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

The best free alternative to Scrivener is Manuskript, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Scrivener and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Scrivener are yWriter, Zettlr, Quoll Writer and Dendron.

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

     175 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.

    152 Manuskript alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Manuskript screenshot 1
     
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    10
    Manuskript vs Scrivener Comments
    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.

    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.

    3 of 10 comments
    • Manuskript is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
  2. yWriter icon

    yWriter

     70 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.

    105 yWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Main screen on Windows XP
     
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    8
    yWriter vs Scrivener Comments
    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.

    MachiTamago
    Positive
    0

    novel writing and organization software

    3 of 8 comments
    • yWriter is Freemium and ProprietaryScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • yWriter is LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
  4. Zettlr icon

    Zettlr

     266 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.

    236 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
     
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    3
    Zettlr vs Scrivener Comments
    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
    -7

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

    • Zettlr is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Zettlr is a Note-taking Scrivener is a Novel Authoring Tool
    • Zettlr is Privacy focused and LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
  5. Ad
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    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
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  6. Quoll Writer icon

    Quoll Writer

     43 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.

    104 Quoll Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Quoll Writer screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Quoll Writer vs Scrivener Comments
    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.

    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.

    3 of 5 comments
    • Quoll Writer is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
  8. Dendron icon

    Dendron

     72 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.

    238 Dendron alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

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

    It seems the development has stopped: https://github.com/dendronhq/dendron/discussions/3890

    Dendron vs Scrivener Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    0

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

    • Dendron is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Dendron is a Note-taking Scrivener is a Novel Authoring Tool
    • Dendron is Privacy focusedScrivener is not according to our users
  9. SmartEdit Writer icon

    SmartEdit Writer

     14 likes

    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...

    67 SmartEdit Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    SmartEdit Writer screenshot 1
     
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    4
    SmartEdit Writer vs Scrivener Comments
    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?

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    A Scrivener wannabe with a lot less clutter.

    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!

    3 of 4 comments
    • SmartEdit Writer is Free and ProprietaryScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
  10. novelWriter icon

    novelWriter

     33 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.

    96 novelWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Qt
    • Python
    Screenshot of older version
     
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    1
    novelWriter vs Scrivener Comments
    tuqueque
    Positive
    0

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

    • novelWriter is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • novelWriter is Privacy focused and LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
  11. Rentry.co icon

    Rentry.co

     56 likes

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

    208 Rentry.co alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Live markdown syntax highlighting
     
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    1
    Rentry.co vs Scrivener Comments
    desbest
    Negative
    1

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

    • Rentry.co is Free and ProprietaryScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Rentry.co is a Pastebin Scrivener is a Novel Authoring Tool
    • Rentry.co is Minimalistic and LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
  12. Story Architect (STARC) icon

    Story Architect (STARC)

     20 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.

    67 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Pinery

     12 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 types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Pinery screenshot 1
     
  15. Wavemaker Novel Writing icon

    Wavemaker Novel Writing

     19 likes

    Looking for a suite of tools for writing your book? This is not just a text editor it does so much more. Organise your story using timelines, planning boards and the snowflake tool, all integrated to make writing intuitive and fun.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Wavemaker Novel Writing screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Wavemaker Novel Writing vs Scrivener Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    It's an easy to use program. Looks great, and has some really nice tools. best of all works on my chromebook and on linux too

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Simply the best writing tool for ChromeOS and a strong contender for other operating systems.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    0

    Great free app for writing novels. It works well across all platforms and can handle heavy word counts. It has just enough of everything you'll need as a writer.

    3 of 4 comments
    • Wavemaker Novel Writing is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Wavemaker Novel Writing is LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
12 of 112 Scrivener alternatives