Scrivener
Scrivener: A structured workspace for drafting, organizing, and compiling long-form work. Ranked #2 of 135 in Writing Apps by our editors (9.3/10); pricing: 30-day trial; best for novelists and other long-form authors.
At a glance
- Editor score9.3 / 10
- Pricing30-day trial
- Best forNovelists and other long-form authors
- Free planNo
- Paid from$23.99 one-time
- Publishing toolsYes
- Founded2006 · Cornwall, UK
- Facts checked19 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Scrivener
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 manuscript. Outlining views, corkboards, and text editing tools support work that moves between planning and drafting. It is available for macOS, Windows, and iOS, with separate perpetual licences for each platform.
The workflow is built around managing a substantial project rather than simply writing in one continuous document. Writers can add comments, annotations, images, and tables; set word or character targets; and track progress. Snapshots preserve earlier draft versions for comparison, while automatic saving and project backups help protect ongoing work. Research storage keeps reference material within the project, which may suit authors who want their notes and manuscript organized together. Dropbox, iTunes, Pandoc, and MultiMarkdown are among its integrations.
According to the vendor's licensing pages and store, the macOS and Windows licences each cost USD 59.99 as a one-time purchase, while the iOS licence for iPhone and iPad costs USD 23.99 one time. A 30-day free trial is available. Compilation and export support manuscripts, screenplays, and ebooks, with formats including Word, PDF, EPUB, Kindle, and Final Draft. Scrivener is a strong fit for authors who benefit from organizing a large project, revising across sections, and preparing finished work for export. Writers who need Google Docs-style real-time collaboration should choose a different tool; Scrivener supports asynchronous project merging on macOS instead.
Your product? Our editors can test Scrivener in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Scrivener pricing
All 3 Scrivener plans and prices →
Scrivener fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $23.99 one-time |
| Publishing tools | Yes |
| Real-time collaboration | No |
| Version history | Yes |
| Offline mode | Yes |
| Mobile apps | Yes |
| Export formats | Extensive |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Dropbox, iTunes, Pandoc, MultiMarkdown |
| Pricing | 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | literatureandlatte.com |
| Facts checked | 19 Sep 2026 |
Scrivener integrations
Scrivener lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Dropbox
- iTunes
- Pandoc
- MultiMarkdown
Alternatives to Scrivener
- Final DraftA screenplay-focused toolkit with deep planning, production, revision, and collaboration features.9.4
- CeltxScriptwriting and production planning for screenwriters working with collaborators.9.2
- Reedsy StudioA focused book-writing workspace with planning, collaboration, and EPUB/PDF publishing.9.1
See all Scrivener alternatives →
Scrivener vs the competition
- Scrivener vs Final Draft
- Scrivener vs Celtx
- Scrivener vs Reedsy Studio
- Scrivener vs Overleaf
- Scrivener vs LyX
- Scrivener vs Substack
Compare Scrivener with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Scrivener is ranked in 5 of our directories.
Used Scrivener? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Scrivener for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Scrivener is listed in our Writing Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/scrivener/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/scrivener.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update