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Inkwell
Inkwell vs the tools you use

The best screenwriting software, compared

Find the tool that fits how you write, then see how Inkwell compares feature by feature on version control, AI that edits the draft, collaboration and production. Moving from another tool? Start on the alternatives hub.

Best screenwriting software

The best screenwriting software, by what you need

The job each tool does best.

Want it free? Plot gives you the full editor free. Trelby and WriterSolo are free for one writer, with no co-writing. WriterDuet, Arc Studio Pro, Celtx and Slugline cap what you can do free, and Fade In has a demo.

  1. Plot

    Best for

    Version control and reviewable AI

    Draft lines, save points and AI edits you review before they land, in a browser workspace.

    See Plot
    Free option
    Free plan with the full editor
    Runs on
    Browser on any computer
    Real-time co-writing
    Yes
    Final Draft files
    Imports and exports .fdx

  2. WriterDuet

    Best for

    Co-writing in the browser

    Real-time collaboration is its calling card, and the free plan is enough to start a script.

    Inkwell vs WriterDuet
    Free option
    Free plan with three projects
    Runs on
    Browser; desktop app on paid plans
    Real-time co-writing
    Paid plans; free collaborators can only read
    Final Draft files
    Import and export on every plan

  3. WriterSolo

    Best for

    Solo drafts saved on one device

    WriterDuet's free app for one writer, with no sync or co-writing, saving files to your device.

    Inkwell vs WriterSolo
    Free option
    Free
    Runs on
    Browser and a desktop app
    Real-time co-writing
    No; co-writing needs WriterDuet
    Final Draft files
    Import and export

  4. Final Draft

    Best for

    Industry-standard delivery

    The file studios, agencies and production offices expect, with decades of revision and production tooling.

    Inkwell vs Final Draft
    Free option
    Free trial only
    Runs on
    Mac and Windows; iPhone app sold separately
    Real-time co-writing
    Yes
    Final Draft files
    Its native format

  5. Arc Studio Pro

    Best for

    A modern cloud editor

    An approachable interface for writers coming from Google Docs or Celtx, with outlining on paid plans.

    Inkwell vs Arc Studio Pro
    Free option
    Free plan with two scripts and a watermarked PDF
    Runs on
    Browser; desktop, iPhone and iPad apps on paid plans
    Real-time co-writing
    Pro plan
    Final Draft files
    Final Draft export on every plan

  6. Celtx

    Best for

    Script to production planning

    Breakdowns, schedules and budgets live in the same suite as the script.

    Inkwell vs Celtx
    Free option
    Free plan with one project
    Runs on
    Browser
    Real-time co-writing
    Paid plans
    Final Draft files
    Partial

  7. Fade In

    Best for

    Buying once instead of subscribing

    Professional revision tools and a dependable Final Draft round trip for a one-time price.

    Inkwell vs Fade In
    Free option
    Free demo; one-time license
    Runs on
    Mac, Windows and Linux; phones and tablets through Fade In Access
    Real-time co-writing
    Through Fade In Access
    Final Draft files
    Opens, edits and saves .fdx

  8. Highland Pro

    Best for

    Quiet Fountain writing on Apple devices

    Native Mac, iPad and iPhone apps that keep formatting and controls out of the way.

    Inkwell vs Highland Pro
    Free option
    30-day trial
    Runs on
    Mac, iPad and iPhone
    Real-time co-writing
    No
    Final Draft files
    Partial

  9. Slugline

    Best for

    Short scripts on a Mac

    A lean Fountain editor that is free up to six pages, with Live Compare for reading two drafts side by side.

    Inkwell vs Slugline
    Free option
    Free up to six pages
    Runs on
    Mac, iPhone and iPad
    Real-time co-writing
    No
    Final Draft files
    Opens .fdx; export with the paid unlock

  10. Trelby

    Best for

    Free, open-source writing

    Free software under the GPL, with Final Draft and Fountain import and export.

    Trelby website
    Free option
    Free and open source
    Runs on
    Windows and Linux
    Real-time co-writing
    No
    Final Draft files
    Import and export
Checked on

Each link is a page the rows above were read from.

Plot — screenwriting

Final Draft, Fountain-native tools, and room collab — compared on version control, FDX handoff, and AI skills.

Each dot is one row of that comparison’s table:First-classPartial or limitedNot availablethe number is how many rows are first-class

Inkwell vs Final Draft

The industry standard, compared to a screenwriting IDE.

Inkwell is first-class on 12 of 12 capabilities; Final Draft on 4.

  • Industry-standard PDF formatting: Inkwell First-class; Final Draft First-class.
  • FDX import / export: Inkwell First-class; Final Draft First-class.
  • Fountain (plain-text) native: Inkwell First-class; Final Draft Partial or limited.
  • Production workflows (locked scripts, revision colors, A-pages): Inkwell First-class; Final Draft First-class.
  • Version control with draft lines: Inkwell First-class; Final Draft Not available.
  • Named save points (immutable snapshots): Inkwell First-class; Final Draft Not available.
  • Semantic change tracking (scene/dialogue-level diffs): Inkwell First-class; Final Draft Not available.
  • Agentic AI skill passes: Inkwell First-class; Final Draft Not available.
  • Inline AI edit (Cmd+K) and command palette: Inkwell First-class; Final Draft Not available.
  • Web-based, cross-platform: Inkwell First-class; Final Draft Partial or limited.
  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; Final Draft First-class.
  • Free tier: Inkwell First-class; Final Draft Not available.
Inkwell
Free tier · Writer $19/mo
Final Draft
Final Draft 13 desktop license · Final Draft Suite subscription

Inkwell vs WriterDuet

Real-time collaboration, compared to a screenwriting IDE.

Inkwell is first-class on 11 of 11 capabilities; WriterDuet on 6.

  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet First-class.
  • Web-based, cross-platform: Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet First-class.
  • Free tier: Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet First-class.
  • Fountain native: Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet First-class.
  • FDX import / export: Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet First-class.
  • Version history: Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet Partial or limited.
  • Draft lines (parallel alternate versions): Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet Not available.
  • Semantic change tracking (scene/dialogue-level diffs): Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet Partial or limited.
  • Agentic AI skill passes: Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet Not available.
  • Inline AI edit (Cmd+K) and command palette: Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet Not available.
  • Production workflows (locked scripts, revision colors, A-pages): Inkwell First-class; WriterDuet First-class.
Inkwell
Free tier · Writer $19/mo
WriterDuet
Free tier · Pro subscription

Inkwell vs WriterSolo

One writer and files on one device, or a screenplay with history and co-writers.

Inkwell is first-class on 11 of 12 capabilities; WriterSolo on 5.

  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo Not available.
  • Draft lines (parallel alternate versions): Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo Not available.
  • Version history: Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo Partial or limited.
  • Semantic change tracking (scene/dialogue-level diffs): Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo Partial or limited.
  • Production revisions: Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo Partial or limited.
  • AI skill passes: Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo Not available.
  • Inline AI edit (Cmd+K) and command palette: Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo Not available.
  • FDX import / export: Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo First-class.
  • Fountain import / export: Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo First-class.
  • Runs in the browser: Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo First-class.
  • Free to use: Inkwell First-class; WriterSolo First-class.
  • Offline writing: Inkwell Partial or limited; WriterSolo First-class.
Inkwell
Free tier · Writer $19/mo
WriterSolo
Free · no subscription

Inkwell vs Arc Studio Pro

Cloud-native screenwriting, compared to a screenwriting IDE.

Inkwell is first-class on 12 of 13 capabilities; Arc Studio Pro on 4.

  • Web-based, cross-platform: Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro First-class.
  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro First-class.
  • Modern cloud-native UX: Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro First-class.
  • Fountain native: Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro Partial or limited.
  • Version control with draft lines: Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro Not available.
  • Named save points (immutable snapshots): Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro Partial or limited.
  • Semantic change tracking (scene/dialogue-level diffs): Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro Partial or limited.
  • Agentic AI skill passes: Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro Partial or limited.
  • Inline AI edit (Cmd+K) and command palette: Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro Not available.
  • Production workflows (locked scripts, revision colors, A-pages): Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro Partial or limited.
  • FDX import / export: Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro First-class.
  • Offline / local-first editing: Inkwell Partial or limited; Arc Studio Pro Partial or limited.
  • Free tier: Inkwell First-class; Arc Studio Pro Partial or limited.
Inkwell
Free tier · Writer $19/mo
Arc Studio Pro
Subscription (varies by plan)

Inkwell vs Fade In

The budget professional, compared to a screenwriting IDE.

Inkwell is first-class on 11 of 12 capabilities; Fade In on 4.

  • One-time purchase (no subscription): Inkwell Partial or limited; Fade In First-class.
  • Industry-standard PDF formatting: Inkwell First-class; Fade In First-class.
  • FDX import / export: Inkwell First-class; Fade In First-class.
  • Fountain native: Inkwell First-class; Fade In Partial or limited.
  • Revision management & locked pages: Inkwell First-class; Fade In First-class.
  • Version control with draft lines: Inkwell First-class; Fade In Not available.
  • Named save points (immutable snapshots): Inkwell First-class; Fade In Not available.
  • Semantic change tracking (scene/dialogue-level diffs): Inkwell First-class; Fade In Partial or limited.
  • Agentic AI skill passes: Inkwell First-class; Fade In Not available.
  • Inline AI edit (Cmd+K) and command palette: Inkwell First-class; Fade In Not available.
  • Web-based, cross-platform: Inkwell First-class; Fade In Partial or limited.
  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; Fade In Partial or limited.
Inkwell
Free tier · Writer $19/mo
Fade In
One-time desktop license · optional Access subscription

Inkwell vs Celtx

Script-first IDE vs full production suite.

Inkwell is first-class on 9 of 10 capabilities; Celtx on 4.

  • Web-based: Inkwell First-class; Celtx First-class.
  • Screenplay formatting: Inkwell First-class; Celtx First-class.
  • Production scheduling / budgets: Inkwell Not available; Celtx First-class.
  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; Celtx First-class.
  • Version control with draft lines: Inkwell First-class; Celtx Not available.
  • Named save points: Inkwell First-class; Celtx Partial or limited.
  • Semantic change tracking: Inkwell First-class; Celtx Partial or limited.
  • Agentic AI skill passes: Inkwell First-class; Celtx Partial or limited.
  • FDX import / export: Inkwell First-class; Celtx Partial or limited.
  • Fountain native: Inkwell First-class; Celtx Partial or limited.
Inkwell
Free tier · Writer $19/mo
Celtx
Subscription tiers

Inkwell vs YouMeScript

A screenplay app inside Google Drive, or a screenplay with its whole history.

Inkwell is first-class on 8 of 9 capabilities; YouMeScript on 5.

  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; YouMeScript First-class.
  • Runs in the browser: Inkwell First-class; YouMeScript First-class.
  • Free to use: Inkwell First-class; YouMeScript First-class.
  • FDX import / export: Inkwell First-class; YouMeScript First-class.
  • Fountain import / export: Inkwell First-class; YouMeScript First-class.
  • Offline writing: Inkwell Partial or limited; YouMeScript Partial or limited.
  • Draft lines (parallel alternate versions): Inkwell First-class; YouMeScript Not available.
  • AI skill passes: Inkwell First-class; YouMeScript Not available.
  • Production revisions: Inkwell First-class; YouMeScript Partial or limited.
Inkwell
Free tier · Writer $19/mo
YouMeScript
Free · Pro upgrade

Inkwell vs Highland

A minimalist Fountain editor vs a screenplay that behaves like software.

Inkwell is first-class on 7 of 9 capabilities; Highland on 3.

  • Fountain native: Inkwell First-class; Highland First-class.
  • Minimal writing UX: Inkwell Partial or limited; Highland First-class.
  • Native Apple apps: Inkwell Not available; Highland First-class.
  • Web / cross-platform: Inkwell First-class; Highland Not available.
  • Version control with draft lines: Inkwell First-class; Highland Not available.
  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; Highland Not available.
  • Agentic AI skill passes: Inkwell First-class; Highland Not available.
  • Production revision workflow: Inkwell First-class; Highland Partial or limited.
  • FDX import / export: Inkwell First-class; Highland Partial or limited.
Inkwell
Free tier · Writer $19/mo
Highland
Single subscription for Mac, iPad, and iPhone

Inkwell vs Slugline

A lean Fountain file vs a screenplay with history.

Inkwell is first-class on 6 of 8 capabilities; Slugline on 3.

  • Fountain native: Inkwell First-class; Slugline First-class.
  • Minimal UI: Inkwell Partial or limited; Slugline First-class.
  • iOS / Mac: Inkwell Partial or limited; Slugline First-class.
  • Browser workspace: Inkwell First-class; Slugline Not available.
  • Version control: Inkwell First-class; Slugline Partial or limited.
  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; Slugline Not available.
  • AI skill passes: Inkwell First-class; Slugline Not available.
  • Production revision colors: Inkwell First-class; Slugline Not available.
Inkwell
Free tier · Writer $19/mo
Slugline
Mac/iOS purchase

Switching advisor

Not sure it is time to move?

Pick the tool you use and the jobs that matter. The advisor scores them against these same tables — and says stay when staying is right.

Open the advisor

Canvas — long-form documents

General writing tools compared on structured blocks, save points, and markdown round-trip. Canvas is in early access — the matrices name what ships today.

Each dot is one row of that comparison’s table:First-classPartial or limitedNot availablethe number is how many rows are first-class

Inkwell vs Notion

Documents as data, not wiki pages.

Inkwell is first-class on 5 of 5 capabilities; Notion on 1.

  • Block editor: Inkwell First-class; Notion First-class.
  • Version control / named snapshots: Inkwell First-class; Notion Partial or limited.
  • Semantic diffs: Inkwell First-class; Notion Not available.
  • Lossless markdown export: Inkwell First-class; Notion Partial or limited.
  • Screenplay-native (Plot): Inkwell First-class; Notion Not available.
Inkwell
Early access for Pro users
Notion
Free tier + paid teams

Inkwell vs Google Docs

Beyond collaborative word processing.

Inkwell is first-class on 4 of 5 capabilities; Google Docs on 1.

  • Real-time collaboration: Inkwell First-class; Google Docs First-class.
  • Named save points: Inkwell First-class; Google Docs Partial or limited.
  • Structured block model: Inkwell First-class; Google Docs Not available.
  • Semantic diffs: Inkwell First-class; Google Docs Partial or limited.
  • Offline / portable source: Inkwell Partial or limited; Google Docs Partial or limited.
Inkwell
Early access for Pro users
Google Docs
Free with Google account

Inkwell vs Scrivener

Binder power, web-native version control.

Inkwell is first-class on 5 of 5 capabilities; Scrivener on 2.

  • Binder / outline workflow: Inkwell First-class; Scrivener First-class.
  • Snapshots / versions: Inkwell First-class; Scrivener First-class.
  • Web collaboration: Inkwell First-class; Scrivener Not available.
  • Markdown round-trip: Inkwell First-class; Scrivener Partial or limited.
  • Screenplay product (Plot): Inkwell First-class; Scrivener Partial or limited.
Inkwell
Early access for Pro users
Scrivener
One-time desktop license

Canvas

Canvas on its own terms

Structured blocks, named save points and markdown round-trip — what Canvas is before it is compared with anything.

See Canvas

Want the short version? See everything Inkwell does, or start writing free.