Scrivener
Scrivener is a desktop writing app for long manuscripts that organizes drafts and research and compiles them to EPUB, PDF and Word.
At a glance
- Price
- $59.99 one-time (Price is per platform (macOS or Windows); a Mac + Windows bundle is $95.98 and the iOS app is $23.99. Free trial lasts 30 days of actual use.)
- Refund window
- 30 days
- Platforms
- Mac, Windows, iOS
- Outputs KDP-ready files
- Yes
- Touches your KDP account
- No
- Categories
- Writing & Formatting
- Last checked
- 2026-11-09
Summary
Scrivener splits a manuscript into scenes and chapters you can rearrange, keeps research beside the draft, and uses a Compile step to export EPUB ebooks and PDFs at a custom page size for print. A KDP publisher can produce upload-ready files with it, but Compile settings take time to learn and many authors still move the text to a dedicated formatter for polished print interiors. Mac and Windows licenses are sold separately, and the iOS app is a separate App Store purchase.
Best for
- Drafting and organizing long or research-heavy books
Pros
- One-time license with a trial that counts only days of actual use
- Compiles the same project to EPUB, PDF and Word with different formatting for each
Cons
- Compile is complex; print layout is less polished than Vellum or Atticus
- Separate licenses needed for Mac, Windows and iOS
In our guides
Alternatives
- Atticus: Atticus is a cross-platform book writing and formatting app that exports print-ready PDF and EPUB, sold for a one-time price.
- Vellum: Vellum is a Mac-only book formatter known for polished ebook and print output, sold for a one-time price.
- Dabble: Dabble is a browser-based novel writing app with plot grid, character notes, co-authoring and offline sync, sold by subscription.
- Novelcrafter: Novelcrafter is a browser-based novel writing app with a story wiki and optional AI that connects to the AI provider and key you choose.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the vendor and these pages. Prices change; confirm on the vendor site.
- https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview
- https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store/scrivener
- https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/faqs
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