Alternatives · Writing
Vellum alternatives
Vellum compared with 4 alternatives: Atticus, Reedsy Studio, Scrivener and Ulysses.
Vellum is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks). 1 of the 4 alternatives is free or has a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
4 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 6, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| VellumThis tool | Free trial · from $199.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Atticus | From $147 one-time | No | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Reedsy Studio | Free plan · from $4.99/mo | Yes | Web |
| Scrivener | Free trial · from $23.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Ulysses | Free trial · from $39.99/yr | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
How each one differs from Vellum
- From $147 one-time
Atticus
Book writing and formatting app for ebooks and print
- Atticus starts at $147 one-time. Vellum starts at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks).
- Only Atticus lists a web app.
- Only Atticus lists Windows and Linux apps.
Suits: Self-publishing authors who format their own ebooks and print books
- Free plan · from $4.99/mo
Reedsy Studio
Browser-based book writing app with free EPUB and PDF typesetting
- Reedsy Studio starts at $4.99 per month, or $52.99 billed annually (Craft add-on). Vellum starts at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks).
- Reedsy Studio has a free plan. Vellum does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Reedsy Studio lists a web app.
- Only Vellum lists a macOS app.
- Vellum can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Self-publishing authors who want EPUB and print-ready PDF files at no cost
- 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. Vellum starts at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks).
- Only Scrivener lists Windows and iOS apps.
Suits: Novelists and academics managing book-length projects
- 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. Vellum starts at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks).
- Only Ulysses lists an iOS app.
- Vellum can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Ulysses also covers Markdown and grammar & style.
- Vellum also covers templates.
Suits: Writers who work only on Apple devices and want their texts on all of them
Limits worth knowing in Vellum
- Mac only, on macOS 13 or newer. It does not run on iPad, and the vendor says it has no plans for a native Windows version.
- The free download cannot generate files for publishing; that step requires buying Vellum Ebooks or Vellum Press.
- Print editions need Vellum Press. Upgrading from Vellum Ebooks after 30 days costs $69.99, more than the $50 gap between the two prices.
- A license is tied to one individual and cannot be shared with a co-worker or assistant. Listed prices do not include tax.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Vellum?
The alternatives to Vellum in this directory are Atticus, Reedsy Studio, Scrivener and Ulysses. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Vellum.
Is there a free alternative to Vellum?
Yes. Reedsy Studio has a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Vellum alternatives work on Windows?
The Vellum listing does not include a Windows app. Atticus and Scrivener list one.
Which Vellum alternatives work on Linux?
The Vellum listing does not include a Linux app. Atticus lists one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 6, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.