Best Software for 2025 is now live!
Show rating breakdown
Save to My Lists
Claimed
Claimed

Top Rated Final Draft Alternatives

Final Draft Reviews & Product Details - Page 2

Final Draft Overview

What is Final Draft?

For over 25 years Final Draft has been the industry standard and market leader in screenwriting software. Used by 95% of film and television productions, Final Draft is the first choice for both professional and aspiring screenwriters, producers, directors, and industry executives. Final Draft was co-founded in 1990 by Marc Madnick and Ben Cahan, who recognized that Hollywood lacked a word-processor capable of automatically formatting a script to the entertainment industry’s stringent standards. This led to the creation of Final Draft, a fully dedicated screenwriting software application that automatically formats your script to Hollywood’s industry standards. Final Draft quickly became an essential tool for the entertainment industry, and in 2013 the program was awarded the prestigious Primetime Emmy Engineering Award. In recent years Final Draft’s mission has extended beyond providing writers with the best screenwriting software on the market. Final Draft also provides free and exclusive educational resources to writers to help them every step of the way on their screenwriting journey. This includes interviews with professional screenwriters, podcasts, tech tips, and how-to articles. Regular live events keep writers connected with industry and each other, and up-to-date on the latest industry trends. Final Draft continues to unearth the best new talent through the Big Break Screenwriting Contest, which every year awards over $100,000 in cash and prizes, and has launched the careers of countless new screenwriters. Final Draft is fully committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. The Big Break Contest offers Diversity categories that ensure underrepresented writers come to the attention of industry professionals. Final Draft also provides invaluable resources and connections to BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, marginalized and differently abled writers, helping them bring their stories to the world. As the needs of these communities grow and change, Final Draft will be there to meet them. In 2016, Final Draft was acquired by Cast & Crew. Based in Burbank, California, and with offices across the U.S. and in Canada, Cast & Crew is a trusted partner to major and independent film and television studios. Cast & Crew provides clients with a robust portfolio of critical services. These include payroll and residuals processing, the industry-leading PSL production accounting software and other digital solutions, as well as financial services such as production incentive consulting, management and financing. Cast & Crew continues to accelerate its investment in technology, supported by majority shareholder EQT, a leading investment firm with portfolio companies in Europe, Asia, and the U.S., which acquired Cast & Crew in early 2019. Under Cast & Crew Final Draft provides a world-class product with world-class service and will continue to listen and respond to the needs of writers everywhere. Final Draft is proud to continue to work with our industry partners to improve the lives and careers of writers, including Hillman Grad, Start with Hollywood, Women of Color Unite, the Geena Davis Institute, Seed & Spark, CAPE Fellowship, The Disruptors, Women in Film & TV and NALIP. Final Draft – It all starts with the script.

Final Draft Details
Languages Supported
English
Show LessShow More
Product Description

Organizing your story has never been easier with the Final Draft 9 Navigator. No longer just a Scene Navigator, the new Navigator also displays ScriptNotes and Characters arcs.


Seller Details
Year Founded
1991
HQ Location
Burbank, CA
Twitter
@finaldraftinc
35,271 Twitter followers
LinkedIn® Page
www.linkedin.com
62 employees on LinkedIn®

Alejandro S.
AS
Overview Provided by:

Recent Final Draft Reviews

Chris L.
CL
Chris L.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
5.0 out of 5
"Final Draft for Screenwriting"
Final Draft is the ultimate it may have a price to it but is worth it , every platform even iOS , and use you need to be of some profiency if you s...
FA
Fosca A.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
5.0 out of 5
"BEST SOFTWARE FOR SCREENWRITING"
I really enjoy working with Final Draft. I was so positively impressed with the program: it is user-friendly, comprehensive and makes my translator...
Eric F.
EF
Eric F.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
5.0 out of 5
"The Only Acceptable Software for Screenwriters"
Final draft is an easy to use tool for producers and writers alike. As a writer it makes formatting and editing super easy. As a producer it makes ...
Security Badge
This seller hasn't added their security information yet. Let them know that you'd like them to add it.
2 people requested security information

Final Draft Media

Final Draft Demo - NEW! Night & Focus Mode
Night Mode inverts your screen to cut down on eye strain, while Focus Mode eliminates unwanted distractions.
Final Draft Demo - Import PDF
Import a PDF and convert it into a fully editable Final Draft file.
Final Draft Demo - Track Changes
Keep a record of edits to your script, then choose whether to accept or reject them.
Final Draft Demo - Real-Time Collaboration
Collaborate simultaneously with your writing partners IN REAL TIME on both the script and the Beat Board.
Final Draft Demo - Insert Images
Insert images on title pages, in the script or even in the Beat Board to help visualize your story.
Final Draft Demo - Beat Board Collaboration
Collaborators can now access the Beat Board, while the new Spell Check and Find & Replace features make the Beat Board even more user-friendly.
Answer a few questions to help the Final Draft community
Have you used Final Draft before?
Yes

Video Reviews

43 Final Draft Reviews

4.5 out of 5
The next elements are filters and will change the displayed results once they are selected.
Search reviews
Popular Mentions
The next elements are radio elements and sort the displayed results by the item selected and will update the results displayed.
Hide FiltersMore Filters
The next elements are filters and will change the displayed results once they are selected.
The next elements are filters and will change the displayed results once they are selected.
43 Final Draft Reviews
4.5 out of 5
43 Final Draft Reviews
4.5 out of 5

Final Draft Pros and Cons

How are these determined?Information
Pros and Cons are compiled from review feedback and grouped into themes to provide an easy-to-understand summary of user reviews.
Pros
Cons
G2 reviews are authentic and verified.
Verified User in Motion Pictures and Film
UM
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

Final Draft has been around for so long that it's just the de facto screenplay tool by this point. It's easy to get started with and it has all the fundamentals you'd expect. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

The collaborative writing features are subpar. In an age of Google Docs and Office 360, Final Draft's collaboration tools are unnecessarily cumbersome. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

Beyond the screenwriting autofill shortcuts, Final Draft's reports tools are industry-leading. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Charles Henri M.
CM
Writing Director
Media Production
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

This is hands down the best TV writing software I have used. I do not know any production company or major Hollywood Studio that I have worked with in the last decade that does not use Final Draft. The software is intuitive and easy to use. Adding notes to the document in a discrete manner makes it very valuable when there are more than one person implementing notes. I would recommend it without question, if you're ever serious about TV writing, then get Final Draft ! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

It's not possible to convert from a word document. Some small production companies do not work with Final Draft and it's not possible to write in Final Draft and then save the formatting into a word document. It would be good to add this feature. It is almost impossible (and a great waste of time) to format a script in a word document. Having this possibility (to convert from Final Draft to Word) would certainly facilitate my work as a writer, as well as the production work of smaller companies. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:

Do not hesitate!! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

The input of notes from various partners on a script if the feature that is the easiest to use. It is really helpful as you can see who placed a note and when, in a collaborative and easy-to-see way. The notes do not limit the readability of the script. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Motion Pictures and Film
UM
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

The easy format it always gives me. I’m able to work knowing Final Draft is the standard for writing and exceeds all expectations. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

It’s not very different from the previous model I believe. Minor changes, so not much a dislike. More as it still functions the same as any other Final Draft. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

I want to be a Screenwriter. So using Final Draft is not only important to me, but it’s essential to be a writer. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Online Media
UO
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

Final draft is simple and easy to use. I learned how to write scripts while using Final Draft and it really helped me speed up the process. I love the key shortcuts, in script notes, search and find features, and the editing features. The reports are a nice plus. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

The downside is that the reports and other features are minimum. I would have to have options for call sheets, props, etc. While it does do that for characters and locations, I wish there was more. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

Final Draft gives me the reliability that I think some online free softwares do not have. A great benefit of Final Draft is that you can be confident that it is industry standard. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Tyler O.
TO
Marketing strategistic
Public Relations and Communications
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

The best feature of Final Draft is the simplicity of the program and how easy it is to quickly pick up all the features and functions. There's no need to look up tutorial videos in order to start writing your script. It's already formatted correctly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

I dislike the scarcity of updates given to Final Draft, although this is a small dislike. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:

If you are using Celtx and on the fence about purchasing Final Draft, you might as well do it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

The main problems I've solved using Final Draft have been the organization of scenes and characters. Final Draft compiles all the important information in an organized format to allow you to keep track. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Curtis H.
CH
Project Development Manager
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

I like this software because it gives me a unique ease of use. This program is for professionals of the industry in the creation of scripts, is able to give me all the tools to create good stories loaded with good content, without a doubt I love this because it provides me with an automatic and precise format.

Final Draft gives me all the features in some very advanced cases, which writers like so much, this system provides everything necessary for the construction and development of a good scriptural standard narrative.

This system also provides you with a complete report of the advances made by giving you the correct organization to compose your script. With a suitable textual style, among other things. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

At first, it took me a while to adapt to the system, but thanks to the technical support team, I was able to solve the errors that arose. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:

Its price seems great and is perfect for any type of creative writer, especially for movie scripts or theatrical novels. It offers some tutorial videos that will allow you to understand the system in a matter of minutes, this software is oriented for all kinds of creative professionals, capable of providing the creation in standard format. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

One of the benefits that I have had using this system is that it has given me As currently the ease of creating a complete narrative script and done well in the shortest time possible, I also find this tool as an essential factor for what I do in my business . Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Matija R.
MR
producer/director
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

For someone who never had to use a typewrier, the implemented standards of formatting script pages are of golden value. The software itself is an industry standard and you simply can't make a mistake with it. With years it evolved, but exactly to the extent it should have, not reaching out to direction or production with its tools, but focusing on the screenplay. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

The software engineering and UI design could follow up with modern times a bit more quickly Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

Set and character lists, with statistics, easiness of writing and good revision mode. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Media Production
UM
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

I love how it has a perfect structure so writers don't need to worry about that. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

It crashes sometimes and my Final Draft 9 stopped working after I updated my laptop.

I'm also not sure about the collaborating feature. It seems to me that we constantly need to reconnect after closing the laptop. I wish it could be more like Google Doc where you can reconnect automatically. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

Writing screenplays with perfect structure. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

MG
Mr
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

That it is so natural to set up exchange in Final Draft. From illustrating to storyboarding and keeping a full exhibit of notes, Final Draft has everything! It is particularly vital to report the majority of your pre-generation procedures and I feel like Final Draft enables you to effectively do as such. It is exceptionally simple to utilize. Simply open a report and you have the correct organization to compose your screenplay. The right textual style, edge and shortenings are directly there. You needn't bother with an instructional exercise as is extremely natural. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

I don't care for that it is so costly to buy and the sharing alternative still appears as though you could utilize some work for when your co-composing on an undertaking Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:

In case you're searching for the expert programming that different screenwriters use, you'll need to pick Final Draft! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

Screen composing and arranging shoots, altering contents and archives, sparing to PDF in a fast and advantageous way, and sending records to different representatives effectively. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Spencre E.
SE
Scripted Development Intern, BET
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review