Comparison · Novel and long-form writing apps
Atticus vs Vellum: which is better in 2026?
Atticus91.5#2 in best novel and long-form writing apps
Vellum87.5#6 in best novel and long-form writing appsAtticus ranks higher in our list of novel and long-form writing apps (#2 against #6, score 91.5 against 87.5).
- 91.5Editorial score87.5
- 4Platforms1
- NoFree to useNo
- NoOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose Atticus if you want
Authors who want writing and formatting in one app.
Writing and formatting in one program, bought once for $147. Its site describes no planning tools, unlike Scrivener's corkboard and outliner.
Choose Vellum if you want
Mac authors who want polished ebook and print files.
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.
The main differences
- Only Atticus runs on Linux.
- Only Atticus runs on Windows.
- Atticus is one-time purchase; Vellum is paid.
Side by side
| Atticus | Vellum | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 91.5 | 87.5 |
| Rank in list | #2 of 10 | #6 of 10 |
| Price | One-time purchaseOne-time $147 for eBook and print; money-back guarantee | PaidPaid Mac license; ebook-only and ebook plus print tiers |
| Free to use | No | No |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | WindowsmacOSLinuxChromeOSWindows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS | macOSmacOS |
| Made by | Not stated | Not stated |
| Planning tools | Chapters, parts and volumes | Imports a finished manuscript |
| Export formats | EPUB, MOBI, PDF, DOCX | EPUB 2 and 3, print PDF/X-1a |
| Storage and sync | Cloud backups; works offline | Local Mac app |
| Best for | Authors who want writing and formatting in one app | Mac authors who want polished ebook and print files |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Atticus vs Vellum
- Is Atticus better than Vellum?
- Atticus ranks higher in our list of novel and long-form writing apps (#2 against #6, score 91.5 against 87.5). Atticus is best for: authors who want writing and formatting in one app. Vellum is best for: Mac authors who want polished ebook and print files.
- Which is cheaper, Atticus or Vellum?
- Atticus: One-time $147 for eBook and print; money-back guarantee. Vellum: Paid Mac license; ebook-only and ebook plus print tiers.
- Do Atticus and Vellum run on the same platforms?
- Atticus supports Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS. Vellum supports macOS.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
