NovelAI is an AI platform for creative writing and image generation. Its story generator helps you co-write novels, fan fiction and interactive stories, while NovelAI Diffusion creates detailed anime-style images. Stories are encrypted for privacy. Subscriptions start at $10 a month, and you can try it with a free trial.
What is NovelAI?
NovelAI started in 2021 as an AI-assisted storytelling service and is now one of the best-known AI tools for fiction writers. You start a story, set a style or genre, and the AI continues it with you. Lorebook, memory and author’s note tools help the AI keep track of characters, places and plot over long stories.
NovelAI also includes NovelAI Diffusion, an image generator known for high-quality anime and illustration styles, with tools for consistent characters and full comic pages in the latest version. NovelAI encrypts your stories so they stay private, and it trains and runs its own models.
NovelAI key features
AI story writing
Co-write stories, novels and fan fiction with AI.
Lorebook
Store details about characters, places and lore for the AI to remember.
Memory and author’s note
Guide the AI’s style, tone and direction.
Text adventure mode
Play interactive, choose-your-own-adventure style stories.
NovelAI Diffusion
Generate detailed anime and illustration-style images.
Character consistency
Keep characters looking the same across images.
Image editing tools
Inpaint, upscale and vary images.
Text to speech
Listen to your stories with AI voices.
Private and encrypted
Your stories are encrypted for privacy.
NovelAI pricing plans (2026)
NovelAI has a free trial and three paid subscription tiers, billed monthly. Anlas are credits used for image generation.
Paper (trial)
50 free text generations, 30 free images and 100 text-to-speech generations.
Tablet
Unlimited text and voice generations, 1,000 Anlas a month for images.
Scroll
Everything in Tablet with a larger context so the AI remembers more of your story.
Opus
Largest context, 10,000 Anlas a month, free normal-size image generation and exclusive models.
Extra Anlas can be bought on demand. Check the latest details on the official NovelAI subscription page.
How to use NovelAI
- 1
Go to novelai.net and create an account to start the free trial.
- 2
Start a new story and choose a preset or genre.
- 3
Write an opening and let the AI continue it.
- 4
Add Lorebook entries and memory to keep the story consistent.
- 5
Switch to image generation to create art for your characters.
Who should use NovelAI?
Fiction writers
Beat writer’s block and draft stories faster.
Fan fiction authors
Explore new storylines for favorite worlds.
Game masters
Create lore and interactive adventures.
Anime artists
Generate character art and illustrations.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Strong tools for long-form stories
- High-quality anime-style images
- Stories are private and encrypted
- Affordable entry tier
Watch out for
- Free trial is very limited
- Best image features need Opus
- Interface has a learning curve
- Not built for business writing
Best NovelAI alternatives
NovelAI is one of the best AI tools for creative fiction, combining a capable story writer with an excellent anime image generator. Its Lorebook and memory tools make long stories easier to manage, and encryption keeps your work private. Opus offers the best value for heavy image users.
NovelAI FAQs
Is NovelAI free?
NovelAI offers a free trial with 50 text generations and 30 images. After that you need a subscription.
How much does NovelAI cost?
Tablet costs $10 a month, Scroll $15 and Opus $25.
What is NovelAI Diffusion?
It is NovelAI’s image generator, known for anime and illustration styles.
Are my NovelAI stories private?
Yes. NovelAI encrypts your stories.
What are Anlas?
Anlas are credits used to generate images. Paid plans include monthly Anlas, and Opus includes free normal-size image generation.
Is NovelAI good for writing novels?
Yes. Its Lorebook, memory and long context help with long-form fiction.
