Author's Forge vs Campfire

Author's Forge is a local-first writing app for drafting, organizing, formatting, and preparing books for publication. It structures work into libraries, series, books, and chapters, with front matter, back matter, and research notes. Formatting tools include presets, typography controls, trim-size and margin settings, live preview, and reusable themes. Outlining is supported, and exports include EPUB, PDF, DOCX, Markdown, and MP3 audiobook files. Core writing works offline without an account, and manuscripts are stored locally in standard file formats. Paid plans add AI tools for spellcheck, writing assistance, manuscript import, cover art, read aloud, and audiobook export. When AI features are used, portions of content may go to providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. The Free plan costs nothing and includes core writing features but no AI credits. Paid plans start at $20 a month; any paid plan includes a 7-day trial with 1,000 credits, and the selected plan is charged afterward unless canceled. Monthly AI credits reset and do not roll over. The app runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Campfire brings together writing software, a mobile writing app, an online eBook store and a reading app for authors, publishers and readers. Its Manuscript Module supports drafting, chapter organization on a digital corkboard, Index Card View, word-count goals and writing statistics. Worldbuilding tools include modules for characters, cultures, items, locations, philosophies, religions, species, systems, an encyclopedia, magic, maps, research, timelines, arcs, calendars, languages and relationships. Users can invite as many collaborators as they want to view, comment on or edit a project. Campfire states that storage is unlimited across its apps, and manuscripts can be exported as PDF or EPUB. The free desktop app for Mac and Windows supports offline writing. The iOS and Android mobile app requires internet access and omits some modules; free-plan element limits apply in browser and desktop access. Campfire says it backs up work with Amazon servers and keeps projects limited to invited people until sharing or publication. Authors can publish eBooks and digital bonus content and connect Stripe for royalties and sales analytics.