Many people are familiar with the Adobe line of software programs, and Adobe Photoshop is certainly among the more popular of them. Although Adobe no longer offers its Adobe Story program, which was custom-made for storyboarding purposes, you can still use Photoshop as a storyboarding software program. To get started, all you need to do is go to its “artboards” function.

However, we should point out that because it’s not specifically a storyboarding function, it also doesn’t come with many of the features that typically accompany storyboarding programs,¹ such as room for notes or camera angles.

Cost: Free seven-day trial; $20.99/month (annual, paid monthly); $31.49/month (paid monthly); $239.88/year, paid annually)

Boords is definitely among the more well-known storyboarding software programs, and for good reason. If you subscribe to its Studio option, which is meant for between one and three users, you get a host of functions, including:

• Commenting
• Custom branding
• Marking comments complete
• Online sharing
• Password protection
• PDF exports
• Role-based access
• Storyboard versioning
• Unlimited animatics
• Unlimited storyboards

You can also opt for its free subscription, though it comes with some functionality limitations.

Cost: Free indefinite subscription (limited function); $29/month (Studio subscription, paid annually); $35/month (Studio subscription, paid monthly)

Canva has long been known as an easy-to-use platform for all things marketing and social media. But did you know that you can also use it as a storyboarding software platform? Just as you can use it for social media and marketing purposes at no cost, so too can you do the same if you want to storyboard with it. And if you decide to sign up for all of its many features, it’s an annual fee that’s good for a single user.

Cost: Free indefinite subscription; $119.99/annual

What Celtx really has going for it among storyboarding software programs is its simple interface for those just trying out their storyboarding skills. That being said, you still can take advantage of the program’s professional-grade features once you familiarize yourself with them. And if your filmmaking interests extend beyond storyboarding, it offers other software programs such as those for screenwriting and other areas of pre-production and production.

Not ready to commit just yet? No worries! You can browse Celtx with a seven-day free trial.

Cost: Free seven-day trial; $22.49/month

You know you’re working with great software² when it’s made by the very people who will be using it. Such is the case with Clip Studio Paint, which was designed by artists. The only caveat here is that it may be a touch challenging for newbie Storyboard Artists. Its interface leans towards more seasoned creatives, but don’t let that stop you if this intuitive program works for your needs.

Cost: Free trial (duration depends on operating system); $.99/month; one-time fee of $49.99 (Pro subscription); one-time fee of $219 (Ex subscription)

FrameForge is a widely known and widely respected storyboarding software program. What makes it especially impressive is that what you draw will be accurate to different camera lenses, which only helps to precisely visualize what you want your movie to look like.

Like many programs out there, it also offers a free trial. And if you like a little support as you explore its interface, you can follow along with several of its tutorials. Plus, you have an entire month to test it out before having to decide if you’d like to commit. Not too bad, eh?

Cost: Free 30-day trial; $12.99/month (Core plan); $24.99/month (Pro plan)

Like Adobe Photoshop, Krita isn’t a storyboarding software program per se. Rather, it’s a totally free, open-source painting program. However, because so many people have turned to this software for their storyboarding needs, it now has a storyboard editor for that very purpose. So if you want to work with a program that is versatile enough for multiple artistic outlets, Krita might just be the perfect one for you.

Cost: FREE

As its name implies, MakeStoryboard was created explicitly for Storyboard Artists and other Filmmakers in the market for a software program for that very purpose. Outside of its weeklong trial, though, it offers an affordable subscription with multiple features, including:

• 50MB max. upload image size
• Manage account numbers
• Password protection
• Priority support
• Storyboard duplication
• Team-only comments
• Unlimited storyboards
• Versioning

And if you happen to be a student, teacher, or part of a non-profit, you are eligible to receive 60% off your plan.

Cost: Free seven-day trial; $14/month ($12 per extra person); $144/annual ($10.20 per extra person)

Are you an animation Storyboard Artist? Or a Filmmaker who works in animation? Then add OpenToonz to your list of possible storyboarding software program options. The program is made for 2D animation and is free of change for projects. Yes, totally free! Because it’s open source, you can also modify its source code if you choose.

Cost: FREE

Here we have another storyboarding software program promoted as an option that was designed by animators for animators. So if that appeals to you as a Storyboard Artist or Filmmaker in the animation space, check out Plot. This particular program is great for individuals who work on projects where including script is a big bonus or even a must.

And even with a free 14-day trial to test it out, should you sign up and change your mind, you can cancel your subscription at any time.

Cost: Free 14-day trial; $9.99/month (Solo subscription); $14.99/month (Pro subscription); $19.99/month (Business subscription)

We mentioned earlier that some Storyboard Artists and Filmmakers prefer to manually draw their storyboards. That is still a valid option for visualizing your project,³ but storyboarding software programs can still provide a very useful function. Namely, easily sharing that work. Enter Storyboarder, which allows you to import that work into storyboards for quick and efficient sharing with your team.

This program also prides itself on streamlining the storyboarding process, so you’ll find its interface to be quite clean and removed of extraneous features.

Cost: FREE

StudioBinder is known as a comprehensive resource for Filmmakers across all spectrums of the craft. From screenwriting to shooting to editing, it offers support materials and programs to simplify the filmmaking process. And storyboarding is no exception. Moreover, like several of the options already mentioned, you can use a limited free subscription for all of your storyboarding needs.

Cost: Free indefinite subscription; $29/month (Indie subscription); $49/month (Professional subscription); $99/month (Studio subscription)

As you might have guessed from its name, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro leans into the animation space for Storyboard Artists and Filmmakers. And if you’re weighing up prices, it’s a bit more expensive in comparison to its competitors. If you’re a professional in animation, though, it’s not a bad tradeoff for the high-end features that come with this program.

Cost: Free 21-day trial; $71/month; $557/annual

Storyboarding software does not take the place of creativity, but it can facilitate the process. Whether you consider yourself a classic Storyboard Artist who loves pencil and paper or a Filmmaker who relies on their computer for most facets of their work, there’s a storyboarding software program out there for you.

Especially on account of how easy it is to test out multiple options without your wallet taking a hit, it’s the perfect time to see what works… and what doesn’t. With that information in hand, you can find the storyboarding software option that will elevate your work and streamline your filmmaking needs for both you and your creative team.