The countdown now reaches zero (actually, now that I think about it, it’s probably way past zero, but I’m trying to be positive), so this is where my list begins with the best-of-the-best script writing tools. These are the best of the best because these tools support what I believe is one of the most important parts of building a successful web page–telling stories. If you step away from email marketing for even just a minute, you can see how storytelling has come into play in most social media platforms. And, it’s not just that stories are fun to read or that they entertain us; they also tell us who people are by laying themselves bare. As we try to better
1. StudioBinder
Looking for a free, professional screenwriting software you can use right now, no strings attached? StudioBinder free scriptwriting software is the option for any filmmaker or writer. Just sign up (5 seconds) and start writing your screenplay.
It’s intuitive, easy to use, industry-approved, and lets you focus on writing instead of formatting. Plus it’s free, which is why it’s number one on our list.
StudioBinder FREE riting software can import industry-standard Final Draft and PDF files
Actually, more than that, StudioBinder’s writing software is one component of the full StudioBinder suite of features. StudioBinder is an end-to-end production management platform, so if you want to write a script that ultimately moves into preproduction and production, you’ll have that option as well.
With a few clicks, you can use your screenplay to auto-generate shooting schedules, shot lists, storyboards, and call sheets. Build and manage production documents, share anything with your team, let collaborators comment and edit, and maintain all your contacts in the software.
Screenwriting is one feature in the full StudioBinder production workflow pipeline
Or, if all you want to do is bang out a spec and sell it for a cool mil, that works, too.
Try out StudioBinder’s free screenwriting software and see for yourself.
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SCRIPT WRITING SOFTWARE
2. Final Draft 10
You can’t discuss screenwriting software without Final Draft 10.
It’s been an industry standard for decades, and has been used by top writers and filmmakers.
And its features show why:
Its SmartType function remembers scene elements like characters and locations, which you can reinsert as you write.
Final Draft 10 also includes robust tagging and reporting tools. This means you can break down scene elements (actors, wardrobe, props) to feed into production reports later.
It also includes organizational tools like Story Map (for outlining), Beat Board (for beat sheets) and Alternate Dialogue (for storing additional dialogue options).
FREE TEMPLATE: Download a Save the Cat style beat sheet template here
Even if you’ve got a keen sense of writing dialogue, it can a great help to give yourself options later on.
Other Final Draft 10 features include real-time collaboration, an index card view to aid scene arrangement, over 100 templates, and a mobile version (sold separately).
Final Draft writing software has just about everything you need, barring some pre-production tools like storyboards, and shot lists.
But if it’s out of your price range ($249.99 at the time of of this writing) there are other robust options to consider.
OFFLINE SCRIPT WRITING SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS
3. Movie Magic Screenwriter
Like Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter is well-known in the industry, and is the preferred screenwriting file format of the Writer’s Guild of America West.
If you want a high-end screenwriting software used by top names in the business, this is a good choice.
Its feature set is powerful, diverse and includes formatting for film, television, plays, books and even comic books.
It includes a custom NaviDoc interface, which juxtaposes your script with organizational materials like outlines, scene cards and more.
It also comes with real-time collaboration, professionally authored templates, an index card view, revision tracking, breakdown reports and more.
Movie Magic Screenwriter is among the best screenwriting softwares
FREE SCREENWRITING SOFTWARE
4. Celtx Basic Scriptwriting Software
If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, Celtx is one of the best options.
It’s a cloud-based screenwriting tool that boasts 5 million users. It comes with a wide variety of template formats and you can convert them from one to the other.
If you’re working from an existing script, it offers a variety of import formats including PDF, Final Draft, and Microsoft Word documents.
Among its other features, Celtx screenwriting integrates with other pre-production tools like call sheets, storyboards, shot lists, and a scheduling solution.
It also allows for collaboration, although it’s not real-time (you will need to refresh to see a collaborators edits).
This is definitely a solid (and more affordable) alternative to Final Draft.
Celtx screenplay writing app
SCRIPT WRITING APPS FOR COLLABORATION
5. WriterDuet
As its title suggests, this is a great screenplay writing app for remote writing partners.
Celtx screenplay writing app
But WriterDuet offers more than real-time collaboration. It also includes an in-app chat box and a commenting feature (which can be private or shared).
It also has an admirably thorough revision tracking feature, which breaks down script changes by calendar date.
Other cool WriterDuet features include asset tagging, mobile integration, templates, alternate dialogue storage, draft saving and organization.
OFFLINE SCRIPTWRITING SOFTWARE FOR MAC
6. Highland Software
Highland software works with the Fountain file format, a text-based file compatible with several of the best screenwriting software options.
Fountain documents are plain text, so when you write one you don’t fiddle with formatting, and can write it anywhere (GoogleDocs, NotePad, etc).
That’s where Highland’s free screenplay software comes in.
Highland is a formatting tool that takes in the Fountain file and exports it to Final Draft or PDF.
It will also import Final Draft or PDF files and “melt” them down to the universal Fountain format.
Highland software was developed by top screenwriter John August (“Big Fish”, “Go”) with the goal of getting writers focused on the actual writing as much as possible.
Highland screenplay software for Mac
7. KIT Scenarist.
Most users claim that KIT Scenarist is one of the best screenwriting software tools currently available in the market. It offers one of the most exceptional full scriptwriting experiences.
The best part is that it is free and open-source software that provides a very high degree of customizability. Moreover, it is used by more than 3000 authors worldwide and keeps up with the latest technology by providing updates nearly every month (more than 70 updates to date).
Best For:
Very useful for high-level scriptwriting work in feature films and television series. It is also useful for authors and novelists and perfect for writers with a requirement in multiple languages, and statistical analysis.
Key Features:
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Has an all-in-one research module (collect necessary information, manage a list of characters, and store a variety of materials)
- Provides in-built card module (helps you build story development, providing you visualizations to work with)
- Comes with an in-built, rich formatting tool with script editor so that you can concentrate only on writing
- Offers services in multiple languages
- Export scripts in multiple formats (PDF, FDX, Fountain, and Docx)
- Option to use multiple themes (dark or light)
- Provides in-built statistical tools
- Fully integrated with in-built character and set management
Cons:
- An online collaboration between multiple users is possible but at a subscription fee
- Cloud service use is a paid feature, after an initial 30-day free use
- Although it supports Android and iOS, the compatibility comes is not available free of cost
Pricing:
KIT Scenarist is a free software tool, available on the internet for use. However, if you want to use cloud services, you need to subscribe to a paid plan, after a 30-day free trial.
8. Movie Magic Screenwriter.
Movie Magic Screenwriter is an award-winning software that is perfect for screenwriting, novels, comic books, stage plays, musicals, and a lot more.
It offers free online videos to improve ease of use, and also enables users to download a free demo version to try the software out. It has been used in many Hollywood movies, including the hit series ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’
Best For:
Although Movie Magic Screenwriter is best for the film industry, it can also be used in the educational sector for assignment and research paper writing and submissions. However, despite new features, the high price makes it difficult for small organizations to use it.
Key Features:
- Very intuitive and flexible
- Automatically formats scripts to current industry standards (real-time, intelligent formatting)
- Allows you to tag characters and locations (when exporting to a scheduling program
- Has built-in collaboration tools (real-time)
- Color-coded features for easy reference and organization
- Highly customizable (changes the layout and modify interface)
- Includes a custom ‘NaviDock’ interface (this can contrast your script based on a variety of factors)
- Offers professionally compiled templates
- The option of real-time collaboration with multiple stakeholders from remote locations (iPartner feature)
- ‘Text-to-speech’ transformation feature
- Has a notes commander that allows you to quickly organize, access, view, and script your ideas
Cons:
- One of the most expensive screenwriting software tools (although features are not as great as Final Draft)
Pricing:
Movie Magic Screenwriter has multiple pricing plans. The Movie Magic 6 is $169. The upgrade is priced at $89.95 (for Windows and Mac), whereas the 6.5 upgrade costs $69.95 (only for Mac). All of these have 3 activation options per purchase.
The ‘academic’ version has 2 activation options per purchase and costs $99.95.
COnclusion
Scriptwriting is the process of creating online content for inclusion on a website. Every website has some form of content, whether it’s blog posts, pages, product descriptions, ads or scripts. Some websites allow users to write anything they want while others feature professional writers contributing their work. Most scriptwriting is done by webmasters striving to have their content show up on relevant websites. We are talking about forum plug-ins, RSS feed readers, plug-ins for social media accounts, and more. This is how you can optimize your blog content so that it ranks higher in search engines. If you’re new to the scriptwriting game then check out my list of some great places to get started including Wix Power Editor, which is the best