Desktop-only Version

124 votes

I would like a 1-time purchase desktop only version of Dabble. I am not interested in a web version or storing my novel in the cloud.

Under consideration Integrations User Interface Suggested by: Jacob from Dabble (30 Nov, '17) • Upvoted: 12 Apr • Comments: 16

Comments: 16

01 Dec, '17
James
I have upvoted this. It is the only thing that has prevented me converting, as I like Dabble's features but do not want my work stored in a database. Personally I would pay monthly on the grounds of Dabble's features and in-app support alone, but would like my work saved and stored entirely locally.
01 Dec, '17
Jacob from Dabble Admin
Hey James, good to know. Would you feel better about encryption, or would you want it 100% offline?
03 Jan, '18
Douglas Kirchgesler
I also prefer the option to store my data locally. I have not encountered any issues with the cloud storage so far, but I definitely prefer local storage (because I can then save files where I like and sync those up with OneDrive).
10 Feb, '18
Breanna
Yea, this would be nice.. An offline version for Desktop. I too would pay to own a copy. Even an option to save locally on the current set-up, making the cloud optional.. Yea, i would pay like $20-25 for a key with the current features, and then upgrades i guess later, like Scrivener does it for major versions. But the current price, $9.99 a month isn't bad, really. :D
1
20 Apr, '18
Emma
1 votes
0 comments

I am often somewhere where i don't have internet or have very bad internet or internet that costs me a lot of money. It would make a huge difference to me to be able to work offline.
25 May, '18
Mery
I'd love an offline, pay-one-time version, too! I don't want another program/service I have to sign in to, or a subscription that I have to remember to pay for. I do my noveling in spurts/challenges, so I wouldn't actually use this more than 3-4 months of the year. An offline, pay-one-time version would be beautiful.
06 Nov, '18
Mori
Yeah, I'd also love offline one-time purchase version. Just tried, and I like how all is organized, but I don't need web version or cloud (and, honestly, it cost a bit too much in my money). Without subscription it would be great for me.
08 Nov, '18
Michelle
If you're going to make a desktop-only version, I would love a PortableApps version that could run off a flash drive, if possible.
09 Nov, '18
Lucille
I would also like this. I don't tend to bounce around between devices and would much rather have a program I can open up on my PC, especially if the internet were to go out or some such, I could still work.
23 Aug, '19
Mike
The subscription requirement is stopping me from purchasing. It's hard to justify when Scrivener is a one time $45 purchase. You could offer the cloud and web as an add on service, but let us purchase the software and use it with a one time cost.
09 Aug, '20
Felisha
While I'm enjoying the features of Dabble, I would prefer a Desktop or Mac app version. I really, really dislike this is a web version with cloud saving, and because of this I will not be purchasing. I'd be more than willing to invest in a one-time purchase opportunity for this kind of offline program, as I have vellum and scrivener.
04 Nov, '20
Rodney
I hate to dissent with all the people that want to save locally and have a fat client, but I think that's the worst idea possible. One of the main draws for Dabble for me is that it's entirely cloud based, and a WebApp. That means I can run it on any platform I want and since it's a WebApp, not a website you don't need an internet connection if you download it. The next time you connect to the internet everything is synced. Additionaly creating a desktop app means two additional development paths for Apple and Windows, which takes away development time from the webapp.

The main reason I moved to Dabble from Scrivener is I can use the exact same interface on all my devices anytime I want. Scrivener is a great example of a split development path delaying new features. I would hate to see that happen to Dabble.

If you want to save your manuscript to OneDrive export to Word as you go along and stick the file there. But Dabble should remain a pure web application.
22 Jul, '21
Melissa
I'd like to second the idea of an offline version that can be sync'd with the cloud once internet access is reestablished. I like the versatility of the web portal, but sometimes I want to work on my project when I don't have internet access.
17 May, '22
Phoenix
An app for apple that can be worked on offline would be ideal for me!
14 Mar, '23
Christina
Ditto for keeping the web app version. I moved to Dabble from Scrivener specifically for cloud sync features that run smoothly across all my devices. It’s kind of the whole point of Dabble.
17 Mar
Sherry
I've been a Dabble fan since the early days, Jacob.

I love Dabble, I really do. But I have to confess I hate subscriptions, I really do. They're like mice on my wallet and have proliferated greatly since you started. Scrivenr now looks attractive with its absurdly low one-time price. We're taking a serious look at our subscriptions these days. Every subscription I have needs tracking. And someone else will have to terminate each of them should I get run over by a bus. I have a dedicated office space and write only on my PC laptop so I have no need for portability. I save each scene I write in Word in my Dropbox.

I would be happy to climb into my time machine to the old days of a one-time fee (I'd pay a lot more for Dabble than Scrivenr charges, but I'm probably rare), with a smaller fee for upgrades, per Breanna's suggestion.

It sounds as if you have two different types of users here. It's a business decision only you can make. As I mentioned, I LOVE Dabble.
Best wishes.