Scrivener AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Text Editors

The best Text Editor alternative to Scrivener is Manuskript, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Scrivener and many of them are Text Editors so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Text Editor alternatives to Scrivener are Zettlr, Ulysses, Rentry.co and novelWriter.

filter to find the best alternatives

Scrivener alternatives are mainly Text Editors, but if you're looking for Novel Authoring Tools or Word Processors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Free, Linux, Open Source, 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

     169 likes

    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.

    121 Manuskript alternatives

    Cost / License

    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.
    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. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     245 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.

    180 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    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
  4. 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.

    127 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
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Daino Notes icon
    Daino Notes

    Offers fast, distraction-free note-taking via a high-performance editor with real-time Markdown, local-first storage, image support, Kanban task boards, intuitive drag-and-drop, keyboard shortcuts, configurable themes, fast searc...

    https://www.get-notes.com
    Learn More
  6. Rentry.co icon

    Rentry.co

     55 likes

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

    182 Rentry.co alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Live markdown syntax highlighting
     
    |
    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
  7. novelWriter icon

    novelWriter

     25 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.

    65 novelWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Qt
    • Python
    Screenshot of older version
     
    |
    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
  8. Story Architect (STARC) icon

    Story Architect (STARC)

     14 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.

    44 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Android
    Story Architect (STARC) screenshot 1
     
  11. Daino Notes icon

    Daino Notes

     8 likes

    Offers fast, distraction-free note-taking via a high-performance editor with real-time Markdown, local-first storage, image support, Kanban task boards, intuitive drag-and-drop, keyboard shortcuts, configurable themes, fast search, and cross-platform access.

    78 Daino Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Daino Notes screenshot 1
     
  12. Effie: Write, Mindmap & Note icon

    Effie: Write, Mindmap & Note

     9 likes

    Effie is a light, clean, yet powerful markup-based writing and mind-mapping software that works across devices/platforms to capture your thoughts and help you write immersively and productively anywhere, anytime.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    https://www.effie.pro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/iphone?-01.png
     
  15. Inspire Writer icon

    Inspire Writer

     17 likes

    Inspire is a clone of Ulysses for Windows, with many of the core features but not all.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Inspire Writer screenshot 1
     
12 of 30 Scrivener alternatives