Warning
This project is still in its early stages of development, so a lot could change from version to version
Novident is an innovative open source writing suite designed to be a free, cross-platform alternative that is as similar as possible to Scrivener. Built with modularity and freedom in mind, Novident offers authors, researchers, and storytellers Scrivener-like features without the cost or limitations of closed source code.
Scrivener is one of the most beloved project-creation tools among novelists, students, and researchers. Yet, like any software, it has its limitations—poor cross-platform compatibility and a paid model that can be a barrier for many users.
When a product fails to meet core needs, users are forced to migrate to other platforms or build their own solutions from scratch. This means adapting to a new environment or enduring costly learning curves—neither of which is always practical. The most frustrating part? There’s no true Scrivener alternative that preserves its most valued features. Many users lose access to essential tools simply because they can’t afford the software.
This reality drives our mission: to create a 100% free and transparent solution that, while not matching Scrivener in full, delivers a comparable experience where it matters most.
We’re not aiming to surpass Scrivener in design or functionality. Our current focus is to deliver a viable, minimalist-yet-powerful alternative to one of the best writing tools available.
Important
Novident is not affiliated with Scrivener or Literature & Latte. Our goal is to create a free, ethical alternative inspired by their workflow innovations.
Novident bridges this gap by providing:
- 🆓 100% Free & Open Source: No paywalls, ever.
- 🧩 Modular Architecture: We use our own individual components (corkboard, compiler, tree view) to create each of your project's modules.
- 🔍 Scrivener-Like Experience: Intuitive UI/UX that tries to resemble Scrivener's core workflow as much as possible.
- 🌍 Community-Driven: Built by and for writers who value transparency.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Smart Editor | Distraction-free writing with rich formatting and metadata tagging |
| Corkboard | Visual scene organization using virtual index cards |
| Tree View | Hierarchical project structure for chapters, scenes, and research |
| Outliner | Plot management with drag-and-drop sequencing |
| Compiler | Export to multiple formats (PDF, ePub, DOCX) with custom templates |
| Snapshot System | Version control for drafts |
Novident is built as a collection of independent, reusable libraries:
── novident-editor/ # Custom editor component
── novident-corkboard/ # Corkboard UI
── novident-compilers/ # Formatting/export engine
── novident-layouts/ # General formatter processor for Novident editor content
── novident-tree-view/ # Hierarchical project view
We welcome:
- UI/UX Designers: Help refine Novident user experience.
- Technical Writers: Improve documentation.
- Developers: Tackle Good First Issues.
Review our Contribution Guidelines before submitting PRs.
- Star This Repo: Show your support!
- Donate: Help fund development via Open Collective.
- Spread the Word: Share Novident with writing communities.
All libraries used by Novident are licensed under the 📜 BSD-3-Clause License (Open Source).
