Scrivener vs Overleaf

Scrivener9.3Visit Overleaf9.0Visit

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

vs

Overleaf #5 in Writing Apps 9.0/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Overleaf

• Scrivener fits best

  Novelists and other long-form authors

• Overleaf fits best

  Academic LaTeX collaborators

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Side by side

Feature	Scrivener 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Overleaf 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.0
Ranking	#2 in Writing Apps	#5 in Writing Apps
Best for	Novelists and other long-form authors	Academic LaTeX collaborators
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$23.99 one-time	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	7 days
Free trial length	30 days	7 days · card required
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	macOS, Windows, iOS	Web
Integrations	4 integrations	6 integrations
Features Scrivener 4/5 · Overleaf 0/5
Publishing tools	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Real-time collaboration	—	Not checked yet
Version history	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Offline mode	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Mobile apps	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Export formats	Extensive	Not checked yet
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	Visual and code editors with automatic PDF compilation and preview Real-time editing, comments, track changes, and project history Connects with Git, GitHub, Dropbox, Zotero, Mendeley, and ReadCube
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	Free projects are limited to one collaborator The hosted web editor cannot be used offline Project history and version control are limited
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 →	Overleaf is a browser-based LaTeX editor for writing, formatting, compiling, and reviewing scientific and technical documents. Its visual and code editing modes, templates, bibliography tools, and automatic PDF preview suit students,… 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

• Overleaf — where it wins

  • Visual and code editors with automatic PDF compilation and preview
  • Real-time editing, comments, track changes, and project history
  • Connects with Git, GitHub, Dropbox, Zotero, Mendeley, and ReadCube

  Where it doesn't

  • Free projects are limited to one collaborator
  • The hosted web editor cannot be used offline
  • Project history and version control are limited

• Scrivener9.3/10 · 30-day trial

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

  Visit ScrivenerFull verdict →
• Overleaf9.0/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A focused LaTeX workspace for research teams that need shared editing, citations, and PDF previews.

  Visit OverleafFull verdict →