If you are looking for free screenwriting software then look no further! Screenwriters have a wide variety of options to choose from thanks to the overwhelming number of software programs, which is a good thing – it can also be a tiresome and time-consuming task as you sift through everything that is offered.
In this review, we’ll explore the top screenwriting programs on the market (in no particular order). The best part is that all of these options are free!
Now, let’s get on with it!
What is Screenwriting Software?
Like word processors, screenwriting software is a writing instrument made specifically for creating scripts and screenplays. Normal word processors, such as Microsoft Word, are unable to meet the unique requirements of screenwriters.
For instance, screenwriters who work with a large cast of characters require quick shortcuts when typing character names. Similar to novelists, screenwriters must take notes, work with other writers, and have quick access to an outline.
It also assists writers of screenplays in adhering to the strict formatting standards of the industry, studying and improving language use, maintaining document backups, and more. The need for manual formatting to bring your script into compliance with industry standards is eliminated by this software.
Screenwriting software essentially aids in the composition, editing, formatting, and printing of scripts for movies, television shows, or video games.
Screenwriting Software Features
Writing screenplays and scripts requires the use of screenwriting software, which comes with a number of features and advantages.
The following is a list of the main benefits you can anticipate from the top screenwriting software:
- Ready-to-use templates and a simple interface that require little to no training assistance with mind maps and outlines
- Story map
- Drag-and-drop constructor
- Real-time interaction with stakeholders and other writers
- Uninterrupted writing
- Access characters and scenes quickly using the on-screen sidebar
- Note-taking device
- Automatic correction, spell-checking, and grammar suggestions
- Quick import and export of drafts
- Syncing and integrating with outside applications (e.g. cloud services)
- Support for multiple devices
And now it’s time to go over the best free screenwriting software for you to use!
The Best Free Screenwriting Software
Arc Studio Pro
There is no scarcity of screenwriting software available, but it can be difficult to choose the best one. If you want a program that is both robust and simple to use, Arc Studio Pro is a great choice.
Overview
Arc Studio Pro provides all the tools you need to create outstanding scripts, including automatic formatting, storyboarding capabilities, and character development tools. With its simple interface and extensive library of templates, Arc Studio Pro makes it simple to get started. The best part is that you can get started without going broke because it is reasonably priced. Arc Studio Pro is the ideal tool to bring your story to life, regardless of your experience level as a screenwriter.
Top Features
For writers who would like to get the most out of their work, Arc Studio Pro is the ideal tool. So here are some of its best characteristics:
- Simple to switch between software programs thanks to Arc Studio Pro’s flexible screenplay format, which enables you to write in any conventional screenplay format
- Real-time collaboration: Using Arc Studio Pro, you can ask other screenwriters to collaborate with you on your script in real-time
- Integrated note-taking: Arc Studio Pro has an integrated notes tool that you can use to record ideas and inspirations as you write
- Arc Studio Pro is equipped with all the tools you need to create a compelling story, from the premise and character development to scene planning and outline creation
- Easily export your script to PDF once you’re done writing it so that it’s prepared to send to agents or producers
Free Plan
Arc Studio Pro’s free version allows you to write up to two screenplays. Be aware that the collaboration features are disabled in the free version and that your scripts will be watermarked when you export them as PDFs.
Last Thoughts
If you’re a screenwriter, you already know how important having the right software is. For many reasons, Arc Studio Pro is a great choice for screenwriting software.
It’s extremely user-friendly and simple to navigate, to start. It also has all the tools you require to write and format your screenplay. Finally, you won’t have to break the bank to acquire it because it is reasonably priced. Arc Studio Pro will assist you in bringing any story to life on the big screen.
Final Draft
Overview
Screenwriting software Final Draft has won numerous awards since it was first introduced in 1990. It received a Primetime Emmy Engineering Award in 2013 and is renowned for being used by Netflix, NBCUniversal, Paramount, ABC, Pixar, and other companies.
Your work will be easier than ever with its selection of more than 300 templates. Final Draft is the ideal multi-device software because it works on Windows, Macs, and mobile devices.
Top Features
- Advanced tools for visualizing ideas and brainstorming to work on writing projects with different writing partners
- Automatically formats scripts to industry standards and paginates them
- It lets you arrange and personalize “beats,” which can include character arcs, plot points, setting suggestions, research, and more
- Story maps link your beat boards and visualizations to your script
- Important turning points and plot points can be planned visually
- You can save as many variations of a line as you want using alternate dialogue
- The Tab and Enter keyboard shortcuts make switching between dialogue and action quick and easy
- To ensure that you never lose your data, it offers automatic file backups
- A script’s revision history is available when in revision mode during the production process
- Over 97 languages are supported by its fonts
- Support for text-to-speech
- There are more than 100 different template options
- Compatible with Windows, OS X, and iOS
Free Plan
Free Trial: Download, install, and use the trial version for a full 30 days.
Last Thoughts
The industry standard is Final Draft for a reason. It is brimming with cutting-edge tools that make screenwriting simpler, quicker, and more polished.
The program comes with templates for a variety of scripts, including those for movies, TV shows, and stage plays. Additionally, it has an outline view that enables authors to quickly see the organization of their story.
Final Draft can also automatically format scripts according to industry norms, making it simpler to send them to agents and producers. Final Draft is a vital tool for any serious screenwriter, in general.
Celtx
Overview
Over 15 years have passed since the creation of the collaborative screenwriting program Celtx. The ability to quickly format text, create and navigate through outlines, as well as add images and other media, are just a few of the features that make Celtx perfect for writing screenplays. It is cloud-based and promotes extensive scriptwriter collaboration.
Top Features
Celtx is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a powerful and simple-to-use screenwriting tool.
This is why:
- An interface that is easy to use and intuitive
- Teamwork that is real-time
- Supports storyboarding and story development using index cards
- Offline tracking of revisions
- Software that serves multiple purposes and aids in budgeting and production
- Supports a team and several participants
- 30-day no-cost trial
Free Plan
Enjoy the 30-day free trial of Celtx Pro. To purchase this version, get in touch with the sales team.
Last Thoughts
The screenwriting platform Celtx has a strong feature set and an intuitive user interface. It is a versatile program with a dual emphasis on production management and screenwriting. It doesn’t work out to be a great choice for a screenwriter who is working alone on a single project.
Celtx will be fantastic if you work with a group also interested in production management. To examine features and the user interface, use the free trial.
Trelby
Overview
Trelby is a free and open-source scriptwriting program that offers a straightforward, uncluttered user interface. This implies that anyone can edit the program’s source code to add or remove features. Innovations are created in this manner.
This software doesn’t have any of the features you’re looking for if you’re looking for something that not only lets you write your script but also handles budgeting, casting lists, and other pre-production-related tasks.
Trelby deserves praise for being entirely free. There are no additional features that you must purchase.
Top Features
- Extremely intuitive and user-friendly user interface (infinitely configurable)
- Includes a built-in screenplay editor (enforces correct script format, pagination, and spell checking
- Compatible across a variety of platforms
- Various viewpoints to choose from
- Options for reporting (scene, setting, character, and dialogue options)
- Built-in script comparison capability (to identify changes, if any)
- Gives you a wide range of options to choose from when importing (Screenplay formatted text, Final Draft XML (.fdx), Celtx (.celtx), Fountain (.fountain), Adobe Story (.astx), and Fade In Pro (.fadein).
- Create PDF with personalized watermarks, increasing flexibility
- Comprehensive, rich character name database built-in.
- The software has low system requirements, making it simple to run even on outdated systems.
Free Plan
It is a completely cost-free piece of open-source software. The source code is accessible on Github.
Last Thoughts
Open source, free software that is incredibly simple to use. There is no learning curve with it. On Github, you can find free scripts and codes. It does not, however, provide you with features that some other screenwriting programs on this list do.
Trelby should be your first choice if you are a novice screenwriter because it will help you identify your needs and find a better-paid screenwriting program in the future.
Writer Duet
Overview
The screenwriting software called WriterDuet is used to draft and edit screenplays and other types of media. This software, which was initially released in 2013, has gained popularity over time and is a favorite of upcoming filmmakers.
Firebase is the software’s power source. As a result, users can collaborate on writing in real time across various devices. Although WriterDuet is an online tool, it recently received some offline features that are available for free.
That being said, it will take some time for a first-time writer to complete their first, second, and even third screenplay. By then, you might decide to spend some cash on a full version of this software or choose a rival.
If you get a script request from someone in the industry, you’ll be able to send the script easily in the right format because scripts written with WriterDuet allow the user to save their script in the FDX file format, which 95% of Hollywood studios, producers, and production companies use.
Top Features
- Instantaneous cooperation
- User-friendly interface
- Software that can be modified and includes plugins and scripts
- Includes templates
- The ability to design your own workflows and templates
- Feature for tagging and outlining
- Can be accessed from any device, including a desktop computer and a mobile device.
- Includes a free plan
Free Plan
To see how WriterDuet works for you, you can give it a free trial. To fully utilize all the features, though, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan because the free version has a limited feature set.
Last Thoughts
It is a straightforward and user-friendly screenwriting tool for groups. It provides almost all of the features you require to write outstanding scripts. However, it works best for real-time scriptwriting and slugline collaboration. It allows for simultaneous writing, editing, and revision as well as collaboration.
Scrivener
Overview
The preferred app for writers of all genres, including screenwriters, novelists, journalists, academics, non-fiction authors, and more, is Scrivener.
Scrivener gives screenwriters access to screenwriting templates while also giving them the freedom to write and organize however they see fit.
To be able to access all of its features, you do need to learn how to do so.
Top Features
- Drag and drop software
- Use original templates or make your own
- Adaptable structuring and formatting
- Access notes and scene summaries for every scene in the script using the corkboard mode
- Full-screen composition mode with customizable options for distraction-free writing
- Supports a variety of import and export formats (Word, PDF, Final Draft, EPUB, etc.)
- Sectioning that is simple to navigate and can be treated as a single document
- Editing of a professional standard with adjustable toolbars
- Folders and subfolders are used to organize drafts
- Set each section’s word and character targets
- Tracking edits and revisions using the version history
- Auto-backups and auto-save
Free Plan
There is a 30-day free trial version of Scrivener, and it can be purchased separately once.
Last Thoughts
With the help of the effective screenwriting tool Scrivener, you can organize your thoughts and write your script quickly and effectively.
On Scrivener, your screenplays are always available for printing, publishing, and export. By syncing your documents across all of your devices, you can access them anywhere in any format.
Additionally, Scrivener makes planning and restructuring of screenplay sections as simple as dragging and dropping. Scrivener is unquestionably worthwhile to look into if you’re looking for a screenwriting tool that will enable you to write a fantastic screenplay.
Fade In
Overview
Fade In, which debuted in 2011, is one of the top screenwriting programs on the market right now. It is extensively used in the movie industry and works with a variety of operating systems, including Mac, Windows, Android, Linux, and iOS. It also has great features and is one of the most cost-effective software tools available.
It is quickly taking over as the new industry standard thanks to features like support for multiple languages, an action-to-dialogue calculator, and comprehensive functionality for rewrites and revisions. In fact, it has been positioned as Final Draft’s main competitor.
The software’s appearance has been significantly toned down so that the user can concentrate solely on writing their script.
Although the software is free, unless you want to pay a fee to work on more than one script at once, you can only work on one script at a time. The straightforward free version will work just fine if you’re starting out in screenwriting.
You can send your script to someone who uses Final Draft because it is compatible if you save it in FDX format.
Top Features
- A global, cutting-edge application interface
- Automatic formatting of scripts
- Built-in autofill typing feature
- Real-time collaboration is available
- Complete image support is offered
- Full-screen, distraction-free, page-only mode is available.
- Accepts a variety of file types (text, HTML, and others)
- Provides cloud storage (easy access from any location)
- No-cost software upgrades
Free Plan
For a short period of time, Fade In is free to use!
Last Thoughts
The best option for those who work in the film industry is the screenwriting program Fade In. Multiple people can work on the same story at once thanks to the real-time collaboration and its rewrite and revision tools.
Screenwriting Software FAQs
What qualities should I look for in screenwriting software?
There are many factors to take into account before investing in any screenwriting software. The type of script format it supports, the presence of an automatic backup feature, ease of use, and compatibility with various operating systems are the most crucial elements.
How do I use software for screenwriting?
It’s crucial to download the appropriate software, install it, and adhere to the instructions in order to use any screenwriting program.
What steps must I take to back up my work?
Every screenwriting program will have a feature to save a copy of your work. Some of them, though, might not happen automatically. Therefore, it’s imperative that you make use of this feature each time you shut down your computer or a program.
Final Piece of Advice
Using screenwriting software won’t instantly turn you into the next John August, Aaron Sorkin, or Quentin Tarantino.
The process of creating a clear, formatted, error-free, pitch-ready script can be made simpler with the help of professional screenwriting software.
Good luck!
