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Head-to-head · Book Writing Software

Scrivener vs NovelPad

  • 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
NovelPad #8 in Book Writing Software 8.5/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit NovelPad

Scrivener leads on 0 checks, NovelPad on 1, and 1 is 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 trialboth
  • Most featuresNovelPad · 1 of 5

Scrivener scores higher on our rubric for book writing software: 9.4 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

NovelPad offers collaboration; Scrivener doesn't.

Scrivener is the better fit for serious long-form authors. NovelPad is the better fit for cloud-based planners and collaborators.

  • Scrivener fits best

    Serious long-form authors

  • NovelPad fits best

    Cloud-based planners and collaborators

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Side by side

Feature Scrivener 9.4/10 Visit ↗ NovelPad 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.5
Ranking #1 in Book Writing Software #8 in Book Writing Software
Best for Serious long-form authors Cloud-based planners and collaborators
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $23.99 one-time $150/yr
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days 14 days
Free trial length 30 days 14 days
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop
Platforms macOS, Windows, iOS Web, macOS, Windows, Linux
Integrations 4 integrations 1 integrations
Features Scrivener 0/5 · NovelPad 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 basic
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.
  • Scene, plot, character, and subplot boards support detailed planning
  • Version history, comparisons, and snapshot restore support revision work
  • Cloud plans combine offline writing, synchronization, sharing, and collaboration
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.
  • There is no free plan after the 14-day trial
  • Native mobile apps are not included
  • Desktop Only has no sync or cloud storage
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 →

NovelPad is writing software for professional and aspiring novelists who want one workspace for planning, drafting, revising, and sharing manuscript material. Its tools cover scene, chapter, plot, character, and subplot organization,…

Read the review →
  1. ScrivenerBook Writing Software 9.430-day trial
  2. NovelPadBook Writing Software 8.514-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.

  • NovelPad — where it wins

    • Scene, plot, character, and subplot boards support detailed planning
    • Version history, comparisons, and snapshot restore support revision work
    • Cloud plans combine offline writing, synchronization, sharing, and collaboration

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan after the 14-day trial
    • Native mobile apps are not included
    • Desktop Only has no sync or cloud storage
  • Scrivener9.4/10 · 30-day trial

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

    Visit ScrivenerFull verdict →
  • NovelPad8.5/10 · 14-day trial

    A focused novel workspace for planning, drafting, revising, and collaborating across devices.

    Visit NovelPadFull 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