Overview

Campfire brings together drafting, story reference, collaboration and digital publishing. The Manuscript Module handles chapters and writing progress, while separate modules organize setting and plot material. Authors can also publish eBooks and digital bonus content through Campfire, retain ownership, and publish elsewhere at the same time.

The product also includes a mobile writing app, an online eBook store and a reading app. Its publishing tools are currently for eBooks and digital bonus content, rather than a broader range of publishing formats.

Key features

Drafting and planning

The Manuscript Module combines drafting with chapter organization on a digital corkboard, an Index Card View, word-count goals and writing statistics. That makes Campfire a better fit for writers who value planning and progress tracking alongside composition than for someone seeking only a straightforward drafting app.

Worldbuilding and collaboration

Dedicated modules cover characters, cultures, items, locations, philosophies, religions, species, systems, encyclopedia entries, magic, maps, research, timelines, arcs, calendars, languages and relationships. The breadth is useful for writers managing a large fictional setting, though users who need only a few reference notes may find this modular approach more than they need.

Authors can invite any number of collaborators to view, comment on or edit a project. Version history helps preserve a record of changes, and Campfire says storage is unlimited across its apps. Projects remain viewable only to invited people until shared or published; Campfire says it backs up work using Amazon servers.

Export and publishing

Campfire compiles manuscripts for PDF or EPUB export, making it practical to prepare digital files for publication. Authors who monetize through Campfire connect a Stripe account for royalties and sales analytics. The platform's current publishing scope is eBooks and digital bonus content, so authors needing other publishing formats should look elsewhere or publish through another service.

Pricing

Campfire has a free plan and paid access. Try For Free costs 0.00 USD per free, requires no credit card and gives limited access to writing and worldbuilding modules. It is a sensible way to explore the workflow, but the limited module access constrains its usefulness for a project that depends on Campfire's full planning toolkit.

Standard Monthly costs 19.00 USD per month and includes access to all modules, collaboration, unlimited storage, and PDF and EPUB export. It suits writers who will use the broader suite and need those capabilities together; it is harder to justify for someone who only wants basic drafting. Campfire also states a paid starting price of $0.50/mo, but the listed Standard Monthly plan is 19.00 USD per month.

Platforms

Campfire supports Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows. Its desktop app is free on Mac and Windows and supports offline writing sessions, an important advantage for writers who work without a reliable connection. The CF Creators mobile app is available for iOS and Android but requires internet access. It allows unlimited element creation, yet does not include every module; browser and desktop access enforce free-plan element limits.

Who it's for

Campfire is a strong fit for authors who need both manuscript organization and extensive story-world reference, especially when collaborators need to review or edit the same project. Writers who want to export publication-ready PDFs or EPUBs can keep drafting and preparation in one system. It is less suitable for offline mobile writing, since the phone app requires internet access, or for authors whose publishing needs extend beyond eBooks and digital bonus content.

Pros and cons

Pros: A broad range of worldbuilding modules gives authors dedicated places to organize story material.
Pros: Unlimited collaborators, version history and unlimited storage support shared, evolving projects.
Pros: Free Mac and Windows desktop apps support offline writing, and manuscripts can be exported as PDF or EPUB.
Cons: The free plan limits module access, while the listed full-access plan costs 19.00 USD per month.
Cons: The mobile app requires an internet connection and omits some modules.
Cons: Campfire publishing currently covers eBooks and digital bonus content only.

Alternatives

For a free wiki-focused option, Wikily offers free wiki creation and reading, with iOS, web and Windows support; choose it when wiki pages matter more than Campfire's manuscript workflow. Kanka has a free Kobold plan with unlimited entries and campaigns, making it worth considering when campaign organization is the priority. Nectory offers a free wiki space with three team members and 1 GB storage, a more bounded fit for teams that need a public wiki and draft-to-publish workflow.

Obsidian Portal has a free Basic plan capped at two campaigns, 2 MB per campaign and one map, so it may suit a small campaign that fits those limits. For wiki hosting rather than an authoring suite, Huijiwiki, wiki.gg, and Miraheze are alternatives. World Anvil is another worldbuilding option.

Browse Game Wiki Software, Book Writing Software or Writing Apps for more options by category.

Verdict

Choose Campfire if you want manuscript drafting, extensive worldbuilding, collaboration and PDF or EPUB export in one platform, with a free desktop app for offline writing. Look elsewhere if you need full-featured mobile access without internet, publishing beyond eBooks and digital bonus content, or a lower-cost route to all modules than the listed Standard Monthly plan.

	Campfire	SmartEdit Writer
Free plan	Yes
Paid from	$19/mo
Platforms	Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows	Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Publishing tools	Yes	Yes
Real-time collaboration	Yes	No
Version history	Yes	Yes
Offline mode	Yes	Yes
Mobile apps	Yes
Export formats	extensive	basic
Paid from	0.5 /mo
Collaboration	Yes

Campfire vs SmartEdit Writer

Campfire

SmartEdit Writer