Best Free NovelAI Alternatives
24 alternatives to NovelAI with a free plan or free tier, ranked by how closely they match. The percentage is a match score, not a popularity score.
Replacing: NovelAI — AI storytelling with creative controlInput: text · Output: text, images
1
Story AI by DreamGen doesn't connect with other writing platforms or tools
Story-first AI with character features; free trial, from $6.26
Input: text · Output: text
Free planFrom $6.26/mo
72%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 2 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character ChatStory Writing
Also tagged for
Book Writing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
2
AI Anime Generator is a tool designed to create a variety of anime art styles, swiftly transforming
Anime art in many styles, generated quickly from your input; $9 a month
Input: text, images · Output: images
Free planFrom $9/mo
70%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps · same core category as NovelAI
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 2 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Anime ArtImage Generation
Also tagged for
Cartoons
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
3
Open source AI art you can run on your own computer
Open-source image model you can run on your own computer; free
Input: text, images · Output: images
Free plan
66%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Image Generation
Also tagged for
Image to ImageVideo GenerationMusic GenerationOpen Source Models
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
4
An AI writing partner that respects your creative voice
A writing partner that respects your creative voice; book focus, from $9/month vs $10
Input: text · Output: text, images
Free planFrom $9/mo
60%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Story Writing
Also tagged for
Book Writing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
5
Production-ready AI art with controls professionals need
Input: text, images · Output: images, video
Free planFrom $2/mo
53%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Each lists the other's core category39/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals11/25
- Feature description similarity4/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Anime ArtImage Generation
Also tagged for
IllustrationImage UpscalingPhoto EditingImage to ImageVideo GenerationImage to VideoTextures
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
6
Yollo AI is an uncensored creative suite that combines AI roleplay chat, image generation and video generation in one place.
Input: text, images · Output: text, images, video
Free planFrom $9.9/mo
50%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals11/25
- Feature description similarity9/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character ChatImage Generation
Also tagged for
Video GenerationVirtual BoyfriendVirtual GirlfriendNSFW Content
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
7
You'll chat with AI characters in uncensored roleplay scenarios
Input: text · Output: text
Free planFrom $3.9/mo
47%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals11/25
- Feature description similarity6/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character ChatStory Writing
Also tagged for
NSFW Content
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
8
Over 100,000 users chat with Tara Official Assistant on Talkie AI
Input: text · Output: text, audio
Free planFrom $4.17/mo
45%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity9/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character Chat
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
9
HeraHentai comes loaded with 13 pre-made characters
Input: text · Output: text, images, video
Free planFrom $6.65/mo
46%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals11/25
- Feature description similarity5/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Anime ArtCharacter Chat
Also tagged for
NSFW Content
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
10
Perchance AI Story is a free AI story generator that writes fiction from a short prompt.
Input: text · Output: text
Free plan
48%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity13/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Story Writing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
11
Character.AI is a chat app where you talk with AI characters instead of a single generic assistant.
Input: text, audio · Output: text, audio
Free planFrom $9.99/moMobile app
44%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals11/25
- Feature description similarity3/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character ChatStory Writing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
12
Want AI companionship without real relationship drama
Input: text, audio · Output: text, images, audio
Free planFrom $6.99/mo
45%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals11/25
- Feature description similarity4/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character ChatImage Generation
Also tagged for
Virtual GirlfriendNSFW Content
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
13
Style Art AI hooks into ChatGPT 4o's vision model to understand your images before transforming them
Input: text, images · Output: images
Free planFrom $9.99/mo
45%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity9/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Image Generation
Also tagged for
Image to Image
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
14
AICartoonGenerator spits out surprisingly polished cartoon artwork
Input: text · Output: images
Free planFrom $9.99/mo
45%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity10/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Anime Art
Also tagged for
Cartoons
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
15
GenTube is an AI-based tool designed for the creation of diverse and captivating visual art. It specializes in enabling users to transform their abstract ideas into visually stunning and hyper-realist
Input: text · Output: images
Free planFrom $9/mo
43%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity7/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character Chat
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
16
Rubii mixes AI character conversations with simplified art creation
Input: text · Output: text, images, video
Free planFrom $7.99/mo
43%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity8/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character Chat
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
17
Dopple.ai is an AI platform that allows users to engage in interactive conversations with fictional characters. Users can chat with iconic characters, seek guidance from virtual mentors, or simply unw
Input: text · Output: text, images
Free planFrom $9.99/mo
43%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity8/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character Chat
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
18
Roleplay whatever fantasy scenario you want with AI companions that actually remember your conversations
Input: text, audio · Output: text, images, audio, video
Free planFrom $9.99/mo
42%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity6/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character Chat
Also tagged for
Virtual GirlfriendNSFW Content
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
19
Run AI characters on your hardware
Input: text, images, documents · Output: text, images
Free plan
43%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity8/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character Chat
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
20
Otherhalf develops complex relationships with you over time
Input: text · Output: text, 3D
Free planFrom $15/mo
43%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity8/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character Chat
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
21
44%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity8/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Anime Art
Also tagged for
AnimationUGC Videos
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
22
42%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity6/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Image Generation
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
23
CloudFlare protection screens are blocking access to MyShell right now
Input: text, images · Output: images, video
Free planFrom $7.49/mo
43%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals11/25
- Feature description similarity2/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Character ChatImage Generation
Also tagged for
Image to Image
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
24
Traditional AI art generators can't keep your characters looking the same from panel to panel
Input: text · Output: images
Free planFrom $19/mo
43%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- One lists the other's core category30/55
- Covers NovelAI's goals5/25
- Feature description similarity7/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 4 we tag NovelAI for
Anime Art
Also tagged for
Comics
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
Can it really replace NovelAI? Vote on each alternative — no account needed. Votes gently reorder the list; they never change the match score.
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At a glance: top NovelAI alternatives
| Tool | Match | Input | Output | Pricing | Free plan | Rating | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Story AI by DreamGen | 72% | text | text | From $6.26/mo | Yes | — | AI Story Generator |
| AnimeAI | 70% | text, images | images | From $9/mo | Yes | — | AI Anime Generator |
| Stable Diffusion | 66% | text, images | images | Free | Yes | — | AI Image Generator |
| NovelCraft | 60% | text | text, images | From $9/mo | Yes | — | AI Book Writing |
| Leonardo AI | 53% | text, images | images, video | From $2/mo | Yes | — | AI Image Generator |
| Yollo AI | 50% | text, images | text, images, video | From $9.9/mo | Yes | — | AI Character |
Frequently asked
What is the best free NovelAI alternative?
Story AI by DreamGen (72% match) is the closest free alternative to NovelAI. AnimeAI (70% match) and Stable Diffusion (66% match) come next.
What is the best NovelAI alternative for chatting with characters?
Yollo AI ranks first for chatting with characters at 83% match. See the full list of NovelAI alternatives for Character Chat.
What is the best NovelAI alternative for generating images?
Stable Diffusion ranks first for generating images at 82% match. See the full list of NovelAI alternatives for Image Generation.
What is the best NovelAI alternative for writing stories?
Story AI by DreamGen ranks first for writing stories at 86% match. See the full list of NovelAI alternatives for Story Writing.
How is the match percentage calculated?
It measures how much of NovelAI's job a tool can take over: shared core category, how many of the same use cases it covers and how similar its feature set is. Popularity and ratings never change the percentage; they only break ties in the order. Lists are recomputed nightly and reviewed by editors for the most-visited tools.
How this list is ranked
The match score measures how much of NovelAI's job each tool can take over: shared core category, how many of the same use cases it covers, and how similar its feature set is. Popularity and ratings do not change the score; they only break ties in the order.
Lists are recomputed nightly from the live catalog and reviewed by our editors for the most-visited tools. Sponsored placements are marked and sit outside the ranking.