# MadCap Flare, Scrivener vs Help & Manual Comparison

| | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.8 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 487 | 87 | 22 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (52.8% of reviews) | Small-Business (82.8% of reviews) | Small-Business (85.0% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Contact Us Per Year | No pricing available | $1099 | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### MadCap Flare

Pros:
- Content Management (2 reviews)
- Efficiency (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (2 reviews)
- Difficulty (1 reviews)

### Scrivener

Pros:
- Ease of Use (2 reviews)
- Features (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Learning Curve (1 reviews)
- Limited Features (1 reviews)

### Help & Manual

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.6 (402 reviews) | 9.3 (69 reviews) | 9.4 (20 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 7.4 (402 reviews) | 7.9 (71 reviews) | 8.7 (20 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.9 (300 reviews) | 7.9 (15 reviews) | 9.1 (11 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.0 (288 reviews) | 9.2 (8 reviews) | 9.5 (11 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.6 (376 reviews) | 8.6 (45 reviews) | 9.5 (18 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.9 (290 reviews) | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 9.8 (9 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.6 (370 reviews) | 8.5 (70 reviews) | 9.4 (20 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### MadCap Flare

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Subscription

Price: Contact Us Per Year

Description: Includes Maintenance and Support

Key Features:
- Free Product Upgrades and Updates
- Unlimited Email and Phone Support
- Free Web-based MadCap Flare Introductory Training

[Learn more about MadCap Flare](https://www.g2.com/products/madcap-flare/reviews)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Scrivener

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Help & Manual

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Server Edition

Price: $1099

Description: Floating server license for one user at a time. The total number of users is unlimited. Server licenses are great for small to medium authoring teams.


[Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/help-manual/pricing)

#### Free Trial

No

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Web Content Management

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **MadCap Flare** | 8.4/10 | 62 |
| **Scrivener** | N/A | N/A |
| **Help & Manual** | N/A | N/A |

#### Content

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Content Authoring** | 9.3 (57 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Rich Text Editor** | 9.2 (52 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Versioning** | 8.8 (47 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps** | 8.5 (26 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Approval Process** | 8.2 (26 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Content Scheduling** | 8.5 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Asset Management** | 8.3 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internal Search** | 8.1 (51 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Content Repository** | 8.9 (51 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Design

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Breadth of Pre-Built Templates** | 7.8 (50 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile** | 7.8 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Branding/Themes** | 7.9 (42 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization** | 8.4 (50 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **User Community** | 8.3 (45 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SEO** | 8.3 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Flexible Navigation Structures** | 8.5 (47 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User, Role, and Access Management** | 8.4 (33 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Enterprise Scalability** | 8.7 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Internationalization** | 8.4 (26 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Dashboards and Reports** | 7.8 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API / Integrations** | 7.6 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Web Content Management

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Screenwriting

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **MadCap Flare** | N/A | N/A |
| **Scrivener** | 7.7/10 | 8 |
| **Help & Manual** | N/A | N/A |

#### Document Creation

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Template Creation** | Not enough data | 7.9 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Story Map** | Not enough data | 8.1 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Formatting** | Not enough data | 8.5 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **PDF Creation** | Not enough data | 9.4 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Workflow

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Collaborative Creation** | Not enough data | 6.4 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Comments and Tasks** | Not enough data | 6.9 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Web Interface** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile apps** | Not enough data | 6.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Screenwriting

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Document Creation

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **MadCap Flare** | 7.4/10 | 109 |
| **Scrivener** | 7.2/10 | 14 |
| **Help & Manual** | N/A | N/A |

#### Design

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Graphics** | 7.5 (88 reviews) | 8.5 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Templates** | 8.0 (87 reviews) | 8.1 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Themes** | 7.8 (73 reviews) | 6.8 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Collaboration

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Multi-User Collaboration** | 7.9 (75 reviews) | 5.3 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Communication** | 7.2 (61 reviews) | 4.8 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### File Types

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Export** | 8.7 (97 reviews) | 9.2 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Import** | 7.5 (91 reviews) | 8.9 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Web Publishing** | 9.1 (87 reviews) | 4.3 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Edit & Revise

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Revision History** | 8.5 (77 reviews) | 8.3 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Suggestion Mode** | 8.1 (59 reviews) | 5.9 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Document Editor** | 8.7 (96 reviews) | 9.4 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Integrate & Embed

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Calendar** | 6.7 (31 reviews) | 5.2 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Website** | 8.7 (57 reviews) | 5.5 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Applications** | 8.3 (44 reviews) | 5.0 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Operating System

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **PC Operating System** | 8.7 (101 reviews) | 9.8 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Mac Operating System** | 4.5 (17 reviews) | 9.8 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Linux Operating System** | 4.2 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Generation** | 5.7 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text Summarization** | 5.2 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-Image** | 5.2 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Text-to-Speech** | 5.5 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Image-to-Text** | 5.5 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Document Creation

| Feature | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories

**Unique to MadCap Flare (3):** [Help Authoring Tools (HAT)](https://www.g2.com/categories/help-authoring-tool-hat), [Document Creation Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/document-creation), [Web Content Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/web-content-management)

**Unique to Scrivener (2):** [Document Creation Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/document-creation), [Screenwriting Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/screenwriting)

**Unique to Help & Manual (1):** [Help Authoring Tools (HAT)](https://www.g2.com/categories/help-authoring-tool-hat)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | MadCap Flare | Scrivener | Help & Manual | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 17.8% | 82.8% | 85.0% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 52.8% | 9.2% | 5.0% | 
| **Enterprise** | 29.4% | 8.0% | 10.0% | 

### By Industry

#### MadCap Flare

- **Computer Software:** 36.6%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 15.2%
- **Writing and Editing:** 3.4%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 3.4%
- **Financial Services:** 2.5%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 2.3%
- **Oil & Energy:** 1.9%
- **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 1.9%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 1.7%
- **Industrial Automation:** 1.7%
- **Other:** 29.5%

#### Scrivener

- **Writing and Editing:** 31.4%
- **Higher Education:** 8.1%
- **Publishing:** 7.0%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 4.7%
- **Libraries:** 3.5%
- **Entertainment:** 3.5%
- **Automotive:** 2.3%
- **Research:** 2.3%
- **Religious Institutions:** 2.3%
- **Internet:** 2.3%
- **Other:** 32.6%

#### Help & Manual

- **Computer Software:** 50.0%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 10.0%
- **Education Management:** 10.0%
- **Telecommunications:** 5.0%
- **Mechanical or Industrial Engineering:** 5.0%
- **Logistics and Supply Chain:** 5.0%
- **Internet:** 5.0%
- **Consumer Services:** 5.0%
- **Computer Hardware:** 5.0%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to MadCap Flare

- [ClickHelp](https://www.g2.com/products/clickhelp/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (65 reviews)
- [Document360](https://www.g2.com/products/document360/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Microsoft Word](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-word/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (2037 reviews)
- [Adobe Experience Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-experience-manager/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (673 reviews)
- [WordPress.org](https://www.g2.com/products/wordpress-org/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (9528 reviews)
- [Adobe RoboHelp](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-robohelp/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (38 reviews)
- [Author-It](https://www.g2.com/products/author-it/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (33 reviews)
- [Dr. Explain](https://www.g2.com/products/dr-explain/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (30 reviews)
- [HelpNDoc](https://www.g2.com/products/helpndoc/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [HelpSmith](https://www.g2.com/products/helpsmith/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (16 reviews)

### Alternatives to Scrivener

- [Final Draft](https://www.g2.com/products/final-draft/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (46 reviews)
- [Celtx](https://www.g2.com/products/celtx/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (78 reviews)
- [WriterDuet](https://www.g2.com/products/writerduet/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (29 reviews)
- [Pages](https://www.g2.com/products/pages/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (376 reviews)
- [Microsoft Word](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-word/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (2037 reviews)
- [Ulysses](https://www.g2.com/products/ulysses/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (25 reviews)
- [iA Writer](https://www.g2.com/products/ia-writer/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (23 reviews)
- [LibreOffice Writer](https://www.g2.com/products/libreoffice-writer/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (87 reviews)
- [Foxit PDF Editor](https://www.g2.com/products/foxit-pdf-editor/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (3627 reviews)
- [Adobe Acrobat](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-acrobat/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (5122 reviews)

### Alternatives to Help & Manual

- [ClickHelp](https://www.g2.com/products/clickhelp/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (65 reviews)
- [Adobe RoboHelp](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-robohelp/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (38 reviews)
- [Dr. Explain](https://www.g2.com/products/dr-explain/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (30 reviews)
- [HelpNDoc](https://www.g2.com/products/helpndoc/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [HelpSmith](https://www.g2.com/products/helpsmith/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (16 reviews)
- [Document360](https://www.g2.com/products/document360/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (519 reviews)
- [Archbee](https://www.g2.com/products/archbee/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (118 reviews)
- [HelpStudio Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/helpstudio-suite/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (9 reviews)
- [Docsie](https://www.g2.com/products/docsie/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (118 reviews)
- [Author-It](https://www.g2.com/products/author-it/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (33 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### MadCap Flare

- Title: [Is MadCap Flare cloud-based?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-madcap-flare-cloud-based) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "MadCap Flare is not cloud-based per se. However, MadCap Central recently enabled cloud-based authoring that syncs up with Flare. Here's the link to their..."
- Title: [How much is MadCap Central?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-is-madcap-central) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "MadCap is pretty transparent about their pricing plans, which you can find on there site at https://www.madcapsoftware.com/pricing/. The current rate for an..."
- Title: [How much does MadCap Flare cost?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-does-madcap-flare-cost) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "No idea - our admin team pays the bills"
- Title: [Is MadCap Flare a CMS?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-madcap-flare-a-cms) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Flare is NOT a CMS - it is an advanced editor and output builder"
- Title: [What is MadCap flare used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-madcap-flare-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "The creation of single-sourced documentation, both for online consumption, and for printable output."

### Scrivener

- Title: [How do i integrate this application with Google Drive?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12361-how-do-i-integrate-this-application-with-google-drive) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Here's a great tutorial on how to sync scrivener with google drive. https://simonkjones.com/how-to-sync-scrivener-with-a-chromebook/"

### Help & Manual

- Title: [Grow your website](https://www.g2.com/discussions/grow-your-website) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Please "

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/madcap-flare-vs-scrivener-vs-help-manual)