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Evernote vs Scrivener (best free apps for mac)

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Winner
UI/UX
Note-taking
Writing
Organization
Synchronization
Collaboration
Export Options
Search
Rich Text Editing
Pricing
FREE / PAID
One-time purchase model at $49 for macOS, with extra charges for Windows version and iOS app.
Freemium model with a premium subscription available at $7.99/month for additional features like offline access, collaboration, and more storage.
Conclusion

Scrivener shines for large writing projects 📚 but has a steep learning curve 🧗‍♂️

Evernote is exceptional for note-taking and organization 🔖 but falls short in advanced writing functions 📝

Scrivener Pros & Cons

Top Pros
  • 🔹 Ideal for large writing projects 📚

  • 🔹 Corkboard feature for organization 📌

  • 🔹 Customizable composition mode 👓

  • 🔹 Robust export options 🔄

  • 🔹 Comprehensive writing tools 🖋️

Evernote Pros & Cons

Top Pros
  • 🔹 Intuitive UI 🌟

  • 🔹 Excellent organization system 🗂️

  • 🔹 Works across devices 📱💻

  • 🔹 Great sharing options 👥

  • 🔹 Powerful search 🕵️‍♀️

  • 🔹 Wide range of export formats 🔄

Top Cons
  • 🔻 Steep learning curve 🧗‍♂️

  • 🔻 User interface not as sleek 🎨

  • 🔻 Limited collaboration features 👥

  • 🔻 No native app for mobile 📱

  • 🔻 Licensing costs can add up 💵

  • 🔻 No real-time sync 🔄

Top Cons
  • 🔻 Advanced writing tools lacking ✍️

  • 🔻 Free version has limitations 👎

  • 🔻 No dark mode for free users 🌙

  • 🔻 Formatting can be tricky ⚙️

  • 🔻 High cost for premium features 💰

Other best free apps for mac

3

Simplenote excels in minimalistic note-taking 📌 but lacks rich text features 🎨

4

Bear combines note-taking and writing 🖋️ but its best features require subscription 💸

5

Ulysses offers superior writing environment 🌟 but is less suitable for simple note-taking 📃

FAQ

Notable free apps for Mac include Evernote for note-taking, records and organizations, Gimp for extensive image editing, Google Chrome for an alternate browser option, Scrivener for specialized writing projects, and VLC for optimal media playback.

Evernote is a comprehensive note-taking and task-management app that allows you to organize your ideas, notes, reminders, and schedule in one place. It’s highly appreciated for its quality of syncing between different devices.

Yes, Evernote includes features such as text recognition in images, voice notes, drawing tools, embedding attachments, note sharing and many more. It also has a powerful search feature to quickly retrieve saved data.

Yes, Evernote has a free basic version, but also offers premium and business subscriptions with additional features (https://evernote.com/).

Scrivener provides a comprehensive writing workspace for authors, screenwriters, and researchers. It includes features that organizes your writing into sections, provides outlining tools, offers full-screen writing mode, and allows compiling your work into various formats.

No, Scrivener is not free. However, it offers a 30-day free trial and after that point, users need to purchase a license (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview).

Yes, Evernote has a web version which allows you to access your notes from any computer with a web browser. It’s a part of Evernote’s cross-platform compatibility.

A significant distinction is that Scrivener is project-based. It allows structuring and re-structuring of documents, notes and research materials within a single workspace, which most other writing apps do not offer.

Yes, Scrivener has a dynamic word count feature that also includes a progress tracking option which is particularly useful for those working on longer writing projects.

Some popular alternatives include Microsoft OneNote, Apple Notes, and Google Keep.

To run Scrivener, you’ll need macOS 10.12 Sierra or above version.

By default, yes. Your notes in Evernote are private unless you choose to share them. Evernote uses encryption to secure your data.

Yes, with Evernote premium or business accounts, you can access your notes even when you’re offline.

Scrivener‘s unique features include corkboard view for organizing notes, outline view for structural edits, scriptwriting mode for screenplays, ability to handle multi-document projects, and rich text formatting.

Yes, Scrivener is often used by researchers and academics as it can manage complex projects and lengthy documents. It also supports citations, footnotes, and annotations which are essential in academic writing.

Yes, both Evernote and Scrivener have mobile applications. The apps mirror the functionality of their desktop counterparts and offer a synced experience across devices.

Yes, Scrivener automatically creates backups of your work. You can also manually back up your work at any time, and choose where the backups are stored

Most note-taking apps include an option to import notes from Evernote. Typically, you would export your notes from Evernote in ENEX format and then import them to the new app.

Yes, Scrivener can export projects in various formats including PDF, DOCX, RTF, and HTML. The format can be chosen during the ‘compile’ process.

Evernote’s functionality can be greatly enhanced by integrating with other apps and services. It integrates with apps like Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Slack and several others.

There are a plethora of free applications available for Mac. Some of the best include Evernote for note-taking, Scrivener for writing, VLC Media Player for video playback, GIMP for image editing, and LibreOffice for productivity. These applications offer a wide range of features that are not only useful, but also easy to use.

Evernote is a note-taking application that lets you create and organize notes in a variety of formats, including text, photos, audio, video, and more. You can also sync your notes across multiple devices, which makes it easy to access and update your notes wherever you go.

Yes, Evernote offers a free tier that includes most of its core features. However, they also offer Premium and Business plans that include additional features like larger upload limits, support for multiple users, and expanded search capabilities. You can compare the different plans on the Evernote website.

While Evernote is a very robust note-taking app, it does come with some limitations, especially for free users. For instance, free users can only sync their notes across two devices, and there is a monthly upload limit. Also, Evernote’s advanced features, such as PDF and document searching, are only available to Premium and Business users.

Scrivener is a writing application designed specifically for long-form projects, like novels, scripts, and dissertations. It provides a wide array of tools for organizing your work, such as the ability to separate your text into manageable sections, and to create and manage notes and research related to your project.

No, Scrivener is not free to use. It is a paid software, but it does offer a generous 30-day trial. During this trial, you can get a feel for the software and determine if it’s right for your writing needs. More information about Scrivener’s pricing can be found on the website.

Scrivener is specifically designed for large writing projects, and it provides a robust set of tools for organizing and managing your work. Unlike other writing software, Scrivener allows you to take notes, create outlines, and view research all within the same application. This makes it an invaluable tool for writers of all kinds.

While Scrivener is a powerful tool for writers, it may be too complex for some. Its array of features can be overwhelming to new users, and it may be overkill for those who only write occasionally or for small projects. Also, because it’s a paid software, it may not be the best option for those on a tight budget.

Yes, there are many alternatives to Evernote, including Microsoft’s OneNote, which offers similar note-taking functionality. Another alternatives is Google Keep, a lighter, more streamlined tool for quick notes and reminders.

Yes. If you’re looking for a free alternative to Scrivener, you might consider Google Docs or OpenOffice, both of which offer basic word processing features. For a more robust, paid alternative, consider Final Draft, which is popular among scriptwriters.

Generally speaking, Evernote and Scrivener do not require a lot of storage space. However, the amount of space you need depends on how you use the apps. For instance, if you create a lot of media-rich notes in Evernote, you may need more space.

Yes, both Evernote and Scrivener have customer support. Evernote offers support through its website, while Scrivener’s support can be reached through their website.

Evernote is popular because of its versatility. Whatever form your idea takes – a piece of text, an image, a website, or a voice memo – Evernote can handle it. It’s also easy to organize notes, which makes it a great tool for both personal and professional use.

Scrivener offers an array of features specifically for long-form writing, such as the ability to break your text into manageable sections, take notes, create and manage a storyboard for your story, and store related research material. These features make it a go-to choice for many writers working on long projects.

Evernote‘s sync feature is very reliable. It allows you to access your notes across multiple devices, ensuring you can access your work wherever you go. However, free users are only allowed to sync between two devices.

While Scrivener is a fantastic tool for individual writers, it’s not designed for collaborative work in real-time, as Google Docs is. However, files can be exported and shared, allowing others to read and provide feedback on your work.

Yes, both Evernote and Scrivener offer mobile applications. You can download them from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and access your notes or writing projects on the go.

Evernote and Scrivener are regularly updated to introduce new features, fix bugs, and improve overall performance. You can check for updates via their respective websites or within the application settings.

Yes, both Evernote and Scrivener use encryption to protect your data, and they are committed to user privacy. However, as with any service, it’s important to use strong, unique passwords and to be aware of the information you’re storing and sharing.