The Best Scrivener AlternativesTop Novel Authoring & Note-taking Tools like Scrivener

Scrivener is described as 'Ideal for long writing projects with flexibility in structure, Scrivener integrates easy project outlines and allows seamless restructuring with drag and drop' and is a very popular Novel Authoring tool in the news & books category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Scrivener for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Web-based, Linux and Android apps. The best Scrivener alternative is Manuskript, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Scrivener are yWriter, Zettlr, bibisco and Quoll Writer.

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Scrivener 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 Android, Free, Open Source, Linux, Online, Free + Novel Authoring and Windows. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Scrivener.
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Alternatives list

  1. Manuskript icon

    Manuskript

     168 likes
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    Open-source software offering a hierarchical outliner, distraction-free editor, character management, plot tools, Snowflake method support, section multi-organization, customizable writing workflows, cross-platform availability, and export to standard formats.

    118 Manuskript alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Manuskript screenshot 1
     
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    10
    84
    Comments about Manuskript as an Alternative to Scrivener
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    9

    There are many similar layout features compared to Scrivener. It also has a few features Scrivener seems to be missing or doesn't define clearly such as an outline process. However, it is very early development and has many bugs to work out.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    tux0r
    0

    Right now, Manuskript is too unreliable to use. On Windows, it won't even start (on my system). Maybe we should all wait for 1.0.0 before we actually try it.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Much more efficient than Scrivener because it's way easier to use and everything is where you expect it to be. The worldbuilding tool is simple but enough and it incorporates the snowflake method flawlessly. But you can ignore it just as easily if you wish. The only aspect where it's lacking compared to Scrivener is in the compile options, but you can always compile as docx and use a text editor to get the standard manuscript format right.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 10 comments
    Scrivener Icon
    Manuskript icon

    • Most users think Manuskript is a great Scrivener alternative.

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

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

    • Manuskript is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
  2. yWriter icon

    yWriter

     68 likes
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    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.

    74 yWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Main screen on Windows XP
     
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    8
    71
    Comments about yWriter as an Alternative to Scrivener
    Top Positive Comment
    robyellow95
    2

    For some reason, this reminds me of my high school notebooks: Flipping through pages trying to find crap.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    1

    I hated it. It kept trying to force me to follow its workflow (invented by the author, I think), and I use a different one. Scrivener suits my workflow, and yWriter does not. It is still on my hard drive, however, just in case.

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

    novel writing and organization software

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    3 of 8 comments
    Scrivener Icon
    yWriter icon

    • Most users think yWriter is a great Scrivener alternative.

    • yWriter is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to Scrivener.

    • yWriter is Freemium and ProprietaryScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • yWriter is LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
  4. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     244 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.

    176 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
     
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    3
    18
    Comments about Zettlr as an Alternative to Scrivener
    C.A.
    Negative
    3

    Doesn't really serve the same purpose in the same way.

    RCLeahcar
    Negative
    6

    Zettlr is more of a general note-taking app, and doesn't have the author-oriented features of Scrivener

    Guest
    Positive
    -6

    Zettlr is a fantastic alternative to Scrivener - give it a go. It's brilliant.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Scrivener Icon
    Zettlr icon

    • Most users think Zettlr is a great Scrivener alternative.

    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Zettlr is Privacy focused and LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Novlr icon
    Novlr

    Advanced writing tool supporting online and offline modes, accessible from any device. Features chapter and scene organization, grammar checks, version history, and export options including docx and epub. Novlr syncs with cloud s...

    https://www.novlr.org
    Learn More
  6. bibisco icon

    bibisco

     85 likes
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    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.

    52 bibisco alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron
    • Node.JS
    Novel architecture
     
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    7
    84
    Comments about bibisco as an Alternative to Scrivener
    Top Positive Comment
    callyw
    3

    It is actually a better alternative to Scrivener because of its clear, organisation features. I wish I would have discovered this before I purchased Scrivener. Bibisco is much easier to use: You don't need lengthy tutorials to read just to get started. Hands down this is better.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    4

    Bibisco keeps getting in the way. No, dude. I don't want to outline your way. Not only does it insist to make you fill in stuff you don't want to, it doesn't even offer a way to disable it!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    LapoMelzi
    Negative
    9

    Too strict in his structure and the same time not thorough enough so that the boxing in would by uselful

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    3 of 7 comments
    Scrivener Icon
    bibisco icon

    • Most users think bibisco is a great Scrivener alternative.

    • bibisco is Freemium and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • bibisco is Privacy focusedScrivener is not according to our users
  7. Quoll Writer icon

    Quoll Writer

     38 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.

    74 Quoll Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Quoll Writer screenshot 1
     
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    5
    26
    Comments about Quoll Writer as an Alternative to Scrivener
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    4

    Clean interface. No non-sense kind of software that has some of the same features of Scrivener. One particular feature I like is the software's ability to automatically link items, characters, places etc. to scenes, chapters, ideas, etc. so you know where every character, item, and place is. Great for keeping track of things in your novel. Has a few bugs here and there, but the developer is friendly, helpful, and responds back in a timely fashion.

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

    No cost. Really solid features for writing novels or short stories. It's what I consider a Scrivener-like program without having the (sometimes obtuse and sometimes odd) interface that plagues Scrivener. Cards (corkboard), character/item tracking, notes, full-screen minimal mode, nice editing features, and no format lock-in make this a must-try. I will say it's not a pretty as Scrivener.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    1

    Free; solid; several features; customizable; new versions released quickly and with new features; developer very receptive; great for writing novels.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 5 comments
    Scrivener Icon
    Quoll Writer icon

    • Most users think Quoll Writer is a great Scrivener alternative.

    • Quoll Writer is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
  8. Dendron icon

    Dendron

     71 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.

    202 Dendron alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Visual Studio Code
    Dendron screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Dendron as an Alternative to Scrivener
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It is not a good Scrivener alternative as it is more focused on development, like Python for example.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Scrivener Icon
    Dendron icon
    • Dendron is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Dendron is Privacy focusedScrivener is not according to our users
  10. SmartEdit Writer icon

    SmartEdit Writer

     13 likes
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    SmartEdit Writer (formerly Atomic Scribbler) is a project management and writing environment for novelists and short story writers working on Windows PCs. Writers use the software to plan their novels, prepare and maintain research material, and then write that novel chapter by...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    SmartEdit Writer screenshot 1
     
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    4
    27
    Comments about SmartEdit Writer as an Alternative to Scrivener
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    (1) It's free. (2) No nonsense book compile. (3) User-friendly. (4) Less visual clutter. (5) Did I mention it's FREE?

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    A Scrivener wannabe with a lot less clutter.

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

    Simple and clean interface. Flexible structure of the novel that you prefer. Have nice sections for research and bits of text that you might someday use. Simply enough functions to just... start... writing!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Scrivener Icon
    SmartEdit Writer icon

    • Almost everyone thinks SmartEdit Writer is a great Scrivener alternative.

    • SmartEdit Writer is Free and ProprietaryScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
  11. Ulysses icon

    Ulysses

     69 likes
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    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.

    124 Ulysses alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Ulysses screenshot 1
     
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    1
    19
    Comments about Ulysses as an Alternative to Scrivener
    ndas1
    Negative
    3

    Primarily oriented towards "scripts" for film, play, etc. Might be useful for (non)fiction writing but does not share the wider array of tools found in Scrivener.

    Scrivener Icon
    Ulysses icon

    • Some users think Ulysses is a great Scrivener alternative, some don't.

    • Ulysses is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Scrivener.

    • Ulysses is the most popular commercial alternative to Scrivener.

    • Ulysses is Paid and ProprietaryScrivener is also Paid and Proprietary
  12. Rentry.co icon

    Rentry.co

     55 likes
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    Rentry.co is a markdown pastebin and publishing service with preview, custom urls and editing. Fast, simple and free.

    179 Rentry.co alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Live markdown syntax highlighting
     
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    1
    Comments about Rentry.co as an Alternative to Scrivener
    desbest
    Negative
    1

    This is just a pastebin for markdown formatted text files, not a novel authoring software.

    Scrivener Icon
    Rentry.co icon

    • Rentry.co is the most popular Web-based alternative to Scrivener.

    • Rentry.co is Free and ProprietaryScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Rentry.co is Minimalistic and LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
  13. Pinery icon

    Pinery

     10 likes
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    The simplest way to go from first draft to a professionally published book. See your words come to life.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Pinery screenshot 1
     
  14. Roam Research icon

    Roam Research

     58 likes
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    As easy to use as a word document or bulleted list, and as powerful for finding, collecting, and connecting related ideas as a graph database. Collaborate with others in real time, or store all your data locally.

    156 Roam Research alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    Roam Research screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Roam Research as an Alternative to Scrivener
    LordMax
    Negative
    0

    Roam it's for a second brain system

    Scrivener Icon
    Roam Research icon
    • Roam Research is Paid and ProprietaryScrivener is also Paid and Proprietary
  15. novelWriter icon

    novelWriter

     25 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.

    61 novelWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Qt
    • Python
    Screenshot of older version
     
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    1
    Comments about novelWriter as an Alternative to Scrivener
    tuqueque
    Positive
    0

    It's free, open source, fast, light, multiplatform, with a lot of features and in active development!

    Scrivener Icon
    novelWriter icon
    • novelWriter is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • novelWriter is Privacy focused and LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
12 of 120 Scrivener alternatives