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Scrivener

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Last updated on

Company health

Employee growth
No change in the last year
Web traffic
6% increase in the last quarter

Ratings

G2
4.5/5
(84)
Capterra
4.7/5
(199)

Scrivener description

Scrivener is writing software designed for books, articles, and scripts. It helps you organize research, structure your writing with outlines and index cards, and format for different document types. It also provides tools for tracking progress and exporting to popular formats like Microsoft Word and PDF. While it has a learning curve, its many features make it popular for writers who need more than a basic word processor.


Who is Scrivener best for

Scrivener is a powerful writing tool for authors, screenwriters, and content creators working on long-form projects. Users praise its organizational features, including the "binder" and "corkboard" views, and its ability to break writing into manageable chunks. However, some find the compiling process difficult and the learning curve steep. If you need more than a basic word processor and are willing to invest time in learning the software, Scrivener can be a valuable asset.

  • Best for small to medium-sized businesses.

  • Ideal for media & entertainment, education, and real estate.


Scrivener features

Supported

Scrivener supports exporting to PDF using the Compile feature.

Supported

Scrivener allows adding comments to documents via the Format menu or the Comments & Footnotes pane.

Supported

Scrivener offers features for organizing notes, research, and character details.

Supported

Scrivener allows exporting to Word via "Export" or "Compile" features.

Supported

Scrivener provides a binder system for organizing chapters and scenes within a writing project.

Supported

Scrivener supports text, paragraph, font, style, heading, and list formatting.

Qualities

We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the software

Ease of Use

Strongly positive
+1

Ease of Implementation

Strongly negative
-1

Scrivener reviews

We've summarised 281 Scrivener reviews (Scrivener Capterra reviews and Scrivener G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of Scrivener
  • Excellent organizational tools for research, outlines, and writing.
  • Flexible project management with "binder" and "corkboard" views.
  • Ability to break down writing into manageable chunks (scenes/chapters).
  • Distraction-free writing mode and customizable interface.
  • One-time purchase with free updates (unlike subscription models).
Cons of Scrivener
  • Difficult compiling process, especially for ebooks and specific formats.
  • Steep learning curve and overwhelming number of features.
  • Lack of seamless integration with some reference managers.
  • Occasional bugs and freezing issues reported.
  • Inconsistent formatting when exporting to other platforms.

Scrivener pricing

The commentary is based on 21 reviews from Scrivener Capterra reviews and Scrivener G2 reviews.

Scrivener's pricing is a significant advantage. Users consistently praise its one-time purchase model and affordable price, especially compared to subscription-based competitors. Many consider it a great value given its robust features and free updates. While the mobile version requires a separate purchase, the overall cost is still viewed favorably.

Users sentiment

Strongly positive
+1

Scrivener alternatives

  • Logo of Pages
    Pages
    Create beautiful documents effortlessly on your Apple devices.
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  • Logo of Final Draft
    scrivener vs Final Draft
    Industry-standard screenwriting software for professional scripts.
    Read more
  • Logo of Adobe InCopy
    Adobe InCopy
    Collaborative writing and editing within InDesign layouts.
    Read more
  • Logo of Plottr
    scrivener vs Plottr
    Visually plan, write, and organize your book.
    Read more
  • Logo of OfficeSuite
    OfficeSuite
    Create, edit, and manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations anywhere.
    Read more
  • Logo of Microsoft Word
    Microsoft Word
    Write, edit, and share documents effortlessly.
    Read more

Scrivener FAQ

  • What is Scrivener and what does Scrivener do?

    Scrivener is writing software for long-form projects like books and scripts. It excels at organizing research, structuring drafts with outlines and index cards, and formatting for various document types. While it has a learning curve, its comprehensive features are popular with writers needing more than a basic word processor.

  • How does Scrivener integrate with other tools?

    Scrivener offers limited direct integrations. However, it supports importing and exporting files in various formats, including Microsoft Word, PDF, and plain text, allowing indirect workflows with other tools. This enables users to utilize other software for specific needs like grammar checking or reference management.

  • What the main competitors of Scrivener?

    Top Scrivener alternatives include Final Draft, the industry standard for screenwriting, and Manuskript.app, designed for academic writing. Plottr helps authors visually plan their stories, while LibreOffice Writer provides a free and robust word processing experience. Trelby caters specifically to screenwriters seeking free, open-source software.

  • Is Scrivener legit?

    Yes, Scrivener is safe and legitimate writing software. It's popular with authors for its organizational tools and distraction-free mode. However, it has a steep learning curve, and some users find the compiling process difficult.

  • How much does Scrivener cost?

    Scrivener pricing is $49 for a standard license. Educational pricing is available for $41.65. There is no free trial or free plan available. It is worth the cost for writers needing advanced organization and formatting tools.

  • Is Scrivener customer service good?

    Scrivener's customer service receives mixed reviews. Some users mention helpful and responsive support, particularly with technical issues. However, others express frustration with disorganized support forums and difficulty finding answers.


Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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