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

The best open source alternative to Scrivener is Manuskript. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Scrivener and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Scrivener are Zettlr, bibisco, Quoll Writer and Dendron.

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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, 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
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    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.

    120 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.
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    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

     244 likes
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    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.

    177 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. bibisco icon

    bibisco

     85 likes
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    Desktop application for novel structuring, offering chapter and scene management, distraction-free text editing, detailed timeline, character interviews, multilingual support, export to publishing formats, revision history, relationship diagrams, and writing goal tracking.

    53 bibisco alternatives

    Cost / License

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

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Electron
    • Node.JS
    Novel architecture
     
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    7
    84
    Comments about bibisco as an Alternative to Scrivener
    Top Positive Comment
    callyw
    3

    It is actually a better alternative to Scrivener because of its clear, organisation features. I wish I would have discovered this before I purchased Scrivener. Bibisco is much easier to use: You don't need lengthy tutorials to read just to get started. Hands down this is better.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    4

    Bibisco keeps getting in the way. No, dude. I don't want to outline your way. Not only does it insist to make you fill in stuff you don't want to, it doesn't even offer a way to disable it!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    LapoMelzi
    Negative
    9

    Too strict in his structure and the same time not thorough enough so that the boxing in would by uselful

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    3 of 7 comments
    Scrivener Icon
    bibisco icon

    • Most users think bibisco is a great Scrivener alternative.

    • bibisco is Freemium and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • bibisco is Privacy focusedScrivener is not according to our users
  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. Quoll Writer icon

    Quoll Writer

     38 likes
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    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.

    76 Quoll Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Quoll Writer screenshot 1
     
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    5
    26
    Comments about Quoll Writer as an Alternative to Scrivener
    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 5 comments
    Scrivener Icon
    Quoll Writer icon

    • Most users think Quoll Writer is a great Scrivener alternative.

    • Quoll Writer is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
  7. Dendron icon

    Dendron

     71 likes
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    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.

    202 Dendron alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Visual Studio Code
    Dendron screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Dendron as an Alternative to Scrivener
    Guest
    Negative
    0

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Scrivener Icon
    Dendron icon
    • Dendron is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Dendron is Privacy focusedScrivener is not according to our users
  8. novelWriter icon

    novelWriter

     25 likes
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    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.

    64 novelWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Story Architect (STARC)

     14 likes
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    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.

    42 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. Wavemaker Novel Writing icon

    Wavemaker Novel Writing

     17 likes
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    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
    16
    Comments about Wavemaker Novel Writing as an Alternative to Scrivener
    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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    2

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Scrivener Icon
    Wavemaker Novel Writing icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Wavemaker Novel Writing is a great Scrivener alternative.

    • Wavemaker Novel Writing is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Wavemaker Novel Writing is LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
  12. Daino Notes icon

    Daino Notes

     8 likes
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    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.

    77 Daino Notes alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Daino Notes screenshot 1
     
  13. oStorybook icon

    oStorybook

     25 likes
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    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.

    51 oStorybook alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    oStorybook screenshot 1
     
  14. Fantasia Archive icon

    Fantasia Archive

     17 likes
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    Free offline worldbuilding and story creation tool with dozens of templates, complex tagging options, document linking, and project-wide search. Template examples: characters, places, events, religions, currencies, magic, species, languages.

    29 Fantasia Archive alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Fantasia Archive screenshot 1
     
  15. Trelby icon

    Trelby

     32 likes
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    Trelby is simple, fast and elegantly laid out to make screenwriting simple. It is infinitely configurable.

    26 Trelby alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Trelby
     
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    1
    Comments about Trelby as an Alternative to Scrivener
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Trelby is for screenwriters, not for novelists.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Scrivener Icon
    Trelby icon
    • Trelby is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Trelby is CustomizableScrivener is not according to our users
12 of 20 Scrivener alternatives