Plottr vs Campfire: outline first, or build the world first?
Both help you plan a novel or series before and while you write. Plottr is a visual outlining and series bible app: you plan on a timeline, then export to your writing app. Campfire is a set of worldbuilding modules (characters, maps, timelines, magic systems and more) with its own manuscript editor. Neither page lists AI writing features; Plottr says plainly that it has none.
Quick answer
- You want to outline on a visual timeline and write in Word or Scrivener: Plottr. It exports outlines to Microsoft Word and Scrivener.
- You build detailed worlds (maps, cultures, languages, magic): Campfire, which has a separate module for each.
- You want to start free with no time limit: Campfire has a free plan with per-module limits. Plottr offers a 30-day free trial instead.
- You want to draft and export the book in the same app: Campfire's manuscript module exports PDF or EPUB. Plottr is for planning; you write elsewhere.
Plans and pricing (as of Oct 2026, USD)
| Plottr | Campfire | |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | 30-day free trial. | Free plan, no credit card. Limited access to all modules, for example 25,000 manuscript words, 10 characters, 20 timeline events and 2 maps. |
| Subscription | Plottr (desktop): $60 a year, no monthly plan. Plottr Pro: $9.99/month or $99 a year. Plottr Pro + Community: $14.99/month or $129 a year. | Standard Monthly: $12/month for all modules. Campfire also sells individual modules; its homepage says paid plans start "as low as $0.50/month". |
| One-time (lifetime) | Plottr $150; Plottr Pro $599; Plottr Pro + Community $649. | Lifetime purchases are offered; the price wasn't shown in the page text we captured. |
| Where it runs | Plottr: Windows and Mac desktop. Pro plans add a browser app (the vendor says it works on tablets), cloud sync and backups. | Browser, desktop and a mobile writing app (CF Creators). Not every module is in the mobile app. |
| Devices | Unlimited household devices on every plan. | Not stated on the pricing page. |
| Collaboration | Real-time collaboration on Pro plans. | Unlimited collaborators who can view, comment or edit, on every account. |
| Writing and export | Outlining, series bible, 40+ plot templates, word count tracking. Exports outlines to Word and Scrivener. | Manuscript editor; compile and export to PDF or EPUB. |
| AI features | "No AI", per the pricing page. | None listed on the pages we checked. |
| Refunds | No refunds after purchase; instead a "Get Your Book Outlined" offer of up to 5 hours of coaching if you meet its conditions. Cancelled subscriptions run to the end of the period, with no prorated refunds. | Refund within 30 days for lifetime purchases and annual subscriptions. Monthly subscriptions are non-refundable. |
| If you stop paying | Pro plans: when the plan expires you lose access to your projects until you renew, so Plottr recommends exporting first. The standard Plottr plan keeps working after it expires, without updates or bug fixes. Lifetime plans don't expire. | Your work stays; anything beyond the free-plan limits becomes read-only. |
Where Plottr is the stronger fit
Plottr is built around one job: turning an idea into a visual outline, using its 40+ templates or your own, and keeping a series bible across books. If you already like your writing app, Plottr's Word and Scrivener export keeps it in the loop. The desktop plan stores files on your device, which some authors prefer. Know the refund rule before buying: Plottr gives a 30-day trial instead of refunds.
Where Campfire is the stronger fit
Campfire suits fantasy and science fiction authors whose planning goes beyond plot: it has separate modules for maps, species, cultures, languages, religions and magic systems. Its free plan lets you try every module with no time limit, and you can pay for only the modules you use. Because it includes a manuscript editor with PDF and EPUB export, some authors may not need a separate drafting app.
What neither page told us
- How either app handles a very large series or world in practice. Use Plottr's trial or Campfire's free plan on a real project.
- Campfire's annual and lifetime prices, which weren't in the page text we captured.