Inkwell

Inkwell is a keyboard-first screenplay editor for iPhone and Mac, aimed at screenwriters who want drafting and production tools in one place. Its offline editor is the strongest reason to choose it; Quill adds optional AI assistance, but has separate costs and privacy trade-offs.

Overview

Inkwell pairs screenplay formatting with planning, revision, and production features. The free editor supports unlimited scripts without an account, making it a practical choice for solo writers who want to work offline and exchange files in common screenplay formats. It is less suitable for collaborators who need to edit a script together in real time, since Inkwell does not support that workflow.

Key features

A beat board and outline navigator help structure a story, while inline notes, synopses, and revision tracking keep planning and changes close to the script. Character sides generation also serves production tasks such as table reads and shoot sides. This breadth makes Inkwell more useful than a basic formatted-text editor, especially for writers carrying a project from drafting into production.

Quill is a chat-based writing partner that can brainstorm and suggest edits as diffs. It applies changes only after the writer approves them, preserving editorial control. The editor works offline for writing, formatting, file management, and importing and exporting; Quill needs an internet connection. Inkwell supports Final Draft FDX and Fountain, as well as PDF import and export.

Sync is off by default and can be enabled script by script. The maker says synced scripts are encrypted on the device before upload, with keys staying on users’ devices. Quill has a distinct privacy trade-off: script excerpts may be sent to third-party language-model providers, although scripts are not used to train models; Quill conversation summaries are stored on the maker’s servers. Optional analytics can be toggled in settings, but defaults differ: macOS analytics are off, while iOS Reader analytics are on. Required technical telemetry cannot be disabled.

Inkwell Reader is a free iPhone app for .ink, Fountain, and PDF scripts. Full-text search, scene navigation, and actor sides make it a useful companion for reading and production, rather than a substitute for the Mac and iPhone editor.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and includes the full screenplay editor, unlimited scripts, FDX, Fountain, and PDF import and export, offline use, and no account requirement. It is unusually complete for drafting, but does not include a Quill credit allowance.

Quill credit packs cost $4.99, paid once for 150 credits. They are pay as you go, with no subscription or renewal, and suit occasional Quill use. Credits are spent when Quill answers, so the pack is a finite allowance rather than ongoing access.

Quill Pro monthly costs $10 a month and supplies 500 credits every month, with add-on packs, priority support, early access, and cancellation at any time. Quill Pro annual costs $100 a year and includes the same monthly credits and extras, with two months free and cancellation at any time. The subscription plans suit regular Quill users; the free editor and one-off packs are better for writers who want to avoid recurring billing. Support is available by email, with typical response times of 24–48 business hours; Pro users receive priority support.

Platforms

The editor is available on iOS and macOS. The separate Reader is a free iPhone app. Writers needing Windows, Android, or web access should consider another option.

Who it's for

Inkwell is best for screenwriters working alone who value offline drafting, detailed outlining, revision tracking, and tools that extend into table reads or shoot sides. Its free plan can cover the core writing workflow. Writers who want AI assistance should weigh Quill’s credit limits, internet requirement, and handling of script excerpts; teams needing simultaneous collaboration should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The free editor includes unlimited scripts, offline work, and FDX, Fountain, and PDF import and export, so core screenplay work does not require a subscription.
• Pros: Outlining, notes, revision tracking, and character sides generation support both writing and production workflows.
• Pros: Quill suggests edits as diffs and waits for approval before changing the script.
• Cons: Quill requires internet access and uses finite credits; excerpts may be sent to third-party language-model providers.
• Cons: No real-time collaboration makes it a poor fit for writers editing together.
• Cons: Required technical telemetry cannot be disabled, and iOS Reader analytics are on by default.

Alternatives

AI Script Writing Software is a broader category to explore when comparing AI-focused tools.

ScreenWeaver is worth considering if cross-platform availability matters: it supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, and its free Screenwriter plan includes unlimited projects and pages plus PDF and Final Draft export.

Screenplay Assistant may suit writers who want AI features in a free plan across more platforms; its Spark tier includes one project, AI formatting on every scene, and monthly allowances for character images, storyboards, and Atticus answers.

FiveDraft is an alternative for Android, iOS, or web users. Its free plan has no page limits and unlimited local drafts, but limits cloud saving to one script and watermarks PDF exports.

Lastslate is another screenplay-editor alternative, with a free plan that includes the full editor and PDF and FDX export.

ScriptDraft may be a better fit for Android users who want a free Fountain editor with PDF, Fountain, and FDX export.

Scriptuber is an alternative for Android, iOS, or web users seeking note capture and AI cleanup.

FluvAI is a web-based option with free and paid tiers measured in scripts per month and sources per script.

ngram is an alternative for users seeking AI-generated explainer-video footage rather than a screenplay editor.

Verdict

Choose Inkwell if you are a solo screenwriter who wants a capable offline editor, production-aware tools, and the option to add AI suggestions without giving Quill automatic control of the script. Its free editor is a strong starting point; look elsewhere if you need real-time collaboration, broader platform support, or AI use without the credit and data trade-offs.