Alternatives · Writing
Manuskript alternatives
Manuskript compared with 5 alternatives: novelWriter, bibisco, yWriter, Scrivener and Plottr.
Manuskript is free to use. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| ManuskriptThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| novelWriter | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| bibisco | Free plan · from $3.49/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| yWriter | Free plan · from $5.49 one-time | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Scrivener | Free trial · from $23.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Plottr | Free trial · from $60/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows |
How each one differs from Manuskript
- Free
novelWriter
Free, open-source plain-text editor for writing novels
- novelWriter is free. Manuskript is free.
Suits: Novelists on Linux or Windows who want a free plain-text editor
- Free plan · from $3.49/mo
bibisco
Novel planning and writing software built around characters
- bibisco starts at $3.49 per month for Everywhere sync; desktop Supporters Edition is $69 one-time. Manuskript is free.
- Only bibisco lists iOS and Android apps.
- bibisco can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Manuskript also covers Markdown.
Suits: Novelists who want structured character and plot planning
- Free plan · from $5.49 one-time
yWriter
Novel-writing software that organizes a book into scenes
- yWriter starts at $5.49 one-time for the Android app. Manuskript is free.
- Only yWriter lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Manuskript lists a Linux app.
- Manuskript is open source, according to its own site.
- Manuskript also covers Markdown.
Suits: Novelists who plan and draft scene by scene
- Free trial · from $23.99 one-time
Scrivener
Manuscript writing app with a binder, corkboard and outliner
- Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows. Manuskript is free.
- Manuskript has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
- Only Manuskript lists a Linux app.
- Scrivener can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Novelists and academics managing book-length projects
- Free trial · from $60/yr
Plottr
Visual book outlining and series bible software
- Plottr starts at $60 per year (Plottr); Plottr Pro is $9.99 per month or $99 per year. Manuskript is free.
- Manuskript has a free plan. Plottr does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Plottr lists a web app.
- Only Manuskript lists a Linux app.
- Plottr can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Novelists and screenwriters who outline visually before drafting
Limits worth knowing in Manuskript
- The download page says Manuskript is still in the early development stages and recommends frequent backups.
- Release 0.17.0 is packaged for Linux and Windows only; on macOS it has to be run from the Python source code.
- Import and export of ePub, OpenDocument and DocX need Pandoc installed separately.
- No web or mobile version is offered.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Manuskript?
The alternatives to Manuskript in this directory are novelWriter, bibisco, yWriter, Scrivener and Plottr. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Manuskript.
Is there a free alternative to Manuskript?
Yes. novelWriter is free to use. bibisco and yWriter have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Manuskript alternatives work on Android?
The Manuskript listing does not include an Android app. bibisco and yWriter list one.
Which Manuskript alternatives work on iOS?
The Manuskript listing does not include an iOS app. bibisco, yWriter and Scrivener list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.