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, Quoll Writer, Dendron and Story Architect (STARC).

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Scrivener alternatives are mainly Novel Authoring Tools, but if you're looking for Note-taking Tools or Story Writing Tools 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

     176 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.

    157 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. 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.

    242 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
  4. 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.

    105 Quoll Writer alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Quoll Writer screenshot 1
     
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    6
    Quoll Writer vs Scrivener Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    rogerfranz
    0

    One. It's free. Two. It does not insist on a writing method (some others do). Three. It will import Scrivener files. Four. It does not lock me into a particular format.

    It is missing a few things, like a "ruler," and auto-indenting of paragraphs.

    It does not need a serial number, though, as it's free. AND, it runs under Linux. I don't even need Wine!

    shall
    Positive
    1

    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.

    Guest
    Positive
    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.

    3 of 6 comments
    • Quoll Writer is Free and Open SourceScrivener is 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. 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.

    241 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
  8. 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.

    69 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Android
    Story Architect (STARC) screenshot 1
     
  9. 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.

    97 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
  10. 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
  11. Fantasia Archive icon

    Fantasia Archive

     25 likes

    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.

    57 Fantasia Archive alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Fantasia Archive screenshot 1
     
  12. Daino Notes icon

    Daino Notes

     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.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    oStorybook

     28 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    oStorybook screenshot 1
     
  14. Kindling icon

    Kindling

     7 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.

    54 Kindling alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Scene list and light theme — full app layout with light and dark theme support.
     
  15. Hammer Editor icon

    Hammer Editor

     9 likes

    A simple tool for building stories and the worlds they live in.

    31 Hammer Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • F-Droid
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Hammer Editor screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Hammer Editor vs Scrivener Comments
    Adam Brown
    Positive
    0

    Mostly because I wrote it ?? But it's open source, fully multiplatform, syncs between all devices, it's great!

    • Hammer Editor is Free and Open SourceScrivener is Paid and Proprietary
    • Hammer Editor is Privacy focused and LightweightScrivener is not according to our users
12 of 27 Scrivener alternatives