Novel AI is a specialized AI platform built for creative writing and visual storytelling. It assists users in generating interactive narratives, continuing stories based on prompts, maintaining character consistency through tools like Lorebook and memory modules, and producing high-quality anime-style images from text descriptions. With strong focus on uncensored creative freedom, privacy (end-to-end encryption), and customization, NovelAI appeals to writers crafting novels, fanfiction, roleplay scenarios, or visual novels, as well as artists creating detailed anime characters, scenes, and artwork.
Is Novel AI Free or Paid?
NovelAI is primarily a paid subscription service with tiered monthly plans. It offers a limited free trial (often called Paper tier) for basic text generation testing, allowing a small number of actions and lower memory context to sample the AI storyteller. Full access—including unlimited text generations, advanced models, image creation, and higher token limits—requires a paid subscription. No permanent free tier exists for unrestricted use.
Novel AI Pricing Details
NovelAI uses monthly subscriptions (renewing every 30 days) with no annual discounts publicly emphasized, though some bundles or on-demand Anlas purchases exist for image-heavy users. Higher tiers unlock better AI models, larger context memory, and more generous image allowances via Anlas (in-platform credits).
| Plan Name | Price (Monthly / Yearly) | Main Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper (Free Trial) | $0 (limited) | Limited text generations (e.g., ~100 actions), basic Kayra model, 6144 token context, no image generation | Beginners testing AI storytelling without commitment |
| Tablet | $10/month | Unlimited text generations, TTS, 1000 Anlas refill/month, image generation access, standard models | Casual writers focused on text stories with occasional images |
| Scroll | $15/month | All Tablet features + larger context (e.g., 8192+ tokens), more Anlas refill, improved models | Intermediate users needing better memory for longer narratives |
| Opus | $25/month | All previous + largest context (up to 28k+ tokens), advanced models (e.g., Llama Erato 70B), 10,000 Anlas refill/month, effectively unlimited normal/small image generations | Heavy users, serious writers, anime artists wanting maximum quality and volume |
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Best Alternatives to Novel AI
For AI-assisted storytelling, uncensored generation, or anime-style image tools, consider these alternatives:
| Alternative Tool Name | Free or Paid | Key Feature | How it Compares to Novel AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudowrite | Paid (subscription) | Advanced creative writing assistant with brainstorming, rewriting, and story expansion | Stronger focus on polished prose and editing tools; less emphasis on uncensored anime images than NovelAI |
| DreamGen | Free + Paid | Uncensored roleplay and story generation with high customization | Excellent for interactive scenarios and control; more affordable or free options but lacks NovelAI’s dedicated anime art strength |
| Character.AI | Free + Paid | Character-based chat and roleplay with community creations | Great for conversational storytelling; more social/community-driven but restricted on mature content compared to NovelAI’s freedom |
| Midjourney (via Discord) | Paid (subscription) | High-quality AI art generation across styles | Superior artistic versatility beyond anime; no built-in text storytelling, while NovelAI combines both seamlessly |
| AI Dungeon | Free + Paid | Interactive text adventures with AI continuation | Pioneer in choose-your-own-adventure style; more gamified but often less coherent long-term than NovelAI’s focused models |
Pros and Cons of Novel AI
Pros
- Exceptional anime-style image generation with fine-tuned models for detailed, consistent characters and scenes.
- Unlimited text generations on paid tiers for seamless, long-form storytelling without interruptions.
- Strong privacy focus with encryption and no training on user content.
- Powerful customization via Lorebook, modules, and memory tools for world-building and character consistency.
- Uncensored approach allows full creative freedom across genres, including mature themes.
Cons
- No robust free tier beyond a limited trial; full features demand ongoing subscription.
- Image generation heavily relies on Anlas credits (except unlimited basics on Opus), which can add costs for advanced use.
- Primarily excels in anime aesthetics—less versatile for realistic or diverse non-anime art styles.
- Steeper learning curve for optimal prompting and module setup compared to simpler tools.
- Higher tiers required for best models and largest context, making it pricier for casual users.