From my experience with Plottr, I found it excels at simplifying the complex process of story planning through its visual timeline and plot grid features. The drag-and-drop interface makes organizing chapters and character arcs intuitive, which is especially helpful for novelists managing intricate storylines or series. However, the lack of a mobile app and limited language support may restrict flexibility for some users. Overall, if you are a writer looking for a focused, easy-to-use tool to outline and structure your stories, Plottr delivers a practical and efficient solution.
Plottr Story Planning Software for Writers and Novelists
Plottr is a visual story planning tool designed to help writers outline novels, develop characters, and organize multi-book series with drag-and-drop timelines and customizable templates.
- Best for
- Novel Plotting
- Key capability
- Visual Timeline

What is Plottr?
Plottr is a visual story planning software designed for writers and novelists to outline and organize their stories. It provides tools such as timelines, plot grids, and character templates to help authors structure their narratives efficiently. Plottr aims to simplify the complex process of story development by offering an intuitive interface that supports both standalone projects and multi-book series planning.

Key features of Plottr
Plottr’s main features include drag-and-drop timeline creation, customizable plot and character templates, series linking, and seamless export options. These features help writers visualize their story arcs, manage characters, and maintain consistency across their work.
Visual Timeline
Create and customize timelines to visualize story progression and pacing.
Plot Grid
Organize plot points and story beats in a grid format for easy overview.
Character Templates
Detailed templates to build and track character traits, arcs, and relationships.
Series Linking
Connect multiple books in a series to maintain continuity and track overarching plots.
Export Options
Export outlines and notes to Scrivener, Word, PDF, and other formats.
Pros and cons of Plottr
Pros
- User-friendly visual story planning tools
- Supports series and multi-book projects
- Flexible export options to popular writing software
- One-time purchase pricing without subscription
- Customizable templates for plots and characters
Cons
- Limited language support (English only)
- No mobile app available
- Some advanced features require Pro version
Key use cases for Plottr
Novel Plotting
Helps authors outline and structure their novels with visual timelines and plot grids.
Character Development
Allows writers to create detailed character profiles and track character arcs.
Series Planning
Supports planning of multi-book series with linked timelines and storylines.
Storyboarding
Enables visual storyboarding to organize scenes and chapters effectively.
Exporting Manuscripts
Exports outlines and notes to popular writing software formats like Scrivener and Word.
How Plottr works
- 1
Create a New Project
Start by setting up a new story or series project within Plottr.
- 2
Outline Your Story
Use timelines and plot grids to map out key events, chapters, and scenes.
- 3
Develop Characters
Fill in character profiles and track their development throughout the story.
- 4
Organize and Adjust
Drag and drop elements to rearrange your plot and refine story flow.
- 5
Export Your Outline
Export your work to formats compatible with writing software like Scrivener or Word.
Who is using Plottr
Plottr pricing
Free Trial
$0
Access to core features for a limited time to evaluate the software.
Standard
$25 one-time
Full access to Plottr desktop app with lifetime updates.
Pro
$35 one-time
Includes all Standard features plus additional templates and export options.
Plans and prices are as published by the vendor and can change. Check the official site before you buy. Open the pricing page (opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions about Plottr
Yes, Plottr is designed with an intuitive interface that is friendly for writers new to story planning.
Plottr is primarily a desktop app for Windows and Mac, but also offers a web version for access on multiple devices.
Yes, you can export your outlines to popular writing tools like Scrivener and Microsoft Word.
Plottr offers a free trial and one-time purchase options rather than a subscription model.
This tool is designed to help users accomplish its core tasks more efficiently. It is typically used by individuals or teams looking to improve productivity and workflow.
Yes, it can help with that use case depending on how you configure it and what features are available. You’ll get the best results with clear inputs and a defined goal.
It depends on your specific needs and how you plan to use the tool. The official website and documentation are the best sources for the latest details.
Some tools offer a free plan or trial with limited features. Availability can vary, so confirm on the official website.
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