Scrivener vs Novlr

Scrivener9.3Visit Novlr5.8Visit

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

vs

Novlr #37 in Writing Apps 5.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Novlr

• Scrivener fits best

  Novelists and other long-form authors

• Novlr fits best

  Goal-driven novelists

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Side by side

Feature	Scrivener 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Novlr 5.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	5.8
Ranking	#2 in Writing Apps	#37 in Writing Apps
Best for	Novelists and other long-form authors	Goal-driven novelists
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$23.99 one-time	$8/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	macOS, Windows, iOS	Web, iOS, Android
Integrations	4 integrations	2 integrations
Features Scrivener 4/5 · Novlr 4/5
Publishing tools	✓	✓
Real-time collaboration	—	✓ (best)
Version history	✓	✓
Offline mode	✓	✓
Mobile apps	✓ (best)	—
Specs
Export formats	Extensive	Extensive
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	Free plan includes focus mode, writing goals, planning and two projects. Studio adds unlimited projects, version history and proofreading tools. Novlr Sites and cloud backups support author publishing workflows.
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	The Free plan is limited to two projects. Starter limits projects to 10 and version history to 30 days. Mobile access is through browsers rather than a native app.
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 →	Novlr is a browser-based creative writing workspace for novelists and other writers who want their drafting, planning and progress tracking in one place. It combines a fullscreen focus mode with project and chapter organization, notes,… 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

• Novlr — where it wins

  • Free plan includes focus mode, writing goals, planning and two projects.
  • Studio adds unlimited projects, version history and proofreading tools.
  • Novlr Sites and cloud backups support author publishing workflows.

  Where it doesn't

  • The Free plan is limited to two projects.
  • Starter limits projects to 10 and version history to 30 days.
  • Mobile access is through browsers rather than a native app.

• Scrivener9.3/10 · 30-day trial

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

  Visit ScrivenerFull verdict →
• Novlr5.8/10 · Free plan

  A browser-based novel-writing workspace with planning, goals and publishing tools.

  Visit NovlrFull verdict →