Alternatives · Writing
Nisus Writer alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Nisus Writer alternative for most people is Microsoft Word (3.4 GPA), first in our ranking of writing tools. It's also the best free one. The catch, in its listing's words: "Word for the web is free for 1 person."
Nisus Writer compared with 6 alternatives: Mellel, Ulysses, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Scrivener and 1 more.
Nisus Writer is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $26 one-time (Express). 3 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a Nisus Writer sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nisus WriterThis tool | Free trial · from $26 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Mellel | Free trial · from $69.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Ulysses | Free trial · from $39.99/yr | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Microsoft Word | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| LibreOffice Writer | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Scrivener | Free trial · from $23.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| FreeOffice TextMaker | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Nisus Writer
Mellel
Mac word processor for long academic and technical documents
- Mellel starts at $69.99 one-time for Mellel for Mac; iPad in-app purchases from $9.99.
- Mellel also lists an iOS app.
- Mellel also covers citations.
Suits: Academics and students writing theses, papers and books on a Mac
Ulysses
Markup-based writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone
- Ulysses starts at $39.99 per year, or $5.99 per month.
- Ulysses also lists an iOS app.
- Ulysses also covers Markdown and grammar & style.
- Ulysses does not cover documents, which Nisus Writer does.
Suits: Writers who work only on Apple devices and want their texts on all of them
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).
- Microsoft Word has a free plan, which Nisus Writer lacks.
- Microsoft Word also lists a web app and Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Microsoft Word also covers dictation, templates and grammar & style.
- Microsoft Word does not cover long-form writing, which Nisus Writer does.
Suits: People who want a full desktop word processor on Windows or Mac
LibreOffice Writer
Free, open-source word processor for Windows, macOS and Linux
- LibreOffice Writer is free.
- LibreOffice Writer has a free plan, which Nisus Writer lacks.
- LibreOffice Writer also lists Windows and Linux apps.
- LibreOffice Writer is open source, according to its own site.
- LibreOffice Writer also covers templates.
Suits: People who want a full desktop word processor at no cost
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.
- Scrivener also lists Windows and iOS apps.
- Scrivener also covers templates.
- Scrivener does not cover documents, which Nisus Writer does.
Suits: Novelists and academics managing book-length projects
FreeOffice TextMaker
Free word processor that opens and saves Microsoft Word files
- FreeOffice TextMaker is free.
- FreeOffice TextMaker has a free plan, which Nisus Writer lacks.
- FreeOffice TextMaker also lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
Suits: People who want a free Word-compatible editor
Limits worth knowing in Nisus Writer
- Mac only: there is no Windows, iPhone, iPad or web version.
- The two editions are priced separately, and the comparison between them is only on each edition's own page.
- The vendor's pages list compatibility with macOS 10.13 through Sonoma, so check it against newer macOS releases.
- Sold directly with a 30-day refund guarantee, but the store lists no subscription or cloud workspace.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Nisus Writer?
The alternatives to Nisus Writer in this directory are Mellel, Ulysses, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Scrivener and FreeOffice TextMaker. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Nisus Writer.
Is there a free alternative to Nisus Writer?
Yes. LibreOffice Writer and FreeOffice TextMaker are free to use. Microsoft Word has a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Nisus Writer alternatives work on Windows?
The Nisus Writer listing does not include a Windows app. Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Scrivener and FreeOffice TextMaker list one.
Which Nisus Writer alternatives work on Linux?
The Nisus Writer listing does not include a Linux app. LibreOffice Writer and FreeOffice TextMaker list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Nisus Writer?
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 Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.