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3 Best Free Online Alternatives to Scrivener

September 24, 2023 1.0K views

Writers of all backgrounds use Scrivener online as their go-to app, as it contains everything they need to write and keep writing. Scrivener is best known for its versatile features, which is why many potential users are curious about the availability of its web-based version.

This article will help you find out whether Scrivener has a web-based version and what three potential great cloud-based writing software one could use.

Does Scrivener Have a Web-Based Version?

The desktop writing app Scrivener is essentially for Mac and Windows and has almost everything a writer needs, including easy-to-use editing and document organization tools that can help writers tackle bigger projects, such as writing novels.

Scrivener also has an iOS app for on-the-go writing. When it comes to using Scrivener online, the thing is that users may use this software on their phone, desktop, phone, and tablet only after they have downloaded the app.

Scrivener can be used for the following tasks:

  • Research

  • Outlining

  • Brainstorming

  • Compiling

  • Exporting

  • Character Sketching

Regarding using Scrivener online, you should know that as a writer, you will naturally want to have a web-based version so that you can get constructive feedback from your peers. Unfortunately, Scrivener leaves you stranded in this case, as it lacks seamless collaboration features.

This indicates that you cannot share your document with others to get feedback unless you export the files the old way and send the files out manually.

Scrivener is predominantly a desktop-based app; however, you can use the cloud-sync features to ensure that you are able to access files.

The verdict is that to use Scrivener online, you can essentially use it after you have downloaded the app. As a user of Scrivener, you will have to use a third-party storage service to sync your files. So, in the end, it comes down to downloading the client version of Scrivener.

The best way to make the most of a writing tool is to use a cloud version so that you don’t have to rely on an internet connection to write.

Best 3 Cloud-Based Online Writing Programs

Compared to Scrivener Online, let us look at the best three cloud-based online writing programs that can make great alternatives to Scrivener.

1. WPS 365

In contrast to Scrivener Online, WPS 365 is a great web-based writing program with many benefits. WPS Writer is an amazing feature of WPS Office, which is a lightweight, comprehensive, feature-rich Office Suite that offers amazing compatibility.

Let us have a look at the features of this free alternative to Scriver online.

WPS Office – Write Documents Quickly

Irrespective of your writing project, WPS Office can help you speed up the entire writing process. This free Word processor can help you quickly create, edit, and organize your Word documents and eventually make the entire work processing aspect easier.

WPS 365 ensures compatibility with LibreOffice, Google Docs, and Microsoft Office.

Compatibility Guaranteed

WPS 365 enables you to create polished documents in different formats while giving you accessibility to all essential features to meet your writing needs. WPS 265 is compatible with various file formats. Including the following:

  • Microsoft Word

  • .doc

  • .docx

  • .dcom

  • .dotm

  • RTF

This Office suite also enables you to easily convert the various file formats.

Use Amazing Templates

WPS 365 opens doors to countless well-designed templates that are professional and aesthetically pleasing and include templates for resumes, emails, and reports.

PDF to Word Conversion

With WPS 365, you can easily convert files between PDF and Word and vice versa. All you need to do is to download WPS or use its free web-based version, where you can easily find the conversion button and make good use of it.

WPS AI – Boost Your Book Writing

When it comes to using WPS 365 for your writing projects, you can immensely benefit from WPS AI. In contrast to Scrivener Online, WPS 365 has this amazing feature that can help with the different aspects of book writing, including creating an outline, proofreading, and generating ideas.

You can use WPS AI for the following:

  • Creating Outline

  • Grammar/ Spelling Check

  • Consistency Checks

  • Fact-Checking

  • Language Translation

  • Style/ Tone Suggestions

  • Readability Assessment

If you look at it, you see that WPS Office is a powerful productivity tool that combines AI and advanced capabilities and the comprehensible Office Suite features that help generate an amazing writing experience.

Pros of Using WPS 365 for Writing

  • Free writing tool

  • Supports iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows

  • User-friendly interface

  • Safe and stable software

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WPS Office- Free All-in-One Office Suite
  • Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

  • Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

  • Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

  • Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates.

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2. Google Docs

You can use Google Docs as an alternative to Scrivener Online. Google Docs can provide you with flexibility and the right resources to draft your first draft. You can avail of the amazing features you will need to revise and edit your manuscript.

Access Document Offline

With Google Docs, you can access your manuscript offline, which means that you won’t be dependent on an internet connection. Simply put, you won’t need to have an internet connection to edit, view, and create within Google Docs.

Create a Draft with Headings

Google Docs will allow you to create a manuscript with headings. You can create a title page, outline your manuscript, and add chapter titles that are formatted as headings and subheadings.

Check Word Count

In contrast to Scrivener Online, you can use Google Docs to display your word count while working on your draft. This way, Google Docs can be an amazing writing platform to work on short writing projects.

Type through Your Voice

You can immensely benefit from voice typing as a quick way to write in a conversational context. This aspect can come quite handy for writing conversations among characters.

Use Multiple Devices to Write

The best thing about using Google Docs is that you don’t have to open your laptop every time you want to write. Suppose something pops up in your mind suddenly before bed; the last thing you want to do is open your laptop.

Just roll over, grab your phone, and continue writing where you left.

Collaboration Made Easy

Google Docs allows for easy collaboration, meaning you can instantly receive feedback from beta readers and technically anyone you share your document with. The beta readers can add suggestions, comment on the document, and make changes.

3. Novlr

Novlr is another web-based writing tool that can serve as an alternative to Scrivener Online. The best feature of Novlr is its writing analytics dashboard. Writers can use Novlr to establish a distraction-free writing pace while keeping track of their writing progress.

Novlr is explicitly designed for aspiring authors; however, it is not a word processor like WPS 365, Google Docs, or Microsoft Word. Yet, the minimalistic user interface of Novlr enables writers to work on their projects without distractions.

Cloud-Based Word Processor

Novlr is cloud-based, which enables users to work on their writing projects from any device. Novlr is easy to navigate, and the dashboard gives you an overview of your progress.

Check out the “Discord Community” of Novlr that comprises other users to answer the questions.

Useful Sidebar

The dashboard of Novlr also comprises a useful sidebar that takes you to useful links. For instance, the link of “Publishing” allows you to seamlessly export an “EPUB” file.

Using this alternative to Scrivener online, you can also export other files, such as the following:

  • DOCX

  • PDF

  • ODT

Set Goals & Track

To ensure that you stay on tiptop of your writing project, you can make effective use of the “Goals & Analytics” section. Using the “Goals” page, you will tell the app the goal for the number of words you want to write daily.

The app will keep tracking and sharing your writing progress.

FAQs

1: Where does Scrivener backup to?

To find your Scrivener backups on Mac, you will want to follow the below-given route of action:

  • Scrivener → Settings → Backup

To find your Scrivener backups on Windows, you will want to follow the below-given route of action:

  • File → Options → Backups

2: How to Export & Import Scrivener file to Word?

You can use the “Compile” option on Scrivener to save your document as a Word file.

Step 1: In the toolbar of Scrivener, click the “Compile” button.

Step 2: Go to “Format As” and select “Custom” in the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Choose your file type from the " Compile For dropdown menu.”

Step 4: Select the “Compile” button.

WPS 365 – A Great Online Alternative to Scrivener

Scrivener Online is a great tool for potential writers, but users can only sync their files with the help of a third-party storage service. Besides, it can be challenging to collaborate and share your work with Scrivener, which is where the great free alternative WPS 365 comes in.

WPS 365 allows for a seamless writing, creating, and editing experience and is also compatible with Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and LibreOffice. You can immensely benefit from WPS AI for streamlining your writing projects.

So, what are you waiting for? Download WPS now and start using this amazing writing software.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.