Google Docs vs Novlr
Google Docs
docs.google.comNovlr
novlr.orgSide by side
| Figure | Google Docs | Novlr |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $7/mo | $8/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 11 | 5 |
| Spec score · Text App | 8.3 (#7) | 8.6 (#4) |
| Collaboration | People can edit and comment together, assign tasks, manage access permissions, and restore earlier document versions. | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Docs connects with Gmail, Google Drive, Sheets, Calendar, Chat, and Meet features. | Studio offers additional backups to Google Drive or Dropbox. |
| Purpose | Google Docs is an online document editor for creating and collaborating on content. | Novlr is a creative writing workspace designed to help writers plan, write, stay motivated, and publish. |
| Security | Google says Docs data is encrypted by default and supports privacy controls and advanced client-side encryption. | The privacy policy says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with database row-level security and secure session management. |
Plans
Google Docs
- Business Starter — Flexible$8.40 a month
- Business Starter — Annual/Fixed-Term$7 a month
- Business Starter — Annual payment$84 a year
- Business Standard — Flexible$16.80 a month
- Business Standard — Annual/Fixed-Term$14 a month
- Business Plus — Flexible$26.40 a month
- Business Plus — Annual/Fixed-Term$22 a month
- Business PlusPrice not published
- Business StandardPrice not published
- Business StarterPrice not published
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
Google Docs
Google Docs is an online document editor for creating content and collaborating with others. It includes templates, smart canvas building blocks, smart chips, pageless mode, and document tabs. Collaborators can edit and comment together, assign tasks, manage permissions, and restore earlier versions. Gemini in Docs can draft documents using information from Drive, Gmail, and Chat. Docs can create meeting notes from Calendar events and supports electronic signatures and contract templates. Microsoft Word and PDF files can be imported, while Word files can be edited while preserving the original. Documents can be created, accessed, and edited offline. Docs connects with Gmail, Drive, Sheets, Calendar, Chat, and Meet. Anyone with a Google Account can create documents, although some features require a Google Workspace plan. It runs in web browsers and on Android and iOS devices. A free plan and 14-day trial are listed; paid Workspace plans start at 7 USD per user per month with annual billing. Google says data is encrypted by default.
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.