Manuskript AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Note-taking Tools

The best Note-taking alternative to Manuskript is Zettlr, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Manuskript and many of them are Note-taking Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Note-taking Tool alternatives to Manuskript are Scrivener, Org mode, Dendron and Story Architect (STARC).

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Manuskript alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools, but if you're looking for Novel Authoring Tools or Word Processors you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Manuskript.
Manuskript iconManuskript
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  • ...

Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.

More about Manuskript
More about Manuskript
Manuskript alternatives page was last updated Apr 11, 2025
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  1. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     227 likes
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    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.

    161 Zettlr alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for MarkDown
    2.  Zettelkasten note method
    3.  File Tagging
    4.  Multiple export options
    5. Zotero icon  Zotero integration
    6.  Note organization
    7.  Link files
    8.  Built-in themes
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Export to LaTeX
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Write files in markdown

    Zettlr VS Manuskript

     
    Comments about Zettlr as an Alternative to Manuskript
    Quard2
    Positive Feb 24, 2025
    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.

    Manuskript Icon
    Zettlr icon

    • Zettlr is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Manuskript.

    • Zettlr is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Manuskript.

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

    Scrivener

     258 likes
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    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.

    111 Scrivener alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • PlayOnLinux - PlayOnMac
    • Wine
    Scrivener screenshot 1

    Top Scrivener Features

    1.  Corkboard
    2.  Document compiler
    3.  Character database
    4.  Scene Management
    5.  Visual Organization
    6.  Split files into sections
    7.  Support for scripting
    8. LaTeX icon  Support for LaTeX
    9.  Multi-document View
    10.  Integrated Search
    11.  Folders
    12.  Word counter

    Scrivener VS Manuskript

     
    Comments about Scrivener as an Alternative to Manuskript
    Top Positive Comment
    alternative1234
    Jul 31, 2019
    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.

    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Apr 11, 2025
    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!

    Guest
    Positive Mar 20, 2021
    0

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

    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Manuskript Icon
    Scrivener icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Scrivener is a great Manuskript alternative.

    • Scrivener is Paid and ProprietaryManuskript is Free and Open Source
  4. Org mode icon

    Org mode

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

    263 Org mode alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • GNU Emacs
    Org mode screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Customizable
    4.  Keyboard focused

    Features

    1.  Literate programming
    2.  Task Time Tracking
    3. GNU Emacs icon  Emacs integration
    4.  Plain text file
    5.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    6.  Outliner
    7.  Hierarchical Structure
    8.  Portable
    9.  Command line interface
    10.  Export to HTML
    11.  Web-Based
    12.  Search by tags

    Org mode VS Manuskript

     
    Comments about Org mode as an Alternative to Manuskript
    Quard2
    Positive Feb 24, 2025
    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.

    Manuskript 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
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    Screenshot
    Scrivener icon
    Scrivener

    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 ...

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    Learn More
  6. Dendron icon

    Dendron

     68 likes
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    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.

    192 Dendron alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Visual Studio Code
    Dendron screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Local Storage
    2.  Support for MarkDown
    3.  Hierarchical Structure
    4.  Block reference
    5.  Graph view
    6.  VSCode
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Backlinks
    9.  Quick reference lookup
    10.  Publishing
    11.  Tagging
    12.  Bidirectional links

    Dendron VS Manuskript

     
  7. Story Architect (STARC) icon

    Story Architect (STARC)

     13 likes
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    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.

    41 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Android
    Story Architect (STARC) screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Outliner
    2.  Screenwriting
    3.  Writing assistance
    4.  Tracking of plots
    5.  Track Characters
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Spell Checking
    8.  Real time collaboration
    9.  Portable
    10.  Autocompletion
    11.  Hierarchical Structure
    12.  No Coding Required

    Story Architect (STARC) VS Manuskript

     
  8. Quoll Writer icon

    Quoll Writer

     36 likes
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    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.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Quoll Writer screenshot 1

    Top Quoll Writer Features

    1.  Track Characters
    2.  Character database
    3.  Outliner
    4.  Distraction-free Writing
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  WYSIWYG Support
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Writing statistics
    11.  Writing assistance
    12.  Export to EPUB

    Quoll Writer VS Manuskript

     
    Comments about Quoll Writer as an Alternative to Manuskript
    Guest
    Positive Mar 22, 2019
    0

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

    Manuskript Icon
    Quoll Writer icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Quoll Writer is a great Manuskript alternative.

    • Quoll Writer is Free and Open SourceManuskript is also Free and Open Source
  10. novelWriter icon

    novelWriter

     23 likes
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    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.

    56 novelWriter alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Qt
    Screenshot of older version

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Distraction-free

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Spell Checking
    6.  Support for MarkDown
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Live Preview
    9.  Tree structure
    10.  Outline organization
    11.  Scene Management
    12.  Plot visualisation

    novelWriter VS Manuskript

     
  11. Lore Forge icon

    Lore Forge

     13 likes
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    The only app you'll need to write your novels and build your worlds. Organize your thoughts and cross-reference anything at any time.

    40 Lore Forge alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Overview screen

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Distraction-free
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Places tracking
    2.  Character database
    3.  Custom characters
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Portable
    8.  Hierarchical Structure
    9.  Spell Checking
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  WYSIWYG Support
    12.  Live Preview

    Lore Forge VS Manuskript

     

    • Lore Forge is the most popular Web-based alternative to Manuskript.

    • Lore Forge is Free and ProprietaryManuskript is Free and Open Source
    • Lore Forge is Lightweight and Privacy focusedManuskript is not according to our users
  12. Daino Notes icon

    Daino Notes

     8 likes
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    Daino is a fast and elegant place for all your thoughts. Write without fiddling. Store without worrying. Think without distraction.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Daino Notes screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Distraction-free
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Privacy focused
    4.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Support for MarkDown
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Full-Text Search
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Hierarchical Structure
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Kanban Board
    10.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    11.  Native application
    12.  Tagging

    Daino Notes VS Manuskript

     
  13. OmniOutliner icon

    OmniOutliner

     48 likes
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    OmniOutliner is a start-to-finish writing app. Perfect for collecting information, outlining Big Ideas, adding structure to any sort of writing, and much more. From grocery lists to email drafts to long-form composition.

    77 OmniOutliner alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    OmniOutliner screenshot 1

    OmniOutliner Features

    1.  Hierarchical Structure
    2.  Import/Export OPML Feeds
    3.  Brainstorming
    4.  Note organization
    5.  Outliner
    6.  Multi Column View
    7.  Programmable
    8.  Outline organization
    9.  Outline folding

    OmniOutliner VS Manuskript

     
10 of 40 Manuskript alternatives