Scrivener vs Storyist

Scrivener9.4Visit Storyist8.8Visit

Higher score Scrivener #1 in Book Writing Software 9.4/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Scrivener

vs

Storyist #5 in Book Writing Software 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Storyist

• Scrivener fits best

  Serious long-form authors

• Storyist fits best

  Mac and iOS book writers

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Side by side

Feature	Scrivener 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Storyist 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Book Writing Software	#5 in Book Writing Software
Best for	Serious long-form authors	Mac and iOS book writers
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$23.99 one-time	$19 one-time
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	macOS, Windows, iOS	macOS, iOS
Integrations	4 integrations	6 integrations
Features Scrivener 0/5 · Storyist 0/5
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	—	Not checked yet
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.	Combines rich-text editing, outlining, story sheets, and index cards Exports books to ePub, Kindle, and PDF Automatic versions support browsing and restoration
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.	Available only on macOS and iOS Requires separate one-time purchases for Mac and iOS Cloud storage workflows depend on supported services
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 →	Storyist is a creative writing application for novelists and screenwriters who want drafting, planning, project organization, and publishing tools in one workspace. Its rich-text editor supports stylesheets, comments, images, headers,… Read the review →

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.

• Storyist — where it wins

  • Combines rich-text editing, outlining, story sheets, and index cards
  • Exports books to ePub, Kindle, and PDF
  • Automatic versions support browsing and restoration

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on macOS and iOS
  • Requires separate one-time purchases for Mac and iOS
  • Cloud storage workflows depend on supported services

• Scrivener9.4/10 · 30-day trial

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

  Visit ScrivenerFull verdict →
• Storyist8.8/10 · Paid

  A focused Mac and iOS workspace for drafting, planning, and publishing books.

  Visit StoryistFull verdict →