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  1. Home
  2. Compare
  3. iA Writer vs Scrivener

iA WritervsScrivener

App
vs
App
ScoresSignalsPricingFeatures

Score Comparison

76
Overall
62
75
Pricing
78
75
Usability
45
90
Performance
72
65
Support
65
80
Reliability
70
85
Onboarding
25
75
Mobile
40
85
Security
75
55
Integrations
55
iA WriterScrivener

Signals Comparison

Usability

iA Writer

  • Poor for long-form writing like books or screenplays(7/10)
  • Weak library organization - no tree structure(6/10)
  • No true WYSIWYG Markdown preview(4/10)
  • Less accessible than competitors(5/10)
  • Limited features compared to Ulysses or Scrivener(5/10)

Scrivener

  • Notoriously steep learning curve takes weeks to master(9/10)
  • Compile feature is confusing nightmare for many users(8/10)
  • Interface is unintuitive patchwork design(6/10)
  • No cloud or web version - desktop only with sync workarounds(6/10)
  • Image insertion causes massive file size bloat(5/10)
Pricing

iA Writer

  • Separate purchase required for each platform(5/10)

Scrivener

No signals

Reliability

iA Writer

  • Android purchase recognition issues on some devices(5/10)

Scrivener

  • Table handling is completely broken(6/10)
  • Windows version has significant bugs and quality issues(7/10)
  • Slow development pace with years between major updates(5/10)
Mobile

iA Writer

No signals

Scrivener

  • No Android version - iOS mobile only(7/10)

Pricing Comparison

iA Writer

Mac
Popular
$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)

Limits: Mac only, must buy other platforms separately

iOS, Windows, Android sold separately
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)

Limits: iOS only

Mac, Windows, Android sold separately
Windows
$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)

Limits: Windows only, no iCloud (use Dropbox/Google Drive)

Mac, iOS, Android sold separately
Android
$29.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited (your cloud storage)

Limits: Android only, no iCloud (use Dropbox/Google Drive)

Mac, iOS, Windows sold separately, some device-specific issues
All Platforms (Subscription)
$4.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Storage: Unlimited

Limits: Must maintain subscription for access

Ongoing cost vs one-time

Scrivener

Free Trial
Free

Users: 1 user

Limits: Trial counts usage days not calendar days, expires after 30 days of use

Standard License (Mac or Windows)
Popular
$59.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Limits: Single platform only, no cross-platform license

iOS app sold separately ($23.99), major version upgrades require additional payment
Bundle (Mac + Windows)
$95.98/mo

Users: 1 user

Limits: iOS not included

iOS app sold separately, future major upgrades require payment
iOS App
$23.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Limits: Requires desktop version for full workflow, sync can be finicky

Desktop version sold separately
Educational License
$50.99/mo

Users: 1 user

Limits: Must prove student/academic status

Requires educational verification
Cross-grade
$37.95/mo

Users: 1 user

Limits: Requires existing license

Feature Comparison

FeatureiA WriterScrivener
Usability
Focus Mode

Signature feature

WYSIWYG Markdown

Shows raw syntax

Organization
Binder organization system

Hierarchical document structure

Corkboard view

Index card visualization

Outliner view

Spreadsheet-style overview

Research folder

Store PDFs, images, web pages

Character/Setting templates

Built-in templates

Library organization

Flat file structure only

Custom metadata

User-defined fields

Smart folders

Not available

Collections

Virtual groupings

Document merging

Not available

Research management

Not available

Portability
Plain text Markdown

No proprietary format

Platform
Cross-platform

Mac, iOS, Windows, Android

Web version

Desktop only

Android app

iOS only for mobile

Reliability
iCloud sync

Apple devices

Dropbox sync

All platforms

Google Drive sync

Windows/Android

Export
Compile/Export

Powerful but complex to learn

Word export

DOCX support

Screenplay formatting

Industry-standard scripts

PDF export

Available

Backup
Snapshots (version history)

Manual version snapshots

Writing
Style checker

Realtime filler detection

Syntax highlighting

Parts of speech coloring

Writing statistics

Word counts, targets, progress

Full-screen composition mode

Distraction-free writing

Editing
Split editor

View two documents simultaneously

Table support

Buggy implementation

Pricing
One-time purchase

Per platform

Collaboration
Real-time collaboration

Not supported

Collaboration

Not available

Sync
Cloud sync

Local only, Dropbox workaround