Free Scrivener Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to Scrivener for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best free Mac alternative is Manuskript, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Scrivener and many of them are free and available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Mac alternatives to 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 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. oStorybook icon
     26 likes

    oStorybook is a free, open source novel-writing software for creative writers, novelists and authors which will help you to keep an overview of multiple plot-lines while writing texts.

    62 oStorybook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  2. ExcellentWriter is supposed to be a tool which lets you organize, write and format your novel inside Excel and in the end lets you use the power of Word to do the finishing touches.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  3. Aevon icon
     3 likes

    Aevon is the all-in-one workspace where authors manage manuscripts, characters, maps, lore, and items — all connected and always in sync. Now with comics!!!

    63 Aevon alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
     
  4. 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.

    30 Effie: Write, Mindmap & Note alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  5. Rayuela Editor is moderm, privacy-focused writing environment designed for long-form fiction (novels, screenplays, and theses). It bridges the gap between the structural power of Scrivener and the portability of modern web technology, wrapped in a native desktop application.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
     
  6. Celtx icon
     42 likes

    Based on the Firefox engine, supports standards, visual storyboarding, production scheduling, publication & international languages MUI support. Free tutorials, videos & wiki are available from the site. There is a very helpful community too.

    55 Celtx alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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  7. Kindling icon
     4 likes

    Free, open-source writing app for plotters. Import your outline from Scrivener, Plottr, yWriter, or Obsidian — then draft with your scene beats, character notes, and story structure visible alongside your prose. No AI, no subscription, no cloud.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  8. Campfire provides a one-stop-shop for novelists: organizational and writing tools (Campfire Write), a hub of writing resources (Campfire Learn), & a writing and reading platform for building an audience and sharing your work (Campfire Explore).

    88 Campfire Write alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
     
  9. Lattics icon
     10 likes

    Lattics is an all-in one knowledge management tool. It offers most of the things in Obsidian, Scrivener and Zotero together.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  10. PlotForge icon
     Like

    Local-first novel writing app for indie authors. Private AI via Ollama or LM Studio. Direct Scrivener .scriv import. $79 one-time, no subscription.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
     
  11. Shaxpir icon
     4 likes

    Shaxpir is a word-processor in the cloud, designed for authors of long-form narratives, like novels and memoirs. Designed by writers, Shaxpir offers tools for every stage of the writing process, from brainstorming and outlining to prosecraft and publishing.

    22 Shaxpir alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
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