15 Best Free Tools for Fantasy Writers in 2025

Written By Rita .
 
Best Free Tools for Fantasy Writers

Calling all fantasy writers (whether your quill is scarred from NaNoWriMo or you're brand new to the realm of world‑building): this post is your treasure chest. 

I’m diving deep into free tools for fantasy writers in 2025—all tested by yours truly.

Expect:

  • Features that solve familiar pain points (plot holes? world‑building overwhelm? character amnesia?)

  • A clear comparison table so you can choose fast

  • Shout-outs to my free Notion templates (character and timeline), plus my fantasy prompt generator

Let’s get into it.

Why your tool stack matters

If you’re an experienced author, you’ve probably felt the drag of switching between half a dozen apps. Databases in one place, chapters in another. 

Beginners may underestimate how sprawling fantasy projects get. 

Free resources for fantasy writers are designed to streamline that chaos.

Common fantasy writing pain points:

  • Losing track of characters or arcs

  • World‑building overwhelm

  • Distraction from writing flow

  • Not enough editing support

💡Tip: Pick one writing app + one world‑building system + one editing helper to avoid app fatigue.

Free Fantasy Writing Tools Comparison

Tool Primary Use Highlight Best For
Google Docs Writing, collaboration Auto-save, real-time comments Anyone needing cloud access
Microsoft Word (web version) Writing, review Familiar interface + offline editing Longtime Word users
Reedsy Studio Writing + formatting Export to EPUB/print-ready files Indie authors formatting for ebook or print
FocusWriter Distraction-free writing Timers, customizable themes Writers who need to block out distractions and just write
LibreOffice Writer Offline writing Full word processor, no subscription Writers who want total file control
Obsidian Note-taking, worldbuilding Graph view + fantasy plugins (calendars, dice, timelines) Worldbuilders and lore nerds
Timeline of Events Database (Notion) Story timeline plotting Track events by fantasy date, type, impact + view by era Plotters and epic fantasy writers
Character Profile Database (Notion) Character tracking Custom character sheets with relationships, arcs, traits Writers tracking complex character arcs across drafts and books
Bibisco Novel structuring Character-driven planning + scene breakdowns Plot-focused writers
Hero’s Journey Template (Sheets/Excel) Plotting & story structure Pre-filled with 12 stages + customizable plot breakdown Writers using classic quest structure or outlining before drafting
ProWritingAid (Free) Editing help Grammar/style reports (500-word limit) Scene-by-scene revision
Grammarly (Free) Grammar + tone Lightweight, browser-based grammar assistant Quick typo catches while drafting
Twine Interactive fiction Choice-based branching story layouts Writers experimenting with nonlinear/interactive stories
Fantasy Prompt Generator Brainstorming + idea generation Randomized prompts for characters, world, quests Writers with creative block or worldbuilding fatigue
Wattpad Publishing & sharing Post stories + build an audience Writers seeking early feedback or audience growth

Best free tools for fantasy writers (by category)

FREE DRAFTING TOOLS

1. Google Docs

Google Docs ranks high on the list of free tools for fantasy writers because of ease and collaboration.

  • What it does: Full-featured word processor in the cloud

  • Why I love it: Auto-saves and tracks revisions so chapters aren’t lost in a crash

  • Quick tip: Use headings + the outline panel for easy chapter navigation

  • Pain fix: Ends the anxiety of lost drafts or manual file versioning

2. Microsoft Word (web version)

Good ol’ reliable. If you’ve been writing since middle school and still reflexively hit Ctrl+S every five minutes, Word is your home turf. The free web version gives you all the essentials without the scary subscription popup.

  • What it does: Browser-based word processor (no subscription needed)

  • Edge: Familiar interface + offline editing if needed

  • Tip: Enable “Review” pane to collect beta-reader comments

  • Pain fix: Retro fit for authors who’ve grown up in Word

P.S. Traditional publishers will likely ask you to submit your manuscript in MS Word.

3. Reedsy Studio

Writing, editing, and formatting all in one place. Reedsy Studio feels like a stripped-down Scrivener that actually exports clean files. Perfect if you’re getting serious about publishing 

  • What it does: Online writing + formatting

  • Highlight: Export to EPUB or print-ready files

  • Tip: Use the built-in style checks (scene length, dialogue vs. prose balance)

  • Pain fix: Syndrome of format confusion before final submission

4. FocusWriter

No tabs. No notifications. No distractions. Just you and the page (and coffee/tea?). FocusWriter is a free fantasy writing tool that blocks out the chaos to help you hit your word count goals.

  • What it does: A distraction‑free writing app

  • Feature: Daily goal trackers & motivating themes

  • Tip: Use it for 25‑minute sprints, then export into your main doc

  • Pain fix: Shields you from distraction when you need full immersion

5. LibreOffice Writer

If you’re looking for free tools for fantasy writers that work offline and don’t nag you to upgrade, LibreOffice Writer is a solid pick. It’s a powerful, open-source word processor that gives you all the formatting control of Word—without the subscription.

  • What it does: A full-featured desktop word processor with styles, formatting, and export options

  • Highlight: Works offline, supports .docx, .odt, and other common file types

  • Tip: Use the Navigator panel for easy chapter jumping, especially in long drafts

  • Pain fix: Perfect for writers who hate cloud dependency or just want to own their files outright

FREE WORLDBUILDING TOOLS

6. Obsidian

If Notion and a corkboard conspiracy wall had a brainy, Markdown-powered child, it’d be Obsidian. This free fantasy writing app is built for obsessive worldbuilders who want to connect characters, locations, timelines, and lore in one giant, living web.

  • What it does: Markdown-based notes linked graph-style

  • Cool feature: Plugins (fantasy calendars, dice rollers, world‑building helpers)

  • Tip: Add the calendar plugin to track event timelines; connect characters, locations, races in one web

  • Pain fix: Fixes world-building overwhelm by visualizing connections

Note: This tool is mainly used for DnD campaigns/TTRPG, but it can be used for fantasy writing, too.

7. Timeline of Events Database (Notion)

Whether your story spans 1,000 years or three awkwardly overlapping POV arcs, this free Notion timeline template keeps your chronology clear. No more scrolling through Word docs wondering when the cursed crown was destroyed or what year your rebellion actually started.

  • What it does: Lets you track every major (or minor) story event by fantasy date, real-time date, age/era, type of event (e.g. battle, prophecy, political shift), and impact

  • Highlight: View events in Gallery, Table, Timeline, or Era view

  • Tip: Tag events as “Lore Only,” “Plot Critical,” or “Character Reveal” to stay focused while drafting

  • Pain fix: Solves the headache of timeline contradictions.

When you’ve got 20+ characters with tangled relationships, conflicting goals, and wildly different backstories, it’s easy to forget key details. This template fixes that. It lets you build deep, visual, fully sortable profiles for every character in your cast.

  • What it does: Tracks everything from race, role, and personality traits to combat skills, religious beliefs, goals, and mental health

  • Highlight: Includes categorized sections like Appearance, Clothing, Personality, Backstory, Relationships, Skills, and more—with toggles and space for images

  • Tip: Use the “Related to” field to two-way link characters together

  • Pain fix: Keeps you consistent across POVs and drafts

FREE PLOT & STRUCTURE TOOLS

9. Bibisco

Bibisco is another gem among free resources for fantasy writers eager to structure deep narratives.

  • What it does: Break your novel into chapters/scenes with character roles

  • Highlight: Forces you to define your protagonist’s wants, needs, and evolution before outlining the plot

  • Tip: Label POV changes, emotional arcs, set pre‑writing time per scene

  • Pain fix: Helps you feel grounded when plot spirals out of control

10. Hero’s Journey Template (Sheets/Excel)

Got a chosen one but no clue what happens after Chapter 2? This spreadsheet walks you through the classic 12-stage Hero’s Journey with prompts and space to draft as you go.

  • What it does: Breaks down all 12 stages with purpose, questions, action steps, and draft space

  • Highlight: Helps you figure out what your hero/ine wants, fears, and faces at every step

  • Tip: Map your existing story to it and spot missing beats

  • Pain fix: Solves structure gaps and keeps your plot from stalling halfway through

FREE EDITING TOOLS

11. ProWritingAid

It’s like having a grammar nerd bestie who points out your weak verbs and overused crutch words (but politely). The free plan only checks 500 words at a time, so it’s more of a scene-by-scene fixer than a full-manuscript edit. Still gold for revision passes.

  • What it does: Desktop/web editor that exposes style, pacing issues

  • Free version: Sentence-length, overused words, basic grammar

  • Tip: Run scene-by-scene—catch repetitive phrasing across POVs

  • Pain fix: Saves hours on manual self-editing

12. Grammarly

For those of us who write “teeth bared” and forget whether it’s bare or bear mid-sentence. Grammarly’s free version quietly fixes your typos and grammar slips without interrupting your flow.

  • What it does: Browser-level grammar and tone assistant

  • Why use: Lightweight, fast suggestions while writing in browsers

  • Tip: Keep tone adjustable between 'neutral' and 'informal'

  • Pain fix: Stops basic errors early, so your beta readers see your voice

IDEA GENERATION & INTERACTIVE TOOLS

13. Twine

Ever wanted to write a branching side quest or a “choose your own fate” fantasy? Twine lets you build interactive stories visually (no coding needed).

  • What it does: Visual interactive fiction platform

  • Best for: Branching fantasy, choose-your-own-adventure

  • Tip: Map branches visually, export to web or proof

  • Pain fix: Useful if your fantasy includes interactive side-stories

14. Fantasy Prompt Generator

If you’re hunting for free tools for fantasy writers that generate ideas (not just organize them), this one’s for you. Whether you're stuck mid-draft or just looking for a fresh twist, my free fantasy prompt generator gives you a quick creative boost.

  • What it does: Gives you randomized writing prompts tailored to fantasy, including categories like worldbuilding, character-driven scenarios, magic systems, and quests

  • Highlight: Designed to help you build vivid worlds and unexpected plotlines, not just generic "write about a storm" fluff

  • Tip: Start your writing session with a warm-up prompt, or plug one into your main WIP for a new twist

  • Pain fix: Cuts through creative block and perfectionism by giving you a place to start

Note: You can only generate up to 20 prompts per day. Resets 24 hours later.

FREE PUBLISHING & SHARING PLATFORM

15. Wattpad

Wattpad is a giant online library where anyone can publish their stories—and anyone can read them. It’s free, social, and full of fantasy readers who are actually hungry for new stories (yes, even unfinished ones).

  • What it does: Lets you publish serial fiction, build a reader base, and get real-time feedback

  • Highlight: You can write and post for free—no fancy formatting or tech setup needed

  • Tip: Use tags like “epic fantasy,” “slow burn,” or “magic academy” to get discovered

  • Pain fix: Helps you build confidence and a following before you ever publish your book

⚠️ Heads-up: Some stories on Wattpad are behind a paywall or ads, and they do offer a premium plan—but publishing and reading most content is totally free.

How to choose your combo of free fantasy writing tools

  1. Write daily? Start with Google Docs (or Word) + FocusWriter

  2. World-builder? Pair Obsidian + timeline template

  3. Interactive/story choices? Use Twine

  4. Draft done? Polish with ProWritingAid

Final tips

You don’t need a hundred apps. You just need a few that actually work for the way you write.

Whether you're drafting, worldbuilding, editing, or plotting across five timelines, the right free fantasy writing tools should make your life easier, not more complicated. 

Pick what helps. Ditch what doesn't.

And don’t forget: the goal is always to spend more time writing, not managing tools.

Happy writing!

Frequently asked questions about free fantasy writing tools

Do I need a different tool for worldbuilding, writing, and editing?

Not necessarily. Some tools (like Obsidian or Notion) can cover multiple parts of the process if you set them up right. But using separate tools can keep things cleaner—worldbuilding in Notion, drafting in Google Docs, editing in ProWritingAid, for example. It’s less about doing it all in one app and more about not fighting your own workflow.

Are these tools beginner-friendly if I’m new to fantasy writing?

Yep. That’s part of the reason I made this list. Tools like the Hero’s Journey Template and Reedsy Studio are super accessible even if you’ve never outlined or formatted anything before. You don’t need to be tech-savvy—you just need a story idea and the willingness to play around a little.

What’s the best free tool for tracking character arcs?

If you want a flexible system that keeps your characters organized and evolving, the Notion Character Profile Database is hard to beat. You can tag emotional arcs, update statuses as they grow, and even connect relationships across books. Plus it’s visual, which helps when your cast starts ballooning.

Can I use these tools if I’m planning to publish traditionally?

Absolutely. Many of them (like Google Docs, MS Word, and Reedsy Studio) are used by indie and traditional authors alike. If you’re going the trad route, just make sure your final manuscript is clean and submitted in a format they accept—usually a .docx file.

What’s the best free website to write a fantasy book on?

Google Docs is probably the easiest, especially if you want to access your draft across devices or share with critique partners. Reedsy Studio is also a great pick—it’s built specifically for writers and handles formatting too. If you’re posting chapter by chapter, Wattpad lets you publish as you write.

Is Scrivener free?

No. Scrivener offers a free trial (usually 30 days of use), but it’s paid software.

 
Rita .
Next

How to Write Fantasy: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners