Scrivener vs Atticus

Scrivener9.3Visit Atticus4.7Visit

Higher score Scrivener #2 in Writing Apps 9.3/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Scrivener

vs

Atticus #48 in Writing Apps 4.7/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Atticus

• Scrivener fits best

  Novelists and other long-form authors

• Atticus fits best

  Authors preparing print and ebooks

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Scrivener 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Atticus 4.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	4.7
Ranking	#2 in Writing Apps	#48 in Writing Apps
Best for	Novelists and other long-form authors	Authors preparing print and ebooks
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$23.99 one-time	$147 one-time
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	macOS, Windows, iOS	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations	4 integrations	2 integrations
Features Scrivener 4/5 · Atticus 4/5
Publishing tools	✓	✓
Real-time collaboration	—	✓ (best)
Version history	✓ (best)	—
Offline mode	✓	✓
Mobile apps	✓	✓
Specs
Export formats	Extensive	Standard
Our review
Pros	Organizes drafts and research in a binder-style project structure Snapshots, targets, and progress tracking support revision Compiles manuscripts, screenplays, and ebooks for export	Formats books with customizable themes and layouts. Exports to EPUB, PDF and DOCX for publishing workflows. Supports offline work and collaboration with comments and tracked changes.
Cons	Separate perpetual licences are required for each platform No Google Docs-style real-time collaboration Its extensive project structure may be unnecessary for short-form writing	Costs $147 upfront, with no free plan. Version history is not available. Uses a progressive web app rather than native mobile apps.
Our verdict	Scrivener is a writing application for novelists, screenwriters, academics, journalists, and other long-form writers. Its binder-style structure lets authors divide a project into sections, rearrange them, and keep research alongside the… Read the review →	Atticus brings manuscript writing and book formatting together for authors and self-publishers preparing print or digital editions. Its editor includes chapter navigation, word counting and writing goals, and writers can import existing… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Scrivener — where it wins

  • Organizes drafts and research in a binder-style project structure
  • Snapshots, targets, and progress tracking support revision
  • Compiles manuscripts, screenplays, and ebooks for export

  Where it doesn't

  • Separate perpetual licences are required for each platform
  • No Google Docs-style real-time collaboration
  • Its extensive project structure may be unnecessary for short-form writing

• Atticus — where it wins

  • Formats books with customizable themes and layouts.
  • Exports to EPUB, PDF and DOCX for publishing workflows.
  • Supports offline work and collaboration with comments and tracked changes.

  Where it doesn't

  • Costs $147 upfront, with no free plan.
  • Version history is not available.
  • Uses a progressive web app rather than native mobile apps.

• Scrivener9.3/10 · 30-day trial

  A structured workspace for drafting, organizing, and compiling long-form work.

  Visit ScrivenerFull verdict →
• Atticus4.7/10 · Paid

  A book-focused writing and formatting app with offline access and a one-time price.

  Visit AtticusFull verdict →