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yWriter

spacejock.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
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Spec score 8.8 #26 of 135 in Writing Apps

What it is

yWriter is novel-writing software that organizes a manuscript into chapters and scenes; it does not generate plot ideas or perform creative tasks. Scenes can be moved between chapters by drag and drop, and unused scenes can be left out of word counts and exports without being deleted. Each scene can record a viewpoint character, goal, conflict, and outcome, and can include multiple characters. The program tracks word counts per file and for the project, and keeps a daily log of words written. Automatic backups can run at user-set intervals, and the editor can save timed scene snapshots. yWriter is available for Windows, with Linux use tested through Wine, as well as Android and iOS apps. The Windows application stores data on the user's computer and needs no internet connection for ordinary use. The site says mobile versions are intended for editing PC projects on the go using Dropbox. The Windows version is free to use and supports Windows 7 SP1 or newer; the macOS beta is temporarily free but unstable. Mobile apps are described as available for a small charge, with no amount listed.

Spec sheet

What it does
yWriter is a novel-writing word processor that structures projects as chapters and scenes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Purpose
yWriter is novel-writing software that organizes a novel into chapters and scenes and does not generate plot ideas or perform creative tasks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Free plan
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · spacejock.com
Integrations
Mobile editions use Dropbox to edit desktop projects, while the desktop program can back up to FTP when server credentials are supplied.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Mobile apps
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · spacejock.com
Support
Support channels include a Google Group, Facebook page, email and an Android user forum.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Maker
Simon Haynes identifies himself as yWriter's programmer and author.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
AI stance
The maker explicitly says yWriter will not generate prose, suggest plot ideas or perform creative tasks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Android data safety
Google Play lists no third-party data sharing, encrypted data in transit and collection of app information and performance data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
API and SDK
No public API or SDK is documented, and the maker says the software source code is not available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Backups
Automatic backups run at user-selected intervals and sequential snapshots allow earlier scene versions to be restored.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Company legal entity
Australian government records show Spacejock Consultants Pty Ltd, formerly Spacejock Industries Pty Ltd, active from 3 June 2000.Read 15 Oct 2026 · abr.business.gov.au
Company location
The Australian registry lists the main business location as NSW 2482, Australia, from 23 December 2024.Read 15 Oct 2026 · abr.business.gov.au
Data handling
The Windows application is standalone, does not need or use an internet connection for ordinary use, and stores data on the user's computer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Documentation
The maker provides a comprehensive online help index, FAQ and a downloadable quickstart guide.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Export formats
The official page lists RTF, LaTeX, EPUB, and MOBI export capabilities.Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Exports
The Windows version exports RTF, LaTeX, EPUB and MOBI, and can export selected chapters.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Internet use
The site says the Windows version connects online only for its update check or when the user uses backup to FTP and supplies server credentials.Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Licence
The product is proprietary freeware rather than open source; the site states that all rights are reserved and source code is unavailable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Limit: dated interface
Independent reviewers describe the interface as sparse, dated or visually unpolished compared with Scrivener.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thenovelkit.com
Limit: detail fields
A hands-on reviewer found location records too shallow for complex fantasy world-building and some fields tedious to maintain.Read 15 Oct 2026 · katiebachelder.com
Limit: manual metadata
The Novel Kit notes that characters and other records must be entered manually and prose is not scanned for consistency.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thenovelkit.com
Limit: mobile parity
Google Play reviewers report missing PC metadata, weak import/export workflows and extra project instances in the Android app.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Limit: platform reach
Reviewers say Windows is the primary platform and other desktop systems generally require a compatibility layer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · thenovelkit.com
Links in documents
Scene content and descriptions can contain links to web pages and local files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Maker and audience
Simon Haynes identifies himself as the designer and programmer, and says he is a published author who designed yWriter for novelists.Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Notable news
The maker's news page records yWriter Android's public release on 6 July 2017 and a MacOS project announcement on 9 July 2019.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Offline mode
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · spacejock.com
Offline operation
The desktop application stores data locally and normally does not require an internet connection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Planning fields
Each scene can include viewpoint character, goal, conflict, and outcome, and scenes can have multiple characters.Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Platform compatibility
The Windows edition is compatible with Windows 7 SP1 and newer, and the maker says it has been tested on Linux using Wine.Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Praise: focus
PCWorld describes the conventional, uncluttered interface and low system overhead as useful for distraction-free writing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pcworld.com
Praise: organization
Independent reviewers repeatedly praise chapter-and-scene structure, character/location records and detailed word-count tracking.Read 15 Oct 2026 · katiebachelder.com
Praise: value
PCWorld and an independent hands-on reviewer both praise yWriter as free and practical for authors on a budget.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pcworld.com
Progress tracking
The feature list says yWriter shows word counts per project file and total, and saves a daily log of words per file and overall.Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Publishing tools
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · spacejock.com
Rating on Apple App Store
3.1 out of 5 from 25 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Google Play
3.2 out of 5 from 161 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Scene organization
Scenes can be moved between chapters by drag and drop and marked unused so they stay out of counts and exports.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Security limitation
The FAQ says project passwords are only a reminder and do not encrypt files or prevent a determined person from reading project data.Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Security statement
Spacejock says its software is virus-free and contains no unwanted toolbars, trojans or similar extras.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Story elements
Projects can contain characters, items, locations, notes and pictures linked to scenes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pcworld.com
Story metadata
Each scene supports viewpoint, goal, conflict, outcome and multiple-character fields.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Storyboard
A storyboard view provides a visual layout of the project.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
System requirements
yWriter7 requires Windows 7 SP1 or newer and .NET Framework 4.8 or newer; Linux use is through Wine.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Version history
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · spacejock.com
Word tracking
The desktop program shows per-file and total word counts and records daily progress logs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com

Plans and prices

Desktop Price not published Free desktop software · Windows support · Linux use tested through Wine Read 19 Sep 2026 · spacejock.com
Android Price not published Android novel-writing app · Edits novels in chapters and scenes · Compatible with yWriter7 desktop projects Read 19 Sep 2026 · play.google.com
iOS Price not published iPhone and iPad app · Edits novels in chapters and scenes · Supports transferring projects between local and cloud storage Read 19 Sep 2026 · apps.apple.com
Mac beta Free temporarily free during beta; paid when complete macOS beta · unstable · Apple Silicon recommended Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Windows desktop Free free to download and use Windows 7 SP1+ · Linux via Wine tested · .NET Framework 4.8+ Read 15 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
yWriter7 for Windows Free Free to download and use; optional registration is encouraged. Windows 7 SP1 or newer · requires .NET 4.8 or newer Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
yWriter for MacOS beta Free Beta is temporarily free for feedback; the completed software will be paid. MacOS beta · unstable · back up projects before opening Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
Android app $5.49, paid once one-time purchase Android · edits yWriter projects · 5K+ downloads Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
iPhone/iPad app $14.99, paid once one-time App Store price iOS 9+ · iPadOS 9+ · Apple-silicon macOS 11+ compatibility Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
yWriter for Android Price not published The official site says the mobile versions are available for a small charge; it does not state an amount. Android · intended for editing PC projects on the go using Dropbox Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com
yWriter for iOS Price not published The official site says the mobile versions are available for a small charge; it does not state an amount. iOS · intended for editing PC projects on the go using Dropbox Read 11 Oct 2026 · spacejock.com

Every yWriter plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Organizes novels into chapters and scenes
  • Tracks project and daily word counts
  • Supports offline Windows use
  • Offers automatic backups and timed scene snapshots
  • Unused scenes can be excluded without deletion

Limits

  • Does not generate plot ideas or creative content
  • Project passwords do not encrypt files
  • macOS beta is unstable

Who it suits

yWriter is aimed at novelists who want to structure and track work in chapters and scenes. It may suit writers seeking offline Windows software or mobile editing options, provided they account for the stated platform and security limitations.

Verdict

yWriter focuses on organizing and tracking a novel rather than generating creative material. Its offline Windows use and scene tools are clearly described, while project passwords should not be treated as file encryption.

Where Specifiction places it

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