Published September 2, 2025
Full disclosure: I built Authorlytica, so this isn't an unbiased review. But I'll do my best to give you an honest assessment of the options, including when you should choose something else.
Before diving into tools, let's be honest. Not every writer needs to track their word count. If you're already writing consistently and finishing projects, tracking might just be extra overhead.
But if you struggle with consistency, lose momentum halfway through projects, or need external accountability to keep going, tracking can genuinely help. Seeing visible progress (especially streaks and charts) makes it harder to quit.
The question is: which tool creates the least friction while giving you the most motivation?
After using and building trackers for years, here's what I think actually matters:
Frictionless logging. If it takes more than 10 seconds to log your word count, you'll stop doing it.
Visible progress. You need to see your effort accumulating. Raw numbers don't motivate as much as charts and trends do.
Streak accountability. Seeing "12 days in a row" makes you not want to break the chain. It's simple psychology, but it works.
Realistic pacing. A good tracker shows you how you're actually doing, not how you should be doing.
Works everywhere. Writing happens on your laptop, your phone, your tablet. Your tracker should too.
Best for: Writers who love building systems and want complete control.
The case for spreadsheets:
The case against spreadsheets:
Verdict: If you're the kind of person who enjoys building and maintaining spreadsheets, this is a great option. If you find Excel tedious, you'll stop using it within a month.
Best for: Writers who already use Scrivener for drafting and want everything in one place.
What it does well:
What it doesn't do:
Verdict: If you already use Scrivener and just need basic word count tracking, the built-in tools might be enough. If you want motivation features like streaks and charts, you'll need something dedicated.
Best for: Writers who want accountability and motivation without complexity.
What Authorlytica does:
What it doesn't do:
Pricing: Free during beta. A permanent free tier is planned for when premium features launch.
Verdict: I built this because I wanted something simpler than Excel and more motivating than Scrivener's built-in tracking. If you value streaks, charts, and low friction, it might work for you. If you need deep customization or community features, it might not.
Update: NaNoWriMo, the organization behind National Novel Writing Month, closed in 2024 due to financial problems and reputational damage from controversies around child safety and AI policy.
What it used to offer:
What's happening now: Writers are continuing the November 50k challenge informally through Discord servers, Reddit groups, and local writing communities. But without the official website, there's no centralized tracking system. That's where tools like Authorlytica come in, providing the progress tracking and accountability that the official site used to offer.
Best for: Writers who want gamification and are tracking multiple habits.
What it does well:
What it doesn't do:
Verdict: If you're tracking multiple habits (exercise, meditation, writing, etc.) and love game mechanics, Habitica is fun. But if you only care about word tracking, it's overkill.
Here's my honest recommendation based on what you need:
You might not need a tracker at all. If you're finishing projects without external accountability, tracking could just be extra friction.
Try a dedicated tracker like Authorlytica. Visible progress and streaks can genuinely help build the habit. Since NaNoWriMo's closure, having a year-round tool is more important than ever.
Use Excel or Google Sheets. The setup time won't bother you, and you'll appreciate the customization options.
Try the built-in tracking first. If it's not motivating enough, add a dedicated tracker on top. Many writers use both.
Try Habitica. The RPG mechanics are fun if you're into that kind of thing.
The best word count tracker is the one you'll actually use. Here's the test:
If the answer to all three is yes, you've found the right tool. If not, try something else.
I built Authorlytica because I wanted those three things and couldn't find them in other tools. But that doesn't mean it's right for everyone. Use what works for you, not what someone else (including me) says you should use.