Scrivener AlternativesOnly Free apps categorised as Text Editors

The best free Text Editor 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 many of them are free Text Editors so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free Text Editor alternatives to Scrivener are Zettlr, Rentry.co, novelWriter and Story Architect (STARC).

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Scrivener alternatives are mainly Text Editors, but if you're looking for Novel Authoring Tools or Note-taking Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Linux, Free, Online, Open Source, Windows 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
     171 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.

    132 Manuskript alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
     
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    10
  2. Zettlr icon
     255 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.

    204 Zettlr alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
     
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    3
  3. Rentry.co icon
     55 likes

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

    190 Rentry.co alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
     
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    1
  4. novelWriter icon
     29 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.

    79 novelWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Qt
    • Python
     
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    1
  5. 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.

    53 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Android
     
  6. Daino Notes icon
     10 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.

    94 Daino Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  7. 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
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  8. 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
     
  9. Nulis icon
     15 likes

    Nulis makes the process of outlining your stories, articles, or books easy, fun, and convenient.

    Cost / License

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
     
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    1
  10. Manuscripts icon
     3 likes

    Manuscripts helps you get started on the right track. The app understands the format you need when submitting to your target journal.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
12 of 22 Scrivener alternatives