene structures for writing

Top Pro

Structure for worlds

Top Pro

Structure for plot development

Top Pro

Structure for defining characters

See All

score 4 · Answer 8

Word Grinder

Top Pro

Distraction-free

Just you and your words See More

Top Con

Spell check not included in other languages

Dictionaries not included for spell checking in languages other than English. Hard to find or install. See More

Top Pro

Minimalist

Just the tools needed. See More

Top Con

Limited

Less powerful, with more limited typesetting, than other CLI apps such as Vim and Emacs. See More

Top Pro

Simple learning curve

Only 1 key to remember: ESC (show main menu). See More

Top Pro

No mouse required

Your hands will always be on the keyboard and not jumping to the mouse. See More

Top Pro

Good UI

Adjusting the options of the used terminal, you can get a nice retro look of the 80s, great deal if you run it on cool-retro-term See More

Top Pro

Lightweight

See All

score 3 · Answer 9

Bibisco

Top Pro

Works on Windows, Linux and Mac

This program is available on multiple operating systems, which allows more flexibility down the road. See More

Top Con

Not trully "pay what you want"

Unlocked version costs at least 15€. You can contribute with more, if you want. See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows, Linux, Mac

Top Pro

Free and Open Source

Top Con

Large file size

Compared to the other options, Bibisco has a very large file size. If you are running low on storage, this can be an issue. See More

Top Pro

Great organizational tools

Bibisco comes with a ton of different organizers. It has tools for organizing characters, chapters, structure, narrative strands, timeline, settings, and lots more. See More

Top Pro

Powerful character building tools

Bibisco features a full suite for building your characters. It gives you sets of templates and asks you important questions about your characters to help you develop them more fully. See More

See All

score 1 · Answer 10

DramaQueen

Platforms:Windows, Mac, Linux

score 26 · Answer 11

10 Options Considered

My Recommendation for Joplin

My Recommendation for Joplin

Cross-platform

Dropbox support

Offline access

Encryption

External editor

Web clipper

Supports file attachments

Supports tags for notes

Open source

Supports markdown

Optional CLI interface

My Recommendation for FocusWriter

My Recommendation for FocusWriter

Word count

No Vim keys

Cross platform including Linux, Windows, Mac OS X

Customizable

Distraction-free

Can save as ODT, RTF, DOCX and TXT

Open Source and free with or without donation

Document navigation

My Recommendation for Zettlr

My Recommendation for Zettlr

Focuses on writers

Citation support

Almost perfect

My Recommendation for Turtl

My Recommendation for Turtl

My Recommendation for LibreOffice Writer

My Recommendation for LibreOffice Writer

Mouse-friendly interface

No mobile apps

Easy to use

Familiar interface

WYSIWYG

Open source

My Recommendation for Manuskript

My Recommendation for Manuskript

Internal reference system to keep track of everything

Many export formats

Free and open source

Cross platform

Markdown syntax

My Recommendation for novelWriter

My Recommendation for novelWriter

Reference tags

Cross-references

Stats on writing

Outline window

Sets up nice chapter, scene structures for writing

Structure for worlds

Structure for plot development

Structure for defining characters

My Recommendation for Word Grinder

My Recommendation for Word Grinder

Distraction-free

Spell check not included in other languages

Minimalist

Limited

Simple learning curve

No mouse required

Good UI

Lightweight

My Recommendation for Bibisco

My Recommendation for Bibisco

Works on Windows, Linux and Mac

Not trully "pay what you want"

Free and Open Source

Large file size

Great organizational tools

Powerful character building tools

My Recommendation for DramaQueen

My Recommendation for DramaQueen

Don't see your favorite option? Add it.

My Recommendation for WriteMonkey

My Recommendation for WriteMonkey

My Recommendation for Scrivener