Compare
The outliner that does one thing, and does it for less.
Plenty of tools will help you write a novel. Here's an honest look at how Skissa stacks up against the ones writers ask us about most, including where they might suit you better.
Why writers switch
Where Skissa is different.
Free means free
One whole novel, with unlimited plotlines, scenes and characters, for $0. No trial clock, no character cap. Pro is $3.99 a month when you need more books.
Collaborators don't cost extra
Bring a co-author or editor in on the Free plan. On Pro, invite up to 99 people to the workspace; nobody needs their own subscription.
It notices who's missing
Story Threads follows every character through the book and flags anyone who's been offstage for three chapters or more, so dropped threads surface while they're cheap to fix.
Built by you, not for you
No AI suggestions, no generated scenes, no training on your work. Ever. The outline only knows what you put in it.
Side by side
How we stack up.
- Yes
- Partly
- No
| Feature | SkissaVisual outliner | PlottrVisual outliner | ScrivenerWriting app | CampfireWorldbuilding suite | NovelcrafterAI-assisted writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan, not a trialPlan a whole novel without paying or racing a countdown. | Yes.Free forever for 1 project, nothing capped inside it | No.30-day trial | No.Trial, then a paid licence | Partly.Free tier, capped (e.g. 10 characters) | No.21-day trial |
| Paid plans fromThe cheapest way to unlock everything. | $3.99/moor $39.90/yr | $9.99/moor $60/yr | $59.99one-off, per platform | $12/mo | $4/moAI and invites cost more |
| Work with a co-author or editorShare the outline, not a pile of exported files. | Yes.1 collaborator free, up to 99 on Pro at no extra cost | Partly.Pro only; each collaborator needs a subscription | No.No real-time collaboration | Yes.Unlimited collaborators | Partly.Inviting others needs the $20/mo plan |
| Plotlines × chapters timelineEvery arc as a lane, every chapter as a row, every scene where they cross. | Yes. | Yes. | No.Corkboard and outliner, no plotline grid | Partly.Separate timeline module | Partly.Grid and matrix views of the plan |
| Flags characters who go missingSpot the sidekick who vanished after chapter four. | Yes.Story Threads lists anyone absent 3+ chapters | Partly.Filter the timeline by character | No. | No. | Partly.Matrix shows who appears where |
| Character sheets beside the outlineGoals, secrets, arcs and relationships, linked to scenes. | Yes. | Yes. | Partly.Template documents, not linked to scenes | Yes. | Yes.The Codex |
| In the browser and on your phonePick up the outline on whatever is to hand. | Yes.Any browser; a dedicated outline view on phones | Partly.Browser on Pro; desktop only on the base plan | Partly.Mac, Windows and iOS apps; no web | Yes. | Yes. |
| No generative AIYour ideas stay yours and never train a model. | Yes.A permanent commitment | Yes. | Yes. | ?Unclear.No public policy we could find | No.Built-in AI from the $8/mo plan |
| Write the manuscript in the same appSome tools want to be your word processor too. | No.On purpose: plan in Skissa, draft wherever you like | No. | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
Compiled from each product's public pricing and feature pages on October 6, 2026. Prices are in USD before tax, for the cheapest paid plan billed monthly unless noted. Products change; if something here is out of date, tell us at hello@skissa.app and we'll fix it. All product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Fair's fair
When something else might suit you better.
Skissa is a planning tool, and it's happy to stay one. If your needs lie elsewhere, these are good choices.
Scrivener
If you want planning and drafting in one desktop app, and you write alone. Plenty of writers sketch in Skissa and draft in Scrivener.
Campfire
If your book needs maps, magic systems, invented languages and an encyclopaedia of lore more than it needs a plot timeline.
Novelcrafter
If you want an AI to summarise, brainstorm or draft alongside you. That's a tool we've chosen never to build.
Plottr
If you prefer a desktop app, need offline files on disk, or want to start from a library of ready-made plot templates.
See for yourself. It's free.
Outline a whole novel on the Free plan. Bring your co-author. Upgrade only if you start a second book.