Choosing the right writing software is one of the most important decisions an author can make. The tool you use shapes your daily workflow, affects your focus, and ultimately influences how you feel about sitting down to write. In this comparison, we'll take an honest look at two options: Atticus and Author's Forge.
Both platforms were built with authors in mind, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Understanding these differences will help you pick the tool that fits your writing life.
Quick Overview
What is Atticus?
Atticus is a browser-based writing and formatting tool created by Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur. It positions itself as an all-in-one solution that combines writing, formatting, and publishing preparation. Atticus costs $147 as a one-time purchase and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook through your web browser.
Atticus has earned a strong reputation in the indie publishing community, particularly for its formatting capabilities. Independent reviewers consistently rate its formatting features highly, praising its 17+ customizable templates and real-time device previews.
What is Author's Forge?
Author's Forge is a desktop application that combines a purpose-built writing environment with an AI Writing Assistant that actually reads your entire work - every chapter, every note, every character detail. It's the only writing tool where AI understands your story as deeply as you do.
The application runs locally on your Mac or Windows computer, requires no account or internet connection, and is free to download and use. Where Atticus emphasizes formatting, Author's Forge emphasizes the writing experience itself: an organizational structure built around how authors think (Libraries, Series, Books, Chapters), a Notes system for world-building and research, and a tab interface that lets you work on multiple documents simultaneously.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Price
Atticus: $147 one-time payment. This includes lifetime updates and unlimited books. There's a 30-day money-back guarantee, but no free trial or free tier.
Author's Forge: Free forever for core features. The complete writing environment, organization tools, and EPUB export are available at no cost. The AI Writing Assistant is available through a Pro subscription ($19.99/month) or pay-as-you-go pricing.
The verdict: For authors just starting out or those who prefer not to invest upfront, Author's Forge removes the financial barrier entirely. Atticus's one-time payment is reasonable compared to subscription software, but $147 is still a meaningful investment for many writers.
Primary Purpose
This is where the two tools diverge most significantly.
Atticus is primarily a formatting tool with writing capabilities added. Independent reviews consistently note that while its formatting earns top marks, its manuscript editor is described as "weak" and "unsuitable as a primary writing tool." Many authors use Atticus alongside another writing app, drafting elsewhere and moving to Atticus for final formatting.
Author's Forge is primarily a writing tool with professional export capabilities. It's designed for the hours you spend drafting, revising, and organizing your manuscript. The focus is on the creative process, with export handling the final step of getting your work into publishable formats.
The verdict: If your main challenge is formatting and you already have a writing workflow you love, Atticus specializes in that final mile. If your main challenge is the writing itself and daily productivity, Author's Forge is purpose-built for that work.
Offline Capability
Atticus: Atticus is a Progressive Web App (PWA), meaning it runs in your browser. It offers offline functionality, but with limitations. You need to first open your project in the browser while online, and importing or exporting files still requires an internet connection. Some users report sync issues when working offline for extended periods.
Author's Forge: Author's Forge runs entirely on your local machine. Your files are stored on your computer, and every core feature works without an internet connection. Write on a plane, in a cabin, or anywhere else - your work is always accessible. (AI features require an internet connection when you choose to use them.)
The verdict: For authors who write in varied locations or value true offline capability, Author's Forge provides genuine independence from internet connectivity. Atticus's offline mode is functional but comes with constraints.
Data Privacy and Ownership
Atticus: Your work is stored in Atticus's cloud infrastructure. This enables features like cross-device access, but it means your manuscripts live on someone else's servers. The company handles your data according to their privacy policy.
Author's Forge: Your files are stored on your computer in standard Markdown files that you can open in any text editor. There's no account requirement and no telemetry on your writing. Want cloud backup? Simply store your library folder in Dropbox, Google Drive, or iCloud - you get cloud sync on your terms, using services you already trust. You own your work completely.
The verdict: Author's Forge gives you full control: keep files purely local for maximum privacy, or sync via your preferred cloud service for backup and cross-device access. With Atticus, cloud storage is mandatory and managed by them.
Writing Environment
Atticus: Atticus offers a clean editor with chapter organization and drag-and-drop reordering. It includes goal tracking and habit features. However, it lacks a dark mode option, and reviewers note the editor feels basic compared to dedicated writing tools. Notably, Atticus has no built-in grammar or spellcheck.
Author's Forge: Author's Forge provides a writing environment structured around how authors actually work - Libraries contain Series, which contain Books, which contain Chapters. A Notes system keeps your world-building and character details accessible alongside your manuscript - create a character note, tag it, and reference it instantly while writing scenes with that character. The AI Writing Assistant reads your entire library, so it can catch when you contradict your own worldbuilding, flag inconsistencies across chapters, and suggest edits that respect your established voice.
The verdict: Atticus's editor is functional but limited - no dark mode, no spellcheck, no AI. Author's Forge offers a writing environment with an AI assistant that actually knows your story, making it meaningfully more useful for the drafting and revision process.
Formatting and Export
Atticus: Atticus offers formatting customization with 17+ chapter templates, real-time previews for various devices (Kindle, iPhone, iPad), and support for box sets and multi-volume works. Export options include ePub, PDF, and DOCX.
Author's Forge: Author's Forge exports to industry-standard EPUB format, included free. The export produces clean, professionally structured files accepted by Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, and all major ebook platforms without modification. Automatic table of contents generation and cover image support are included. For authors bringing existing work into Author's Forge, the AI-powered book import can automatically detect chapters from PDF or DOCX files.
The verdict: Atticus offers more export format options and visual formatting templates. Author's Forge provides professional EPUB export at no cost - files that upload directly to retailers and pass validation - plus intelligent import features that Atticus lacks. For most authors publishing ebooks, both tools produce publish-ready output.
Organization
Atticus: Atticus organizes work by books with chapters that can be dragged and dropped. It supports parts and volumes, making it useful for series and anthologies.
Author's Forge: Author's Forge uses a Libraries and Shelves system inspired by physical bookshelves. Libraries are independent workspaces stored wherever you choose on your computer. Within libraries, you organize work into Series, Books, and Notes. A tab system lets you work on multiple documents simultaneously, keeping research and chapters open side by side.
The verdict: Both tools handle organization competently. Author's Forge's library system offers more flexibility in how and where you store your work, while Atticus keeps things simpler with a single cloud-based structure.
AI Features
Atticus: Atticus does not include AI features. There's no built-in spellcheck, grammar checking, or AI assistance. Authors typically use external tools like Grammarly alongside Atticus, though the platform "strongly discourages" copy-pasting text back into the editor.
Author's Forge: Author's Forge includes an AI Writing Assistant (available through Pro or pay-as-you-go) that understands your entire library - your manuscript, your notes, your world-building, your characters. It can help with inline edits shown in a clear diff view, plot consistency, foreshadowing, and maintaining character voice. There's also AI-powered spellcheck and intelligent book import that automatically detects chapters when importing manuscripts.
The verdict: If you want AI assistance that actually understands your story, Author's Forge is the clear choice. Atticus requires third-party tools for any AI functionality.
Who Should Choose Atticus?
Atticus is a good fit if you:
- Already have a writing workflow you love and need a dedicated formatting tool
- Publish frequently and value advanced formatting customization
- Create box sets, anthologies, or multi-volume works regularly
- Want to preview exactly how your book will look on various devices
- Prefer cloud-based storage with automatic backups
- Use a Chromebook or Linux as your primary machine
Who Should Choose Author's Forge?
Author's Forge is a good fit if you:
- Want a writing tool first and foremost, not primarily a formatter
- Want an AI that actually reads your entire manuscript, notes, and worldbuilding - and catches inconsistencies for you
- Write series and need AI that remembers your entire world across multiple books
- Value an organizational structure that mirrors how you think (Libraries → Series → Books → Chapters)
- Want publish-ready EPUB export without paying $147 upfront
- Prefer controlling where your files live (local, Dropbox, Google Drive - your choice)
- Write in locations without reliable internet access (core features work offline)
- Care about data privacy and owning your files outright
Can You Use Both?
Some authors use multiple tools for different stages of their workflow. You could write in Author's Forge, taking advantage of its AI Writing Assistant and offline capability for drafting, then move to Atticus for final formatting if you need its advanced template options.
Because Author's Forge is free, trying this workflow costs nothing beyond the Atticus license you may already own.
Final Thoughts
Atticus and Author's Forge serve different primary needs. Atticus has built a reputation around formatting customization, and for authors whose main pain point is visual book formatting with lots of template options, it offers that specialization.
Author's Forge focuses on the writing itself - and brings something Atticus can't match: an AI Writing Assistant that has read every word you've written. It knows your characters, your plot, your world. It catches when chapter 12 contradicts chapter 3. For authors who want a tool that helps them write better books, not just prettier ones, that's a meaningful difference.
The best tool is the one that fits your workflow. We've tried to give you an honest comparison so you can make that choice with confidence.