Alternatives · Writing
Mellel alternatives
Mellel compared with 5 alternatives: Scrivener, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Ulysses and Overleaf.
Mellel is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MellelThis tool | Free trial · from $69.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Scrivener | Free trial · from $23.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Microsoft Word | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| LibreOffice Writer | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Ulysses | Free trial · from $39.99/yr | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Overleaf | Free plan · from $16.75/mo | Yes | Web |
How each one differs from Mellel
- 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. Mellel starts at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99.
- Only Scrivener lists a Windows app.
- Scrivener also covers templates.
- Mellel also covers citations and documents.
Suits: Novelists and academics managing book-length projects
- Free plan · from $9.99/mo
Microsoft Word
Word processor sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser
- Microsoft Word starts at $9.99 / month, or $99.99 / year (Microsoft 365 Personal). Mellel starts at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99.
- Microsoft Word has a free plan. Mellel does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Microsoft Word lists a web app.
- Only Microsoft Word lists Windows and Android apps.
- Mellel can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: People who want a full desktop word processor on Windows or Mac
- Free
LibreOffice Writer
Free, open-source word processor for Windows, macOS and Linux
- LibreOffice Writer is free. Mellel starts at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99.
- LibreOffice Writer has a free plan. Mellel does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only LibreOffice Writer lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Mellel lists an iOS app.
- LibreOffice Writer is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: People who want a full desktop word processor at no cost
- Free trial · from $39.99/yr
Ulysses
Markup-based writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone
- Ulysses starts at $39.99 per year, or $5.99 per month. Mellel starts at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99.
- Mellel can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Ulysses also covers Markdown and grammar & style.
- Mellel also covers citations and documents.
Suits: Writers who work only on Apple devices and want their texts on all of them
- Free plan · from $16.75/mo
Overleaf
Collaborative online LaTeX editor for papers and theses
- Overleaf starts at $16.75 per month, billed yearly at $199 (Standard); students from $8.25. Mellel starts at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99.
- Overleaf has a free plan. Mellel does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Overleaf lists a web app.
- Only Mellel lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Overleaf is self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: Researchers and students writing papers and theses in LaTeX
Limits worth knowing in Mellel
- Mac and iPad only: there is no Windows, Android or web version.
- A license covers two years of free updates; later versions need a paid upgrade, listed at $44 on the store page.
- Mellel Mobile runs on iPad only, lacks some editing options of the Mac version, and needs Premium for bibliography scanning.
- Citations and bibliographies rely on Bookends, a separate reference manager that is sold with Mellel as a $114.99 bundle.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Mellel?
The alternatives to Mellel in this directory are Scrivener, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Ulysses and Overleaf. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Mellel.
Is there a free alternative to Mellel?
Yes. LibreOffice Writer is free to use. Microsoft Word and Overleaf have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Mellel alternatives work on Windows?
The Mellel listing does not include a Windows app. Scrivener, Microsoft Word and LibreOffice Writer list one.
Which Mellel alternatives work on Linux?
The Mellel listing does not include a Linux app. LibreOffice Writer lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Mellel?
LibreOffice Writer is described as open source on its own site.
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.