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Neo

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Write books locally with a bookshelf interface and smart writing tools

Writing AppsProductivityWriting & Content
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Tracked since2026
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The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Completely free and open-source with no accounts or subscriptions required.

Biggest con

Import of existing manuscripts is still rough and may require manual tweaking.

TL;DR - Neo

  • A free, open-source, distraction-free word processor built by a novelist for writing books.
  • Saves all work as plain files locally with no accounts, subscriptions, or cloud dependency.
  • Includes a bookshelf library, smart typography, outlining, placeholders, and exports to EPUB, Word, and PDF.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups

What is Neo?

Editorial review
NEO is a free, open-source word processor designed specifically for writing books. It runs locally on your machine, saving all work as plain files on your disk with no accounts or subscriptions required. The interface is built around a bookshelf metaphor, where your library looks like a collection of books with progress bars, and you can organize them by series or status. NEO focuses on keeping you writing with features like automatic chapter numbering, smart typography (em dashes, curly quotes), and a unique "Enter, Enter, Enter" system for paragraphs, section breaks, and new chapters. It also includes a "Darlings" tab to store cut passages, placeholders for missing details, outlining tools, daily word goals, and exports to EPUB 3, Word, PDF, HTML, markdown, and plain text. The app is built on Electron and can be customized by anyone with JavaScript knowledge.
how we evaluateSourcegithub.com ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free and open-source with no accounts or subscriptions required.
  • Runs locally with all files stored as plain text, giving full control and privacy.
  • Designed by a novelist with practical features like Darlings, placeholders, and smart typography.

Cons

  • Import of existing manuscripts is still rough and may require manual tweaking.
  • Limited to writing books; not suitable for other types of writing or collaboration.

Key Features

Bookshelf library with cover art, progress bars, and drag-and-drop organizationDistraction-free writing with auto-numbering chapters, drop caps, and smart typographyEnter, Enter, Enter system for paragraphs, section breaks, and new chaptersDarlings tab to store cut passages that can be restored to their original locationPlaceholder marks with sticky notes for missing detailsOutlining tab with ghost paragraphs for chapter and section notesDaily word goals, word sprints, and NaNoWriMo-style progress chartExports to EPUB 3, Word .docx, PDF, HTML, markdown, and plain text

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Aug 30, 2026

Open Source

Free

  • Full source code access
  • Community support
  • Self-hosted
Calculate your costView full pricing

Is Neo worth the price?

95/100

The pricing is extremely generous, offering a fully functional open-source version at $0, which is rare for a polished SaaS product.

This makes it an exceptional value for authors who are technically inclined and want full control. It is best for budget-conscious writers who value privacy and customization over premium support or cloud convenience.

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

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Neo FAQ

How does Neo help a novelist organize a multi-book series?

Neo's bookshelf interface allows authors to organize their library by series and status, showing progress bars for each book. This makes it easy to manage multiple titles in a series and track writing progress at a glance. All files are stored as plain text locally, giving full control over the series structure.

How does Neo compare to Scrivener for book writing?

Neo is a completely free and open-source word processor that runs locally with no accounts or subscriptions, whereas Scrivener is a paid application. Both are designed for book writing, but Neo offers practical features like a Darlings tab for cut passages and placeholders for missing details, while Scrivener is a mature alternative with a different feature set. Neo's plain-text file storage ensures full privacy and portability.

What are the main limitations of using Neo for writing projects?

Neo is limited to writing books and is not suitable for other types of writing or collaborative projects. Additionally, importing existing manuscripts may be rough and require manual tweaking. These trade-offs mean Neo works best for authors starting new book projects rather than migrating existing work.

What kind of user benefits most from using Neo?

Individual novelists and authors who want a free, distraction-free writing tool with full control over their files will benefit most from Neo. It is designed by a novelist with practical features like daily word goals, outlining tools, and smart typography, making it ideal for focused book writing without account or subscription requirements.

How is Neo priced?

Neo is completely free to use with no paid plan, no accounts, and no subscriptions required. It is open-source and runs locally, so there are no costs or hidden fees. Authors can download and use it indefinitely without any payment.

How does Neo's 'Enter, Enter, Enter' system work for structuring a manuscript?

Neo's 'Enter, Enter, Enter' system uses a specific keypress pattern to distinguish between paragraphs, section breaks, and new chapters. This allows authors to structure their manuscript efficiently without navigating menus, keeping the focus on writing. The feature is designed to streamline the writing process for books.

Can Neo export books to EPUB and other formats?

Yes, Neo can export books to EPUB 3, Word, PDF, HTML, markdown, and plain text. This gives authors flexibility in publishing and sharing their work across different platforms. The export options cover common formats needed for both digital and print publishing.

How does Neo help authors keep track of cut passages and missing details?

Neo includes a 'Darlings' tab where authors can store cut passages for later reuse, and placeholders allow them to mark missing details without breaking their writing flow. This helps authors maintain momentum while preserving ideas for future revisions.

Source: github.com

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