Comparison

Narrative vs Write Novel

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Narrative

This app provides a distraction-free writing environment with a sleek interface and advanced editing tools. It offers seamless project synchronization across devices and robust security features. Goal-setting and customizable options enhance the creative process for writers of all levels.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free writing environment
  • Seamless project synchronization
  • Precision editing tools
  • Word count goals and progress tracking
  • Import/export in multiple formats
  • Customizable fonts
  • Flexible notes system
Features
Read full description

How do you like to write? Do you curl up on your sofa with your iPad, sit at a proper desk with a laptop and coffee, or draft on the go with your iPhone? You never know when you might have a great idea! Narrative gives you a calm, focused space to write, wherever you are. • Sync across your devices Your work saves as you type, and syncs to the cloud in real time. It works offline too, syncing again once you're back on a network. • A focused writing environment A clean, minimalist interface with focus mode, dark mode, and customizable fonts. No pop-ups, no productivity pressure — just room to think. • Proofreading that respects your voice Grammar, spelling, and style checks across multiple languages. It highlights issues and makes suggestions — but you decide what to use and what to ignore. Bend the rules however you like. • Word count goals and progress tracking Set goals and watch your progress build, one word at a time. Small, steady motivation for finishing what you start. • Notes alongside your writing Attach notes to your whole project or individual chapters, right next to the page you're working on. • Private, even on a shared device Sign out, and your writing is removed from the device. Sign back in on any device, and it's downloaded fresh from the cloud. Handy if it's not just your eyes that get access to your phone. • Import and export freely Bring existing work in from DOCX or TXT. Export in DOCX, TXT, or EPUB whenever you're ready to share. • Real help, from a real person Need a hand — or just fancy a chat? Our in-app help is a person, not a bot. Start with a free 14-day trial, then keep writing on a free plan or subscribe for unlimited access. Whether you're deep in a novel, shaping short stories, or just getting started — Narrative was made with you in mind. • Contact Us: We love feedback! Please feel free to get in touch using the in-app help chatbox, or email: hello@gonarrative.app • Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ • Privacy policy https://gonarrative.app/privacy.html

About

Write Novel

This app provides a comprehensive workspace for authors to develop stories and write manuscripts. It offers tools for outlining plots, building characters, organizing worldbuilding elements, and tracking writing progress. Export your finished work in various formats.

Highlights
  • Manuscript editor with unlimited length
  • Detailed character profile builder
  • Outline builder for plot structure
  • Worldbuilding database
  • Goal tracking and word count targets
  • Multiple export formats (EPUB, PDF, Word, etc.)
  • Cross-device synchronization
Features
Read full description

Write Novel: Writing Studio is a complete story development and manuscript writing workspace designed for authors, novelists, and screenwriters on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Write your book using a full manuscript editor supporting prologues, chapters, interludes, and epilogues with no limits on overall manuscript length or chapter count. Customize your writing environment with text formatting, custom typography, paragraph spacing, and lined paper mode while monitoring progress through live word count tracking and manuscript search. Please note that pasting text from external sources may not fully preserve original typography, font styling, or custom line spacing formatting. Build detailed character profiles with background notes, physical descriptions, and four distinct personality frameworks including Myers-Briggs, Big Five, Color Code, and custom trait sliders. Connect your cast members by mapping character relationships directly within your project. Organize complex plots with an outline builder for chapters, scenes, and narrative structure, alongside dedicated story arc and character arc tracking tools. Keep worldbuilding elements organized in a comprehensive database for locations, factions, items, lore, and species, and inspect your linked reference notes right inside the editor while writing. Keep all your data synchronized across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and personalize your app layout with custom accent color themes and matching app icons. Maintain writing momentum by setting daily, weekly, and monthly word count targets, supported by streak counters, milestone celebrations, and notification reminders. When your draft is ready, export your manuscript and character details cleanly to EPUB, PDF, Word, RTF, Markdown, Fountain, or JSON, complete with custom project cover images and dedicated e-book cover art. Free usage includes full editing, character building, goal tracking, and exporting capabilities. Creating more than 5 projects and mapping more than 3 character connections per project require an Premium access. Additionally, the outline builder, story and character arc tracking, scene planner, worldbuilding database, in-editor reference panel, iCloud synchronization, and custom accent color themes are Premium features. Character Planner offers optional Premium features through monthly or yearly auto-renewable subscriptions with a 1-week free trial, or via a one-time Lifetime purchase. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. Account renewal charges occur within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions anytime in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://gist.githubusercontent.com/purplestamina17-code/bc97998299800f500675226fad5eb68b/raw/778e1ba1a94aee7abfe264b2272215c8971476dd/gistfile1.html

Screenshots

Narrative4 screens
Write Novel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Write Novel at 5.0 against Narrative's 4.4. Narrative's advantage is ratings volume (51 vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Narrative sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Write Novel sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Write Novel holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Narrative has 51 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Narrative versus Write Novel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNarrativeWrite Novel
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (51 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings51 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 9 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMark MuhlederWeston Lambson

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Narrative

Subscriptions3
  • Narrative Monthly14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Narrative Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Narrative Annual$47.991 Year
3 purchases

Write Novel

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$44.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$149.99

Questions

Is Narrative free?
Narrative is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Write Novel free?
Write Novel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Narrative or Write Novel?
Write Novel is rated higher. Narrative averages 4.4 out of 5 from 51 ratings, while Write Novel averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Narrative or Write Novel have ads?
Neither Narrative nor Write Novel shows ads.

Other comparisons