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Head-to-head · Book Writing Software

Scrivener vs Dabble

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Scrivener #1 in Book Writing Software 9.4/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Scrivener
Dabble #2 in Book Writing Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Dabble

Scrivener leads on 0 checks, Dabble on 2, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreScrivener · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Dabble
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresDabble · 1 of 5

Scrivener scores higher on our rubric for book writing software: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Dabble offers free plan; Scrivener doesn't. Dabble offers collaboration; Scrivener doesn't.

Scrivener is the better fit for serious long-form authors. Dabble is the better fit for collaborative cross-platform novelists.

  • Scrivener fits best

    Serious long-form authors

  • Dabble fits best

    Collaborative cross-platform novelists

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 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Dabble 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.2
Ranking #1 in Book Writing Software #2 in Book Writing Software
Best for Serious long-form authors Collaborative cross-platform novelists
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $23.99 one-time $19/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days 14 days
Free trial length 30 days 14 days
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms macOS, Windows, iOS Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Integrations 4 integrations 2 integrations
Features Scrivener 0/5 · Dabble 1/5
Outlining tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Manuscript formatting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cloud sync Not checked yet Not checked yet
Collaboration — ✓ (best)
Revision history Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Export formats extensive extensive
Our review
Pros
  • Binder, corkboard, outliner, and folder views organize complex manuscripts.
  • Research, snapshots, targets, backups, and progress tracking stay with the project.
  • Compiles manuscripts, screenplays, and ebooks into extensive export formats.
  • Real-time co-authoring, comments, tracked suggestions, and version history
  • Offline-first writing with automatic synchronization across six platforms
  • Exports to Word, Google Docs, web, and Markdown, plus browser PDF printing
Cons
  • No Google Docs-style real-time collaboration is provided.
  • Separate perpetual licences are required for macOS, Windows, and iOS.
  • Availability is limited to macOS, Windows, and iOS.
  • Full writing projects require a subscription or active trial
  • Mobile access is a browser-installed progressive web app
  • Higher tiers add useful editing and learning features at substantial cost
Our verdict

Scrivener is a long-form writing application for novelists, screenwriters, academics, journalists, and other writers managing substantial projects. Its binder-style structure lets authors divide work into sections, folders, and subfolders,…

Read the review →

Dabble is a writing application for novelists and fiction authors who want drafting, planning, editing, and sharing in one workspace. Its manuscript editor organizes books, chapters, and scenes, while Plot Grid, character profiles, a story…

Read the review →
  1. ScrivenerBook Writing Software 9.430-day trial
  2. DabbleBook Writing Software 9.2Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Scrivener — where it wins

    • Binder, corkboard, outliner, and folder views organize complex manuscripts.
    • Research, snapshots, targets, backups, and progress tracking stay with the project.
    • Compiles manuscripts, screenplays, and ebooks into extensive export formats.

    Where it doesn't

    • No Google Docs-style real-time collaboration is provided.
    • Separate perpetual licences are required for macOS, Windows, and iOS.
    • Availability is limited to macOS, Windows, and iOS.

  • Dabble — where it wins

    • Real-time co-authoring, comments, tracked suggestions, and version history
    • Offline-first writing with automatic synchronization across six platforms
    • Exports to Word, Google Docs, web, and Markdown, plus browser PDF printing

    Where it doesn't

    • Full writing projects require a subscription or active trial
    • Mobile access is a browser-installed progressive web app
    • Higher tiers add useful editing and learning features at substantial cost
  • Scrivener9.4/10 · 30-day trial

    A deep, focused workspace for organizing, drafting, researching, and compiling long-form work.

    Visit ScrivenerFull verdict →
  • Dabble9.2/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A cross-platform novel workspace with strong collaboration, planning, and export support.

    Visit DabbleFull verdict →

More comparisons

All book writing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update