Best Scrivener Alternatives

Scrivener is described as 'Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines everything you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion to final full stop' and is a very popular Novel Authoring tool in the news & books category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Scrivener for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and iPhone apps. The best Scrivener alternative is Manuskript, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Scrivener are Zettlr, Microsoft Word, yWriter and Dendron.

Scrivener alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Novel Authoring Tools or Text Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Scrivener.

Scrivener alternatives page was last updated

Scrivener

249

Paid • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool

Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines everything you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion...

More about Scrivener

Manuskript
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Flathub
100 Manuskript alternatives
Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.
- - Manuskript is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Scrivener.
- - Manuskript is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Scrivener.
Suggest and vote on features
Manuskript Features
1. Works OfflineManuskript can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Ad-freeManuskript doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Dark ModeManuskript supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Support for MarkDownManuskript supports MarkDown for document formatting.
5. File VersioningManuskript has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Outliner
Tree structure
Tracking of plots
Distraction-free Writing
Tracking of characters
Plot visualisation
Track Characters
Export to EPUB
Visual timeline
Tracking of locations
Comments about Manuskript as a Alternative to Scrivener
Most users think Manuskript is a great Scrivener alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
DarkRedman
Mostly because it's opensource but also because the interface and features are very similar !
Top positive comment•
5

KB_Tidwell
I own Scrivener for Windows and iOS, but my favorite writing machine is a Linux laptop, so here I am. I like that Manuskript closely parallels Scrivener features, throws in a good timeline function that Scrivener doesn't have, but is a lighter, less feature-congested utility. I'm having a great time writing with Manuskript.
Top positive comment•
1

tux0r
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.
Top negative comment•
0

Guest
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.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
It's a very efficient alternative to Scrivener. It does not require long, lengthy tutorials. If there's one thing I don't like, it's that it's pretty slow. It lags a lot. Another is that it's not an app. And it's hard to look for it if you forgot where you stored it. The third is you can't add images and it's not very customizable like Scrivener is. Those are probably the only three things I don't like. Otherwise, it's extremely easy to use :)
Positive comment•
2

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5 of 10 comments
Zettlr
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
File Organizer
Mac
Windows
Linux
145 Zettlr alternatives
Zettlr is a one-stop publication workbench that combines many writing features and collects them in one application. It aims at speeding up your workflow and help you write without any interruptions.
Suggest and vote on features
Zettlr Features
1. Support for MarkDownZettlr supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. File TaggingZettlr can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
3. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
4. Privacy focusedZettlr is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Ad-freeZettlr doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Syntax HighlightingZettlr supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
7. Dark ModeZettlr supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Zettlr.
9. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Zettlr without registration.
Zettelkasten note method
Multiple export options
Zotero integration
Note organization
Link files
Built-in themes
Export to LaTeX
Sync with Nextcloud
Interactive tables
Write files in markdown
Comments about Zettlr as a Alternative to Scrivener
Most users think Zettlr is a great Scrivener alternative.
RCLeahcar
Zettlr is more of a general note-taking app, and doesn't have the author-oriented features of Scrivener
Negative comment•
3

C.A.
Doesn't really serve the same purpose in the same way.
Negative comment•
0

Guest
Zettlr is a fantastic alternative to Scrivener - give it a go. It's brilliant.
Positive comment•
-3
Microsoft Word
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
92 Microsoft Word alternatives
Microsoft Word, part of the Microsoft 365 (Office) but also sold as a standalone application, is Microsoft's word processor. Its proprietary (but open-specification) DOC format is considered a de-facto standard, although from 2007 and...
- - Microsoft Word is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Scrivener.
- - Microsoft Word is the most popular commercial alternative to Scrivener.
Suggest and vote on features
Microsoft Word Features
1. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Microsoft Word simultaneously.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsMicrosoft Word can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Dark ModeMicrosoft Word supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Spell CheckingMicrosoft Word can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
5. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
6. PDF annotationMicrosoft Word support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
7. Works OfflineMicrosoft Word can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Convert Word documents to PDF
Document structure management
Ribbon Interface
Custom styles
Export to PDF
Text boxes
Cross-references
Digital Signage
Integrated PDF Viewer
Onedrive integration
Comments about Microsoft Word as a Alternative to Scrivener
This alternative is disputed. Microsoft Word is still a legitimate Scrivener alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
Word has none of the benefits Scrivener brings for organisation, research, collecting and so forth. They couldn't be much more different really.
Negative comment•
3

Guest
MS Word is a word processor, not an authoring tool. It has no knowledge of scenes, let alone characters or locations or items. It has very limited ability to handle text that is about the document but not part of the document and attaches to no specific point, or multiple specific points, in the document.
Negative comment•
13

Guest
Scrivener is not a word processor. Microsoft Word is nothing but.
Negative comment•
2

Guest
MS Word is a nice text editor, but it really doesn't have the ability to make ebooks that stand out like Scrivener does. Scrivener is a complete author's workshop.
Negative comment•
0
yWriter
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool
Word Processor
Mac
Windows
Android
Android Tablet
56 yWriter alternatives
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.
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yWriter Features
1. LightweightyWriter consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortableyWriter can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Outline mode
Project Organization
Comments about yWriter as a Alternative to Scrivener
Most users think yWriter is a great Scrivener alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
MachiTamago
novel writing and organization software
Top positive comment•
0

robyellow95
For some reason, this reminds me of my high school notebooks: Flipping through pages trying to find crap.
Top positive comment•
1

Guest
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.
Top negative comment•
1

Guest
Written and maintained by a novellist/software developer, yWriter is free to use, has a no-frills UI, supports cloud saving/device sync via Dropbox and Google Drive, takes automatic backups, and has an Android app (my main dealbreaker with Scrivener).
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Free, reliable, logical layout. It also has a phone app that can sync with the desktop app if you use a cloud drive. Lots of other great features.
Positive comment•
0

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Dendron
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Visual Studio Code
195 Dendron alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Dendron Features
1. Support for MarkDownDendron supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Dendron.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDendron can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Privacy focusedDendron is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Local Storage
Block reference
Graph view
VSCode
Backlinks
Quick reference lookup
Publishing
Tagging
Bidirectional links
Built-in themes
Roam Research
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Note-taking Tool
Todo List Manager
Pomodoro Timer
Online
Android
iPhone
122 Roam Research alternatives
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.
- - Roam Research is the most popular Web-based alternative to Scrivener.
Suggest and vote on features
Roam Research Features
1. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
2. Full-Text SearchRoam Research lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
3. Pomodoro TimerPractice the Pomodoro Technique in Roam Research to stay focused and productive.
4. End-to-End EncryptionRoam Research has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
5. Syntax HighlightingRoam Research supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
6. Works OfflineRoam Research can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Support for MarkDownRoam Research supports MarkDown for document formatting.
8. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Roam Research simultaneously.
9. Kanban BoardRoam Research allows you to organize your workflow by moving cards with drag-and-drop functionality between multiple columns.
Bidirectional links
Block reference
Query Engine
Backlinks
Graph view
Hyperlinks
Outliner
Knowledge Base structuring
Dynamic content
Note organization
Quoll Writer
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Windows
53 Quoll Writer alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Quoll Writer Features
Track Characters
Outliner
Distraction-free Writing
Writing assistance
Writing statistics
Character database
Cross Linking
Fullscreen support
Story Management
Export to PDF
Comments about Quoll Writer as a Alternative to Scrivener
Most users think Quoll Writer is a great Scrivener alternative.
Guest
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.
Top positive comment•
4

shall
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.
Top positive comment•
0

RemovedUser
Free; solid; several features; customizable; new versions released quickly and with new features; developer very receptive; great for writing novels.
Positive comment•
1
Guest
free -clean, uncluttered interface

easy and intuitive to use
Positive comment•
2
Guest
Shares many features, but little of the clutter.
Positive comment•
1