Free alternatives to Final Draft

Last updated · 5 options

Quick answer: Starc has the most stars on its repository of the 5 options here (★ 401), followed by KIT Scenarist (★ 352). Stars show popularity, not fit, so check formats, platforms and licence for your own work.

Industry-standard screenwriting software used across film and TV. Here are 5 free options, most-starred first.

Starc

Screenwriting

Modern open-source screenwriting app from the KIT Scenarist team

Stars
★ 401
Licence
GPL-3.0
Updated

Alternative to Final Draft, WriterDuet

K

KIT Scenarist

Screenwriting

Open-source screenplay editor with research and statistics

Stars
★ 352
Licence
GPL-3.0
Updated

Alternative to Final Draft, WriterDuet

Trelby

Screenwriting

Free multi-platform screenwriting program in Python

Stars
★ 350
Licence
GPL-2.0
Updated

Alternative to Final Draft, Fade In

C

Celtx

Screenwriting

Browser scriptwriting and pre-production with free and paid plans

Licence
Proprietary
Status
Freemium

Alternative to Final Draft, WriterDuet

Fountain tools

Screenwriting

Plain-text screenplay format with many free editors

Licence
MIT (format spec)
Status
Open source

Alternative to Final Draft, Fade In

FAQ

Is there a free alternative to Final Draft?

Yes. WriterAlts lists 5 options: Starc, KIT Scenarist, Trelby, Celtx and Fountain tools.

Which Final Draft alternatives are open source?

Starc (GPL-3.0), KIT Scenarist (GPL-3.0), Trelby (GPL-2.0) and Fountain tools (MIT (format spec)). The others are free or freemium but not open source.

Which Final Draft alternatives run on a Mac?

Starc, KIT Scenarist and Fountain tools. The others listed here aren't listed for macOS.

Related categories: Screenwriting

Free tools are not always drop-in replacements. Check that a tool exports a format your editor, agent or printer accepts, and back up your manuscript before you switch mid-draft.

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