The free writing software for authors

42 professional tools to write your novel, thesis or essay. Narrative planning, citations, PDF export. 100% web, no install.

Free, no credit card
42 features
Hero's Journey narrative plan
7 citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago...)
PDF, DOCX, EPUB export

2026 Comparison

Extypis vs other writing software

Compare features objectively. No marketing, just facts.

Feature	Extypis	Scrivener	WriteControl	Ulysses	Google Docs
Free (all features)
100% web (no install)
Narrative plan (Hero's Journey)
Character / location / event sheets
Clickable @character mentions
Bibliographic citations (7 styles)
Syllable counter (poetry)
French readability score
Integrated dictionary (12 tabs)
PDF export via LaTeX
Snapshots / versioning
French interface
Price	Free	53 €	11,90 €/mois	5,99 €/mois	Free

42 features. Just enough.

Writing

Rich text editor

Full formatting, headings, tables, images and lists in one editor.

38 slash (/) commands

Commands and ready-to-use templates available instantly with `/`.

Custom slash commands

Create your own `/` commands with custom content. Define a search term, write the content in a mini-editor, and choose whether the command is global…

Markdown support

Markdown syntax is converted automatically as you write.

Zen mode

Hide secondary UI and keep only the writing surface.

Contextual notes (post-its)

Add color-coded sticky notes directly to any passage.

Dictionary

Definitions, synonyms, rhymes, etymology and nuance without leaving the editor.

Narrative outline

Resources, hero's journey and interweaving tools to shape the story.

Non-linear writing

Write scenes in any order, then reorganize them freely.

Organization

Chapters and sheets

A clear tree with statuses and drag-and-drop reordering.

Storyboard

Story overview with summaries, labels, quick preview and scene reordering.

Multi-sheet view

Display and edit multiple sheets and chapters simultaneously.

@character mentions

Insert clickable mentions to your characters, locations and objects.

8 narrative element types

Dedicated cards for characters, locations, conflicts, themes, objects and more.

Tags and filters

Organize projects and find them faster with tags and filters.

Front matter and back matter

Configure a title page with cover image (auto-cropped to 2:3 ratio), metadata (author, publisher, ISBN, copyright). Add front matter (dedication,…

Interface

Customizable toolbar

14 tool groups in the toolbar: dictionary, zen mode, academic notes, history, structure, font size, formatting, alignment, lists, blocks, rich…

Themes and colors

Choose light or dark themes and fine-tune the display for comfort.

Installable web app

Works on desktop, tablet and mobile, and can be installed like an app.

Configurable typography

Fonts, size, line height and text width are adjustable per project.

Productivity

Autosave

Your texts are saved continuously with a local backup safety net.

Snapshots (versions)

Create versions, compare them and restore a previous state.

Writing goals

Set targets in words, pages or time and track your progress.

Keyboard shortcuts

Formatting, structure and navigation at your fingertips, without lifting your hands.

Academic

Footnotes

Quick insertion, auto-numbering and direct navigation for every note.

Bibliographic citations

Academic references with one-click style switching.

Book search

Use ISBNs, titles or URLs to autofill reference metadata.

Analysis

Real-time statistics

Automatic counting: words, characters (with/without spaces), paragraphs, sentences. Average word and sentence length. Reading time estimate (3 speeds:…

Readability score

Measure how easy or demanding your text is to read.

Syllable analysis

Count syllables in classical or phonetic mode for verse writing.

Sentiment analysis

Detects the emotional tone of the text: positive, negative or neutral. Shows a percentage and a visual indicator. Lets you verify that your text's…

Repetition detection

Spot unwanted repetition and refine your style faster.

Connector analysis

Assess the balance of logical connectors and text flow.

Passive voice detection

Spots passive voice sentences and highlights them. Shows the percentage of passive voice in the text. Useful for energizing your writing if you tend…

Mention charts

Visualize your character and location usage: bar chart showing mentions per sheet, pie chart showing distribution per element. Helps identify…

Export

PDF export (LaTeX)

Generate polished PDFs with true typographic quality.

Multi-format export

Export to PDF, DOCX, EPUB, HTML, Markdown or full archive.

Files

PDF and DOCX import

Turn a PDF or DOCX into an Extypis project in a few clicks.

Attachments

Add PDFs, images, audio, video and documents directly to the project.

Inline images

Insert images in your text. Resize with handles, choose alignment (left, center, right, floating). Add a caption. Full-width mode available for…

File management

Dedicated view for all your uploaded files. Filter by type (images, documents, audio, video). Search by name. See metadata (size, upload date). Insert…

Accessibility

Brightness and contrast

Adjust brightness (0.5 to 1.5) and contrast (0.5 to 2.0) of the interface. Accessible from the theme selector. Lets you adapt the display to ambient…

Write, structure, annotate, retrieve, export.

Overview

Structure a long project without losing the thread

As a text grows, the challenge is no longer just writing. You need a clear overview, the ability to move sections without friction, and a reliable sense of where everything belongs.

Chapters and sheets, storyboard, non-linear writing.

Revision

Revise with more distance instead of rewriting blind

Editing gets easier when you can compare versions, spot repetition, measure readability or return to an earlier state without stress.

Snapshots, readability score, repetition detection, statistics.

Novel structure

Organize a novel by chapters and scenes

As a manuscript grows, you need to move, reread and reorder scenes without losing the energy of the whole.

Storyboard, chapters and sheets, quick scene preview.

Narrative coherence

Track characters, places and narrative arcs

The real challenge is not creating a character, but keeping presence, relationships and appearances readable as the text becomes more complex.

@character mentions, narrative elements, mention statistics.

Research corpus

Bring notes, sources and research files together

In academic work, fragmentation is expensive. The main need is to keep citations, references, PDFs and annotations inside one working flow.

Attachments, book search, bibliographic references, notes.

Annotations

Annotate a thesis while keeping the writing fluid

You need to add a note, a clarification or a support document without fragmenting the writing or losing the relevant passage.

Footnotes, contextual notes, attachments.

Meter

Count syllables and check meter faster

In poetry, one doubt about the line can slow the whole poem. You need to control meter without stepping outside the act of writing.

Syllable analysis, French dictionary, integrated prosody.

Visual form

Shape the text with typography that fits the poem

Layout, width and visual rhythm matter as much as the words. Reading comfort should adapt to the poem, not the other way around.

Configurable typography, text width, PDF export.

Argument structure

Structure an essay without losing the argumentative thread

An essay depends on progression. You need to move sections, see the whole and keep the logic of the argument visible.

Storyboard, chapters and sheets, quick preview.

Cohesion

Improve transitions and logical connectors

A text can be sound in substance while still feeling stiff in its links. Useful support helps you see how one idea passes into the next.

Connector analysis, readability score, repetition detection.

Scene structure

Reorganize scenes without losing the whole view

Screenwriting requires fast structural manipulation. You need to move from one scene to another and reconfigure the whole without friction.

Storyboard, chapters and sheets, quick preview.

Scene notes

Keep staging notes attached to the right passage

Directions, remarks and intentions should stay linked to the relevant parts of the text to avoid jumping between separate documents.

Contextual notes, attachments, navigation in the text.

Web readability

Make an article easier to read before publishing

For the web, clarity matters as much as substance. You need to spot heavy sentences, repetition and overly dense passages before they go live.

Readability score, repetition detection, statistics.

Article sources

Retrieve sources and working documents quickly

A solid article often depends on several links, files or notes. Keeping them within reach protects momentum while drafting.

Attachments, references, document import.

Overview

Structure a long project without losing the thread

As a text grows, the challenge is no longer just writing. You need a clear overview, the ability to move sections without friction, and a reliable sense of where everything belongs.

Chapters and sheets, storyboard, non-linear writing.

Revision

Revise with more distance instead of rewriting blind

Editing gets easier when you can compare versions, spot repetition, measure readability or return to an earlier state without stress.

Snapshots, readability score, repetition detection, statistics.

Novel structure

Organize a novel by chapters and scenes

As a manuscript grows, you need to move, reread and reorder scenes without losing the energy of the whole.

Storyboard, chapters and sheets, quick scene preview.

Narrative coherence

Track characters, places and narrative arcs

The real challenge is not creating a character, but keeping presence, relationships and appearances readable as the text becomes more complex.

@character mentions, narrative elements, mention statistics.

Research corpus

Bring notes, sources and research files together

In academic work, fragmentation is expensive. The main need is to keep citations, references, PDFs and annotations inside one working flow.

Attachments, book search, bibliographic references, notes.

Annotations

Annotate a thesis while keeping the writing fluid

You need to add a note, a clarification or a support document without fragmenting the writing or losing the relevant passage.

Footnotes, contextual notes, attachments.

Meter

Count syllables and check meter faster

In poetry, one doubt about the line can slow the whole poem. You need to control meter without stepping outside the act of writing.

Syllable analysis, French dictionary, integrated prosody.

Visual form

Shape the text with typography that fits the poem

Layout, width and visual rhythm matter as much as the words. Reading comfort should adapt to the poem, not the other way around.

Configurable typography, text width, PDF export.

Argument structure

Structure an essay without losing the argumentative thread

An essay depends on progression. You need to move sections, see the whole and keep the logic of the argument visible.

Storyboard, chapters and sheets, quick preview.

Cohesion

Improve transitions and logical connectors

A text can be sound in substance while still feeling stiff in its links. Useful support helps you see how one idea passes into the next.

Connector analysis, readability score, repetition detection.

Scene structure

Reorganize scenes without losing the whole view

Screenwriting requires fast structural manipulation. You need to move from one scene to another and reconfigure the whole without friction.

Storyboard, chapters and sheets, quick preview.

Scene notes

Keep staging notes attached to the right passage

Directions, remarks and intentions should stay linked to the relevant parts of the text to avoid jumping between separate documents.

Contextual notes, attachments, navigation in the text.

Web readability

Make an article easier to read before publishing

For the web, clarity matters as much as substance. You need to spot heavy sentences, repetition and overly dense passages before they go live.

Readability score, repetition detection, statistics.

Article sources

Retrieve sources and working documents quickly

A solid article often depends on several links, files or notes. Keeping them within reach protects momentum while drafting.

Attachments, references, document import.

Fast retrieval

Find an idea, a source or a passage when it matters

Searching across several tools breaks momentum. The real need is to find an excerpt, a note, an attachment or a reference quickly without leaving the work in progress.

Project search, attachments, contextual notes, mentions.

Final output

Export cleanly without rebuilding the document by hand

Moving to a final version should not create a second production phase. The goal is a clean output that stays coherent and adapts to the expected format.

LaTeX PDF export, multi-format export, title page and sections.

Non-linear drafting

Write out of order without breaking the structure

Many writers move through scenes, images or fragments. The right tool lets you write where the energy is, then restore order afterwards.

Independent sheets, non-linear writing, drag-and-drop reordering.

Story steering

Build a narrative plan you can actually use while writing

A plan only helps if it stays connected to the living text. It should steer the story, not sit frozen in a separate document.

Narrative plan, hero journey, interweaving, links to sheets.

Citation styles

Handle citations without redoing the formatting from scratch

Standards change, requirements vary, the bibliography grows. What matters is being able to reformat without starting over.

Bibliographic citations, style switching, footnotes.

Final rendering

Prepare a final version that stays readable and clean

Submission time should not turn into layout repair. Export should preserve structure, notes and bibliography in a clean output.

LaTeX PDF export, multi-format export, configurable title page.

Sound texture

Spot repetitions and heavy sound patterns

After enough revision, you stop hearing everything. A subtle layer of feedback helps reveal lexical repetition and sound effects more clearly.

Repetition detection, dictionary, readability score.

Focus

Reread deeply in a quieter space

To rework a poem, you sometimes need less interface and more attention. The environment should recede without removing useful tools.

Zen mode, contextual notes, snapshots.

Working material

Keep ideas and sources in the same workspace

When notes are scattered, reasoning slows down. The aim is to keep arguments, documents and references close to the draft itself.

Attachments, bibliographic citations, DOCX/PDF import.

Deliberate revision

Compare versions before cutting or rewriting

Essay writing often depends on reformulation. Being able to step back or compare two states changes the quality of revision.

Snapshots, visual comparison, writing goals.

Voices and characters

Differentiate voices and keep track of characters

This is not only about dialogue lines, but about character circulation, coherence of presence and usable markers for rewriting.

@character mentions, narrative elements, tracking views.

History

Recover a scene version before rewriting it

In a screenplay, a scene can change quickly. Comparing, restoring or restarting from an earlier version makes revision more decisive.

Snapshots, compared versions, restore.

Editorial flow

Organize drafts and keep a publishing rhythm

The real need is not just writing one article. It is knowing where several drafts stand and moving them forward at a sustainable pace.

Chapters and sheets, statuses, writing goals.

Pre-publication

Move from draft to a properly finalized version

Before publishing, you need to reread, stabilize and export without rebuilding layout in another tool.

PDF export, multi-format export, document structure.

Fast retrieval

Find an idea, a source or a passage when it matters

Searching across several tools breaks momentum. The real need is to find an excerpt, a note, an attachment or a reference quickly without leaving the work in progress.

Project search, attachments, contextual notes, mentions.

Final output

Export cleanly without rebuilding the document by hand

Moving to a final version should not create a second production phase. The goal is a clean output that stays coherent and adapts to the expected format.

LaTeX PDF export, multi-format export, title page and sections.

Non-linear drafting

Write out of order without breaking the structure

Many writers move through scenes, images or fragments. The right tool lets you write where the energy is, then restore order afterwards.

Independent sheets, non-linear writing, drag-and-drop reordering.

Story steering

Build a narrative plan you can actually use while writing

A plan only helps if it stays connected to the living text. It should steer the story, not sit frozen in a separate document.

Narrative plan, hero journey, interweaving, links to sheets.

Citation styles

Handle citations without redoing the formatting from scratch

Standards change, requirements vary, the bibliography grows. What matters is being able to reformat without starting over.

Bibliographic citations, style switching, footnotes.

Final rendering

Prepare a final version that stays readable and clean

Submission time should not turn into layout repair. Export should preserve structure, notes and bibliography in a clean output.

LaTeX PDF export, multi-format export, configurable title page.

Sound texture

Spot repetitions and heavy sound patterns

After enough revision, you stop hearing everything. A subtle layer of feedback helps reveal lexical repetition and sound effects more clearly.

Repetition detection, dictionary, readability score.

Focus

Reread deeply in a quieter space

To rework a poem, you sometimes need less interface and more attention. The environment should recede without removing useful tools.

Zen mode, contextual notes, snapshots.

Working material

Keep ideas and sources in the same workspace

When notes are scattered, reasoning slows down. The aim is to keep arguments, documents and references close to the draft itself.

Attachments, bibliographic citations, DOCX/PDF import.

Deliberate revision

Compare versions before cutting or rewriting

Essay writing often depends on reformulation. Being able to step back or compare two states changes the quality of revision.

Snapshots, visual comparison, writing goals.

Voices and characters

Differentiate voices and keep track of characters

This is not only about dialogue lines, but about character circulation, coherence of presence and usable markers for rewriting.

@character mentions, narrative elements, tracking views.

History

Recover a scene version before rewriting it

In a screenplay, a scene can change quickly. Comparing, restoring or restarting from an earlier version makes revision more decisive.

Snapshots, compared versions, restore.

Editorial flow

Organize drafts and keep a publishing rhythm

The real need is not just writing one article. It is knowing where several drafts stand and moving them forward at a sustainable pace.

Chapters and sheets, statuses, writing goals.

Pre-publication

Move from draft to a properly finalized version

Before publishing, you need to reread, stabilize and export without rebuilding layout in another tool.

PDF export, multi-format export, document structure.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about Extypis, the free writing software.

What is the best free writing software?

Extypis is a free, French-born, 100% online writing software. It offers 42 professional tools: guided narrative plan (Hero's Journey), 8 types of narrative sheets, bibliographic citations (APA, MLA, Chicago), PDF export via LaTeX, integrated dictionary with 12 tabs (synonyms, rhymes, etymology). Unlike Scrivener (paid, desktop), Extypis runs in the browser with no install.

What software should I use to write a book?

To write a book, you need software that handles long-form structure: chapters, scenes, characters, versions. Extypis offers exactly that: chapter/sheet hierarchy, character sheets with clickable @mentions, 14-step narrative plan, snapshots to revert to previous versions, and editorial-quality PDF export. Everything is free and accessible from a browser.

What's the difference between Extypis and Scrivener?

Scrivener costs €53 (one-time license) and requires installation on macOS or Windows. Extypis is free, 100% web (no install), and built for French: 12-tab dictionary, syllable counter, Flesch readability score adapted to French. Extypis also offers academic citations (7 styles) and an interactive narrative plan that Scrivener doesn't have.

Can I use Extypis for academic writing (thesis, dissertation)?

Yes. Extypis includes a complete bibliographic citation system with 7 styles (APA, MLA, Chicago Notes, Chicago Author-Date, IEEE, Harvard, Vancouver), automatic footnotes, a reference library with ISBN/OpenLibrary search, and professional PDF export via LaTeX. Switch styles in one click — all citations reformat automatically.

Is Extypis really free?

Yes, Extypis is completely free. All 42 features are accessible without subscription and without a credit card: narrative plan, character sheets, academic citations, PDF export, dictionary, style analysis, snapshots. No limits on projects, words or time.

How do I export my manuscript as PDF?

Extypis generates professional-quality PDFs via LaTeX compilation. You can configure the format (A4, A5, Letter), margins, font, size, line spacing. Footnotes are correctly paginated, the bibliography respects the chosen style. You can also export to DOCX (Word), EPUB (e-book), HTML or Markdown.

What types of projects can I write with Extypis?

Extypis adapts to all types of writing: novels and short stories (narrative plan, character sheets), essays and articles (logical connectors, argumentative structure), theses and dissertations (citations, footnotes), poetry (syllable counter, alexandrine detection), theater and screenplays (act/scene structure), blogs (readability score, writing goals).

The free writing software for authors

What is writing software?

Why choose writing software over Word or Google Docs?

Narrative structure

Non-linear writing

Style analysis

Professional export

Features that make the difference

Narrative outline

Bibliographic citations

Multi-sheet view

@character mentions

8 narrative element types

Footnotes

Mention charts

PDF export (LaTeX)

Who is this writing software for?

Novelists & short story writers

Students & researchers

Bloggers & essayists

Extypis vs other writing software

42 features. Just enough.

Writing

Organization

Interface

Productivity

Academic

Analysis

Export

Files

Accessibility

Write, structure, annotate, retrieve, export.

Structure a long project without losing the thread

Revise with more distance instead of rewriting blind

Organize a novel by chapters and scenes

Track characters, places and narrative arcs

Bring notes, sources and research files together

Annotate a thesis while keeping the writing fluid

Count syllables and check meter faster

Shape the text with typography that fits the poem

Structure an essay without losing the argumentative thread

Improve transitions and logical connectors

Reorganize scenes without losing the whole view

Keep staging notes attached to the right passage

Make an article easier to read before publishing

Retrieve sources and working documents quickly

Structure a long project without losing the thread

Revise with more distance instead of rewriting blind

Organize a novel by chapters and scenes

Track characters, places and narrative arcs

Bring notes, sources and research files together

Annotate a thesis while keeping the writing fluid

Count syllables and check meter faster

Shape the text with typography that fits the poem

Structure an essay without losing the argumentative thread

Improve transitions and logical connectors

Reorganize scenes without losing the whole view

Keep staging notes attached to the right passage

Make an article easier to read before publishing

Retrieve sources and working documents quickly

Find an idea, a source or a passage when it matters

Export cleanly without rebuilding the document by hand

Write out of order without breaking the structure

Build a narrative plan you can actually use while writing

Handle citations without redoing the formatting from scratch

Prepare a final version that stays readable and clean

Spot repetitions and heavy sound patterns

Reread deeply in a quieter space

Keep ideas and sources in the same workspace

Compare versions before cutting or rewriting

Differentiate voices and keep track of characters

Recover a scene version before rewriting it

Organize drafts and keep a publishing rhythm

Move from draft to a properly finalized version

Find an idea, a source or a passage when it matters

Export cleanly without rebuilding the document by hand

Write out of order without breaking the structure

Build a narrative plan you can actually use while writing

Handle citations without redoing the formatting from scratch

Prepare a final version that stays readable and clean