Heyyyy there, fellow writers! Are you feeling overwhelmed by Scrivener’s learning curve? Or maybe you’re just not a fan of the formatting options it offers.
No worries, because I’ve got the solution!
In this article, I’m going to introduce you to the top Scrivener alternatives that will make your writing process a breeze.
(Spoiler alert: It’s Atticus. But I’ll get to that).
1. My Favorite Alternative: Atticus
Out of all the Scrivener alternatives on the market, Atticus is definitely my favorite. Made by the team at Kindlepreneur, Atticus is an all-in-one writing and formatting app that combines the best features of Scrivener, Google Docs, and Vellum.
It has a simple, user-friendly interface that’s perfect for those new to novel writing software, but it’s also packed with powerful features like drag-and-drop chapters and customizable front and back matter.
Plus, with cloud-based storage, a full formatting suite, and integration with ProWritingAid, you can easily keep track of and edit your work without ever leaving the app.
Pros of Atticus:
- Atticus is easy to use, with a simple interface that’s ideal for those who are new to novel writing software.
- It has powerful features like drag-and-drop chapters and customizable front and back matter.
- Cloud-based storage and ProWritingAid integration
- It has over a dozen templates to choose from for formatting, or the option to create your own with images and section breaks.
- The preview feature allows you to see exactly how your book will look in print and on different devices.
- Atticus is available on all major operating systems, including PC, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, and through your browser.
- It includes in-app writing goal tracking and gamification, as well as word count tracking for sections, chapters, or your entire book.
- Atticus has offline use available and full bleed and large print options for printing.
- A one-time payment of $147 gets you lifetime access, all future updates, and unlimited eBook and print book formatting. No need to worry about monthly subscriptions.
Cons of Atticus:
- Some features are still in the works (at the time of this writing).
- Since it’s new, the team at Kindlepreneur is still working out some bugs.
2. Quoll Writer
Quoll Writer is an open-source software is a great combination of plotting tool and word processor, much like Scrivener. Plus, it has a full-screen mode that’s perfect for writers who don’t want to be distracted when they’re working.
Quoll Writer is available on Mac, PC, and Linux, and it’s super easy to import your DOCX files from Microsoft Word.
It also has awesome features like spell checking and statistical analysis, as well as notes and character tags to help you keep track of your work. Plus, you can even share your work with an editor through Quoll Writer.
And did I mention that it’s completely free? Yes, please!
Pros of Quoll Writer:
- Quoll Writer is a free open-source software that’s a combination of plotting tool and word processor.
- It has a full-screen mode that’s perfect for writers who don’t want to be distracted when they’re working.
- Quoll Writer is available on Mac, PC, and Linux, and it’s easy to import DOCX files from Microsoft Word.
- It has features like spell checking, statistical analysis, and notes and character tags to help you keep track of your work.
- You can share your work with an editor through Quoll Writer.
Cons of Quoll Writer:
- The interface isn’t the most visually appealing.
- Quoll Writer doesn’t offer any formatting options – you’ll have to use another tool for that.
- All the features can be intimidating for new users.
3. iA Writer
If you’re looking for a simple and affordable word processor that’s perfect for distraction-free writing, iA Writer is the way to go! This tool is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, and it’s designed specifically for writers who are easily distracted or overwhelmed by features.
The focus mode feature highlights only one sentence at a time, so even your other words won’t distract you.
One of the things I love about iA Writer is that it’s not weighed down by features – it’s all about getting those words down on the page. However, it does have some handy features like syntax highlight and style check to help improve your writing. Just keep in mind that iA Writer is better suited for short-form writing than long-form – novel-length pieces can be a bit harder to navigate in this word-processing app.
Pros of iA Writer:
- iA Writer is a simple and affordable word processor designed for distraction-free writing.
- It’s available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
- The focus mode feature highlights only one sentence at a time to help you stay focused.
- iA Writer includes features like syntax highlight and style check to help improve your writing.
- It supports markdown and includes some templates to get you started.
- It’s perfect for writing sprints and short-form writing.
Cons of iA Writer:
- iA Writer may not be the best choice for long-form writing.
- Its lack of features may turn some writers off.
- It’s mostly designed for blog writing.
4. Microsoft Word
If you’re looking for a powerful word processor that you can use for basic plotting and organizing, Microsoft Word is a great Scrivener alternative. It’s the standard tool that many creative writers use at some point in their writing process, and it’s available as part of the Microsoft Office suite or as a standalone tool.
It’s also compatible with many different operating systems, so you can use it on your Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android device.
Pros of Microsoft Word:
- Microsoft Word is a powerful word processor that can be used for basic plotting and organizing.
- It’s the standard tool that many creative writers use at some point in their writing process.
- It’s available as part of the Microsoft Office suite or as a standalone tool.
- It’s compatible with many different operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Cons of Microsoft Word:
- Microsoft Word isn’t dedicated to book writing like Scrivener, so it doesn’t have all of the same features.
- It’s not free – it costs $159.99 as a standalone tool, or $6.99 a month with Microsoft 365.
5. FocusWriter
If you work best with only a few basic options and a full-screen mode that eliminates other on-screen distractions, FocusWriter might be the Scrivener alternative for you. It’s a minimalist writing app that’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It includes basic features like timers and word count goals that you can set for writing sprints, as well as customization options to make the app most conducive to your style of book writing.
It also includes an in-app spell check, which is always helpful, and it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a free writing tool that can help you focus and get your writing done.
Pros of Focus Writer:
- Minimalist writing app for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- It has basic features like timers and word count goals for writing sprints.
- It offers customization options to make the app most conducive to your style of book writing.
- It has a full-screen, distraction-free interface.
- It includes an in-app spell check.
- It’s free.
Cons of Focus Writer:
- FocusWriter has limited options.
- It doesn’t have any book formatting capabilities.
6. Bibisco
If you’re looking for a free alternative to Scrivener that’s tailored specifically for fiction writers, Bibisco is definitely worth checking out.
While it does take a bit of learning to get comfortable with the software, it has some really great features that make it stand out.
For example, it offers some great plotting tools that allows you to see a timeline of your story, which is really fun, as well as add images of objects that are important to your story (sometimes known as MacGuffins).
Pros of Bibisco:
- Bibisco is a free alternative to Scrivener that’s tailored specifically for fiction writers.
- It has some great plotting tools and allows you to see your story as a timeline.
- You can add images of objects that are important to your story (MacGuffins).
- It allows you to analyze the length of your chapters and track where your characters appear.
- The basic edition is free, and you can choose your price for the Supports Edition (starting at around $20).
- It’s available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Cons of Bibisco:
- Bibisco takes a bit of learning to get comfortable with the software.
- Most of the powerful features are only available in the paid version.
7. Living Writer
If you’re a fiction writer looking for a simpler alternative to Scrivener, Living Writer might be the perfect choice for you! This subscription-based app is designed specifically with fiction writers in mind, and it offers features like storytelling templates like the Hero’s Journey and Dan Harmon’s Story Circle that you won’t find in other writing tools.
One of the things I love about Living Writer is its organizational toolbar, which allows you to view your story on the micro or macro level – and everywhere in between. Plus, the board feature lets you easily drag and drop sections to rearrange your book.
Pros of Living Writer:
- Living Writer is a great Scrivener alternative for fiction writers.
- It offers features like storytelling templates like the Hero’s Journey and Dan Harmon’s Story Circle.
- The organizational toolbar allows you to view your story on the micro or macro level.
- The board feature lets you easily rearrange your book by dragging and dropping sections.
- It includes built-in auto-suggest and error correction and auto-saves to cloud-based storage.
- Living Writer has dark mode and includes word goal tools.
- It offers a 14-day free trial.
Cons of Living Writer:
- Living Writer is a subscription-only service, with prices starting at $96 per year or $9.99 per month.
- It’s not the best choice for discovery writers.
- It doesn’t have any book formatting capabilities.
8. Ulysses
If you’re a Mac or iOS user looking for a Scrivener alternative, Ulysses might be the perfect choice for you! This writing software is packed with features, including progress tracking, character tagging, and split-view, and it’s great for writing everything from blog posts and college essays to novels and nonfiction books.
One of the things I love about Ulysses is that it has a sleek interface and is great for distraction-free writing. It’s also very similar to Scrivener in its setup, so if you’re familiar with that tool, you’ll feel right at home.
Ulysses also integrates with Dropbox, and it offers some limited formatting options for eBooks and PDFs. Plus, it has in-app tutorials to help you learn how to use its robust plotting features.
Pros of Ulysses:
- Ulysses is a great Scrivener alternative for Mac and iOS users.
- It has a sleek interface and is great for distraction-free writing.
- Ulysses includes features like progress tracking, character tagging, and split-view.
- It integrates with Dropbox and offers some limited formatting options for eBooks and PDFs.
- There are in-app tutorials to help you learn how to use its robust plotting features.
Cons of Ulysses:
- Ulysses is only available for Mac and iOS operating systems.
- It’s a subscription-only service, with prices starting at $5.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
- It can be a bit intimidating for new users.
9. Squibler
If you’re a plotter at heart, Squibler might be the Scrivener alternative for you! This writing app is all about organizing and outlining your ideas, notes, and plot points. Rather than being a word processor, it’s a dedicated outlining app that’s perfect for co-writing a book or working with someone to outline your novel.
Squibler has a ton of great features for writers, including outline templates for short stories, novels, children’s books, and even screenplays.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that Squibler is really designed for plotting and outlining, rather than writing prose.
Pros of Squibler:
- Squibler is a dedicated outlining app that’s perfect for organizing and outlining your ideas, notes, and plot points.
- It integrates with Dropbox and Google Docs, so you can easily access work you’ve done with other writing software.
- Squibler includes features like cork board organization, collaboration, and goal tracking to help you stay on track.
- It has auto-suggest for grammar and passive voice correction to improve your writing skills.
- Squibler has outline templates for short stories, novels, children’s books, and screenplays.
Cons of Squibler:
- Squibler is more designed for plotting and outlining than writing prose, so it may not be the best choice for discovery writers.
- It’s only available with a monthly subscription of $9.99 (although there is a 14-day free trial).
The Bottom Line: My Top Picks
When it comes to the best writing apps out there, I have two that are my go-to options, and it depends on your price point:
- Best Paid Option: For paid tools, I 100% go with Atticus. It’s by far the best, since it’s built as an all-in-one writing and formatting tool, plus it’s available on all platforms and is relatively inexpensive.
- Best Free Option: For free tools, I really love FocusWriter, though only because it motivates me to keep on writing. Usually I will write in FocusWriter, then transfer my work to Atticus after the fact.
So FocusWriter is great for the actual writing, but when it comes to a word processing tool, you can’t beat Atticus.