6 Best AI Novel Writing Software Tools

There are two main types of AI writing tools: general services, such as ChatGPT or Grok (so-called chatbots), and specialized writing tools, such as Sudowrite (for creative assistance), Novelcrafter (for long-form fiction and non-fiction), CopyAI (for copywriting and marketing), SurferSEO (for SEO research and optimization), and others. The best approach is to combine both.

AI tools handle routine and specific writing tasks, such as outlining, brainstorming ideas, grammar editing, fact-checking, and finding useful sources and data. Still, they can't replace a real author (you), as they don't have creative imagination (fingers crossed, Skynet will never appear).

Stay with me as I'll dive deeper into these and other topics related to using AI writing tools, their advantages and drawbacks. You'll get to know a few of the most popular ones, and you'll get detailed guidance on selecting software that fits your purposes and your budget. Hopefully, after just 10 minutes of reading, you'll be able to choose your very own AI assistant that will unburden you and let you focus on pure creative writing.

What is AI writing software?

AI writing tools help fiction writers throughout the entire creative process. These services don't have their own imagination (yet), but they are trained on LLMs (Large Language Models): massive datasets. With the help of natural language processing, AI tools can distinguish, for example, fiction, documentation, poetry, and various literary genres and styles, and "imitate" them. You just have to specify the desired style in your prompt.

Fun fact: while there are dozens, if not hundreds, of AI writing tools (and new ones are coming), there are only a few genuine LLMs. The majority of AI writers are just "wrappers" based on the same algorithms.

When do you need such assistance? Whenever you feel like it. The most common use cases include:

• Overcoming writer's block. If you feel stuck, the tool can brainstorm ideas or generate a few plot twists.
• Generating first drafts and expanding ready outlines.
• Developing characters.
• Generating long descriptions.
• Checking factual accuracy (always ask for sources and double-check all data).
• Editing and refining the final draft.

Why use AI assistance to write a book?

To make your writing process faster, smoother, and easier. Even if you don't want to delegate "real work," such as creative writing, editing tools will come in handy.

Best AI writing software in 2026 for fiction authors

I've tested several of the most popular services for writing fiction and evaluated them according to the following criteria:

• Pricing (and whether a paid plan is really worth buying or a free AI model is good enough)
• Quality of AI-generated content (and whether it can bypass AI detectors)
• User-friendliness (we don't want to spend hours just sorting out how it works, do we?)
• Miscellaneous

Sudowrite: Best for aspiring fiction authors

To start with, the Sudowrite tool asks you in detail what exactly you need it for: what is your writing aspiration, which functionality you're going to use, etc. After a series of short questions, you're offered to upload your draft or create it from scratch.

To be honest, the tool is just amazing. It does literally everything, focusing on storytelling and creating gripping, human-sounding narration.

NovelAI: Best for anime lovers

NovelAI lets you create fanfic or an original story and illustrate them, as it also works as an image generator. It specializes in niche topics: anime, fantasy, and lore fiction. As a newcomer, you'll have 50 text generations for free; after that, you'll have to choose your plan. Luckily, they start at just $10/mo.

Atticus: Best for those unwilling to do the routine tasks

Don't mistake this tool for another service with a similar name: an AI tool for searching and investigating court cases and drafting legal papers. Although it's also extremely useful, it's not our priority for today :)

Atticus's "thing" is text formatting. It can generate content too, but that's nothing special on the AI market. And formatting might be a real pain in the neck for a smart writer, carried by inspiration and not inclined to focus on boring details, such as font type and size, paragraph breaks, etc.

SurferSEO: Best for marketing teams and SEO research specialists

This very article was completely written in SurfersSEO because once you have it, you don't need either Word or Google Docs. Not sure about writing fiction, to be honest, but for creating non-fiction and search engine-optimized content, it's genuinely perfect.

The tool creates a detailed outline for the chosen topic, analyzes keywords, provides similar articles to use as examples, counts the optimal word count, and shows your article's "score" in real time.

ChatGPT / Claude: Best AI chatbots for versatile writing support

ChatGPT and Claude are generic AI chatbots, often described as "about everything and nothing." Even though they don't have the specific functionality of more niche AI writing tools, they are essential for generating ideas, creating detailed outlines, and building characters.

They are both relatively free tools: if you're not a professional writer, SEO specialist, influencer, etc., and don't need to create tons of content on a daily basis, their free plans are more than enough.

Is the writer dead?

No. The author is no more dead than human engineers were when a conveyor was invented. The new tool handles routine tasks and lets an author focus on creative writing.

Human writers are irreplaceable because:

• AI writing tools can only consolidate and compile existing ideas, not create new ones from scratch.
• Chatbots tend to be overly polite and cautious; their voices are... insipid.
• Nothing can replace unique life experiences, personal beliefs, and even judgments.
• Even the best AI novel-writing software, as well as most other AI tools, still require heavy human editing and double fact-checking.

Tips for using AI writing tools effectively

AI writing software is a great assistant, but not a magic pill. A great deal depends on how you use this tool, and I hope the following tips may be of some help.

Prompt is king

The same tool can generate poor or brilliant content depending on the prompt. Make sure your query includes: specific context, relevant character details, desired style, and other fine nuances essential for getting exactly what you want.

"Paid" AI tool isn't necessarily "better"

Don't rush into buying costly AI writers. First, they might well use the same large language models as less fashionable and glorified ones. Secondly, you might go with free AI if it meets your aims.

Human editing is a must, not a whim

Google and other search engines state it quite clearly: they don't object to AI content, but they are against low-quality content. As has been mentioned a million times, smart algorithms are programmed to be informative but "tasteless," without any personal touch, opinion, or emotions — everything that makes text gripping. Don't also use another AI tool to humanize your content, get your hands dirty.

Use the right tool

SurferSEO is great for SEO research, but quite poor for writing a fantasy novel from scratch. Grammarly is one of the best editing tools ever, but it can't create images. Do a little research and make sure you're paying for the right service. Or even better, avail of a trial period or free version first.

Double-check AI content

AI tools don't perform deep research; they just gather information from open sources, which aren't always reliable, because the internet doesn't require proof for "expert" posts. Verify all important information.

Create a unique voice

A generic, helpful, supportive AI voice can attract only another AI (I don't know if it's true, but I recently read about a case where both an HR department and a candidate sent their AI "representatives" to a job interview, and both algorithms got stuck in an endless loop, "you are absolutely right"). Be witty, sarcastic, sassy, childish. Be yourself.

I asked AI to write a joke about human and AI writers for a climactic finish, but all of ChatGPT's attempts were simply unfunny. Well, it just proves my point: AI still can't replace our sense of humor and creativity. Neither can it overcome an existential crisis and turn it into fuel for another immortal poem or novel.

But you can.