Celtx vs Final Draft
Celtx
celtx.com
Final Draft
finaldraft.comSide by side
| Figure | Celtx | Final Draft |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $11.24/mo | $0.69/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 6 | 12 |
| Spec score · Writing Apps | 9.5 (#1) | 9.2 (#6) |
| Spec score · Screenwriting Software | 9.4 (#1) | 9.0 (#3) |
| Spec score · Script Writing Software | 9.4 (#1) | 9.0 (#3) |
| Collaboration | Users can collaborate in real time with presence awareness, comments, sharing permissions, and read-only shareable links. | Final Draft supports real-time collaboration on the script and Beat Board, while Final Draft Cloud provides asynchronous collaboration. |
| Company history | Celtx says it was founded in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, in 2000, introduced in 2006, and acquired by Backlight in 2021. | Final Draft was co-founded in 1990 by Marc Madnick and Ben Cahan and was acquired by Cast & Crew in 2016. |
| Export formats | standard | extensive |
| Founded | 2000 | 1990 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Headquarters | St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada | Burbank, California |
| Mobile apps | Yes | Yes |
| Offline mode | Yes | Yes |
| Publishing tools | Yes | Yes |
| Support | The pricing comparison lists Live Chat Team Support as a team feature. | Final Draft provides a knowledge base, self-service activation, installers and manuals, and registered-customer support resources. |
| Version history | Yes | Yes |
| What it does | Celtx develops cloud-based software for writing, planning, and managing media-production projects. | Final Draft is screenwriting software that automatically formats scripts to Hollywood’s industry standards. |
Plans
Celtx
- FreeFree
- Writer$11.24 a month
- Writer Pro$18.74 a month
- Team$44.95 a month
- EducationPriced on request
- StudentPriced on request
Final Draft
- Final Draft Suite Annual$99.99 a year
- Final Draft Suite Monthly$16.99 a month
- Final Draft 13$249.99 a month
- Final Draft Suite annual$8.33 a year
- Final Draft Suite$16.99 a month
- Upgrade to Final Draft 13$79.99, paid once
- Educational Edition$99.99, paid once
- Final Draft 13 Student$99.99, paid once
- Final Draft 13 Personal$199.99, paid once
- Final Draft 13 Educators & Non-profitsPriced on request
In their own words
Celtx
Celtx is cloud-based software for writing, planning and managing media-production projects, including film, television, commercials, documentaries and interactive media. Script editors cover film and television screenplays, stageplays, multi-column audiovisual scripts and game scripts. Story development includes Beat Sheet, Storyboard and Script Goals & Insights; production planning tools cover breakdowns, catalogs, shot lists, scheduling, cast and crew, sides, budgets, call sheets and reports. Users can collaborate in real time with comments, presence awareness, permissions and shareable read-only links. Script revisions, feedback and approvals have a history. The cloud product runs in a browser, while Celtx Screenplay is listed for Windows computers and Android devices; mobile browsers include iPhone Safari support. The free plan allows one project, and the Writer plan supports up to three. Paid Writer billing is $11.24 a month when billed yearly, and a seven-day trial is listed. The maker is based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and was founded in 2000.
Final Draft
Final Draft is screenwriting software that automatically formats scripts and supports planning, drafting and production workflows. Beat Board, Outline Editor and Structure Lines help writers brainstorm, outline and navigate drafts. SmartType completes common character names and locations, and writers can store multiple dialogue versions. The software includes templates, customizable workflows, autosave, sprint timers and writing statistics. Production tools cover revision, location tracking, casting, scheduling, budgeting, production tagging and reporting. Real-time collaboration works on scripts and the Beat Board; Final Draft Cloud adds asynchronous collaboration, Vault storage, project folders, ScriptNotes, sharing and optional desktop-to-cloud syncing. Final Draft is available for macOS, Windows, web and iOS, but the numbered desktop versions do not run on iPad or iPhone; Final Draft Go is separate. Desktop requirements are macOS 12 Monterey or later, or Windows 10 or later with an Intel or AMD processor; Chromebook is not supported. Suite plans include Final Draft 13 and Cloud: $99.99 a year or $16.99 a month, each with a 5-day trial.