- Wattpad alternatives side by side
- Nine story writing sites and apps to try instead of Wattpad
- How to choose among Wattpad alternatives as a writer
- Which Wattpad alternative suits which kind of writer
- Keeping readers safe on any story site
- Moving your stories away from Wattpad
- Mistakes writers make when changing story platform
- A quick checklist before you choose a Wattpad alternative
- Frequently asked questions
The right Wattpad alternative depends on what you write, whether you want readers or feedback and how you plan to post. This page lists nine story writing sites and apps in no particular order, then explains how to choose one and move your work safely.
Wattpad is the place many people first post a story, and for good reason. But it isn't the only home for fiction, and plenty of writers want something different: stricter feedback, a quieter community, a focus on one genre or a way to reach readers who already follow them. If you're wondering where else your chapters could live, there's a good range to look at.
This page lists nine Wattpad alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. I've mixed larger names with smaller, independent communities. Everything below comes from each site's own pages or official app listing, so check the current details before you sign up. If you're also planning how to get your stories seen, my guide to scheduling tools for social posts can help.
Wattpad alternatives side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the site's own pages describe free joining or free reading. No means I couldn't find a free option stated on its pages, which isn't the same as there being none, so check before you decide.
| Tool | Type of site | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archive of Our Own | Non-profit fan fiction archive | Fan stories across many fandoms | Yes |
| Booksie | Story sharing site | Novels, short stories and poems | Yes |
| Inkitt | Reading app with an author community | Indie novels and first-time authors | Yes |
| Miraquill | Social network for writers and poets | Short pieces, poems and quotes | No |
| Reedsy Studio | Book writing and formatting tool | Drafting and formatting a full book | Yes |
| Scribophile | Online writing group | Swapping critiques with other writers | Yes |
| Substack | Newsletter publishing platform | Serial stories sent straight to readers | Yes |
| Tapas | Comics and novels reading site | Illustrated and serialised stories | Yes |
| Writing.Com | Long-running writing community | Feedback, prompts and private drafts | Yes |
Nine story writing sites and apps to try instead of Wattpad
Archive of Our Own
Best for: Fan fiction writers and readers who want a non-commercial archive run by fans, with strong tagging to help find stories.
Booksie
Best for: Writers who want a straightforward place to post novels, short stories or poems and collect feedback and contest entries.
Inkitt
Best for: Readers who like discovering novels by independent authors, and writers who want to post work for a reading audience.
Miraquill
Best for: Poets and short-form writers who want to turn lines and stories into shareable designed posts inside a creative community.
Reedsy Studio
Best for: Authors who want a clean space to plan, write and format a manuscript before sharing it anywhere.
Scribophile
Best for: Writers who care more about useful feedback than a big readership and want to improve a manuscript with peers.
Substack
Best for: Writers who want to publish chapters or essays directly to subscribers and build a following they own.
Tapas
Best for: Creators of comics and serialised novels who want an audience used to reading episodes as they appear.
Writing.Com
Best for: Writers who want prompts, contests, genre groups and the choice of keeping work private or sharing it publicly.
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How to choose among Wattpad alternatives as a writer
Think about what you want from a story site before you post anything. A place that suits a fan fiction writer might be wrong for someone drafting a first novel.
- What do you write? Fan fiction, original novels, poems and illustrated stories each have a natural home.
- Do you want readers or critics? Some sites are built for big audiences, others for detailed feedback from fellow writers.
- How serialised is your work? If you post one chapter at a time, pick somewhere that makes following an ongoing story easy.
- Who owns your work? Read the terms so you know what rights stay with you and what the site can do with your stories.
- What are the content rules? Sites differ on mature themes, age ratings and moderation, so check them against what you write.
- Can you take your work with you? Keep your own copy of every chapter in case you move on.
Which Wattpad alternative suits which kind of writer
- Fan fiction writers do well on archives built around fandoms and tags.
- Aspiring novelists often prefer feedback groups and writing tools before they publish anywhere.
- Poets and short-form writers suit social communities built for quick, visual sharing.
- Serial storytellers can reach readers directly through newsletters or episode-based apps.
- Comic and illustrated story creators need a site that displays images well on a phone.
Keeping readers safe on any story site
Story sites are open to lots of ages, and content ratings vary. If you're a parent or teacher, check the age rating on each app's official store page, look at the chat and messaging settings and read the content rules before a young reader joins. If you write for younger readers, label your work clearly and follow each site's guidelines.
Moving your stories away from Wattpad
- Save a copy of every chapter, your cover images and your tags in a safe folder first.
- Check the new site's rules on rights, formatting and content ratings.
- Post one story as a trial before you move the whole library.
- Tell your existing readers where you're going, using the channels they already follow.
- Keep a simple tracker of chapters and posting dates. My comparison of Airtable alternatives has options for that.
Mistakes writers make when changing story platform
- Posting everything in one go, which leaves nothing for readers to follow week by week.
- Ignoring the community norms on the new site, such as how feedback is given.
- Forgetting to keep notes on plots and characters somewhere safe. My roundup of Notion alternatives covers tools that suit that.
- Expecting a big audience straight away on a smaller site.
- Not reading how your work may be used under the site's terms.
Voice recordings can help with drafting too. If you like to talk your ideas through, note takers by meeting type shows tools that turn speech into text.
Do you make writing, reading or story platforms? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
A quick checklist before you choose a Wattpad alternative
Pick two sites that suit your genre and your goals. Post a short piece on each, see what kind of response you get and how comfortable the community feels, and keep the one you look forward to opening. There's no rule that says you can't use more than one.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good site for writing stories online?
It depends on what you write and what you want back. Some sites focus on large readerships, others on feedback from fellow writers, others on fan fiction or short poems. Match the site to your genre and goals.
Can I post my novel chapter by chapter?
Many story sites support serial posting, where you add one chapter at a time. Check each site's pages to see how it handles updates and how readers follow ongoing stories.
Is it safe for teenagers to use story sites?
Content and age ratings vary a lot between sites. Parents should check each app's official age rating, review the chat and messaging settings and read the content rules before a young person joins.
Do I keep the rights to what I post?
Terms differ from site to site. Read each site's terms of use so you know what rights you keep and what the site is allowed to do with your stories, and keep your own copy of everything.
Should I post on more than one site?
You can, but check each site's rules first, because some don't accept work already published elsewhere. Posting in two places can also split your readers, so decide what you want from each.
