Manuskript AlternativesTop Novel Authoring & Note-taking Tools like Manuskript

Manuskript is described as 'Open-source writing tool with hierarchical outliner, distraction-free editor, character management, plot development, Snowflake method, and writing goal support' and is a very popular Novel Authoring tool in the news & books category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Manuskript for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Web-based, Linux and iPad apps. The best Manuskript alternative is Zettlr, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Manuskript are Scrivener, Org mode, Dendron and bibisco.

filter to find the best alternatives

Manuskript alternatives are mainly Novel Authoring Tools, but if you're looking for Note-taking Tools or Word Processors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Novel Authoring. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Manuskript.
More about Manuskript
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Manuskript alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     247 likes

    Unified writing platform offering note-taking, easy citations with Zotero integration, LaTeX/Word templates, snippets, themes, dark modes, code highlighting, multi-language support, and knowledge management with Zettelkasten for seamless writing from notes to books.

    183 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Zettlr as an Alternative to Manuskript
    Quard2
    Positive
    0

    I use Zettlr next to Manuskript and DoomEmacs Org-mode. Zettlr does different things to Manuskript that are faster across a directory or multiple workspaces.

    Zettlr icon
    Zettlr icon
    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceManuskript is also Free and Open Source
    • Zettlr is Privacy focused and LightweightManuskript is not according to our users
  2. Scrivener icon

    Scrivener

     262 likes

    Tailored for extensive writing, this tool offers flexible structure and organization, integrates project outlines, supports various formats, and allows reorganization through drag and drop, ensuring research materials are within reach for efficient work.

    125 Scrivener alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
    • Wine
    Scrivener screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    Comments about Scrivener as an Alternative to Manuskript
    Top Positive Comment
    alternative1234
    0

    Scrivener is probably best of breed for novel writers, but is unfortunately unavailable on Linux. (An extant earlier Linux release has spotty compatibility, and the Wine installation of the Windows version [which lags behind the Mac version] is also unsatisfactory.) Without this drawback, Scrivener would be the best alternative to Manuskript, even considering its cost.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Scrivener is a heavy weight, it's what a lot of authors use. I'm sick and tired of hearing Scrivener has a steep learning curve... How do you explain Word when you open it? It looks like Star Trek!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It's well worth the money for what it can do.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    Scrivener icon
    Scrivener icon
    • Scrivener is Paid and ProprietaryManuskript is Free and Open Source
  4. Org mode icon

    Org mode

     141 likes

    Org mode is for keeping notes, maintaining TODO lists, planning projects, and authoring documents with a fast and effective plain-text system.

    285 Org mode alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • GNU Emacs
    • Termux
    • Terminal
    Org mode screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    Comments about Org mode as an Alternative to Manuskript
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    does not have a story planning feature integrated

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Quard2
    Positive
    0

    It's not versus Manuskript, it's alongside. Org lets me manage complex items from simple idea to then export into Markdown. Manuskript import then creates the "story". Focused and very helpful. Focused on writing. I can't work without Org-mode, but having adopted Manuskript I find them complementary.

    Org mode icon
    Org mode icon
    • Org mode is Free and Open SourceManuskript is also Free and Open Source
    • Org mode is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedManuskript is not according to our users
  5. Ad
  6. Dendron icon

    Dendron

     71 likes

    Dendron is an open-source, local-first, markdown-based, note-taking tool built on top of VSCode. It supports all the usual features you would expect like tagging, backlinks, a graph view, split panes, and so forth.

    207 Dendron alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Visual Studio Code
    Dendron screenshot 1
     
  7. bibisco icon

    bibisco

     85 likes

    Desktop application for novel structuring, offering chapter and scene management, distraction-free text editing, detailed timeline, character interviews, multilingual support, export to publishing formats, revision history, relationship diagrams, and writing goal tracking.

    54 bibisco alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron
    • Node.JS
    Novel architecture
     
    |
    1
    Comments about bibisco as an Alternative to Manuskript
    andgregorik
    Positive
    4

    Normally a pretty good alternative to Manuskript, but giving up the free model now hampers its chances.

    bibisco icon
    bibisco icon
    • bibisco is Freemium and Open SourceManuskript is Free and Open Source
    • bibisco is Privacy focusedManuskript is not according to our users
  8. Quoll Writer icon

    Quoll Writer

     40 likes

    Focus on your words not the interface. Quoll Writer is a writing application that helps you focus on your words. Clean and uncluttered. Feature rich. Features are where you would expect them to be.

    79 Quoll Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Quoll Writer screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Quoll Writer as an Alternative to Manuskript
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Be on the lookout for this one, it has potential.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Quoll Writer icon
    Quoll Writer icon
    • Quoll Writer is Free and Open SourceManuskript is also Free and Open Source
  10. Pinery icon

    Pinery

     10 likes

    Combines Markdown writing, live preview, and powerful design controls with instant exports in ePub, PDF, and HTML formats. Open format Markdown file storage, no vendor lock-in, customizable themes, and full privacy with local or iCloud storage on Mac.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Pinery screenshot 1
     
  11. yWriter icon

    yWriter

     69 likes

    yWriter is a writing tool that uses "scenes" as a unit of text and allows you to associate that text with all manner of story elements (characters, locations, items) as well as place it and rearrange it within the context of chapters.

    77 yWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Main screen on Windows XP
     
    |
    1
    Comments about yWriter as an Alternative to Manuskript
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    If it's an outline you're after, this is what you need. With all the tabs and options it has, it's surprising that it's free.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    yWriter icon
    yWriter icon
    • yWriter is Freemium and ProprietaryManuskript is Free and Open Source
    • yWriter is LightweightManuskript is not according to our users
  12. novelWriter icon

    novelWriter

     26 likes

    novelWriter is a Markdown-like text editor designed for writing novels and larger projects of many smaller plain text documents. It uses its own flavor of Markdown that supports a meta data syntax for comments, synopsis and cross-referencing between files.

    67 novelWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Qt
    • Python
    Screenshot of older version
     
  13. Ulysses icon

    Ulysses

     69 likes

    Ulysses is a text editor for creative writers. Used by bloggers, poets, students and published novelists all over the world, it offers an integrated environment to brainstorm, draft, revise and even submit text on a professional level.

    130 Ulysses alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Ulysses screenshot 1
     
  14. Story Architect (STARC) icon

    Story Architect (STARC)

     15 likes

    A smooth yet powerful writing experience for devoted authors. With only wanted features and native workflow it runs faster than all your previous apps combined.

    45 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Android
    Story Architect (STARC) screenshot 1
     
12 of 122 Manuskript alternatives