Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Manuskript VS Scrivener

Compare Manuskript VS Scrivener and see what are their differences

Manuskript logo Manuskript

Open-source tool for writers.

Scrivener logo Scrivener

Scrivener is a content-generation tool for composing and structuring documents.
  • Manuskript Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-10
  • Scrivener Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-16

FROM LITERATURE & LATTE WEBSITE: Scrivener is the go-to app for writers of all kinds, used every day by best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, lawyers, journalists, translators and more. Tailor-made for long writing projects, Scrivener banishes page fright by allowing you to compose your text in any order, in sections as large or small as you like. Got a great idea but don't know where it fits? Write when inspiration strikes and find its place later. Grow your manuscript organically, idea by idea. In Scrivener, everything you write is integrated into an easy-to-use project outline. So working with an overview of your manuscript is only ever a click away, and turning Chapter Four into Chapter One is as simple as drag and drop. Need to refer to research? In Scrivener, your background material is always at hand, and you can open it right next to your work. Write a description based on a photograph. Transcribe an interview. Take notes about a PDF file or web page. Or check for consistency by referencing an earlier chapter alongside the one in progress. Once you're ready to share your work with the world, compile everything into a single document for printing, self-publishing, or exporting to popular formats such as Word, PDF, Final Draft or plain text. You can even share using different formatting, so that you can write in your favorite font and still satisfy those submission guidelines.

Manuskript features and specs

  • Open-source
    Manuskript is free and open-source software, allowing users to contribute to its development and benefit from continuous community support and updates.
  • Outliner Mode
    The outliner mode helps writers structure their work efficiently, offering a clear overview and easy navigation through scenes and chapters.
  • Index Cards
    Index cards provide a flexible, visual way to organize ideas, plot points, and characters, helping writers develop complex storylines.
  • Research Section
    Manuskript includes a dedicated research section for collecting and organizing background information crucial for writing.
  • Character Development Tools
    It offers tools to create detailed character profiles, track character development, and ensure consistency throughout the manuscript.
  • Distraction-Free Mode
    A distraction-free writing mode helps users focus on their writing without getting interrupted by toolbars or notifications.

Possible disadvantages of Manuskript

  • Limited User Base
    Being a niche tool with a smaller user base compared to mainstream commercial products, Manuskript may have fewer community resources and tutorials available.
  • Potential for Bugs
    As an open-source project relying on community contributions, Manuskript may experience stability issues or bugs that require user troubleshooting.
  • Occasional Updates
    The development pace may be slower compared to commercial alternatives, often depending on volunteer contributions and available resources.
  • Learning Curve
    The abundance of features and complex interface might present a steep learning curve for new users or those not tech-savvy.
  • Compatibility
    Manuskript may have compatibility issues with certain operating systems or require additional dependencies for installation, complicating setup for some users.

Scrivener features and specs

  • Comprehensive Organizational Tools
    Scrivener offers a robust suite of tools like the corkboard, outliner, and binder, allowing for seamless organization and structuring of complex documents, making it easier to manage large projects.
  • Distraction-Free Writing Mode
    Scrivener provides a distraction-free writing mode that helps users focus solely on their writing by hiding all other elements on the screen.
  • Research Integration
    Users can import and manage research materials directly within the application, including PDFs, images, and web pages, which helps in keeping all relevant data in one place.
  • Customizable Workspaces
    Scrivener allows for extensive customization of the workspace, enabling users to set up their writing environment according to their preferences and needs.
  • Versatile Export Options
    Offers a range of export options to various formats such as PDF, Word, ePub, and more, facilitating easy sharing and publishing.
  • Snapshot Feature
    The snapshot feature allows users to save versions of their work before making major changes, providing a safety net to revert back if needed.

Possible disadvantages of Scrivener

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and functionalities, new users may find Scrivener overwhelming and may require a significant amount of time to fully master the software.
  • Cost
    Scrivener is a paid software with a one-time purchase cost, which might be a deterrent for those who are looking for free writing tools.
  • Limited Collaboration Features
    Scrivener lacks robust real-time collaboration tools, making it less ideal for projects requiring simultaneous multi-user editing.
  • Compatibility Issues
    While Scrivener is available for both macOS and Windows, some users have reported compatibility issues and feature discrepancies between the two versions.
  • Mobile App Limitations
    The mobile version of Scrivener, though useful, is not as feature-rich as the desktop version, which might limit productivity on the go.
  • Complex Export Process
    Some users find the export process to be complicated and not as straightforward as they would like, requiring additional time to configure settings appropriately.

Manuskript videos

Manuskript 0.3.0 Review

Scrivener videos

Scrivener vs Word: Review of What Scrivener Can Do For You

More videos:

  • Review - Ultimate Scrivener 3 Review
  • Review - Why I Think Scrivener is For Everyone (and why I like it so much)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Manuskript and Scrivener)
Markdown Editor
44 44%
56% 56
Writing Tools
32 32%
68% 68
Text Editors
34 34%
66% 66
Writing
31 31%
69% 69

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Manuskript and Scrivener

Manuskript Reviews

7 Best Scrivener Alternatives
Manuskript is a versatile word processing tool. This writing software is suitable for novelists, journalists, and even students. This open-source writing software almost has all the features that you need.
5 Free Scrivener Alternatives to Manage Writing Projects
Manuskript offers an incredibly clean interface for distraction-free writing. It’s also one of the most popular Scrivener alternatives. The open-source alternative features a simple, yet powerful, editor, along with an intuitive outlining function. Tabs keep all your windows and tasks neatly organized.
9 Scrivener Alternative Tools: Overview, Pros, And Cons
Looking for a free and open-source tool to outline your content? Go with Manuskript. This is an exceptional, lightweight tool best used in the early writing stage.

Scrivener Reviews

11 Best Scrivener Alternatives
The app’s interface looks similar to Scrivener, but you get a different experience based on your level and interests. Scrivener’s learning curve is designed for intermediate or higher levels of writers, but Ulysses makes it easier by offering tutorials along with its features.
7 Best Scrivener Alternatives
This writing tool is a Scrivener alternative that is similar to a Scrivener. The appearance of the user interface is identical to Scrivener but a little bit more modern.
5 Free Scrivener Alternatives to Manage Writing Projects
Ask most experts what the best novel writing software is, and they’ll usually tell you Scrivener. It’s also a popular tool for organizing research for most writing projects, although it’s not free. While they’re not always as robust, free Scrivener alternatives help you accomplish similar results without any fees. For students, full-time writers, and even freelancers, these...
9 Scrivener Alternative Tools: Overview, Pros, And Cons
No direct import from Scrivener: Ulysses doesn’t handle Scrivener files, at least not directly. You have to export your content as MultiMarkdown files in Scrivener first, click Save, and drag the .mmd file into Ulysses’ library.
17 Top Evernote Alternatives for Note-Taking for 2019
If your notes have anything to do with any type of writing: outlines, notes on drafts, brain dumps on story ideas, blog posts, scripts, essays, anything like that—you should migrate all of it to Scrivener.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Manuskript seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Manuskript mentions (1)

Scrivener mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Scrivener yet. Tracking of Scrivener recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Manuskript and Scrivener, you can also consider the following products

yWriter - Free writing software designed by the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series. yWriter6 helps you write a book by organising chapters, scenes, characters and locations in an easy-to-use interface.

iA Writer - Minimal Design, Maximum Focus

bibisco - bibisco is a novel writing software.

oStorybook - oStorybook : a free Open Source novel writing program for creative writers

FocusWriter - FocusWriter is a fullscreen, distraction-free word processor designed to immerse you as much as...

Novelize - Novelize is an online novel writing app designed to keep authors on track.