7 best screenwriting softwares

Screenwriting software is designed to help writers create scripts for movies, television shows, and other forms of visual storytelling. These programs are specialized word processing tools that format text according to industry-standard guidelines for screenplays.Here are some popular screenwriting software options:

  1. Final Draft: Final Draft is one of the most widely used screenwriting software programs. It offers industry-standard formatting, collaboration tools, and features that streamline the writing process.

  2. Adobe Story: Adobe Story integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps and provides collaborative features for screenwriting, including real-time co-writing and cloud-based storage.

  3. Celtx: Celtx is a versatile pre-production tool that includes scriptwriting features. It's known for its free version, which provides basic scriptwriting capabilities.

  4. Scrivener: While not exclusively a screenwriting software, Scrivener is a popular choice among writers of all kinds. It allows for flexible organization of your writing, making it suitable for complex screenplays.

  5. Movie Magic Screenwriter: Movie Magic Screenwriter offers a straightforward interface with industry-standard formatting and a range of features for screenwriters.

  6. WriterDuet: WriterDuet is known for its real-time collaboration features. It allows multiple writers to work on a script simultaneously and offers both online and offline versions.

  7. Fade In: Fade In is a cost-effective option that provides a distraction-free writing environment along with powerful formatting capabilities.

  8. Trelby: Trelby is an open-source screenwriting software that's free to use. It offers basic formatting and scripting features.

  9. Highland: Highland is a screenwriting software for Mac users. It's known for its clean and minimalistic interface.

These screenwriting tools often come with features like automatic formatting, character and scene management, collaboration tools, and the ability to export scripts in various formats. The choice of software depends on your specific needs, budget, and platform preference. It's essential to select one that aligns with your workflow and helps you focus on the creative aspects of screenwriting.

Remember that the best screenwriting software for you may depend on your individual preferences and the specific requirements of your writing projects.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best screenwriting softwares on the market
  

Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

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Final Draft 11 - Professional Screenwriting Software for Television, Film, Stage – Academic Edition (Download Card)

Final Draft Screenwriting

Product description

This item is shipped as a download card with download instructions and an activation key to authenticate your software. This item is discounted for students and teachers only. Academic documentation will be required to activate the software. Final Draft is the number-one selling application specifically designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics, and stage plays. It combines powerful word processing with professional script formatting in one self-contained, easy-to-use package. There is no need to learn about script formatting rules – Final Draft automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards as you write. Use your creative energy to focus on the content; let Final Draft take care of the style.

  • This item is shipped as a download card with download instructions and an activation key to authenticate your software.
  • This item is discounted for students and teachers only. Academic documentation will be required to activate the software.
  • Final Draft automatically formats and paginates screenplays and teleplays to entertainment industry standards. The market leader and the preferred file format of the Writers Guild of America West online Script registration
  • Prominent filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro, David Lynch, J.J. Abrams, and Sofia Coppola recommend using Final Draft. Final Draft is the proud recipient of a Primetime Engineering Emmy Award
  • Scripts created in Final Draft 11 on Windows, Macintosh or in the Final Draft Mobile app for and iPhone/iPad look exactly the same

User questions & answers

Question: Will my student ID suffice for acceptable documentation
Answer: 80 Inches long.

Screenwriting software Toolkit: best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics

The Art of Service

Product description

The Toolkit contains the following practical and powerful enablers with new and updated Screenwriting software specific requirements:

Step 1 get your bearings resources: The quick edition of the Screenwriting software Self Assessment book in PDF containing 49 requirements to perform a quickscan, get an overview and share with stakeholders, plus an example pre-filled Self-Assessment Excel Dashboard to get familiar with results generation.

Step 2 set concrete goals resources: Featuring 680 new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which Screenwriting software improvements can be made. The workbook contains 680 requirements, which criteria correspond to the criteria in the Self-Assessment Excel Dashboard; you will develop a clear picture of which Screenwriting software areas need attention, which requirements you should focus on and who will be responsible for them.

Step 3 implement and track resources: The outcomes of Step 2, the self assessment, are the inputs for Step 3; Start and manage Screenwriting software projects with the 62 implementation resources: 62 step-by-step Screenwriting software Project Management Form Templates covering over 1200 Screenwriting software project requirements and success criteria.

With this Three Step process you will have all the tools you need for any Screenwriting software project with this in-depth Screenwriting software Toolkit.

In using the Toolkit you will be better able to diagnose, implement and integrate Screenwriting software projects, initiatives, organizations, businesses and processes using accepted diagnostic standards and practices.

  • Save time, empower yourself and teams and effectively upgrade your processes
  • In 3 steps address challenges with best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics:
  • Step 1: Get your bearings
  • Step 2: Set concrete goals, tasks, dates and numbers you can track
  • Step 3: Implement, track, follow up and revise strategy

Final Draft 11 - Professional Screenwriting Software for Television, Film, Stage, & Graphic Novel Scripts - Version 11 - Full Program

Final Draft, Inc.

Based on 128 reviews Check latest price
  • FINAL DRAFT 11 See your ideas take flight. Trusted by studios and recommended by prominent filmmakers worldwide, including Guillermo del Toro, David Lynch, J.J. Abrams, and Sofia Coppola, Final Draft professional screenwriting software gives writers the tools and freedom to explore, create, collaborate, and automatically format stories, transforming ideas into screen-ready scripts.
  • ADVANCED BRAINSTORMING Our dynamic writing environment lets you visualize characters and scenes like never before. Organize, store, and tag ideas on the refined Beat Board. Connect beats and structure points to your script to keep the plot flowing with the new integrated Story Map.
  • REAL TIME COLLABORATION Securely share and work with writing partners nearby or across the globe. Unlike previous versions, Final Draft 11 lets you collaborate on a screenplay in real-time. Make and view edits as they happen and use the convenient chat pop-up window to brainstorm ideas.
  • INDUSTRY FORMATTING Screenwriters write. Final Draft formats. Featuring over 300 screen, stage, and graphic novel templates, Final Draft streamlines your writing and editing process by automatically paginating and formatting scripts to entertainment industry standards, saving you time to focus on what you do best.
  • MULTI PLATFORM SUPPORT Whether creating at your desk, traveling to location, or producing on the lot, Final Draft goes where you need it. Write and edit scripts using Windows, Mac OS, or the Final Draft Mobile app for iOS. Seamlessly send or share files between multiple platforms, and always be on the same page with Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud integrations.

User questions & answers

Question: I'm not understanding what this product is. It says it is a disc but then it says redeemable for the software. I want to make sure I buy everything
Answer: This listing is for a card that contains the information on how to download the program as well as a customer number to activate the program. Final Draft is no longer available as a disc.
Question: Available as download for chromebook
Answer: Final Draft 11 requires Windows 10 or Mac OS 10.12 or higher. It will not be able to run on the Chromebook operating system.
Question: Is it better to purchase the entire program or just buy the upgrade? In other words is the upgrade the same as purchasing the upgrade
Answer: The upgrade is the full Final Draft 11 program. However, you need to own a previous version of Final Draft to qualify for the upgrade pricing.
Question: Why is the final draft cheaper here than on the final draft site
Answer: Never look a gift final draft in a monitor.

Final Draft 12 - Professional Screenwriting Software for Television, Film, Stage – Academic Edition (Download Card)

Genesis Bundle

Product description

Final Draft is the number-one selling application specifically designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics, and stage plays. It combines powerful word processing with professional script formatting in one self-contained, easy-to-use package. There is no need to learn about script formatting rules – Final Draft automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards as you write. Use your creative energy to focus on the content; let Final Draft take care of the style. Final Draft professional screenwriting software gives writers the tools and freedom to explore, create, collaborate, and automatically format stories, transforming ideas into screen-ready scripts. Final Draft streamlines your writing and editing process—automatically paginating and formatting scripts to entertainment industry standards, saving you time to focus on what you do best.

  • This item is shipped as a download card with download instructions and an activation key to authenticate your software.
  • This item is discounted for students and teachers only. Academic documentation will be required to activate the software.
  • See your ideas take flight! Trusted by studios and recommended by filmmakers worldwide, including Guillermo del Toro, David Lynch, J.J. Abrams, and Sofia Coppola.
  • Screenwriters write. Final Draft formats. Import a PDF and convert it into a fully editable FDX file or choose from over 300 screen, stage, and graphic novel templates.
  • Scripts created in Final Draft 12 on Windows, Macintosh or in the Final Draft Mobile app for and iPhone/iPad look exactly the same

Final Draft 12 - Professional Screenwriting Software for Television, Film, Stage, & Graphic Novel Scripts - Program Available for Mac and PC Platforms

Final Draft

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Final Draft 12 - The Leading Screenwriting Software



It all starts with a script. Trusted by top studios and recommended by prominent filmmakers worldwide, including Guillermo del Toro, David Lynch, J.J. Abrams, and Sofia Coppola. Final Draft gives writers the freedom to explore, create, and format stories, transforming ideas into screen-ready scripts. Featuring a dynamic, focused writing environment, visualize your thoughts with advanced brainstorming, refined story mapping, and integrated outline tools. Streamline your writing process with over 300 templates or convert imported PDFs to fully editable FDX files. Collaborate in real-time with writing partners and track changes. Simplify editing with revision mode and automatic pagination for industry formatting.



Award Winning



Tried and trusted. Final Draft was honored with the prestigious Primetime Emmy Engineering Award for providing Hollywood's writers with the most powerful and versatile screenwriting software since 1991.



WGAW Registry



Industry standard. Used by a majority of film and television productions, Final Draft is a preferred script file format of the Writers Guild of America West online script registration.



Be On The Same Page



Whether creating at your desk, traveling to location, or producing on the lot, Final Draft goes where you need it. Write and edit scripts using Windows, Macintosh, or the Final Draft Mobile app for iPhone and iPad. Instantly send or share files between multiple platforms, and always be on the same page with cloud integrations.



See your ideas take flight with Final Draft 12.



  • Professional Screenwriting Software
  • Advanced Brainstorming Tools
  • Improved Real-Time Collaboration
  • Track Changes
  • Automatic Pagination and Formating
  • 300 Templates
  • Convert PDFs to Editable FDX Files
  • Streamlined Writing and Editing
  • Focus and Night Mode
  • Available for Macintosh, PC, and iOS

    • FINAL DRAFT 12: See your ideas take flight! Trusted by studios and recommended by filmmakers worldwide, including Guillermo del Toro, David Lynch, J.J. Abrams, and Sofia Coppola. Final Draft professional screenwriting software gives writers the tools and freedom to explore, create, collaborate, and automatically format stories, transforming ideas into screen-ready scripts.
    • ADVANCED BRAINSTORMING: Our dynamic writing environment lets you visualize characters and scenes like never before. Focus Mode eliminates distractions so you can keep the plot flowing. Seamlessly connect beats with new Flow Lines and use the newly integrated Outline Elements and Editor tools to get a bird's eye view of your screenplay and send your outline directly to your script for easy access.
    • IMPROVED REAL-TIME COLLABORATION: Securely share and work with writing partners nearby or across the globe. Collaborate simultaneously in real-time on both the script and the Beat Board. Brainstorm ideas with the convenient chat pop-up window. Track changes, recording edits to your screenplay, and then choose whether to accept or reject them.
    • INDUSTRY FORMATTING: Screenwriters write. Final Draft formats. Import a PDF and convert it into a fully editable FDX file or choose from over 300 screen, stage, and graphic novel templates. Final Draft streamlines your writing and editing process—automatically paginating and formatting scripts to entertainment industry standards, saving you time to focus on what you do best.
    • MULTI-PLATFORM SUPPORT: Whether creating at your desk, traveling to location, or producing on the lot, Final Draft goes where you need it. Write and edit scripts using Windows, Mac OS, or the Final Draft Mobile app for iOS. Instantly send or share files between multiple platforms, and always be on the same page with Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud integrations.
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