A well-crafted script is essential to your production and having the right tools to help you put one together can save time, money, and help your creative process. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the best script writing software, including some free screen writing software options.
Understanding Film Script Screenwriting Software
Before we get into our software list, it’s useful to know what this software is and what features it typically offers. Film script screenwriting software is a specialised tool designed to assist writers in putting together scripts for films, television shows, or other visual media. These are more than a word processor, with features tailored specifically to screenwriting. You can get some film script software for free, but the tools can vary greatly from one to the next.
Key Features of Screenwriting Software:
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Script Formatting: Automatically formats your script according to industry standards, so you get a proper layout and structure.
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Character and Scene Management: Helps you to keep track of characters, scenes, and all the details associated with those.
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Collaboration Tools: Share and edit across multiple writers or team members.
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Revision Tracking: Tracks changes made to the script, so it’s easy to go back to previous versions if needed, or to easily see what edits have been made by others.
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Export Options: Provides various export options, including formats compatible with industry-standard software and production tools.
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Database Integration: Allows the integration of databases for character details, plot points, and other relevant information.
10 Best Film Script Screenwriting Software (Free & Paid 2024)
1. Final Draft
![final draft](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/1_final_draft.jpg)
![final draft](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/1_final_draft.jpg)
Price: $199.99 for ‘Personal’ (usually $249.99) which gets you 2 license activations.
You’ve probably heard of Final Draft as it’s an industry standard screenwriting software that’s widely used in Hollywood. It’s known for its formatting, strong collaboration tools, and a nice, instinctive user interface. It boasts clients who write for Netflix, the BBC, Warner Brothers and other impressive names. Plan out your story with powerful tools like Beat Board, Outline Editor, and Structure Lines.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Industry standard.
- Powerful toolset.
Cons
- Big initial outlay.
- Might take a while to become familiar with all the tools for new users.
2. Celtx
![celtx](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/2_celtx.jpg)
![celtx](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/2_celtx.jpg)
![celtx](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/2_celtx.jpg)
Price: Free trial and then from £9.37 per month (billed yearly) for their starter tier.
Celtx has a lot of tools that go beyond just scriptwriting, so if you need more, or less, it probably has a tier to suit. There are options for a variety of scripts of differing layouts, like film/TV, stage play, and game script.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lots of tools for a variety of scriptwriting and post-production needs.
- An affordable starter tier for individual writers.
- See team changes in real time with ‘Presence Awareness’.
Cons
- Subscriptions get expensive the more you want.
- May be hard to know what tools you’ll need until you try it.
3. WriterDuet – Free Screenwriting Software
![writer duet](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/3_writer_duet.jpg)
![writer duet](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/3_writer_duet.jpg)
![writer duet](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/3_writer_duet.jpg)
Price: Free basic tier and then from $7.49 per month billed annually
Enjoy real-time collaboration with WriterDuet, with text or video chat plus comments and replies available. There are also tools for individual line history plus an edit-by-edit timeline. This is technically freemium rather than entirely free script writing software, but the free tier does include an industry standard template and three projects, so it’s not bad.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Real-time collaboration.
- Free script software.
- User-friendly.
Cons
- More advanced features get pricey.
- Limited offline functionality.
4. Trelby – Free Screenwriting Software
![trelby](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/4_trelby.jpg)
![trelby](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/4_trelby.jpg)
![trelby](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/4_trelby.jpg)
Price: Free script software – open source
Trelby is open source so it’s totally free script software to help you write a screenplay. It’s laid out in a simple way but still looks decent, and you can do most things you’d need, like edit, change view, create databases for characters, report and compare, and so on.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Totally free script writing software.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Not feature-rich.
- Limited collaboration features.
- As it’s open source, may be liable to the occasional bug or glitch.
5. Arc Studio Price: Free(ish) and then from $69 per year
![arc studio](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/5_arc_studio.jpg)
![arc studio](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/5_arc_studio.jpg)
![arc studio](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/5_arc_studio.jpg)
You couldn’t really call this screenwriting software for free, as the bottom tier of Arc Studio is watermarked and lacks most of the features you’d probably want, like outlining. Its focus seems to be simplicity and collaboration.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free collaboration for basic editing without your collaborators needing to pay for their own subscriptions.
- A free version so you can try it out.
Cons
- Some of the most useful tools are held back for the most expensive pricing tier.
- Limited features compares to some of the pro ‘buy outright’ options.
6. Scrivener
![scrivener](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/6_scrivener.jpg)
![scrivener](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/6_scrivener.jpg)
![scrivener](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/6_scrivener.jpg)
Price: Free trial and then £49.99 buy outright.
Scrivener isn’t specifically designed for screenwriting but it’s really versatile, with some great tools for plotting, planning and everything else you might need. If good organisation all in one place is a priority then you’ll love Scrivener.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great Price and you can try it out first.
- Lots of organisation tools.
Cons
- Not specifically for script writing.
- Some tools that would be part of dedicated screenwriting software may be lacking.
7. Movie Magic Screenwriter
Price: $169 (usually $249.95)
The first thing to mention is that the shop link for this is broken, but you can find the product on another site. That aside, this screenwriting software has been around in one form or another for more than 3 decades. There are over 100 templates to get you started, including industry standard ones.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lots of templates and ways to get started if you’re struggling to write.
- Collaboration online.
- Lots of pro features.
- A 14 day free trial of the full version.
Cons
- Clunky website that looks bad and has broken links – doesn’t inspire confidence.
- Looks and feels dated.
8. KIT Scenarist – Free Screenwriting Software
![KIT Senarist](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/8_KIT.jpg)
![KIT Senarist](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/8_KIT.jpg)
![KIT Senarist](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/8_KIT.jpg)
Price: Free script software
Okay buckle up for this one because it’s slightly more complicated. KIT Scenarist is totally free script software, but, it’s been discontinued, so there are no more updates. However, you can still use the last updated one, or, you can try the new scripting tool from them, Story Architect which does have a free tier with quite a lot of tools included. After that, the subscription starts from $3.34 per month or $120 buy outright, so it’s not outrageously priced.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Film script software for free, and if you opt for Story Architect instead there’s still a free version.
- Supports multiple languages.
Cons
- Discontinued so no updates.
9. Fade In Pro
![fade in pro](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/9_fade_in_pro.jpg)
![fade in pro](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/9_fade_in_pro.jpg)
![fade in pro](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/9_fade_in_pro.jpg)
Price: Free trial and then $79.95 buy outright
Fade In calls itself ‘the new industry standard’ and boasts reviews from writers of hit movies like Glass Onion, The Last Of Us, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. It has extensive tools, like automatic script formatting as you type, and sets itself up as a direct competitor to Final Draft.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable one-time purchase.
- Lots of tools.
Cons
- Dated and text heavy website.
10. Highland 2 – Free Screenwriting Software for Mac
![highland 2](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/10_highland_2.jpg)
![highland 2](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/10_highland_2.jpg)
![highland 2](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/10_highland_2.jpg)
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Forget the formatting while using the Highland 2 app, as it can do a lot of it for you! Type a character’s name in uppercase and the line below will automatically become dialogue. There are other useful tools like The Bin which is a temporary storage for bits of text you want to keep close but haven’t used yet, and The Navigator which is a map of your various script sections.
Quick Look Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lots of positive reviews from users.
- Free to download.
- A gender analysis so you can see how your script is weighted.
Cons
- Only for Apple users.
- In-app purchases.
Choosing the Right Screenwriting Software
Choosing the right screenwriting software means thinking about what you need, what you’d ideally want, what your budget is, and the answer is where those things meet! Here are some of our recommendations based on the screenwriters we’ve covered.
1. Collaboration and Cloud-Based Accessibility
If you’re part of a team or collaborating with others, real-time collaboration features are crucial. If that team is in a variety of locations, then you’ll need cloud-based collaboration.
Recommendation
Tools like WriterDuet and Arc Studio provide seamless collaboration, meaning multiple users can work on the same script simultaneously. Arc Studio has a focus on real-time collaboration and if you try the free tier then you can always upgrade if you find you need more advanced tools.
2. Budget
Your budget is probably going to be the biggest factor when it comes to choosing something, so getting the most for your money is important.
Recommendation
Trelby is a film script software writer that’s free and open source. KIT Scenarist offers the same thing, but as it’s been discontinued it has to take a back seat as you’ll not get any further updates.
![typing](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/young_writer_typing_on_a_retro_typewriter_2023_11_27_05_22_44_utc.jpg)
![typing](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/young_writer_typing_on_a_retro_typewriter_2023_11_27_05_22_44_utc.jpg)
![typing](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/young_writer_typing_on_a_retro_typewriter_2023_11_27_05_22_44_utc.jpg)
3. Professional Features
If you’re a professional writer you might need more advanced features and industry-standard templates and tools.
Recommendation
Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter fit the bill, but we can’t discount Fade In either, which positions itself as a rival to Final Draft, at less than half the cost.
4. Versatility for Different Projects
If you work on various writing projects beyond screenplays then it makes sense to choose software that has a lot of choice in layouts and templates, plus formatting!
Recommendation
Scrivener isn’t strictly screenwriting software, but it is very versatile and great for organisation. Movie Magic Screenwriter has a lot of useful templates too, covering a variety of writing needs.
5. Simplicity and Ease of Use
If you’re a beginner, then you might prefer user-friendly interfaces with a minimal learning curve so you can get started straight away.
Recommendation
Trelby and Fade In Pro have intuitive interfaces so you can likely jump right in and get writing without having to learn a bunch of new tools.
Check out Envato Elements for all your creative needs, You’ll find thousands of templates, stock items, and other useful bits and pieces that you can download and use for a monthly subscription.
![envato elements](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=850/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/Envato_Elements_Free_Files_January_2024.jpg)
![envato elements](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=630/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/Envato_Elements_Free_Files_January_2024.jpg)
![envato elements](https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=360/uploads/users/412/posts/108415/image-upload/Envato_Elements_Free_Files_January_2024.jpg)
And every month you’ll find free files to use.
Conclusion
Screenwriting software can look like it’s all more or less the same, but although that may be true of the core use, the associated tools are diverse and cater to a variety of different preferences. If things like collaboration, budget, versatility, and ease of use, are important to you, then you’ll need to check out a few of these and see which of them tick the boxes at a price you can afford. It’s best to take advantage of a free tier or trial version first, to make sure you like the software and that it fits your needs before you make an investment.
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About This Page
This page was written by Marie Gardiner. Marie is a writer, author, and photographer. It was edited by Gonzalo Angulo. Gonzalo is an editor, writer and illustrator.