Screenwriting Software: Top 8 Scriptwriting Apps

This post is for people who have never written a script before and are interested in learning how. It will cover the basics of what Script Writing Apps do, as well as which one to use.

For many of us, writing is a hobby and passion that we do on the side. Our work week is spent in other pursuits but when it comes to our free time, we enjoy flexing those creative muscles by writing about what interests us.

With so much information out there about how to write well or get published, it’s hard to know where to start.

That’s why I’m here today with some helpful tips for those looking for app recommendations for scriptwriters on their mobile devices!

Screenwriting Software

What Is Screenwriting Software?

Screenwriting software is a type of program used by screenwriters to create scripts.

Some common types of screenwriting software include Final Draft, Celtx, and Movie Magic Screenwriter.

The first thing any writer needs before they can start writing their script is a blank document where they can type up their story or screenplay.

They might also need formatting tools like tabs for dialogue or character names in bold font to make it easier on themselves when reading back over the text later.

Top Screenwriting Apps

There are many different screenwriting apps out there that can help you with your script, but not all of them will produce the same quality work.

The downside to using these apps is that they don’t come cheap. Prices range from free open-source tools to professional packages that cost well into the hundreds, and if you’re looking for something free then there’s always Microsoft Word or Google docs!

Screenwriting software is a great tool for writers to have, especially when they don’t want to spend money on subscriptions.

Many of these apps allow the user to input their script and then they can make changes as needed without any additional cost.

Some of these scripts will even show you how long your script is so that you know if it’s too short or too long on the page.

A few other features in some of these scripts include syncing with Dropbox so that all your devices are always up-to-date, emailing drafts back and forth to collaborate with others, sharing your work publicly or privately, and even having an option for live feedback!

At a glance

1. Final Draft

Final Draft is the long-standing industry-standard screenwriting application for film, TV, theater, and related formats. It auto-formats scripts to entertainment-industry page standards so writers can focus on story rather than margins and element styles.

Current offerings include Final Draft 13 as a desktop purchase and Final Draft Suite, which pairs the desktop app with Final Draft Cloud for online writing, storage, and collaboration. It also includes outlining and story-development tools plus production features used when a script moves into rewrites and prep.

2. Scrivener

Scrivener is a desktop application that helps writers organize and structure their work. It lets you break big projects into smaller pieces, then rearrange them until your story feels right.

Scrivener offers many formatting options to make writing easier and more enjoyable, including rich text formatting for quotes or dialogue, easily adding images to any scene in the book or project, and automatically generating a table of contents pages.

Scrivener has been a popular word processing program for writers because it allows you to write your ideas down, organize them into scenes and then move them around as if they were pieces of paper on a corkboard.

The Scrivener also offers its own built-in research interface which makes it easy to look up information about any topic while writing without ever having to leave the app.

It’s not just for novelists either – Scriveners lets you create screenplays, academic papers, music lyrics, or anything else that requires structure and organization.

It is a software program that can be used to write and edit any type of text. It has been designed for writers, but it can also be used by anyone who needs to compose text in an organized fashion.

3. Writerduet

Since its inception in 2013, WriterDuet has been a popular screenwriting option for professional and amateur writers alike.

With a simple interface that is easy to navigate and an extensive library of features, WriterDuet provides a robust product that can handle just about any task.

WriterDuet is cloud-based screenwriting software that has been created to tackle the many complexities of screenwriting.

WriterDuet was designed for writers who are seeking an alternative to Final Draft, which some find an expensive and outdated program.

Writerduet also allows you to collaborate with other writers on your screenplay in real-time, which means you can see the changes they’re making as they happen so there’s no need for endless back and forth emails or tedious phone calls discussing what should happen next.

4. Studiobinder

StudioBinder is a cloud production platform with a built-in screenwriting editor that auto-formats scripts to industry standards. You can outline alongside the script, track WGA-style colored revisions, share drafts for notes, and import work from Final Draft, Fountain, Word, or PDF.

Where it stands apart from dedicated script apps is the handoff into production: once a screenplay is locked, you can sync it into breakdowns, shooting schedules, storyboards, shot lists, and call sheets in the same tool that helps filmmakers manage prep.

5. Celtx

Celtx is a software app that allows you to create scripts, treatments, and screenplays. You can also import PDFs or Word documents into Celtx to turn them into scripts.

The Celtx interface is very user-friendly with clean lines and intuitive icons for the scriptwriting process.

The program offers many features that make it easier to organize your screenplay including scene layouts, character profiles, shot lists, storyboards, and more.

You can view the entire project in one timeline which makes it easy to see how much time each element of your screenplay will take up during production from start to finish.

It’s designed to be used on a Mac or Windows PC. The largest benefit to Celtx is that it can create projects in any language.

You don’t have to use English or American spelling like you would with other similar programs.

Another great feature is the ability to import PDFs into Celtx so you can easily add graphics and text from an existing document without having to recreate content from scratch.

Celtx is online screenwriting software that allows you to write your scripts on the go. It’s a great app for those who are always on the move or just don’t want to be limited by their computer desk.

Celtx is a software program that can be downloaded and used to create screenplays, teleplays, stage plays, and other types of scripts.

It includes a word processor for scriptwriting, as well as the ability to import artwork via Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator files.

6. Story Architect

Story Architect (STARC) is the successor to KIT Scenarist, the free screenwriting app whose development froze and whose support ended in 2023. Existing KIT projects can be imported into Story Architect so unfinished scripts are not stranded.

It is a cross-platform screenwriting app (Mac, Windows, and iPhone) with a free tier for unlimited projects, plus paid plans for deeper character/location tools, collaboration, and extras such as script breakdown. Beyond traditional screenplays, it also supports formats like novels, comics, stage plays, and audio drama in one project.

7. Movie Magic Screenwriter

For more than 30 years, Write Brothers’ Movie Magic Screenwriter has been a staple option alongside Final Draft in film and TV writing rooms.

The paid desktop software (currently Screenwriter 6 for Windows/Mac, sold with a time-limited trial) is used by screenwriters to write scripts for films, TV shows, stage plays, and more. It ships with industry-standard blank templates and a large library of TV show templates rather than academic styles like APA or MLA.

Movie Magic Screenwriter handles scene headings, action, character names, dialogue, and transitions with Tab/Enter navigation, plus outlining via NaviDoc, notes, and production tools such as revision tracking and breakdown tagging.

8. Trelby

Trelby is a free and open-source cross-platform script editor for the film and television industry. It enables users to edit scripts, add shots, organize scenes, view schedules, and much more.

Trelby is built with Python 3, PyQt5, QScintilla2, sbt (scala build tool), Sgfx (simple graphics extension)

Trelby is a free, open-source screenplay editor and viewer for the Linux desktop. Trelby has features like scene navigation, character management, dialog editing etc.

It’s a simple yet powerful tool that can be used by aspiring screenwriters and professionals alike.

Trelby is a free and open-source screenwriting software. It’s the only screenplay editor that supports all formats, including Fountain (a plain text formatting syntax for writing screenplays).

Trelby has a clean interface which makes it easy to use.

Screenwriting Software – Wrap Up

There are a lot of great screenwriting resources available online to help you learn the craft and sell your scripts.

One such resource is Script Anatomy, which offers an interactive course on how to write a screenplay.