#gdocs alternatives

For various reasons, this is now a hot topic. I'm putting my favorites here, please add more in your reblogs. I'm not pointing to Microsoft Word because I hate it.

Local on your computer:

1.

LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org/), Win, Linux, Mac.

Looks like early 2000 Word, works great, imports and exports all formats. Saves in OpenDocumentFormat. Combine with something like Dropbox for Cloud Backup.

2.

FocusWriter (https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/) Win, Linux.

Super customizable to make it look pretty, all toolbars hide to be as non-distracting as possible. Can make typewriter sounds as you type, and you can set daily wordcount goals. Saves in OpenDocumentFormat. Combine with something like Dropbox for Cloud Backup.

3.

Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview) Win, Mac, iOS

The darling of so many writers. Too many things to fiddle with for me, but I'm sure someone else can sing its praises. You can put the database folder into a Dropbox folder for cloud saving (but make sure to always close the program before shutting down).

Web-based:

4.

Reedsy bookeditor (https://reedsy.com/write-a-book) Browser based, works on Firefox on Android. Be aware that they also have a TOS that forbids pornography on publicly shared documents.

My current writing program. Just enough features to be helpful, not so many that I start fiddling. Writing is chapter based, exports to docx, epub, pdf. You can share chapters (for beta reading) with other people registered at Reedsy.

5.

Novelpad (https://novelpad.co/) Browser based.

Looks very promising, there's a youtuber with really informative videos about it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHN8TnwjG1g). I wanted to love it, but the editor didn't work on Firefox on my phone. It might now, but I'm reluctant to switch again.

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An update for the "Alternatives to google docs" post, to adjust it for current times and options.

Local on your computer:

1.

LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org/), Win, Linux, Mac.

Looks like classic Word, works great, imports and exports all formats. Saves in OpenDocumentFormat (.odt) which should be compatible with everything (yes even Word, even if it complains). Combine with some cloud backup for protection against hard drive failures (hard drives WILL FAIL at some point!).

2.

FocusWriter (https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/) Win, Linux.

Super customizable to make it look pretty, all toolbars hide to be as non-distracting as possible. Can make typewriter sounds as you type, and you can set wordcount goals. Free, asks for a one time donation. Saves in odt. Combine with some cloud backup, you know the drill.

3.

Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview) Win, Mac, iOS

According to many writers, the best program for novelists. Too much to fiddle with for me, you should try out the demo version. Not free, but it's a one time payment. You can put the database folder into a cloud based folder for saving, but you have to make sure to always close the program before shutting down.

Web-based:

4.

Ellipsus (https://ellipsus.com/) Browser based.

My current favorite writing program. Made with fic-writers in mind, it even has an AO3 export. No docx or epub export though, only pdf or markdown. But the 'Copy as Rich Text' option works fine to paste things into LibreOffice. Several themes to make it look as pretty as you like, spellcheck, options for collaboration and beta reading, and a new dedicated sharing mode for readers. And also a firm stance against generative AI. I've been using Ellipsus for everything on PC, Android tablet and phone, and it works great.

5.

Reedsy bookeditor (https://reedsy.com/write-a-book) Browser based. Be aware that they have a TOS that forbids pornography on publicly shared documents. Writing is chapter based, it has a notes section, exports to docx, epub, pdf. It is specifically made for formatting your ebook for publishing. You can share chapters (for beta reading) with other people registered at Reedsy.

6.

Campfire (https://www.campfirewriting.com/) Browser based, and an additional app (Android and iOS).

A massive toolbox with modules you pay for as needed, like a timeline element, character arcs, languages, locations, research. There is a free version for one project to test things out, in the paid version you combine the modules you need. Works well in browser, the app looks good for writing but doesn’t have all the features. But everything works just as well in your browser on a tablet or phone.

They are also building a section (https://www.campfirewriting.com/explore) for publishing and reading books and webserials online, which also works in the app.

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