Writers – whether professionals, amateurs, or hobbyists – have access to a range of powerful digital tools for drafting and revising their manuscripts. Among them, Scrivener and Notion often stand out as top choices for organizing, editing, and polishing creative and professional writing. If you’re considering either platform for your editing workflow, this deep-dive comparison will help you weigh the strengths, weaknesses, and distinct editing experiences each tool delivers.

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At a Glance: Scrivener and Notion

Feature	Scrivener	Notion
Purpose	Dedicated writing & editing software	Versatile productivity workspace
Editing Tools	Built-in revision, snapshot, and split	Modular block-based interface
Organization	Binder, corkboard, tagging	Pages, databases, nesting
Export Options	Extensive, for publishing formats	Basic (PDF, Markdown, HTML)
Collaboration	Limited (mostly solo use)	Strong (real-time multi-user)
Platforms	macOS, Windows, iOS	Web, macOS, Windows, mobile

Scrivener: Editing Built for Authors

Founded by a writer and former teacher because he couldn’t find software that met his writing needs, Scrivener is renowned among novelists, academics, and screenwriters for its manuscript-first design. It’s a robust tool developed by Literature & Latte specifically with the editing needs of writers in mind.

Key Editing Strengths

• Snapshot Function: Save versions of a chapter or section before making major changes. Restore or compare any earlier draft with a click.
• Inspector & Comments: Make inline notes, comments, and highlights on specific words or paragraphs.
• Corkboard & Outliner: Drag, drop, and restructure sections visually for major edits – ideal for reordering chapters or scenes.
• Labeling & Tagging: Assign custom labels, statuses, or colors to scenes or segments to track draft stages or editing priorities.
• Split Screen: Work with two sections side-by-side – perfect for tracking continuity or revising based on reference material.

Editing Limitations

• Solo Focus: Collaboration is limited; sharing work-in-progress isn’t seamless unless you export or use external syncing.
• Steeper Learning Curve: The robust feature set can feel overwhelming initially and may require some setup for efficient editing workflows.
• Limited Cross-Device Sync: No real-time online editing or seamless sync; requires manual Dropbox setup and can cause version issues across devices.

Great for writers handling long-form or complex manuscripts who want granular organizational tools and powerful version control. It actually comes with templates for fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, and other projects like blogs and recipe collection.

Notion: Flexible, Collaborative Editing

Notion is a multipurpose platform praised for its versatility in note-taking, project management, and content creation. While not designed strictly for manuscript editing, it offers surprisingly useful options for writers, especially those who value collaboration and flexible organization.

Key Editing Strengths

• Block-Based Editing: Each paragraph, checklist, table, or image is its own block, allowing quick rearrangement and modular editing.
• Linked Databases & Tags: Set up custom databases for tracking chapter status, revision history, and editorial notes across all drafts.
• Collaboration: Multiple users can edit, comment, and discuss directly in real time, making it useful for writing teams or feedback groups.
• Customization: Create bespoke editing dashboards, Kanban boards for revision tracking, or templates for different kinds of edits.

Editing Limitations

• Not a Native Manuscript Tool: No built-in version control or features tailored for drafting book-length texts.
• Exporting Constraints: Limited export formats; may require copying content into other programs for final publishing.

Great for collaborative editing, project-based writing workflows, or writers who prefer maximum flexibility and want to integrate research, outlining, and task management with their manuscript edits.

Direct Comparison: Editing Workflow

Editing Factor	Scrivener	Notion
Version Control	Snapshots, revision history	Manual tracking or databases
Structure/Reordering	Binder, corkboard (drag-and-drop)	Block drag-and-drop
Comments/Notes	Inline and sidebar notes, highlights	Comments per block, reminders
Collaboration	Solo (can export for feedback)	Real-time, multiuser
Export for Sharing	Multiple publisher-ready formats	PDF, HTML, Markdown
Learning Curve	Moderate-to-steep	Easy to moderate

Pricing Overview

Scrivener operates on a one-time payment model for each platform. This means that if you want to use Scrivener on Mac, Windows, and iOS, you’ll need to purchase a separate license for each device type. The typical cost as of 2025 is around $49 USD for either a Windows or macOS license, and $20 USD for iOS. When major new versions are released, existing users are given the option to purchase the upgrade at a reduced price.

Notion, on the other hand, uses a freemium pricing structure. Most individual writers can access core features completely free of charge. If you require more advanced features, additional storage, or intend to work with a team, Notion offers paid subscription plans. The Plus plan starts at $8 per user per month, while the Business plan costs $15 per user per month.

This difference means that Scrivener is oriented toward users who prefer a one-time investment per device, whereas Notion is designed with flexible access in mind, allowing people to start for free and scale up to paid features as their needs grow.

Choosing between these tools often comes down to budget preference and workflow: Scrivener is best for those who want a traditional software license without recurring fees, while Notion suits users who value easy entry, collaboration, and the ability to unlock extra capabilities with a subscription if needed.

Other Practical Considerations

• Cross-Platform Use
  • Scrivener: Separate licenses for each operating system. No official Android version.
  • Notion: Web-based (works on all platforms), plus desktop and mobile apps for every major OS.
• Data Storage
  • Scrivener: Files are local (on your device). Can sync through Dropbox/other cloud services.
  • Notion: Cloud-based; data stored on Notion’s servers and accessible from anywhere.
• Collaboration
  • Scrivener: Limited; mostly designed for solo writers.
  • Notion: Built for collaboration – real-time editing and sharing.
• Offline Use
  • Scrivener: Fully functional offline.
  • Notion: Limited offline editing; best when internet-connected.
• Export/Import:
  • Scrivener offers extensive export – for manuscript submission & publishing formats.
  • Notion provides basic export options (PDF, Markdown, CSV for databases).
• Learning Curve:
  • Scrivener is more complex (more powerful for writers, but less intuitive at first).
  • Notion is flexible, easy to start, but can get complex as you add features.

Which to Choose?

If you want advanced editing tools built specifically for writers, granular control, and a powerful interface for structuring and revising long texts, Scrivener is the better fit.

If your workflow is collaborative, depends on integrating research/resources, or you need a highly customizable, cloud-based workspace, Notion offers unmatched flexibility.

Pro Tip: Combine Them

Some writers draft and edit in Scrivener, then use Notion to track revision tasks, feedback, or compile research – leveraging each tool’s strengths. Exporting chapters from Scrivener to Notion for collaborative review (or vice versa) can also work well for hybrid workflows.

Both Scrivener and Notion have passionate fans and distinct advantages for editing. Your best choice depends on your writing process and whether you prioritize solo, deep-dive editing or collaborative, all-in-one workspace flexibility.