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If you’re interested in writing scripts for films, TV, or video games, screenwriting software can help. Along with proofreading your work for spelling and grammar, screenwriting software also formats your script to meet industry requirements.
For instance, this software makes it easy to add dialogue, scene headers, transitions, character names and other features automatically. While there are lots of options out there, I’ve collected and reviewed the best screenwriting software available today.
Read on for:
13 best screenwriting software
Here are my recommendations for the 13 best screenwriting software to make writing your scripts a breeze:
- Final Draft
- Celtx
- Squibler
- WriterDuet
- Highland 2
- StudioBinder
- Scrivener
- Ulysses
- Trelby
- Fade In
- KIT Scenarist
- Movie Magic Screenwriter
- IA Writer
1. Final Draft
Final Draft is an award-winning software used by Netflix, NBCUniversal, Paramount, ABC, Pixar, and other famous productions. It’s compatible with Windows, OSX, and iOS. With its automatic formatting, keyboard shortcuts, and collaboration capabilities, Final Draft is an excellent software for professional screenwriters.
Features
- Fonts that support over 97 languages
- Text-to-speech support is available
- Useful keyboard shortcuts
- The ability to collaborate with other writers
- Automatic formatting to industry standard
Pricing
When you finish your free trial, there are three packages you can pick from: Final Draft, Upgrade to 12, and Teacher/Student, depending on your needs. You can buy the Final Draft plan for $184.99, the Upgrade to 12 for $74.99 per month, and the Teacher/Student for $89.99.
Best for
Final Draft could be a good fit for most writers, from students and teachers to screenwriters, filmmakers and novelists.
2. Celtx
Celtx is a cross-platform screenwriting tool compatible with mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android. This tool provides you with built-in tools that help you create great content quickly.
A cloud-based software, Celtx makes it easy for you to access your work from anywhere. This screenwriting software also provides actionable insights with its detailed reports.
Features
- Relies on a rich text editor module for novel writing
- Supports the creation of production calendars and strip-boards
- Lets you place element tags within each script
- Is cloud-based, so you can access your work from anywhere on any device
- Allows real-time collaboration
Pricing
You can select from three plans — Scriptwriting, Video Production or Game Production — depending on your needs. You can pay a monthly fee or save 25% on an annual plan. With the yearly plan savings, the Scriptwriting plan is $15 per month and both Game and Video Production are $27 per month.
Best for:
Celtx is best for screenwriters, playwrights and novelists.
3. Squibler
Squibler is an online writing tool that enables screenwriters to write scripts faster with a highly focused and a minimalist editor. This tools helps streamline the writing process with its simple-to-use editing and project management tools.
Features
- Drag and drop interface
- 30+ templates to choose from
- Powerful built-in collaboration features
- Useful plot generator tool
Pricing
Squibler Pro charges an annual fee of $96 or a monthly fee of $9.99.
Best for:
Squibler screenwriting software is useful for all types of scriptwriters, authors, and fiction and non-fiction writers.
4. WriterDuet
WriterDuet is a screenwriting app that prioritizes real-time collaboration from different locations and devices. This software is not only used for screenwriting, but it is also used for video editing and gaming. Although it is not a free software tool, it does allow up to three free scripts upon sign up.
Features
- Mobile device and multiple browser support
- Both online and offline services
- Tracker tool to monitor your edits
- A wide range of formats supported
- Integrates with cloud storage backup services like Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud
Pricing
Apart from the free trial, there are three packages you can pick from – Plus, Pro, and Premium. You can pay monthly, but you also save 38% by opting for a yearly plan. With the savings, the Plus plan is $5.99 per month, the Pro plan is $7.99 per month, and the Premium plan costs $9.99 per month.
Best for
WriterDuet screenwriting software is best for professional screenwriters who want to collaborate without interfering with each other’s work.
5. Highland 2
Highland 2 is one of the best screenwriting software for Mac available today. This software has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, so the writer can focus on their writing and avoid distractions. Its highly customizable and offers both a free and premium version. Highland 2’s keyboard shortcuts are great for screenwriters looking to format their scripts the right way.
Features
- Comes with a built-in automatic formatting mode
- Has a ‘Sprint’ feature that allows you to track your time while you work
- Offers an interactive built-in gender analysis tool which breaks down male and female characters in your script (how many times they speak and how many words)
- ‘Scratchpad’ feature takes and leaves notes about projects, similar to how you would with index cards
- You can design your own themes on the Pro plan
- You get plenty of keyboard shortcuts for formatting
Pricing
Highland 2 is a free app, although it does have a Highland 2 Pro Upgrade which can be purchased for $34.99.
Best for
This software is best for screenwriters, novelists, and other writers who use a Mac.
6. StudioBinder
The sleekly designed StudioBinder can help facilitate your production workflow. A popular screenwriting software, it provides customizable solutions for photo and video production companies looking to manage their content from one shared platform.
Features
- Simple dropdown interface
- Real-time online collaboration
- The ability to import scripts (fdx, pdf, doc, etc.)
- Auto-formatting and predictive features
Pricing
StudioBinder offers plans from $29 per month to $99 per month. However, it also offers a free version where you can manage contacts, add tasks and prep unlimited call sheets.
Best for
StudioBinder is suitable for anyone from filmmakers and photographers to freelancers and big production companies. It’s a good fit for large-scale companies and individual professionals working on motion picture or television projects.
7. Scrivener
Scrivener is one of the best screenwriting software tools for authors and novelists. It’s compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Linux. First released in 2007, Scrivener lets you organize notes and edit multiple documents at a top.
Its easy-to-use, drag-and-drop tools can be used for project management, as well. This software mimics a typewriter, ring-binder, and scrapbook.
Features
- Has a user-friendly interface with familiar text editing features
- Lets you import your files from Word docs, text files, PDFs, and other formats
- Includes a built-in “cork board” that lets you rearrange files via drag-and-drop
Pricing
Scrivener offers a Standard and Education license. The Standard license for iOS costs $19.99. To access Scrivener on your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, you might need a Dropbox account.
For both Windows and macOS, the Standard license costs $49 and the Educational licence costs $41.65.
Scrivener also offers a bundle purchase option, for macOS and Windows, for $80 with a separate license for each system.
Best for
This software is well-suited to writers who could make use of its available templates.
8. Ulysses
Ulysses is writing software available in a mobile and desktop app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone with a minimalist design.
Features
- Has a built-In proofreader and editing assistant
- Can turn your text into an eBook or manuscript.
- With auto-Save you won’t lose your progress, as this software automatically saves your work in its library
- Has themes of many different colors you can choose from
Pricing
You can purchase the Ulysses writing app for $49.99 per year or $4.99 per month.
Best for
Ulysses is a good choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-use app that will help you beat procrastination and focus on writing.
9. Trelby
Trelby, previously known as Blyte, is a free and open-source software that operates on both Windows and Linux platforms and is available on Github. Licensed under GPL, Trelby enables developers and screenwriters to collaborate and make the platform even better. It also contains a PDF generator.
Features
- Contains choice of view including draft view, WYSIWYG (“what you see is what you get”) mode, and full screen to fit your writing style
- Includes character name databases from various countries
- Lets you compare different versions of your drafts
- Has a PDF generator
Pricing
Trelby is a free screenwriting program.
Best for
As a free software, Trelby is a good choice for writers on a budget.
10. Fade In
Fade In is one of the most affordable screenwriting software tools available. It has features such as multiple language support, action-to-dialogue calculator, and functionality for rewrites and revisions. This tool is currently available on Mac, Windows, Android, Linux, and iOS.
Features
- Allows for real-time collaboration
- Includes image support
- Supports multiple formats (text, HTML, etc.)
- Offers cloud storage service
- Provides free software updates
Pricing
After you have used the free trial, you can purchase Fade In for a one-time fee of $79.95, with all the future updates for free.
Best for
Fade In is great for screenwriters looking for an affordable screenwriting software that facilitates collaboration.
11. KIT Scenarist
This tool is one of the best screenwriting software that offers free and open-source software with a high degree of customizability. It’s compatible with systems such as Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Features
- Offers an all-in-one research module
- Comes with a built-in card module
- Includes a rich formatting tool with script editor so that you can concentrate on writing
- Has statistics tools
Pricing
KIT Scenarist is a free software, making it useful for screenwriters and students who are on a budget.
Best for
KIT Scenarist is useful for scriptwriting work for feature films and television series, as well as for those who require multiple languages and statistical analysis.
12. Movie Magic Screenwriter
Movie Magic Screenwriter is an award-winning software that’s made for screenwriting, novels, comic books, stage plays, musicals, and other types of scripts. This tool also offers free online videos to improve ease of use, and has a free demo version so that you can try the software out.
Features
- Real-time, intelligent formatting
- Characters and locations tags
- Built-in collaboration tools
- ‘Text-to-speech’ transformation feature
Pricing
Movie Magic Screenwriter offers multiple pricing plans. The full version of Movie Magic Screenwriter allows three activations for the price of $249.95. It also has an academic version that allows two activations and has a starting price of $99.
Best for
Movie Magic Screenwriter is well-suited to the film industry, though it can also be used by students.
13. IA Writer
IA Writer is a free writing software with a minimalist interface available on Mac OS, Windows, Android and iOS. This software has a typical layout using “writing typography” and is characterized by mono-spaced and duo-spaced fonts, a blue cursor and a gray background color which helps writers focus.
Features
- Focus mode that lets the writer focus on the sentence they’re writing by blurring out other content
- Flexible content blocks let you build blocks of text, swap them around, and add media files
- Parallel PDF preview lets you see your work in PDF view
Pricing
IA Writer offers the following plans:
- macOS for $29.99 with a 14-day trial
- iOS and iPadOS for $29.99 without a trial period
- Windows for $29.99 with a-14 day trial
- Android for $29.99 or $4.99 per month with a 30-day trial in app
Best for
This app is useful for beginners and anyone working on a relatively lightweight project.
Best screenwriting software FAQ (frequently asked questions)
Here are a few answers to some common questions about screenwriting software.
What is screenwriting software and how does it work?
Screenwriting software helps facilitate the meticulous work or writing screenplays. It can automatically format your scripts for you with scene headings, character names, parentheticals, dialogue, transitions and other features so you can focus on your writing.
Some tools also offer pre-made templates, built-in tags, and PDF generators to make your life easy. Plus, some will analyze your writing to let you know how you’ve distributed dialogue among your characters or different genders.
Scripts need to be formatted in a precise way, but screenwriting software can make this formatting a lot easier.
Can I use the same software on multiple computers?
You can often use the same software on multiple computers. Some software comes with a license with multiple activations, meaning you can install it on multiple devices. Other software is cloud-based, allowing you to access it from anywhere. And some other software has built-in collaboration, meaning you and your team can all work within the screenwriting software together at the same time and share ideas without interfering with anyone else’s work.
Can you write a screenplay in Microsoft Word?
You can write a screenplay in Microsoft Word, but you would need to do all the formatting manually, including scene headings, action, character names, parentheticals, dialogue, and transitions. Screenwriting software can be a huge time-saver, as well as make sure you meet all the specific formatting guidelines you need to meet in the screenwriting industry.
