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Trying to figure out the best free screenwriting software can feel like an impossible task.

The sheer number of software programs gives Screenwriters plenty of options—and that’s a good thing! But it can also make for a tedious and time-consuming undertaking as you wade through what’s available.

That’s why we did the wading for you! If you’re searching for a free screenwriting software option for your next great script, keep reading…

The Best Fully Free Screenwriting Software

Why the qualifier of “fully” free software options? The truth is that many screenwriting software programs allow only for a temporary complimentary trial period before they expect you to pay for their goods… But we’ll get to that a bit later!

In the meantime, we’ve put together a list of the nine best free screenwriting software programs that really, truly are free to use as of the date of this article:

  • DramaQueen FREE
  • DubScript
  • Fade In
  • Highland 2
  • KIT Scenarist
  • Page 2 Stage
  • Story Touch
  • Trelby

Where can you write a screenplay for free?

Anna Keizer (CareersInFilm)

Many screenwriting software programs offer free versions of their plans. Among them are Arc Studio Pro, Causality, DramaQueen, Fade In, Highland 2, Kit Scenarist, Milanote, Page 2 Stage, Prewrite, StudioBinder, Trelby, and WriterDuet.

DramaQueen

DramaQueen Screenwriting Software

DramaQueen FREE offers free lifetime usage “without any restrictions in the number or length of projects or in the duration of usage.” Not too bad, eh?

Per the description of perks on its page, DramaQueen FREE also makes it easy for Screenwriters to work between its program and that of Final Draft, which is the current top-selling screenwriting software in the world.

So if you’re specifically looking for an alternative to Final Draft, DramaQueen FREE can likely quell your fears of not being able to import your old scripts into a different program.

Click here for DramaQueen FREE

DubScript

DubScript screenwriting software

DubScript makes it crystal clear on its site that it is “a free download and all features (import/export, etc.) are… free to use without restriction to number of scripts, number of scenes, etc.”

That being said, Screenwriters may see the occasional ad pop up while working on their scripts. DubScript also adds a watermark to any scripts you might want to share with others. For a fee, though, you can get rid of both the ads and the watermarks.

Click here for DubScript

Fade In

Fade In is one of the more well-known free screenwriting software programs on account that it’s been around for 10 years and counting.

This video offers a basic overview of Fade In’s features and usability.

Because of that, some of you may be saying, “Wait a minute! Fade In makes you pay!” Well, yes and no… You can pay a one-time fee of $79.95 to get the full version that includes complimentary future updates.

That being said, you can continue to use the free trial version as long as you want if you don’t mind exporting or printing out your scripts with its watermark. The free option also doesn’t allow for online real-time collaboration.

Click here for Fade In

Highland 2

Highland 2 is an app that might just be the perfect screenwriting option for you.

This video offers a basic overview of Highland 2’s features and usability.

Like Fade In, it does have a Pro tier with a one-time $50 fee, but the important thing to focus on is that you don’t have to upgrade at all! Many of its features are available through its free version as well.

Click here for Highland 2

KIT Scenarist

KIT Scenarist is a screenwriting software program born out of the desire to maintain film production consistency on an international scale.

This video offers a basic overview of KIT Scenarist’s features and usability.

Its desktop version is entirely free to use, but it should be noted that the makers of KIT Scenarist are no longer updating it. So while you can download it at no cost, you also will not have access to any upgrades or improvements to it.

Click here for KIT Scenarist

Page 2 Stage

Page2Stage screenwriting software

Page 2 Stage is an interesting screenwriting software option because once upon a time it did require users to pay for it. That is no longer the case!

You can download this option entirely for free with one catch. As its site states, “We offer no support for Page 2 Stage.” So there you have it.

Click here for Page 2 Stage

Story Touch

StoryTouch screenwriting software

We’re including Story Touch, as it’s described as a free screenwriting software option, but there’s relatively little on the internet that goes into detail about it.

From the reviews that are available, though, they describe the program in glowing terms. Like all of these software options, Story Touch may be the right fit for you, but you won’t know until you try it.

Click here for Story Touch

Trelby

Rounding out our list of the best free screenwriting software options currently available is Trelby, which like Fade In has become one of the more well-known programs over the last several years—and for good reason!

This video offers a basic overview of Trelby’s features and usability.

For one, it’s free.

And two, it happens to be a program to which its users can actually contribute. That’s right! If you have suggestions of how to make the program better, Trelby welcomes them, allowing the software to become continually more intuitive.

Click here for Trelby

Free Screenwriting Software Trials

We just covered the best free screenwriting options that you can take advantage of without ever having to spend a dime. But we want to make sure you’re fully aware of all your options, including those programs that allow you to try out their goods for a limited time.

Without further ado…

The best screenwriting software with free trials:

  • Arc Studio Pro
  • Celtx
  • Final Draft
  • Movie Magic Screenwriter
  • Prewrite
  • Scrivener
  • StudioBinder
  • WriterDuet

Arc Studio Pro

What you will quickly realize is that many screenwriting software programs will let you try them out for either a few weeks or a few scripts before requiring a fee, one-time or otherwise. Arc Studio Pro is one of those programs.

This video offers a basic overview of Arc Studio Pro’s features and usability.

You can use it for your first two scripts written with its software. If you like it enough to want to continue using it, it’ll cost you either $69 or $99 per year depending on the plan to which you subscribe.

Click here for Arc Studio Pro

Celtx

Celtx has become a highly popular screenwriting program, and while not really free, the fact that so many Screenwriters sign up for it is a testament to the quality of its software.

This video offers a basic overview of Celtx’s features and usability.

If you want to try it out, you have seven days to do so.

After that, the payment plans will kick in if you decide to stick with it. The lowest of those plans is $14.99 per month. If you want more screenwriting bells and whistles or collaborate with others, you can also subscribe to the writer pro or team plan at $24.99 per month or $59.95 per month, respectively.

Click here for Celtx

Is Celtx free anymore?

Anna Keizer (CareersInFilm)

Celtx offers multiple plans for Screenwriters, several of which come with a monthly fee. However, it does still offer a completely free plan for users interested in this complimentary option.

Final Draft

There’s really no way of having a conversation about screenwriting software programs without mentioning Final Draft. Would you believe that this program has been around since 1990?

This video offers a basic overview of Final Draft’s features and usability.

As you can imagine, it has built up its fair share of users over the last 33 years and continues to be the most in-demand screenwriting software option, though its competition has soared over the years.

If you want to try it out, Final Draft will give you 30 days to do so. Then you’ll have to make a decision of whether to buy, which starts at $99.99 for an educational license and $199.99 for a regular license. Keep in mind that future upgrades will also incur a cost!

Click here for Final Draft

Movie Magic Screenwriter

Like Celtx, Movie Magic Screenwriter is a program that allows users to test it out for 14 days before having to decide between trying another screenwriting software program or committing to its cost.

This video offers a basic overview of Movie Magic Screenwriter’s features and usability.

As of now, that one-time cost is $149.95. For each purchase, the program allows for three activations.

Click here for Movie Magic Screenwriter

Prewrite

Prewrite is a screenwriting software program that follows the same free trial restrictions as Arc Studio Pro, meaning that curious users are limited by the number of scripts they can write for free before being required to pay for it.

This video offers a basic overview of Prewrite’s features and usability.

In this case, Prewrite allows for exactly one free script, and then users must decide if they want to pay its minimum $14.99 per month fee to continue with this particular program.

Click here for Prewrite

Scrivener

Another software option that’s growing in popularity is Scrivener.

This video offers a basic overview of Scrivener’s features and usability.

What sets its free trial period apart from those mentioned so far is the way it defines usage. It states that each trial period consists of “30 days of use.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean just a month. If you actively use the program for only five days in a given month, you still have 25 more days for free!

So when Scrivener says “use,” it actually means it, which is great for Writers who want a bit more time to gauge whether this is the program for them. If you decide to pull the trigger, the fee scale is $50.99 for an educational license, $59.99 for a regular license, or $23.99 for an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch license.

Click here for Scrivener

StudioBinder

Is StudioBinder completely free?

Anna Keizer (CareersInFilm)

StudioBinder has a free plan that allows users to create one screenplay with unlimited revisions. However, if you want to use its scriptwriting services for more than one script, you must choose the starter, indie, or professional plan that costs $29 per month, $49 per month, or $99 per month, respectively.

StudioBinder doesn’t restrict itself to just screenwriting software. It also offers resources for every other part of the filmmaking process.

Another great thing about StudioBinder? It allows Screenwriters to test out its features and functionality with a free trial for one screenplay.

This video offers a basic overview of StudioBinder’s features and usability.

But like several other options already mentioned, if you do indeed prefer its software, you’ll have to pay to continue using StudioBinder. That means $29 per month for its starter plan, $49 per month for its indie plan, or $99 per month for its professional plan.

Click here for StudioBinder

WriterDuet

The last on our list of the best free trial screenwriting software programs is WriterDuet. As its name implies, this particular option is great for Screenwriters who have a writing partner or frequently collaborate with others.

This video explains the upgrades included in the latest version of WriterDuet.

WriterDuet also allows for more free scripts than any of the other programs mentioned so far, with Writers getting three of them before being required to purchase. Users can pay by month or by year with the latter option affording some savings. The lowest plan begins at just $7.49 per month when billed annually.

Click here for WriterDuet

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Common Screenwriting Software Questions

We’ve just given you quite a bit of information, which we know can sometimes lead to more questions, including:

What is the best free script?

Anna Keizer (CareersInFilm)

When it comes to free script templates, you have multiple options. So which one is the best? The one that works best with your writing needs and will make it easiest for you to type out that next great screenplay.

Do you need screenwriting software?

In a word, yes. Technically speaking, you might be able to format your script through a non-screenwriting program like Microsoft Word or Pages. But why put yourself through that?

Not only would it be incredibly time-consuming to constantly pay attention to how you’re formatting your script, but also just one oversight or mistake can have a migraine-worthy ripple effect on the rest of your project.

With so many entirely free screenwriting software programs from which to choose, why not make it easier on yourself so that you can focus your attention solely on that next great story of yours?

Can you write a screenplay in Google docs?

Anna Keizer (CareersInFilm)

In theory, yes. But to ensure proper formatting with a Google doc, you would have to use a third-party extension like Fountainize to write a screenplay via Google.

Can you write a script on Microsoft Word?

Anna Keizer (CareersInFilm)

It is possible to write a script on Microsoft Word, but it will require careful attention to setting up the formatting elements used for screenplay writing. Though you can technically use Microsoft Word for screenwriting, you may want to utilize a free – even if temporary – option that will allow you to write without worrying about potential formatting issues.

Is there a free version of Final Draft?

Though we’ve already mentioned Final Draft, we’re bringing it up again simply because it has that big of a reputation in the screenwriting world.

While a 30-day free trial is as much as Final Draft allows before requiring users to pay for the software, that amount of time is definitely enough for those testing it out to decide if this is the program they want to use for their screenplay writing.

Final Draft has been around for more than 30 years because so many users prefer this particular program, but as we’ve shown, it’s hardly the only choice anymore. Especially for emerging Screenwriters who may not be able to drop a couple hundred dollars for it, rest assured you have other options.

What screenwriting software do professionals use?

Let’s refer to the question above about using screenwriting software. Why? Because when it comes down to it, that’s the point we want to drive home rather than what particular program any given professional Screenwriter uses.

It’s a pro move to recognize that by simply using actual screenwriting software, you’re one step closer to career success. While most of the programs referenced have quotes on their sites from known Screenwriters praising their software, their endorsement doesn’t mean that particular program is the right one for you. What’s far more important than who uses what is that you take the time to choose a program that fits best with your personal requirements and cost parameters.

In Closing

And there you have our 2023 list of the best free screenwriting software programs. Every single option we’ve listed is either entirely free or free for a period of time or usage. That means you now have at your fingertips the opportunity to find the program perfect for your individual screenwriting needs. Good luck!

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