NovelAI
AI-assisted writing, customizable storytelling, secure creative exploration.
Watch NovelAI in Action
Key Takeaways
- What it is
- AI-assisted writing, customizable storytelling, secure creative exploration.
- Pricing
- $10/month · $15/month · $25/month
- Best for
- Advanced AI Storytelling
- Image Generation
- Customizable Editor
- Rating
- 4.4/5
What is NovelAI?
NovelAI is a cutting-edge platform designed to cater to writers, storytellers, and anyone with a creative spark looking to dive into the realm of AI-assisted authorship. At its core, NovelAI is about leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to create immersive and engaging written content. The platform offers a suite of tools that allow users to construct unique stories, visualize characters, and even embark on text-based adventures, all driven by sophisticated AI algorithms. Whether it's crafting a haunting gothic tale or exploring a virtual companionship, NovelAI promises an experience where your imagination is the only limit.
NovelAI differentiates itself with its high-capacity memory for AI continuity and its image generation capabilities, which are particularly appealing to users interested in visual storytelling. Its commitment to privacy and security is also a significant draw for writers who value the confidentiality of their work.
NovelAI excels as a versatile tool that not only aids in creative writing but also introduces a new dimension to the storytelling process with its image generation feature. It's a platform that caters to a wide range of users, from novice writers to seasoned authors, and provides a secure environment to explore and expand one's literary horizons. The ability to customize the AI to individual preferences, along with a supportive user base, makes NovelAI a top contender for anyone looking to enhance their writing experience with AI technology.
Who is Using NovelAI?
Aspiring Authors
Individuals looking to write their first novel or short story find NovelAI's guidance invaluable.
Experienced Writers
Seasoned authors use NovelAI to experiment with new genres or overcome creative hurdles.
Role-Players
Gamers and role-players use the Text Adventure Module to create and navigate through their own interactive stories.
Educators and Students
Teachers use NovelAI as a tool to encourage creative writing, while students use it to enhance their writing skills.
Uncommon Use Cases
Podcast creators have used NovelAI to script dialogue, and concept artists to generate visual ideas for their artwork.
Key Features
Rating Breakdown
Pricing Plans
Paper Tier
- Starts with a free trial
- Including 100 free text generations and access to the AI storyteller
Tablet Tier
$10/month
- Offering unlimited text generations and additional AI modules
Scroll Tier
$15/month
- It provides a larger token memory and extra goodies for a more comprehensive writing experience
Opus Tier
$25/month
- The highest token memory and access to experimental features
Which NovelAI plan should you pick?
Start with the Paper free trial to evaluate text and image generation; choose Tablet for basic paid use, Scroll for larger context, or Opus for heavy image generation and the largest context.
Paper Tier (Free Trial)
Good for new users who need to test text, image, and text-to-speech generation before subscribing.
Tablet Tier
Good for regular users who need unlimited text and text-to-speech generation plus monthly ImageAnlas.
Scroll Tier
Good for storytellers who need a larger context size while retaining Tablet benefits.
Opus Tier
Good for intensive image generation or very long stories requiring the largest context size and the highest monthly ImageAnlas allowance.
NovelAI Use Cases
Write and continue stories
Write directly in the editor and request AI continuations, retries, or alternate branches.
Outcome: Develops prose while preserving editable story history.
Build interactive text adventures
Enter actions or dialogue in Text Adventure mode and let the AI respond narratively.
Outcome: Creates command-driven interactive fiction.
Maintain world information
Create Lorebook entries for characters, locations, objects, factions, and other narrative elements.
Outcome: Adds relevant world details to generation context when activated.
Generate and revise images
Create images from prompts, upload source images, edit with Canvas, and use inpainting or outpainting.
Outcome: Produces and refines anime-inspired artwork.
Revise existing prose
Select text and use Rewrite, Transform, Expand, Condense, or Custom instructions.
Outcome: Changes style, detail, length, or wording of selected passages.
Workflow Ideas with NovelAI
Create a lore-supported story
- 1Create a story and select a model or preset
- 2Add characters, locations, and world rules to a Lorebook
- 3Generate and revise passages in the editor
Refine an uploaded image
- 1Upload an image through Image2Image
- 2Adjust the prompt, strength, and noise settings
- 3Use Inpaint or Canvas tools to correct or extend the result
Build a text adventure
- 1Create a story with Text Adventure mode
- 2Enter actions or dialogue using the Do and Say inputs
- 3Continue the narrative and edit generated passages as needed
How NovelAI fits into your stack
Import Legacy Stories
Import stories from other platforms to continue your work on NovelAI.
AI Modules
Customize your writing experience with various AI-driven themes and styles.
Lorebook
A feature that allows you to keep track of your world-building elements and ensure the AI adheres to your universe's rules.
Pros
- +Enhanced Creativity: NovelAI serves as a muse, providing inspiration and filling in gaps when you're facing writer's block.
- +Accessibility: The platform is cloud-based, which means you can write from anywhere, at any time.
- +Customization: With a range of AI modules, you can emulate famous writing styles or drive your writing in a specific thematic direction.
- +Memory Capacity: The AI's ability to remember up to 8192 tokens of text ensures continuity and depth in storytelling.
Cons
- −Subscription Model: Access to all features requires a monthly subscription, which might not suit everyone's budget.
- −Learning Curve: New users may need some time to familiarize themselves with the platform's capabilities and AI behavior.
- −Dependency on Internet: Being a cloud-based service, a reliable internet connection is essential for a seamless experience.
Limitations & when to consider alternatives
Known limitations
- No permanent free plan. NovelAI offers a one-time free trial rather than an ongoing $0 tier.
- Browser-dependent access. The official documentation describes access through an updated browser and a Progressive Web Application rather than native mobile or desktop software.
- One active model at a time. Only one text-generation model can be used at a time, alongside one supported module.
- Custom Module training is deprecated. Current documentation says training new custom Modules is no longer supported, although existing custom Modules can still be imported.
- Image generation uses ImageAnlas. Image generation consumes ImageAnlas, with allowances and limits varying by subscription tier and generation settings.
Look elsewhere when
- You need a native iOS or Android application.
- You need an ongoing free plan.
- You need team workspaces with named users and shared editing.
- You need third-party integrations or automated cross-tool workflows.
How to Use NovelAI
- 1
NovelAI provides resources to help users get started and make the most of the platform, including guides and a supportive community on Discord.
Who is NovelAI For?
Storytellers
NovelAI provides text-generation models, a story editor, memory, author’s notes, lorebooks, and branching edit history for developing stories.
Text-adventure players and creators
Text Adventure mode interprets player actions and shapes the narrative response around those commands.
Anime-inspired artists
NovelAI combines storytelling with anime-focused image generation, Canvas editing, Image2Image, inpainting, and reference workflows.
Writers seeking revision assistance
The Writer’s Toolbox includes Rewrite, Transform, Expand, Condense, and Custom tools for revising selected passages.
Users who need persistent story context
Lorebooks, Memory, Author’s Notes, and large-context models help maintain narrative details during generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NovelAI have a free version?
NovelAI does not offer a permanent free plan. New users receive a one-time trial with 50 text generations, 30 image generations, and 100 text-to-speech generations.
How much does NovelAI cost?
The paid subscription tiers are Tablet at $10 monthly, Scroll at $15 monthly, and Opus at $25 monthly.
Can NovelAI be used on mobile devices?
Yes. NovelAI runs in an updated mobile browser and can also be installed as a Progressive Web Application from the browser.
Can users train custom AI models?
NovelAI previously supported custom AI Module training, but current documentation says training new custom Modules is no longer supported; existing custom Modules can still be used with older models.
Are stories encrypted?
Stories are encrypted in the browser before server storage, and generation requests are transmitted over secure HTTPS connections.
Can images be uploaded?
Yes. Uploaded images can be used as Image2Image inputs, color guides, thematic starting points, or bases for inpainting.
Community reviews
1 review from people who use NovelAI.
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Floyd R. Kurts
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