= I have tried it and like it

= I have tried it and love it

No symbol means I have not tried it.

Outlining and Writing Programs

Free Writing Programs/Apps Author Specific:

• yWriter: I used to use this before I got Scrivener. It is not the most sleek looking program, but it works.
• Manuskript: I haven’t tried this one, but it looks similar to yWriter, but with some different features
• Bibisco: A writing and note organizer program with timelines, mind-maps, and more.
• Reedsy Book Editor: It is online(not self-hosted/a program download)
• SmartEdit: a MSWord alternative for writers that is supposed to have several helpful editing features. I haven’t tried it yet.
• Wavemaker: While not open-source, this program is free and can sync to the cloud.
• Quoll Writer: Open-source, and has several unique features, such as “warm up session.”

Non-Author Specific:

• Obsidian: I have started using this for world building, but many authors use it for writing. Within it, you can create your own wiki, and view connections in a cool graph. It is open source, and has many plug-ins you can add.
• Only Office: This one is good for people who want a private cloud-hosted alternative to Google Docs. It is open-source.
• Joplin: The program is free, but the cloud hosting does cost money.
• Trillium: Self-hosted and open-source.
• Anytype: The program is free and private, but for the cloud, you have 1GB of storage, then you’ll need a plan for more.

Subscription Full Version Author Specific:

• Plot Factory:
• Slugline:
• Highland:
• 4thewords: I have tried this in the past. It turns writing into a game, where you send your game character on a monster-fighting quest by writing.
• NovelPad:
• Plottr:
• Living Writer:
• Squibler:

Non-Author Specific:

• Notion: Free limited version

One-Time Payment Full Version

• Scrivener:
• Atticus:

World Building

Apps and Programs Free

• Fantasia Archive: While this free program is designed for DND, it can be helpful for brainstorming worlds and characters, as well as how they all connect together.
• Obsidian: Obsidian has several plugins helpful for world building; such as a calendar map maker.

Free Limited or Trial Versions, Paid Full Version:

• Fantasy Calendar
• Bubisco
• Campfire
• World Anvil
• Inkarnate
• Legend Keeper
• One Stop for Writers

Generators

These generators (often designed for DnD) can generate world information instantly, which you can then alter to fit your stories. They are great time-savers. These are all free.

World Maps:

• Donjon’s Fantasy Map Generator
• Mewo2’s Fantasy Map Generator
• Azgaar’s Fantasy Map Generator

City/Village Maps:

• Watabou’s City Map Generator
• Watabou’s Village Generator
• Eigengrau’s Town Generator
• Probabletrain’s Modern City Map Generator
• Watabou’s Neighborhood Generator

Location Details Generator:

• Rangen’s Country Generator
• Rangen’s City Generator
• Donjon’s Fantasy Calendar Generator
• Rangen’s Laws Generator
• Springhole’s Random Holiday Generator
• Springhole’s Landmarks Generator