Scrivener alternatives · Writing
Open-source alternatives to Scrivener
Scrivener is not described as open source on its own site. 12 of the 67 other writing tools in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.
Scrivener is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows. All of them are free or have a free plan.
12 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
How each one differs from Scrivener
- 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. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- bibisco has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only bibisco lists Linux and Android apps.
- bibisco is open source, according to its own site.
- Free
Manuskript
Free, open-source novel planner with an outliner and index cards
- Manuskript is free. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- Manuskript has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Manuskript lists a Linux app.
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
- Free
LibreOffice Writer
Free, open-source word processor for Windows, macOS and Linux
- LibreOffice Writer is free. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- LibreOffice Writer has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only LibreOffice Writer lists a Linux app.
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
- Free plan · from $7.99/mo
Typst
Markup-based typesetting system with a collaborative web app
- Typst starts at $7.99 per month, billed monthly ($79.99 billed yearly). Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- Typst has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Typst lists a web app.
- Only Typst lists a Linux app.
- Free
Zettlr
Free, open-source Markdown editor for academic writing
- Zettlr is free. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- Zettlr has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Zettlr lists a Linux app.
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
- Free
novelWriter
Free, open-source plain-text editor for writing novels
- novelWriter is free. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- novelWriter has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only novelWriter lists a Linux app.
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
- Free
Trelby
Free, open-source screenwriting program for desktop
- Trelby is free. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- Trelby has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Trelby lists a Linux app.
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
- Free plan · from $11.99 one-time
Beat
Free, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS
- Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- Beat has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Scrivener lists a Windows app.
- Beat is open source, according to its own site.
- Free plan · from $4.99/mo
LanguageTool
Grammar and style checker for more than 30 languages
- LanguageTool starts at $4.99 per month on a 2-year plan ($119.80); $69.90 billed annually. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- LanguageTool has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only LanguageTool lists a web app.
- Only LanguageTool lists a browser extension.
- Free
FocusWriter
Free distraction-free word processor for Windows and Linux
- FocusWriter is free. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- FocusWriter has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only FocusWriter lists a Linux app.
- Only Scrivener lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Free
ghostwriter
Free, open-source Markdown editor from KDE for focused writing
- ghostwriter is free. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- ghostwriter has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only ghostwriter lists a Linux app.
- Only Scrivener lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Free
MarkText
Free, open-source Markdown editor with in-place live rendering
- MarkText is free. Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows.
- MarkText has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only MarkText lists a Linux app.
- Only Scrivener lists an iOS app.
Common questions
Is there an open-source alternative to Scrivener?
Yes. bibisco, Manuskript, LibreOffice Writer, Typst, Zettlr, novelWriter, Trelby, Beat and 4 more are open source, according to their own sites.
Is Scrivener open source?
Scrivener is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 5, 2026 against the pages it cites.
When was this checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Scrivener: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.