Ever dreamt of transforming your screenplay into a blockbuster, but flinched at the price of fancy software? You're not alone. Many aspiring writers, directors, or producers struggle with the high cost of traditional screenwriting tools.
The good news? You don't need to break the bank to bring your story to life. Free screenwriting software offers a treasure trove of features, from automatic formatting to character analysis, all without the hefty price tag.
This guide dives deep into the best free options available, based on real user experiences. Whether you're a student honing your craft, a home-based writer, or simply budget-conscious, this list can help you find the perfect low-cost screenwriting software to unleash your creativity and maximize your script's potential. We'll explore features, reviews, and even discuss pros and cons to suit your needs so you can find the perfect fit to turn your screenplay into a masterpiece.
At G2, we rank software solutions using a proprietary algorithm that considers customer satisfaction and market presence based on authentic user reviews. Our market research analysts and writers spend weeks testing solutions against multiple criteria set for a software category. We give you unbiased software evaluations; that's the G2 difference! We didn’t accept payment or exchange links for product placements in this list. Please read our G2 Research Scoring Methodology for more details.
Screenwriting software offers various tools for script outlining, formatting, character and plot organization, collaborating with other users, storyboarding, and scheduling to streamline the writing process and support the creation of professional-quality screenplays.
The list below contains real user reviews from the best screenwriting software page. It’s important to note that in this list's context, vendors offering a free trial are also considered here. To be included in this category, a solution must:
*This data was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Celtx is a versatile online screenwriting software that offers a range of products for writing, story development, pre-production, and production. It has an intuitive user interface with multiple helpful features like script formatting for different media, storyboarding, collaboration space, and other story development and production tools.
Celtx can be downloaded on a desktop or used as an online application. The basic scriptwriting plan is available free of cost and allows you to work on one project.
Pros of Celtx |
Cons of Celtx |
| Multi-format script editors | Limited customization options |
| Collaborative features for teamwork | Learning curve for new users |
| User-friendly interface | Restricted free plan |
"I love the ability to access Celtx online. I used this program in my screenwriting courses during undergrad, and it was a downloadable program. Now that it is in an online cloud format, I can work on my scripts anywhere, regardless of which device I access them. Additionally, I can now collaborate with my friends and colleagues on a script and receive feedback quickly."
- Celtx Review, Nuu G.
"The price per month makes this a bit of an expensive solution. Though fairly reasonably priced for the solution overall if you are already running a business in this area. For someone just starting in film production, having extra monthly costs may prove a bit difficult."
- Celtx Review, Misha W.
Final Draft is a popular screenwriting software among film, television, and multimedia productions. With refined beat boards and story maps, Final Draft helps organize story ideas and keep writers on track with visual guidelines. It also has features like real-time collaboration, revision mode, and tags mode to simplify your scriptwriting and life. You can sign up for a 30-day free trial to see how the tool works.
Pros of Final Draft |
Cons of Final Draft |
| Comprehensive script formatting | Steep learning curve for beginners |
| Templates for various formats | Occasional software crashes |
| Collaborative features | Limited free trial period |
"Final Draft is the best application we've tried for screenwriting because of its shrewd devices for designing your work to proficient particulars. It additionally offers spaces to assist you with creating stories, similar to the Story Guide and Beat Board. It permits you to simply start composing when you open it without us agonizing over the configuration. Also, different elements like notes taking and working with various drafts of similar contents is incredibly simple. It is an extremely easy to understand programming."
- Final Draft Review, Khalid R.
"Final Draft comes out with new versions every year, and instead of being able to just access those versions once you've bought the software, you have to buy it again. That's slightly irritating, because the software is $300. It's not that it isn't worth it, it's just that I wish I didn't have to pay for basically the same thing, albeit with a few new wrinkles, every single year even if it is at a discount."
- Final Draft Review, Eric F.
Tinkerlist is a cloud-based software that offers a collaborative space for professional screenwriters and production teams. It allows for real-time live script updation, easy integration with other platforms, and hosts tools for crew planning, budgeting, and scheduling. Tinkerlist also provides a training session to get you started. You can get started with a free trial.
Pros of Tinkerlist |
Cons of Tinkerlist |
| Visual storyboarding | Occasional performance issues |
| Collaboration tools | Limited customization options |
| Cloud-based platform for easy access | No free version, only a free trial |
“Tinkerlist has complete control over the business communications streams, allowing firms to fully interrelate with clients and employees. Besides, Tinkerlist emphasizes on innovation, which is the primary driver for extensive firm development. Finally, Tinkerlist is the guide in matters of content publication.”
- Tinkerlist Review, Jordin M.
“Tinkerlist seems overly complicated and claims to cover everything communication-related. It supposedly brings together various groups and media outlets, but it's unclear how this actually improves confidential communication.”
- Tinkerlist Review, Jordin M.
Arc Studio Pro is a professional screenwriting software option for professionals and beginners. It offers a real-time collaborative space like Google Docs making it easy for multiple users to work on a project together. Arc Studio Pro provides other features like a digital whiteboard, an industry-standard formatting tool, cloud sync, PDF export, and revision management. The free forever plan lets you try the tool for writing two scripts.
Pros of Arc Sudtio Pro |
Cons of Arc Studio Pro |
| Extensive collaboration features | Steeper learning curve for new users |
| Storyboard templates | Lacks core formatting |
| User-friendly interface | Limited export options |
“Easy to use and share your ideas for creative collaboration with people. Editing your stories was never this easy.”
- Arc Studio Pro Review, Danish A.
“The free version of the service is browser only and has a limited number of scripts allowed.”
- Arc Studio Pro Review, Verified User in Semiconductors
Plottr is a popular visual book planning software that allows screenwriters to visualize plot points and create visual story cards for better storytelling. Screenwriters can also use this platform to color-coordinate and organize storylines. The platform also offers proven templates for you to get started and story bible for visually organizing characters and linking them to scenes.
Pros of Plottr |
Cons of Plottr |
| Excellent visual book outlining | Fewer advanced features compared to some competitors |
| Intuitive and user-friendly | Lacks customization options |
| Supports collaboration and organization | Limited free trial period |
“Plottr has been super helpful in plotting out my novels. I love that there is a way to organize every kind of idea I have, from character development to plot points. The templates they provide are also super helpful.”
- Plottr Review, Kristin M.
“The inability to update existing files when importing from Scrivener.”
- Plottr Review, Travis C.
MakeStoryBoard is an online storyboard software solution that helps screenwriters create video storyboards with images and illustrations. The platform also features drawing and animatic storyboard software to help screenwriters convert ideas into reality frame by frame. You can also use the platform to share feedback, receive approvals, and collaborate with other project members. The platform offers a free trial to help you get started.
Pros of MakeStoryBoard |
Cons of MakeStoryBoard |
| Allows easy storyboard visualization | No script writing features (focused on storyboarding) |
| Easy to invite team members and collaborate | Learning curve for advanced users |
| Ability to add company branding to shareable links | Limited export options |
“Clear dashboard. Functionality. Collaborations features.”
- MakeStoryBoard Review, Verified User in Computer Software
“ I would like to see white label features in the dashboard.”
- MakeStoryBoard Review, Verified User in Computer Software
If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about free screenwriting software, this comparison table will help you with all the important aspects:
| Software | G2 Rating | Free plan | Paid plan |
| Celtx | 4.1/5 | Yes, feature-limited | Starting at $14.99 per month |
| Final Draft | 4.5/5 | Free trial available | Starting at $199 |
| Tinkerlist | 4.6/5 | Free trial available | Available on request |
| Arc Studio Pro | 4.5/5 | Yes, feature-limited | Starting at $5.75 per month |
| Plottr | 4.8/5 | Free trial available | Starting at $20 per month |
| MakeStoryBoard | 5.0/5 | Free trial available | Starting at $14 per month |
This depends on your needs. Here are some key considerations:
Consider your budget, experience level, and desired features. Start by exploring free options or demos of paid software. Many offer free trials to allow you to test-drive their functionalities.
Always check the reputation and data practices of any free software before entrusting your work. Look for software with a proven track record and clear privacy policies. Consider cloud-based options that offer secure storage and backups.
As your screenwriting journey progresses, you might need advanced features like in-depth story analysis, outlining tools, or plagiarism checkers. Paid screenwriting software often caters to professional writers with these advanced needs.
Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned professional, screenwriting software is vital for outlining your script and analyzing characters and plot development. All the free screenwriting tools mentioned above are great budget-friendly options for getting started with that award-winning idea.
We hope this list of the best free screenwriting software helps you find the right solution!
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