# Scrivener vs Ellipsus

The clearest difference is price: Ellipsus at Free against Scrivener's $23.99. Ellipsus also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (85% vs 46%). Scrivener's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 173). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Ellipsus is free to download; Scrivener costs $23.99 up front. Ellipsus sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Scrivener asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ellipsus holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scrivener has 2.6K ratings behind it against 173, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Scrivener's written reviews are positive against 85% of Ellipsus's.

Scrivener ships an update every 3 months, Ellipsus every 3 days. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Scrivener | Ellipsus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $23.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.2 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrivener/id972387337/reviews) | **[4.8 (173 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ellipsus/id6800009917/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 173 |
| Positive reviews | 45.6% of reviews | **84.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | #101 |
| Size | 27 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Literature & Latte](https://appshunter.io/developer/418889514) | [Ellipsus](https://appshunter.io/developer/1797339143) |

## What reviewers say

### Scrivener

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scrivener/id972387337)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Paid · Productivity, #67 Top Paid (US App Store)

This app is a comprehensive writing tool designed for long-form manuscripts. It allows users to compose text in any order, manage research materials alongside their writing, and export to various formats. It supports flexible outlining and restructuring of content.

**Highlights:** Manuscript composition in sections, Research material integration, Flexible outlining and reorganization, Export to multiple formats, Interactive tutorial, Project-wide search

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Ellipsus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ellipsus/id6800009917)

**Currently charting:** #101 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This creative writing tool facilitates seamless collaboration for authors, editors, and co-writers. It offers real-time co-authoring, robust draft management with version control, and distraction-free writing environments. Easily share and export your work in various formats.

**Highlights:** Unlimited documents, drafts, folders, and collaborators, Real-time collaboration with commenting and chat, Version history and version control for drafts, Built-in writing sprints and timers, Import from Markdown, export to PDF/AO3, Distraction-free minimalist design, Privacy-focused with no generative AI or tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ellipsus Lifetime | $99.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Scrivener free?

Scrivener costs $23.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Ellipsus free?

Ellipsus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Scrivener or Ellipsus?

Ellipsus is rated higher. Scrivener averages 4.2 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Ellipsus averages 4.8 from 173 ratings.

### Do Scrivener or Ellipsus have ads?

Neither Scrivener nor Ellipsus shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Scrivener or Ellipsus?

Scrivener ships an update every 3 months, and Ellipsus every 3 days. Most recently, Scrivener was updated on November 13, 2026 and Ellipsus on November 13, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Scrivener or Ellipsus?

Scrivener currently peaks at #6 in the App Store charts, and Ellipsus at #101. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*