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How to Download Scrivener for Mac for Free (Step-by-Step)

September 21, 2023 1.1K views

Scrivener is a popular writing tool that makes people eager to unlock the power of Scrivener for Mac. Many users ask how they can download Scrivener for Mac free of charge. This article will unravel some methods to make accessing the full potential of Scrivener for Mac a reality without denting your wallet. Let’s look at how to make this work for you and the best alternative to make it even easier.

What is Scrivener for Mac?

Scrivener for Mac is a dynamic and robust word-processing software tailored explicitly for writers, researchers, and content creators. Crafted by Literature & Latte, this software is a comprehensive toolset designed to cater to the unique needs of those engaged in diverse writing projects.

It stands out as an invaluable asset in the world of writing. Scrivener offers features that empower users to organize their ideas efficiently, research materials, and drafts, enhancing the writing process.

Whether you’re an author, academic, or creative writer, Scrivener for Mac is your ally in creating well-structured, polished, and impactful written content.

What are the main features of Scrivener for Mac?

Organization and Structure

  • Binder: Scrivener’s Binder allows you to break down your writing project into manageable sections, such as chapters, scenes, or research notes. This feature provides a visual and structural overview of your work.

  • Corkboard and Outliner: The Corkboard and Outliner view provides visual tools for planning and organizing your project. You can rearrange and outline your content quickly, enhancing your project’s structure.

Research Integration

  • Research Folder: Scrivener includes a dedicated “Research” folder to store and access reference materials, web links, images, and notes without leaving the Scrivener app. This seamless integration simplifies the research process.

Customization

  • Custom Templates: Scrivener allows you to create custom templates and tailor your workspace to match your writing needs and preferences.

  • Workspace Customization: You can customize the layout and appearance of your workspace, optimizing it for your writing process.

Distraction-Free Writing

  • Full-Screen and Composition Mode: Scrivener offers a distraction-free writing mode, allowing you to focus solely on your content. The Composition Mode provides a minimalistic writing environment.

Version Control

  • Snapshots: Scrivener’s Snapshots feature allows you to save and compare different versions of your work, making it easier to track changes, revisions, and progress.

These features collectively empower users to organize their thoughts, research materials, and drafts; the Scrivener for Mac flexibility and customization options make it suitable for various writing projects. Writers can maintain focus, streamline workflow, and create polished, well-structured documents.

How to download Scrivener for Mac for free?

Step 1: Navigate to the Scrivener website and click “Download” for your desired device.

Step 2: Go to the “Downloads” folder at the bottom of the screen and click on the “Scrivener” file. Then, agree to the license terms to continue with the installation.

Step 3: Move the “Scrivener” file to the “Applications” folder once the installation is done.

Step 4: Locate the “.dmg” file and select the “Eject” icon.

Step 5: Next, go to the “Downloads” folder, locate the “.dmg” file, right-click, and select “Move to Trash”. Your fully installed Scrivener 3 app can be found in the ‘dock’.

Using Scrivener for Mac is a good experience. It has good functionalities that assist in breaking down projects and streamlining the workflow. Integrating research materials and a customizable interface within the application makes it easy to focus on writing the content.

Regarding the pricing, it may be a lot for some people. However, if you have the funds, it is a justifiable investment, given the organizational and productivity benefits.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Scrivener for Mac

Advantages of Scrivener:

  • Organizational Power: Scrivener excels at helping writers organize their work. It allows you to break your project into smaller, manageable sections, especially useful for long-form writing.

  • Research Integration: Scrivener can store research materials, web links, and notes within the application, streamlining the writing process and reducing the need to switch between multiple programs.

  • Corkboard and Outliner: The cardboard and outliner views provide visual ways to plan and organize your project, making it easier to see the big picture.

  • Customization:  The highly customizable software allows you to create templates, adjust your workspace, and tailor it to your writing needs.

  • Sync and Backup: The software offers synchronization options, ensuring your work is backed up and accessible from multiple devices.

Disadvantages of Scrivener:

  • Cost: While the one-time purchase cost is reasonable, it is still an additional expense, especially for budget-conscious writers.

  • Learning Curve: Scrivener has a steeper learning curve than simpler word processors. New users may find it overwhelming at first.

  • Complexity: Some users have expressed that the abundance of features Scrivener offers is more complex than they need for their writing projects.

  • Limited Collaboration Features: Scrivener is primarily designed for individual writers and lacks robust collaboration tools for co-authoring or collaborative editing.

  • Formatting Challenges: Although Scrivener is versatile, writers who require complex formatting or layout control, such as for highly designed documents, may find it less suitable.

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WPS Office: Your Thrilling, Cost-Free Alternative

As good as Scrivener may be, there is a free alternative for people who desire Scrivener for Mac. Introducing WPS Office, the absolute best choice!

WPS Office is a versatile and user-friendly office suite that offers a compelling set of advantages. That makes it a top choice for those seeking a free, feature-rich alternative to traditional office software.

With WPS Office, you can open, create, and edit Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations. That can all be done without the burden of subscription fees or expensive licensing costs.

Pros of WPS Office:

  • Free download and Usage: WPS Office is free, eliminating the need for costly subscriptions or licensing fees.

  • Comprehensive Office Suite: It provides tools for word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation creation, offering functionality similar to Microsoft Office.

  • Rich Template Store: Access a wide range of professionally designed templates to enhance document aesthetics and productivity.

  • Rich Functions: It offers diverse functions and features to handle various tasks, from complex data analysis to creative presentations.

  • Powerful PDF Toolkit: WPS Office includes robust PDF editing, conversion, and creation tools that simplify PDF-related tasks.

  • Lightweight: Despite its feature-rich nature, WPS Office is lightweight and won’t slow down your computer’s performance.

  • Support for Online Documents: Collaborate seamlessly and access your documents online, enabling work from anywhere with an internet connection.

  • Safety and Stability: WPS Office is known for its reliability, providing a safe and stable platform for your office-related work.

How to download WPS Office for free?

Step 1: Download the software to the official WPS Office website.

Step 2: Install WPS Office on your computer by following the instructions in the installation wizard.

Step 3: Once installed, launch the software, and you can begin using the different office programs, including Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation.

FAQs

1. Is Scrivener free or paid?

There are no subscription fees, so you don't need to pay again to continue using the version you bought. You get free updates as long as they develop that particular software version. If you have Scrivener 3, you get Scrivener 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and so on for free.

2. Why use Scrivener instead of Word?

With Scrivener, you can write any part of your project anytime. Start at the beginning, write the end, then fill out the middle. Instead of scrolling in a long Word document, you create a new file in the Binder where it fits in the book.

Final Words

In closing, the Scrivener download is free. Users will have a 30-day free trial, after which they must start paying. Even if the software is good, the price might put some people off completely.

However, WPS Office stands out as an exceptional alternative. It is free to download, and the interface simplifies understanding of how it works. Users can take advantage of the tremendous benefits offered by WPS Office and be on their way to producing the best content possible.

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