In this post, I‘ll test Novelcrafter, an AI-powered writing platform.
It has multiple features, designated to support authors in all parts of the writing process. Novelcrafter is not tied to one AI model, but rather allows you to integrate multiple AI models, like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Claude, or even local ones.
I’m testing Novelcrafter to see how it performs as an AI fictional writing assistant.
Let’s dive in!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
How to Use It
Getting started with Novelcraft is easy; enter their website. I opted for the 21-day Free trial.
I signed up with my Google account.
My Results
Here is the dashboard.
I started writing by creating a new novel. I let Novelcraft choose the Title for me with the “Surprise me” option, and it seems like my novel will be called “The Post-human Colony”.
A feature that stands out is that you’re able to integrate with various AI models and choose the one that suits your needs best. For example, you can get your API key and connect to OpenAI to access GPT-4.
Novelcrafter’s Codex is a convenient tool that keeps track of your characters, locations, and other essential story elements. When using AI to generate text for you, it takes the details of your characters and story from the Codex. This improves consistency, and makes brainstorming a lot easier since you don’t need to introduce all the details to the AI.
Novelcrafter has a wide range of features to assist your writing process, and it’s not even possible to test and introduce all of them in this review. You can read more about them here.
Pros
- Highly customizable
- A very extensive range of features to support the writing process
- Can be connected to multiple AIs, and can also be used without AI assistance
- Browser-based, no need to install separate software
Cons
- The amount of features feels overwhelming at first
- Uses a separate AI API, which requires setting up and can increase costs.
Pricing
Here are the pricing plans of Novelcrafter. As I mentioned, they offer a 21-day free trial. You don’t need to enter any payment details, and it will expire automatically if you don’t continue. So no need to worry about forgetting to cancel!
- Scribe (€4.27/month)
- Hobbyist (€8.55/month)
- Artisan (€14.95/month)
- Specialist (€21.36/month)
Novelcrafter vs Type.ai
Novelcrafter is a strong choice for writers who want detailed planning and technical control. Its Codex keeps track of characters, places and other story information, while its model integrations let experienced users choose and pay for an external AI service.
Type.ai is the more document-first alternative powered by AI. The manuscript stays at the centre of the workspace, with AI chat and editing commands available inside or beside the draft. The Notes feature on Type.ai build the equivalent of the Codex/Story Bible automatically as you build the manuscript.
It supports documents up to 150,000 words and includes supported AI models, so there is no API key or separate model account to configure.
The difference is mainly about workflow. Novelcrafter gives you more infrastructure before and around the manuscript: the Codex, scene planning and model choice. Type.ai almost eliminates that setup and lets you concentrate on writing, rewriting and finishing the story.
| Category | Novelcrafter | Type.ai |
| Best for | Fiction writers who want deep worldbuilding, structured scene planning and model control | Writers who want a clean place to draft and revise a complete manuscript |
| Main workflow | Planning-first, with Codex entries, scene beats and separate writing views | Document-first, with chat and inline AI tools connected to the manuscript |
| AI access | Connect an external provider or model and pay its usage costs separately | Supported AI models are included with the subscription; no API setup |
| Long-form organisation | Strong Codex for characters, locations, lore and continuity | Nested folders and long documents of up to 150,000 words |
| Editing | Capable, but spread across Novelcrafter’s wider planning system | Highlight text, request a rewrite and accept or reject it inline |
| Model flexibility | Stronger: bring your own key and choose between providers | Simpler, but no bring-your-own-model option |
| Pricing structure | Platform subscription plus any external AI usage | Free fixed-credit plan; paid plans start at 12monthlyor12monthlyor8/month billed annually |
| Learning curv | More setup and more controls to learn | Faster to start if you are familiar with a normal document editor |
Choose Novelcrafter if:
- The Codex and detailed worldbuilding system are central to how you plan.
- You want to select and configure your own AI models.
- You do not mind handling API setup and separate usage costs.
- You prefer to build a novel from structured scenes and beats.
Choose Type.ai if:
- You want to keep a full manuscript in one document while drafting and revising.
- You prefer built-in AI access without configuring an API key.
- Inline rewriting and prose editing matter more than a deep lore database.
- You also write nonfiction or other long-form work outside novels.
Novelcrafter remains the stronger organiser for complex fictional worlds. Type.ai is the cleaner alternative for writers whose main bottleneck is drafting, revising and finishing the manuscript. Neither approach is automatically better. The right choice depends on whether you want more planning control around the book or less friction inside the book.
To Take Home
Novelcrafter is a comprehensive writing platform that supports authors in every step of the writing process. It’s especially suitable for longer novels and texts, as making the most of its wide range of features may take some time and getting used to. It’s a great and helpful tool for serious writers.
Writers who like Novelcrafter’s long-form focus but want built-in AI and a simpler, document-first revision workflow should also compare it with Type.ai.
For inexperienced users, the interface might feel a little overwhelming at first, but it’s designed to be straightforward, and you’ll find it easy to use once you get comfortable with it.