FocusWriter vs Novlr
FocusWriter
gottcode.org
Novlr
novlr.orgSide by side
| Figure | FocusWriter | Novlr |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $8/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 5 |
| Spec score · Text App | 8.7 (#3) | 8.6 (#4) |
| Spec score · Writing Apps | 8.0 (#71) | 8.8 (#24) |
| Purpose | FocusWriter is a simple, distraction-free word processor with a hide-away interface that appears when you move the mouse to the screen edges. | Novlr is a creative writing workspace designed to help writers plan, write, stay motivated, and publish. |
| Security | The version 1.9.1 notes say FocusWriter can use strict mode to disable unsafe Qt APIs. | The privacy policy says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with database row-level security and secure session management. |
| Support | The maker asks bug reporters to provide operating system details, reproduction steps, expected behavior, and what actually happened. | Novlr offers in-app support chat, email support, and a writer community on Discord. |
| Writing tools | The program includes on-the-fly statistics, daily goals, multiple open documents, and spell-checking. | Features include focus mode, typewriter mode, writing sprints, goals, streaks, analytics, notes, and a planning grid. |
Plans
Novlr
- FreeFree
- Starter$8 a month
- Studio$16 a month
- Lifetime Studio Member$499 a month
- Lifetime Studio Member$499, paid once
In their own words
FocusWriter
FocusWriter has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Novlr
Novlr is a creative writing workspace for planning, drafting, and publishing projects. Its tools include focus and typewriter modes, writing sprints, goals, streaks, analytics, notes, and a planning grid for following story arcs and plot threads alongside a manuscript. Writing and notes can be exported as DOCX, PDF, ODT, EPUB, or RTF. The Free plan costs nothing and includes two projects, online syncing, notes and planning, focus mode, writing sprints, and analytics. Starter costs $8 a month, billed yearly, with up to 10 projects, 30-day version history, goals, streaks, Academy courses, and community access. Studio costs $16 a month, billed yearly, and adds unlimited projects and version history, Novlr Sites, proofing tools, backups to Google Drive or Dropbox, and priority support. Novlr Sites offers themes and custom domains. Novlr works through current major browsers, including Safari on iOS and Chrome or Firefox on Android, but requires an active internet connection even when saved to a phone or tablet home screen. It has no mobile apps. The company says it does not use writing for AI processing or training.