Best Screenwriting Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Celtx is ranked #1 of 27 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of OpenDraft and Revision Screenwriter. The best-ranked option with a free plan is OpenDraft. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Final Draft at $0.69/mo.
Whether you’re drafting a script or preparing it for production, screenwriting software can vary in how it supports writing, revision, and sharing. Compared on export formats, offline mode, revision tracking, and real-time collaboration, the entries also include production breakdown tools and supported platforms. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing provide cost details to compare. OpenDraft, WriterDuet, and Story Architect lead the entries shown, followed by Scriptum and Revision Screenwriter. Celtx, Arc Studio Pro, and ActOne Screenplay are also among the first entries. Consider which listed capabilities match the way you write, work with collaborators, and prepare scripts.
27 screenwriting software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
10 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CeltxWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone · Extension | Three bars | — | 5 of 6 | $11.24/mo | 6.7 | |
| 2 | OpenDraftWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 3 | Revision ScreenwriterWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 4 | ScreenWeaverWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | $9.99/mo | 6.7 | |
| 5 | Story ArchitectWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 5 of 6 | $4.17/mo | 6.7 | |
| 6 | WriterDuetWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 7 | Arc Studio ProWindows · Mac · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $5.75/mo | 6.5 | |
| 8 | DramaQueenWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $11.90/mo | 6.5 | |
| 9 | ScriptumWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 10 | BeatMac · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | €12.99/mo | 6.3 | |
| 11 | StudiovityWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.7 |
| 12 | Final DraftWeb · Windows · Mac · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | $0.69/mo | 5.3 |
| 13 | Screenwriter-modeWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 14 | TalkingDraftWeb · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 15 | TrelbyWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 16 | ActOne ScreenplayWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 17 | DubScriptAndroid | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 18 | PlayscriptWeb · Android | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 19 | Fade InWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | $79.95/mo | 5.1 |
| 20 | PerformrSCRIPTNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 21 | ScriteWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | $1.58/mo | 5.0 |
| 22 | Movie Magic ScreenwriterWindows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 23 | SluglineMac · iPhone | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 24 | StoryistMac · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | $19/mo | 4.9 |
| 25 | TwelvePointMac · iPhone | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | €25/mo | 4.9 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which screenwriting software is ranked first on Freedom251?
Celtx is ranked #1 of 27 with a score of 6.7. OpenDraft is second and Revision Screenwriter third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Final Draft has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.69/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.