Sudowrite and NovelAI are the two big names in AI fiction, with very different philosophies: guided and polished vs freeform and customizable. We have reviewed both.
At a glance
| Sudowrite | NovelAI | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.9 | 8.4 |
| Starts at | $19/mo | $10/mo |
| Best for | Guided fiction drafting | Customizable storytelling |
Round 1: Fiction features — Sudowrite
Story Engine and Describe/Expand are more purpose-built and polished. Winner: Sudowrite.
Round 2: Customization — NovelAI
NovelAI lorebooks and tunable models give far more control. Winner: NovelAI.
Round 3: Ease of use — Sudowrite
Sudowrite guides you; NovelAI has a learning curve. Winner: Sudowrite.
Round 4: Price — NovelAI
NovelAI starts at half the price and bundles image generation. Winner: NovelAI.
Who should choose Sudowrite
Choose Sudowrite for polished, guided novel drafting. Read our full Sudowrite review.
Who should choose NovelAI
Choose NovelAI for customizable, private storytelling on a budget. Read our full NovelAI review.
FAQ
The bottom line
Pick Sudowrite for guided quality; pick NovelAI for control and value. See the full ranking in our best AI fiction writing tools guide.