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Scrivener alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Scrivener: compile and settings have a steep learning curve, and no real-time collaboration. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Scrivener, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Google Docs currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Ulysses logoUlyssesPaidNomacOS, iOS4 of 466.5
2iA Writer logoiA WriterPaidNomacOS, Windows, iOS4 of 462.6
3Obsidian logoObsidianFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +22 of 361.5
4Microsoft Word logoMicrosoft WordFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +23 of 359.6
  1. Ulysses logo

    1. UlyssesTop pick

    Best for: Apple users who write a lot and publish to blogs or ebooks

    PaidmacOS, iOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Scrivener

    Cleaner Markdown-based writing app on Apple devices with simpler publishing.

    Pros

    • Single library with goals, keywords and grouping
    • Direct publishing to WordPress, Ghost, Medium and Micro.blog
    • Smooth iCloud sync across Mac, iPad and iPhone

    Cons

    • Apple devices only
    • Subscription pricing
    • Library storage is less portable than plain files
    Visit Ulysses Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ulysses a good Scrivener alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    $39.99/year or $5.99/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Mac, iPad, iPhone
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    Yes, fully functional
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Publishing
    WordPress, Ghost, Medium, Micro.blog
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ulysses.app(opens source in a new tab)
  2. iA Writer logo

    2. iA Writer

    Best for: Writers who want a distraction-free Markdown editor and plain-text files

    PaidmacOS, Windows, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Scrivener

    Minimal, focused writing for people who find Scrivener too busy.

    Pros

    • Focus Mode and style checks keep writing tight
    • Plain-text Markdown files with no lock-in
    • One-time purchase per platform

    Cons

    • No page layout, complex tables or tracked changes
    • Separate purchase for each platform
    • No real-time collaboration
    Visit iA Writer Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is iA Writer a good Scrivener alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    7 days, no card
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Mac price
    $49.99 one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows price
    $29.99 one-time
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
    System requirements
    macOS 10.15+, Windows 10+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ia.net(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Obsidian logo

    3. Obsidian

    Best for: People who want to own their notes as local Markdown files

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    61.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Scrivener

    Free Markdown notes app that some writers use to plan and draft in linked files.

    Pros

    • Notes are plain Markdown files you own
    • Works fully offline
    • Huge plugin ecosystem

    Cons

    • Official sync is a paid add-on
    • Real-time collaboration is limited
    Visit Obsidian Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.338
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1577
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Obsidian a good Scrivener alternative?

    Verified facts

    2 of 3 verified
    Price
    Free, no sign-up required
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Storage
    Local Markdown files
    Checked Oct 24, 2026obsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
    Sync
    Paid add-on
    Not checked yetobsidian.md(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Microsoft Word logo

    4. Microsoft Word

    Best for: Writers and offices that must send and receive .docx files with exact formatting

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Scrivener

    What editors and publishers usually expect for final manuscripts.

    Pros

    • The reference implementation of .docx, so files look the same for recipients
    • Track changes, comments and styles are mature and widely understood
    • Free web version with real-time co-authoring

    Cons

    • Full desktop features need a Microsoft 365 subscription
    • Layout with images and tables can still shift unexpectedly
    • The ribbon is crowded for simple writing
    Visit Microsoft Word Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Microsoft Word a good Scrivener alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free version
    Word for the web
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app
    Included in Microsoft 365 Personal
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $9.99/month (Microsoft 365 Personal)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Scrivener alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Google Docs logo

Best Scrivener alternative for most people

Google Docs

Better when editors or co-authors need to comment in real time.

Google Docs logo

Best Scrivener alternative for a free option

Google Docs

Better when editors or co-authors need to comment in real time.

Obsidian logo

Best Scrivener alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Obsidian

Free Markdown notes app that some writers use to plan and draft in linked files.

Ulysses logo

Best Scrivener alternative for Mac

Ulysses

Cleaner Markdown-based writing app on Apple devices with simpler publishing.

iA Writer logo

Best Scrivener alternative for Windows

iA Writer

Minimal, focused writing for people who find Scrivener too busy.

Obsidian logo

Best Scrivener alternative for Linux

Obsidian

Free Markdown notes app that some writers use to plan and draft in linked files.

Microsoft Word logo

Best Scrivener alternative for iPhone and Android

Microsoft Word

What editors and publishers usually expect for final manuscripts.

Google Docs logo

Best Scrivener alternative for working in the browser

Google Docs

Better when editors or co-authors need to comment in real time.

Scrivener alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Scrivener?

Google Docs ranks first right now. Better when editors or co-authors need to comment in real time. Ulysses and iA Writer follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Scrivener?

Yes. Google Docs (free), Obsidian (free plan + paid) and Microsoft Word (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Scrivener?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which Scrivener alternatives work on Linux?

Obsidian runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Scrivener?

The complaints we hear most: compile and settings have a steep learning curve; no real-time collaboration; mobile sync relies on Dropbox.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Scrivener, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.