Scrivener Alternatives for Linux

Scrivener is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Manuskript, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Scrivener and 16 are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Scrivener are Zettlr, Dendron, bibisco and Story Architect (STARC).

Scrivener alternatives are mainly Note-taking Tools but may also be Novel Authoring Tools or Text Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Scrivener.

Scrivener alternatives page was last updated

Scrivener

249

Paid • Proprietary
Novel Authoring Tool

Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines everything you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion...

More about Scrivener

Manuskript
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Flathub
100 Manuskript alternatives
Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.
- - Manuskript is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Scrivener.
- - Manuskript is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Scrivener.
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Manuskript Features
1. Works OfflineManuskript can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Ad-freeManuskript doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Dark ModeManuskript supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Support for MarkDownManuskript supports MarkDown for document formatting.
5. File VersioningManuskript has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Outliner
Tree structure
Tracking of plots
Distraction-free Writing
Tracking of characters
Plot visualisation
Track Characters
Visual timeline
Tracking of locations
Visual Organization
Comments about Manuskript as a Alternative to Scrivener
Most users think Manuskript is a great Scrivener alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
DarkRedman
Mostly because it's opensource but also because the interface and features are very similar !
Top positive comment•
5

KB_Tidwell
I own Scrivener for Windows and iOS, but my favorite writing machine is a Linux laptop, so here I am. I like that Manuskript closely parallels Scrivener features, throws in a good timeline function that Scrivener doesn't have, but is a lighter, less feature-congested utility. I'm having a great time writing with Manuskript.
Top positive comment•
1

tux0r
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.
Top negative comment•
0

Guest
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.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
It's a very efficient alternative to Scrivener. It does not require long, lengthy tutorials. If there's one thing I don't like, it's that it's pretty slow. It lags a lot. Another is that it's not an app. And it's hard to look for it if you forgot where you stored it. The third is you can't add images and it's not very customizable like Scrivener is. Those are probably the only three things I don't like. Otherwise, it's extremely easy to use :)
Positive comment•
2

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5 of 10 comments
Zettlr
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
File Organizer
Mac
Windows
Linux
145 Zettlr alternatives
Zettlr is a one-stop publication workbench that combines many writing features and collects them in one application. It aims at speeding up your workflow and help you write without any interruptions.
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Zettlr Features
1. Support for MarkDownZettlr supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. File TaggingZettlr can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
3. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
4. Privacy focusedZettlr is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Ad-freeZettlr doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Syntax HighlightingZettlr supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
7. Dark ModeZettlr supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Zettlr.
9. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Zettlr without registration.
Zettelkasten note method
Multiple export options
Zotero integration
Note organization
Link files
Built-in themes
Export to LaTeX
Sync with Nextcloud
Interactive tables
Write files in markdown
Comments about Zettlr as a Alternative to Scrivener
Most users think Zettlr is a great Scrivener alternative.
RCLeahcar
Zettlr is more of a general note-taking app, and doesn't have the author-oriented features of Scrivener
Negative comment•
3

C.A.
Doesn't really serve the same purpose in the same way.
Negative comment•
0

Guest
Zettlr is a fantastic alternative to Scrivener - give it a go. It's brilliant.
Positive comment•
-3
Dendron
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Visual Studio Code
198 Dendron alternatives
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.
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Dendron Features
1. Support for MarkDownDendron supports MarkDown for document formatting.
2. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Dendron.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDendron can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Privacy focusedDendron is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Local Storage
Block reference
Graph view
VSCode
Backlinks
Quick reference lookup
Publishing
Tagging
Bidirectional links
Built-in themes
bibisco
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Electron / Atom Shell
Node.JS
39 bibisco alternatives
bibisco is a novel writing software that helps you to write your story, in a simple way.
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bibisco Features
1. Ad-freebibisco doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Portablebibisco can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Character development
Timeline
Scene Management
Google Drive integration
Export to EPUB
Distraction-free Writing
No installation
Export to Word
Export to PDF
Visual Organization
Comments about bibisco as a Alternative to Scrivener
Most users think bibisco is a great Scrivener alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
callyw
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 positive comment•
4

laurafecco
simple and very useful to know your characters!
Top positive comment•
1

Guest
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!
Top negative comment•
2

LapoMelzi
Too strict in his structure and the same time not thorough enough so that the boxing in would by uselful
Negative comment•
7

thatmasquedgirl
I used bibisco briefly a few years ago, and I remember it being packed to the brim with useful features. It's great for fiction writers because it gives them a variety of fields for defining their character. I felt the software was a bit too bulky for what I wanted, though. The best thing about bibisco is that it's 100% free, which is nice if your funds are limited, or if you aren't making a profit from your writing.
Positive comment•
-4

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Story Architect (STARC)
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Text Editor
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
AppImageHub
Flathub
30 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives
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.
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Story Architect (STARC) Features
1. LightweightStory Architect (STARC) consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Spell CheckingStory Architect (STARC) can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
3. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Story Architect (STARC) simultaneously.
4. PortableStory Architect (STARC) can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. AutocompletionStory Architect (STARC) can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
6. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Story Architect (STARC).
7. Distraction-freeStory Architect (STARC) has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
8. Dark ModeStory Architect (STARC) supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Story Architect (STARC).
Outliner
Screenwriting
Writing assistance
Collaborative writing
Export to PDF
Visual Novel
Tracking of plots
No Coding Required
Tree structure
Works Offline
novelWriter
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Note-taking Tool
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Qt
38 novelWriter alternatives
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.
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novelWriter Features
1. Dark ModenovelWriter supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in novelWriter without registration.
3. Support for MarkDownnovelWriter supports MarkDown for document formatting.
4. Privacy focusednovelWriter is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with novelWriter.
6. No TrackingnovelWriter will not track you or use your personal data.
7. Spell CheckingnovelWriter can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
8. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
9. File VersioningnovelWriter has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Tree structure
Comments and metadata saving
Task Time Tracking
No Coding Required
File Tagging
Automatic Backup
oStorybook
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
42 oStorybook alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
oStorybook Features
Character database
Detailed toolbar
Java based
Text editing
Opinions about oStorybook as a Alternative to Scrivener
Some users think oStorybook is a great Scrivener alternative, some don't.