Scrivener review

Scrivener is a writing app first and an ebook tool second, which is exactly why many long-form authors keep it. Its ring-binder model lets you break a book into chapters and scenes, keep research such as PDFs, web pages and images beside the draft, and rearrange sections freely. Snapshots save a version of a section before a big revision, and projects can back up automatically when opened or closed. When the draft is done, the compile step turns the project into Epub and Kindle ebooks, PDFs ready for self-publishing, Word files and more, and you can write in one font while exporting in another. Scrivener runs on macOS, Windows and iOS, with Dropbox sync between them. The catch for ebook work is that compile is powerful but takes effort to learn, and output design is plainer than Vellum or Atticus without that effort. Licenses are one-time but sold per platform; the iPad and iPhone app is US$23.99, and the desktop prices showed in PLN from our location.

Who it is for

Authors who want to plan, research and draft long books and then compile them into ebooks from the same project.

Price

iPad and iPhone license US$23.99 one time; Mac and Windows licenses: USD check pending; 30-day free trial on desktop.

Scrivener for iPad and iPhone. (Dropbox account required for sync features) US$ 23 99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Ring-binder structure for organizing chapters, scenes and research
• Compile to Epub and Kindle ebooks, PDF, Word and more
• Snapshots to save a section before revising
• Automatic project backups on open and close
• Apps for macOS, Windows and iOS with Dropbox sync

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Strongest planning and drafting tools on this list
• Strength: One-time licenses rather than a subscription
• Strength: 30-day free trial on Mac and Windows
• Weakness: Compile settings take time to learn for polished ebook layouts
• Weakness: Licenses for each platform are sold separately
• Weakness: Desktop prices showed only in PLN from our location, so the USD check is pending

Key facts

• Platforms: macOS 11+, Windows 10+ (64-bit), iOS 11+
• iOS price: US$23.99 one time
• Free trial: 30 days on desktop
• Ebook output: Epub and Kindle

Where it ranks

Scrivener is No. 8 in our Best Ebook Creation Software verdict.