I’d be interested to read your thoughts on Reedsy Writing Studio when compared to Scrivener. I tend to overthink everything in my life so maybe writing isn’t the best hobby for me but I enjoy it so I’ll continue.
I’ve been using scrivener on and off for years, while also trying google docs and others. I tend to write on various devices including Windows laptop, iPad, iPhone. I have used Scrivener on all these using dropbox but I have encountered error with syncing despite being VERY careful.
I like the power of scrivener but the sync errors I’ve had concern me. Reedsy Studio is probably good enough for my needs but I am concerned with trusting a cloud based system from a relatively small company, I mean when compared to Google (for Docs) etc. I like the convenience of cloud based but there’s also a question of trusting your work on someone else’s servers.
On an L&L Scrivener forum I doubt you’re going to get many/any people recommending a different app.
In all the years I’ve used Dropbox with Scrivener, the only time I had an issue was when an iPadOS update broke it. Apple changed things without warning from memory and it took a little while for everyone to sort things out.
Otherwise rock solid. I use it Mac/Win/iPadOS syncing.
Regardless of the tool you use, whether Scrivener or something else, I would recommend having at least one backup on a system that’s entirely under your control. Some cloud services make that easier to do than others.
Thank you for the replies. The sync errors have been mentioning a conflict and also latest work simply being missing after switching devices without any error messages. I’ve looked at all the sync help on here and I “seem” to be doing things correctly.
My post was more about people’s thoughts on benefits of cloud based vs local stored content etc but maybe I wasn’t very clear on that. I wasn’t looking for software recommendations, just thoughts on why people here are obviously using scrivener, and are what are the benefits vs negatives of cloud based for writers.
Have you asked actual humans for help, either through the forums or via our help system?
Sync is extremely reliable for many people. If it isn’t for you, there’s probably a reason other than “Scrivener sync sucks.”
For me, “cloud-based” vs. “local” is mostly irrelevant. I use Scrivener because I haven’t found anything else that facilitates my writing as effectively. I’d still use it if it were cloud-based, and I’d still use it if I had to email projects between my devices.
(Before you all get your hopes up, there are no plans for a cloud-based version of Scrivener, and in fact doing what Scrivener does, but “in the cloud,” is an extremely difficult technical problem.)
(No, I’m not just saying this because I work here. I work here because I love Scrivener.)
But back to your underlying question. The advantage of cloud-based software is that your work is available anywhere with an internet connection. The disadvantage is also that your work is available anywhere with an internet connection. That is, what the software can do is inherently limited by the “browser” interface, the lack of a local file system, and the necessarily narrow connection between your device and the company’s servers.
And with cloud based - if they offer a download to work offline, make sure you do it before going anywhere that might have a dodgy internet connection - out of major cities in the US, ‘outback’ in Aus (+ some spots between Sydney and Bris/Melb) and I guess many other places in the world. If the internet goes down you’re out of luck if the file is only online. I’m traveling at present and my phone has only 2 bars, anything internet is a PTA.