Scrivener – Best Writing Software for Freelance Writers
Scrivener is the definitive writing environment for freelance writers tackling complex projects. Unlike standard word processors, it provides a structured workspace to manage research, outline narratives, and compose long-form content like books, white papers, and series articles—all in one place. It’s designed to help you write faster, stay organized, and maintain control over sprawling projects from the first idea to the final draft.
What is Scrivener?
Scrivener is a specialized desktop application for long-form writing and content creation. It functions as a project management tool for writers, combining a powerful text editor with a robust system for organizing research, notes, and drafts. Its core purpose is to break down large, daunting writing projects into manageable pieces, allowing freelance writers to focus on writing without losing sight of the overall structure. It’s the go-to software for novelists, screenwriters, academics, and professional freelance writers who need more control and flexibility than a traditional word processor offers.
Key Features of Scrivener
The Binder and Project Management
The Binder is Scrivener’s central organizational hub. It lets you split your manuscript into chapters, scenes, or sections as individual documents. You can easily drag and drop to restructure your entire project, view a synopsis for each document, and keep all your research files (PDFs, images, web pages) within the same project file for instant access.
Corkboard and Outliner Views
Visualize your project’s structure with the Corkboard (index cards) and Outliner. The Corkboard provides a high-level storyboarding view where you can rearrange scenes or chapters. The Outliner offers a detailed spreadsheet-like overview, perfect for tracking word counts, status, and metadata across all sections of your work.
Research and Reference Organization
Dedicated folders within your project let you store all research material—interview transcripts, reference articles, images, and videos—directly alongside your manuscript. This eliminates constant app-switching and ensures all your source material is just a click away, streamlining the fact-checking and integration process.
Powerful Compiling and Export
Scrivener’s Compile feature is unmatched for formatting final drafts. You can take your scattered chapters and notes and export them into a single, professionally formatted document for publishers, clients, or self-publishing. Choose from numerous templates for eBooks, PDFs, Microsoft Word documents, and more, giving you complete control over the final presentation.
Snapshot and Version History
Fearlessly edit your drafts with the Snapshot feature. Before making major changes, take a ‘snapshot’ of a document to save its current state. You can revert to any snapshot at any time, providing a robust, built-in version control system that protects your work and encourages experimentation.
Who Should Use Scrivener?
Scrivener is ideal for any freelance writer whose work involves structure, depth, and length. It’s perfect for authors writing novels or non-fiction books, content writers producing long-form guides or whitepapers, scriptwriters, academic researchers, and journalists working on in-depth features. If your projects involve multiple chapters, extensive research notes, and complex outlines, Scrivener will transform your workflow from chaotic to controlled.
Scrivener Pricing and Free Tier
Scrivener is a one-time purchase software with no subscription fees. A standard license for macOS or Windows costs a single, upfront fee. While there is no traditional free tier, Literature & Latte offers a fully functional, 30-day free trial (non-consecutive days of use) that allows you to test all features extensively on your actual projects. This trial period is generous enough to complete a significant portion of a writing project, ensuring you can evaluate its fit for your workflow without financial risk.
Common Use Cases
- Writing and organizing a non-fiction book or novel as a freelance author
- Managing research and drafting long-form SEO articles or ultimate guides
Key Benefits
- Increases writing productivity by keeping all project materials organized in one centralized location
- Reduces cognitive load and project management overhead, allowing you to focus purely on the craft of writing
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unmatched organizational tools specifically designed for complex writing projects
- One-time purchase model provides excellent long-term value compared to subscriptions
- Powerful compile feature offers unparalleled control over final manuscript formatting
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than basic word processors, requiring an initial time investment
- Primarily a desktop application, with limited real-time cloud sync and collaboration features
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scrivener free to use?
Scrivener is not free, but it offers an exceptional 30-day free trial (counting only the days you actually use the software) that provides full access to all features. After the trial, it requires a one-time license purchase.
Is Scrivener good for freelance writers?
Absolutely. Scrivener is one of the best tools for freelance writers who work on long-form content. Its ability to organize research, outline structures, and manage large documents makes it indispensable for writing books, detailed reports, series content, and any project where organization is key to efficiency and quality.
Conclusion
For freelance writers dedicated to mastering long-form content, Scrivener is more than software—it's a professional writing system. Its unique combination of deep organizational power, project management, and focused writing tools addresses the core challenges of complex writing projects. If you write books, extensive guides, or any content that requires structure and research, investing time in learning Scrivener will pay dividends in clarity, speed, and final output quality, making it a cornerstone tool for a serious writing career.