Best Screenwriting Software for 2023: These Picks Will Take Your Scripts to the Next Level – CNET

If you’re a student filmmaker, you know how important it is to create professional quality work and save as much money as humanly possible. As a student filmmaker, I struggled with the same balance. My priority was spending on tech that would accommodate both my academic and creative needs, so when it came time for me to sit down and write my short, I was left with little to spend on script-writing software.

Final Draft logo on a purple background Final Draft logo on a purple background

Final Draft

<div data-id data-cy="shortcodeListicleSmallImage" data-location="LIST" edition="us" superlative="For the writer who wants to do it all" imagegroup="{"alt":"StudioBinder project interface","caption":"

Studio Binder is a great option for all budgets.&nbsp;

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Studio Binder is a great option for all budgets.&nbsp;

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Studio Binder is a great option for all budgets.&nbsp;

","imageCredit":"Studio Binder","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"studio-binder-logo.png","imageDateCreated":"2023/08/15","imageWidth":1600,"imageHeight":900,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”

Studio Binder is a great option for all budgets.&nbsp;

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Studio Binder is a solid catch-all option for writers who are interested in the directing and producing processes. Its features support every stage of production, with tools to create and manage call sheets, shooting scripts and more. I’ve used Studio Binder for my own projects, and as a low-budget filmmaker, I really appreciate that Studio Binder has all of the tools I need at my disposal.

squibler logo on yellow background squibler logo on yellow background

Squibler

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Arc Studio Pro allows writers to produce professional quality work on a budget.&nbsp;

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Arc Studio Pro allows writers to produce professional quality work on a budget.&nbsp;

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Arc Studio Pro allows writers to produce professional quality work on a budget.&nbsp;

” overridecredit=”Arc Studio Pro” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__1626f2e5-a397-4fca-a365-3ea973cbbd37″ position=”4″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle c-shortcodeListicle-smallImage g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-top g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>

Arc Studio Pro is a newer entry with some incredible features. Made by writers for writers, it offers many tools to help writers turn out industry-standard screenplays. One standout feature is the Plot Board, which gives writers greater control over storyboarding and outlining while they write. Its formatting shortcuts are incredibly helpful when writing on a deadline, too.

Celtx logo on a pink background Celtx logo on a pink background

Celtx

<div data-id data-cy="shortcodeListicleSmallImage" data-location="LIST" edition="us" superlative="Best for the collaborative writer" imagegroup="{"alt":"screen-shot-2022-07-07-at-11-21-58-am.png","caption":"

Writer Duet allows collaborators to write together in real-time.&nbsp;

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Writer Duet allows collaborators to write together in real-time.&nbsp;

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Writer Duet allows collaborators to write together in real-time.&nbsp;

” overridecredit=”Writer Duet” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__1b38029e-79bf-4810-bafe-153ff4d32f53″ position=”6″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle c-shortcodeListicle-smallImage g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-top g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>

Writer Duet is a highly collaborative software so screenwriters can work together anywhere in the world. The most impressive collaborative feature is the ability to video and text chat with your writing partners while you are all working on the same project. Writer Duet also has really strong import and export capabilities, meaning users can bring in other projects from other applications and export their projects with many different file types, making it easier to share projects with collaborators.

Fade In logo on a blue background Fade In logo on a blue background

Fade In

<div data-id data-cy="shortcodeListicleSmallImage" data-location="LIST" edition="us" superlative="For the writer on the go" imagegroup="{"alt":"Slugline 2 logo on a yellow background","caption":"

Slugline 2 is compatible across MacOS and iOS, making it perfect for writers who can’t sit still.&nbsp;

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Slugline 2 is compatible across MacOS and iOS, making it perfect for writers who can’t sit still.&nbsp;

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Slugline 2 is compatible across MacOS and iOS, making it perfect for writers who can’t sit still.&nbsp;

” overridecredit=”Slugline 2″ usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__ffb7f440-f645-41ce-ad5a-e777067a7367″ position=”8″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle c-shortcodeListicle-smallImage g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-top g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>

Slugline 2 is a great option for writers on the go, or writers who just hate sitting at their computer. More notably, Slugline 2 has compatibility with both MacOS and iOS, which would allow you to sync your writing via Dropbox or iCloud Drive. This allows you to write in a more dynamic way than if you were simply stationed at your computer.

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