All screenwriters need screenwriting software. With all the software out there, we’re breaking down the pros and cons of the top seven screenwriting softwares so that you can make the best decision. You can always skip to the bottom to see our top recommendations. The most popular screenwriting software in the market includes:

1. Final Draft
2. Movie Magic Screenwriter
3. Celtx
4. Fade In
5. Trelby
6. Adobe Story
7. WriterDuet

FINAL DRAFT

Final Draft is a professional screenwriting software that is widely used in the film and television industry. Some of the pros of using Final Draft include:

Pros:

Industry standard: Final Draft is the industry standard for screenwriting software, and is used by many professional screenwriters, making it easy to share and collaborate with others in the industry.
Script formatting: Final Draft automatically formats your script to industry standards, making it easy to ensure that your script is correctly formatted and ready to submit.
Additional features: Final Draft includes additional features such as a character name database, a script navigator, and a script notes feature, which can help you organize and streamline your writing process.
Writing Tools: Final Draft has a variety of writing tools that can help you with the creative process, such as a beat board, story map, and index cards.

Cons:

Final Draft is one of the more expensive screenwriting software options available, which may be a disadvantage for some people.
Some users may find that Final Draft has a bit of a learning curve, as it includes many advanced features that may take some time to learn.
Final Draft is not fully compatible with other software and platforms. Some users may find that they need to convert their scripts to other formats in order to share them with others.

Overall, Final Draft is a powerful and widely-used screenwriting software, but it may not be the best choice for everyone due to its cost and learning curve. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and determine if it fits your needs and budget.

MOVIE MAGIC SCREENWRITER

Movie Magic Screenwriter is a professional screenwriting software that is widely used in the film and television industry. Some of the pros of using Movie Magic Screenwriter include:

Pros:

Movie Magic Screenwriter automatically formats your script to industry standards, making it easy to ensure that your script is correctly formatted and ready to submit.
Movie Magic Screenwriter includes additional features such as a character name database, a script navigator, and a script notes feature, which can help you organize and streamline your writing process.
Movie Magic Screenwriter has a variety of writing tools that can help you with the creative process, such as a beat board, story map, and index cards.
Formatting Templates: Movie Magic Screenwriter has a wide variety of formatting templates for different types of scripts, such as stageplays, sitcoms, and more.

Cons:

Movie Magic Screenwriter is one of the more expensive screenwriting software options available, which may be a disadvantage for some people.
Movie Magic Screenwriter is not fully compatible with other software and platforms. Some users may find that they need to convert their scripts to other formats in order to share them with others.
Some users may find that Movie Magic Screenwriter has a bit of a learning curve, as it includes many advanced features that may take some time to learn.

Overall, Movie Magic Screenwriter is a powerful and widely-used screenwriting software, but it may not be the best choice for everyone due to its cost and learning curve. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and determine if it fits your needs and budget.

CELTX

Celtx is a screenwriting software that offers a range of features for writers to create and format scripts for film, television, and theater productions.

Pros:

It is free and open-source software, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and includes a variety of templates and formatting options to help writers create industry-standard scripts.
It includes collaboration tools, such as the ability to share scripts and track changes, making it a useful tool for writers working in a team.

Cons:

Some users have reported that the software can be slow and prone to crashing, which can be frustrating for writers.
Some users have reported that the software can be buggy, with certain features not working as expected.
Some users have reported that the software can be difficult to learn and use, particularly for those who are not familiar with screenwriting terminology and formatting conventions.
It’s worth noting that software updates might have fixed some of these cons, but it’s always good to check current reviews as well.

FADE IN

Fade In is a screenwriting software that is designed to help writers create and format scripts for film, television, and theater productions.

Pros:

It offers a wide range of formatting options and templates that are designed to meet industry standards, making it easier for writers to create professional-looking scripts.
It includes a variety of tools that can help writers organize and outline their scripts, such as the ability to create notes, characters, and locations.
It includes a built-in spell checker and thesaurus, which can help writers improve their writing and avoid common mistakes.

Cons:

It is a paid software, which may be a deterrent for some users.
Some users have reported that the software can be difficult to learn and use, particularly for those who are not familiar with screenwriting terminology and formatting conventions.
Some users have reported that the software can be buggy, with certain features not working as expected.

It’s worth noting that software updates might have fixed some of these cons, but it’s always good to check current reviews as well. Additionally, it’s worth trying out the software before buying it to see if it suits your needs and workflow.

TRELBY

Pros:

It is free and open-source software, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
It has a simple and easy-to-use interface, making it a good choice for writers who are new to screenwriting or prefer a minimalist approach.
It includes a variety of formatting options and templates that are designed to meet industry standards, making it easier for writers to create professional-looking scripts.

Cons:

Some users have reported that the software can be a bit basic, lacking some of the more advanced features and tools offered by other screenwriting software.
Some users have reported that the software can be buggy, with certain features not working as expected.
Some users have reported that the software can be difficult to learn and use, particularly for those who are not familiar with screenwriting terminology and formatting conventions.

It’s worth noting that software updates might have fixed some of these cons, but it’s always good to check current reviews as well. Additionally, It’s worth taking into account that Trelby is a free software and it may lack some of the features and tools offered by paid software.

ADOBE STORY

Adobe Story is a screenwriting software that is designed to help writers create and format scripts for film, television, and theater productions.

Pros:

It is a part of Adobe Creative Cloud, which means that users can easily integrate it with other Adobe software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects, for a seamless workflow.
It includes a variety of tools that can help writers organize and outline their scripts, such as the ability to create notes, characters, and locations.
It includes a built-in spell checker and thesaurus, which can help writers improve their writing and avoid common mistakes.

Cons:

It is a paid software that is part of Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, which may be a deterrent for some users.
Some users have reported that the software can be difficult to learn and use, particularly for those who are not familiar with screenwriting terminology and formatting conventions.
Some users have reported that the software can be buggy, with certain features not working as expected.

It’s worth noting that software updates might have fixed some of these cons, but it’s always good to check current reviews as well. Additionally, it’s worth trying out the software before buying a subscription to see if it suits your needs and workflow.

WRITERS DUET

WriterDuet is a screenwriting software that is designed to help writers create and format scripts for film, television, and theater productions.

Pros:

It has a free version that is accessible to anyone.
It offers a wide range of formatting options and templates that are designed to meet industry standards, making it easier for writers to create professional-looking scripts.
It includes collaboration tools, such as the ability to share scripts and track changes in real-time, making it a useful tool for writers working in a team.
It has a paid version that includes a built-in chat and video conferencing feature, allowing for easy communication and collaboration with other writers.
It has a several interesting features that allow you to storyboard, sort, filter, or color code scenes, which come in handy if you’re a writing who likes to isolate plot threads.

Cons:

Some users have reported that the software can be difficult to learn and use, particularly for those who are not familiar with screenwriting terminology and formatting conventions.
Some users have reported that the software can be buggy, with certain features not working as expected.
It’s worth noting that software updates might have fixed some of these cons, but it’s always good to check current reviews as well. Additionally, it’s worth trying out the software before upgrading it to see if it suits your needs and workflow.

Overall, these are all viable options but there are 2 that are tied.

1. WritersDuet: We love this software because of the collaborative features. Everything is stored on a cloud, so having access to screenwriting software is as easy as creating an account and signing in. If you’re a new screenwriter, this is where you should start. If you’re a collaborator and work in teams, this is a great place to keep your work so you’re not emailing files back and forth. And if you’re a storyboarder, WritersDuet has the features you need as well. One of its best features is the ability to import a variety of different screenplay files (including Final Draft), so importing your portfolio can happen in a matter of minutes. Overall, it’s extremely diverse.
2. Final Draft: It makes the list simply because it’s long-standing as the industry standard and contains features that make it easy for a producer or director to get necessary data. It’s also convenient to have as a desktop application. It’s strength is definitely in the ease of use, but with the onset of free screenwriting software, the price is hard to justify. Nonetheless, it’s a great software and there is something slightly more convenient about screenwriting on a desktop app.