Alternatives
Best Scrivener alternatives in 2026
Scrivener is writing software for long projects, with corkboard and compile tools. These 9 alternatives come from the same rankings, ordered by editorial score. Connected products carry a small, disclosed lift.
Ranked alternatives
- 1
Atticus
Also runs on Linux. Writing and formatting in one program, bought once for $147. Its site describes no planning tools, unlike Scrivener's corkboard and outliner.
Best for Authors who want writing and formatting in one app
WindowsmacOSLinuxChromeOSOne-time purchase
- 2
Ulysses
A polished writing app with iCloud sync, goals and exports to PDF, Word and ebook. It runs only on Apple devices and costs a subscription, while Scrivener is a one-time purchase.
Best for Apple users who write daily and export to Word
macOSiOS, iPadOSSubscription
- 3
Reedsy Studio
Has a free option; also runs on Web. Free to write, with Boards for research and one-click EPUB and print PDF export. Advanced stats and outlining need paid add-ons, and it runs in a browser rather than as a desktop app.
Best for Free browser-based drafting with print and ebook export
WebFree plan, paid upgrades
- 4
Plottr
Also runs on Web. The strongest visual outliner here, with timelines, scene cards and a series bible. It does not draft text, so it works best beside a writing app such as Scrivener.
Best for Visual plotting for novels and series
WindowsmacOSWebPaid
- 5
Vellum
Strong ebook and print output, but it runs only on Mac and it starts from a finished manuscript. Atticus covers the same formatting job on Windows and Linux as well.
Best for Mac authors who want polished ebook and print files
macOSPaid
- 6
Novelcrafter
Also runs on Web. A browser-based Codex and outline with optional AI. It has no free plan, and its AI features start at the $8 Hobbyist plan, so it suits writers who want that tool set.
Best for Browser-based world-building with optional AI
WebSubscription
- 7
Dabble
Also runs on Web, Android. Plot grid, word goals and mobile apps in one novel tool. Lifetime access costs $699, and export covers Word and text rather than ebook layouts.
Best for Novelists who want planning and word goals in one app
WebiOSAndroidPaid
- 8
novelWriter
Has a free option; is open source; also runs on Linux. Free, open source under GPL-3.0 and updated in 2026, with synopsis and cross-reference metadata. It is a desktop program with no mobile version listed.
Best for Free open-source writing on Linux, Windows or macOS
LinuxWindowsmacOSFree and open sourceOpen source
- 9
yWriter
Has a free option. Free for Windows, with chapters, scenes and per-scene conflict fields. The Mac version is still in progress, and print PDFs need an external TeX step.
Best for Free scene-based drafting on Windows
WindowsFree
Narrow the alternatives
Free alternatives to Scrivener
Scrivener alternatives for Linux
Compare Scrivener head to head
- Scrivenerversus
Atticus - Scrivenerversus
Ulysses - Scrivenerversus
Reedsy Studio - Scrivenerversus
Plottr - Scrivenerversus
Vellum
Or build your own comparison table with Scrivener and up to three other products.
About Scrivener alternatives
- What is the best alternative to Scrivener?
- On listme.name the highest-scored alternative is Atticus, followed by Ulysses. The right choice depends on price, platform and whether you need open source.
- Is there a free alternative to Scrivener?
- Yes. Free options include Reedsy Studio, novelWriter, yWriter.
Before you switch
Learning Center
1:16Lock-in and exit costs: check how you leave before you commitLearn what lock-in is, run an export test on real data, compare open formats and local versus hosted storage, and plan an exit with your EU data rights in mind.
1:20How to run a software trial that tells you somethingRun a software trial that answers your question. Set criteria first, use real files, test import, export and sharing, then decide before the end date.