iA WritervsScrivener
Score Comparison
Signals Comparison
iA Writer
- Less accessible than competitors(5/10)
- 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)
- 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)
iA Writer
- Why is iA Writer so expensive? Separate purchase per platform(5/10)
- No free trial on iPhone and iPad(4/10)
- One-time purchase is not lifetime updates(4/10)
Scrivener
No signals
iA Writer
- iA Writer for Android discontinued(8/10)
Scrivener
- No Android version - iOS mobile only(7/10)
iA Writer
- iA Writer not syncing with iCloud(7/10)
- Windows version says trial after buying(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)
iA Writer
- Dropbox files not updating on iPhone and iPad(6/10)
- Google Drive folders can't be added on iPad(5/10)
- Images (Content Blocks) don't show in other Markdown apps(4/10)
Scrivener
No signals
Pricing Comparison
iA Writer
Users: 1 user
Storage: Your own cloud storage
Limits: Mac only (macOS 10.15+); 20% education discount only on direct purchase
Users: 1 user
Storage: Your own cloud storage
Limits: App Store only (iOS 15+); iA's pricing page lists $49.99 while the US App Store shows $19.99 (Oct 2026)
Users: 1 user
Storage: Your own cloud storage
Limits: 64-bit Windows 10 or later; no sales or Black Friday discounts
Scrivener
Users: 1 user
Limits: Trial counts usage days not calendar days, expires after 30 days of use
Users: 1 user
Limits: Single platform only, no cross-platform license
Users: 1 user
Limits: iOS not included
Users: 1 user
Limits: Requires desktop version for full workflow, sync can be finicky
Users: 1 user
Limits: Must prove student/academic status
Users: 1 user
Limits: Requires existing license
Feature Comparison
| Feature | iA Writer | Scrivener |
|---|---|---|
| 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, iPhone/iPad, Windows (Android discontinued 2024) | ||
| Web version Desktop only | ||
| Android app Removed from sale Sept 2024 | ||
| Reliability | ||
| iCloud sync Apple devices | ||
| Dropbox sync Mac/Windows; iOS via Files app | ||
| Google Drive sync Mac/Windows folders; iPad only individual files | ||
| Local backups Browse Backups | ||
| 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 | ||
| Content Blocks (embed images/files) iA-specific syntax | ||
| Editing | ||
| Split editor View two documents simultaneously | ||
| Table support Buggy implementation | ||
| Pricing | ||
| One-time purchase Per platform | ||
| Free trial 7 days on Mac and Windows only | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Real-time collaboration Not supported | ||
| Collaboration Not available | ||
| Sync | ||
| Cloud sync Local only, Dropbox workaround | ||