# Final Draft Reviews **Vendor:** Final Draft **Category:** [Screenwriting Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/screenwriting) **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 46 ## About 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 Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users love the **ease of use** of Final Draft, appreciating its intuitive tools for seamless scriptwriting and collaboration. (1 reviews) - Users love the **intuitive tools** of Final Draft, enabling easy writing and seamless collaboration on group projects. (1 reviews) - Users appreciate the **intuitive tools** of Final Draft, enabling easy writing and collaboration anytime and anywhere. (1 reviews) - Users value the **fast and secure online collaboration** features of Final Draft, enhancing teamwork on group projects. (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users find the **upgrade process clunky** , particularly when skipping a full version, leading to frustrations. (1 reviews) ## Final Draft Reviews ### 1. The Ultimate Scriptwriting Tool with Synced Convenience **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Brian S. | Owner, Marketing and Advertising, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 23, 2026 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** I really like the formatting and the library of tools that Final Draft offers. They make my writing so much easier, especially with templates for scripts. The building tools are great, tracking character names, settings, and more. I love that my writing syncs between devices, ensuring I can work seamlessly no matter where I am. The initial setup was also very easy; the software directly guides me to start my script. When I'm writing, everything I need is on one screen and interface, so I stay focused without getting pulled out of the writing zone. I also appreciate that Final Draft is always looking to improve and keep up with writing trends. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Well the price tag can sometimes be a blocker for writers just starting out. Updates often come with a charge. Not charging for updates would be better. I don't want to have to repurchase the software whenever there is a new version. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Final Draft makes script formatting easy with templates and helps track character names and settings. I love its syncing between devices and single-interface tools that keep me focused. ### 2. Clean PDF Layout and Handy Navigator, but Frequent Crashes and Slow Exports **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Real Estate | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 14, 2026 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** The pages look clean when I export to PDF, and the overall layout comes through nicely. The navigator tool is also great and makes it easy to move around. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** It crashes often, and PDF exports are slow. There’s no ability to use plugins, and customization options feel limited overall. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** It’s great for achieving a professional screenplay format and overall look. ### 3. Effortless Scriptwriting and Seamless Collaboration **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Eric I. | Co-Founder, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 10, 2026 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Never lose a line of your script with this platform. Its intuitive tools and design make it easy to write wherever and whenever you need. The features are especially helpful for group projects, offering fast and secure online collaboration. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The upgrade process can get clunky especially if you skip over a full version. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** One tool to rule them all. Format correctly with out thinking about it. ### 4. The Only Acceptable Software for Screenwriters **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Eric F. | Owner/ Lead Consultant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 28, 2023 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** 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 breaking down scripts as easy as pushing a button. Its easy to use, easy to implement with pther filmmaking software, and has great customer support. I use it almost daily for every project now, and I couldn't imagine being a writer without it. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The one annoying thing is that it comes out with new versions every year, and instead of being able to just access those versions once you've bought the software, you have to buy it again. thats slightly irrating, because the software is $300. Its not that its not worth it, its just that I wish I didnt have to pay for basically the same thing, albeit with a few new wrinkles, every single year even if it is at a discount. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** It allows me to write scriots, and then break out lines for just one specific character which is helpful for auditioning roles. It also allows for line editing and breaking the script down by location, character number, etc. which helps set the shoot schedule and budget. Almost every aspect of production can be handled with this software, and thats why it is the mostly highly sought after writing software in Hollywood. ### 5. Final Draft for Screenwriting **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Chris L. | Screenwriter, actor,poet,writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 19, 2023 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** 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 started from Trelby and Celtx this will make it easier, formatting is industry standard and has a wealth of features that can see overwhelming at first but becomes second nature very easily , quick implementation , integration with many other formats and files , use every day that frequency helps yo get even better and support is always available **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The price can be hefty but a great investment **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Giving me crisp sharp scripts ready to go ### 6. BEST SOFTWARE FOR SCREENWRITING **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Fosca A. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 08, 2023 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** I really enjoy working with Final Draft. I was so positively impressed with the program: it is user-friendly, comprehensive and makes my translator's life much easier. Adjusting the formatting in PDF or Word format can become a nightmare as well as time consuming and, after all that, the document still does not look professional as it should. All of that is easily solved by using Final Draft! Additionally, the customer service department is excellent and responds promptly to your emails with courtesy and professionalism. Great job! **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** There is really nothing I do not like about Final Draft. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I was so positively impressed with Final Draft: it is user-friendly, comprehensive and makes my translator's life much easier. Adjusting the formatting in PDF or Word format can become a nightmare as well as time consuming and, after all that, the document still does not look professional as it should. ### 7. Write your script writerly. **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** KHALID R. | Founder & Creative Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 31, 2023 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Final Draft is the best application we've tried for screenwriting because of its shrewd devices for designing your work to proficient particulars. It additionally offers spaces to assist you with creating stories, similar to the Story Guide and Beat Board. It permits you to simply start composing when you open it without us agonizing over the configuration. Also different elements like notes taking and working with various drafts of similar contents is incredibly simple. An extremely easy to understand programming. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Final Draft appears to be absurdly over-valued for what the vast majority use it for, so when it craps out on them they blow up. The vast majority don't utilize the creation devices, which permit you to produce industry standard reports and all the more critically deal with a secured shooting script in an industry standard way. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** "I'm attempting to take care of story issues in my screenplay, could you at any point help?" At the point when you're kept up with giving figure a shot your account structure, including explicit beats, go to class. Your sort decision directs a critical number of story choices, including where to develop and where you should break show. At the point when you depend on your type, you're greatly improved prepared to follow through on your story's commitment completely. ### 8. Final Draft makes screenwriting easy **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Victoria L. | Freelance Writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 10, 2023 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** It has all the tools you need to write a screenplay. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Its on the expensive side. New versions continue to come out and it feels like theres a push to upgrade. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Final Draft makes it easy to plan out your script, write it, and share it with collaborators. ### 9. The absolute best software and tech support for scriptwriters. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mark S. | Entertainment, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** February 21, 2023 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Where do I start? I have 34 scripts sold, 19 made into features, and multiple credits as a producer. Final Draft has become my de facto partner in all my film lives. As a scriptwriter, it’s the only thing I use. I couldn’t imagine writing a script in anything else. No one I know uses anything else because of not only the amazing writing and collaboration tools, but the other features in the software essential to pre-production, production, and post-production. It is the industry standard period. I also teach scriptwriting. As my teaching partner, using it in class frees me up to not have to worry about ill-formatted material, provides a common ground for any discussion about how something should flow on the page, and allows me to explore, inside the program itself, beat boards, film and TV templates, and many other features. It is a great worry-free toolbox for helping students create their scripts be it film, TV or more. And finally, and this may be specific to me but no less important, The OC Screenwriters Association which I founded has Final Draft as a partner. We have been given tremendous cache because of Final Draft. The company gives us instant credibility by association; and makes our events all the more important because of it. I have never truly run across any group or company more willing to go that extra mile to make my life easier. The Enterprise dept, tech support, and everyone else in this company is world class. No matter what I ask, they deliver. It’s like having an entire company of experts who are just a phone call away. And I can confidently tell my students that if they're having any issues with the software or functions, to just call Final Draft and that's done. I started this journey as a writer alone. I’ve now walked this path in many iterations with a powerful set of tools and some truly amazing people at my back. Did Final Draft make a difference in my professional successes? You bet it did. Does it still? Without a doubt. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Nothing that I can honestly state. It and the company are about as perfect as I can ask. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I teach scriptwriting and it is a great tool for my students to use. Makes my life so much easier. Plus, in my role as president of OC Screenwriters, it's an easy solution to event promotion woes. We give away copies to event attendees and people flock to our events because of it. ### 10. Best Screenwriting Platform **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Stacee M. | Executive, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 22, 2021 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** The toolbar is easy to use, and it has pre-made templates to choose from depending on the type of story you want to write. You can choose a half-hour sitcom or an hour-long drama, and it will help with all the correct formatting. Each time a new final draft comes out, it's a better rendition than the previous one. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** I dislike that you have to pay for an upgrade. You should allow people to upgrade the final draft for free for a limited time since we won't be able to use the ones lower after that. We have already paid for the FD and to be charged for an upgrade isn't ideal. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I used to write in Celtx for my screenwriting, but after using Final Draft, it was a lot more straightforward. It has a lot more to offer than other programs such as Celtx, Word. My formatting is better using Final Draft, and it's a lot easier to have a flow going. Correct formatting is a great benefit you can get from this program. ### 11. The most complete screenwriting tool **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Viktoria P. | Ecommerce onwer., Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 26, 2022 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** I love that it is practical intuitive, and once you configure it, it makes writing way easier. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The only downfall is probably the price. However, if you are a professional screenwriter, it's worth it. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I can create scripts in industry format write fast and intuitively. It is also very easy to create several drafts and go back and forth among them. It's efortless to track changes. ### 12. Final Draft review **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Eric S. | Craft Beer Buyer/Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 19, 2021 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Ease of use is paramount. The best screenwriting program for intuitive use. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Not many downsides, wish the beat board was a little better, they should look at Save the Cat. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Final Draft makes the screenwriting easy and effortless. ### 13. Final Draft - No 1 for scriptwriters **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Motion Pictures and Film | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 09, 2021 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** I like the most how simple the program is. It is super easy to use, you can use it on two devices so your laptop and computer. I have been using it for like a year now and I only can recommend it. You can export and change the first page, revise mode is useful too. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** There is nothing much that I specifically don't like. Maybe that when I was changing my laptop I had to manually log off the program so I could add it into my new computer. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** The software is maybe pricy, but it is definitely what you need and look for as a filmmaker and scriptwriter. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am writing all my scripts on Final Draft. It had helped me through college. I also like that you can use it without internet. ### 14. The industry standard for a reason, but not necessarily the best option. **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Motion Pictures and Film | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 23, 2021 **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. **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. **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. ### 15. Great for TV writing! **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Charles Henri M. | Writing Director, Media Production, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 28, 2020 **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 ! **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. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Do not hesitate!! **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. ### 16. Final Draft **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Motion Pictures and Film | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 28, 2020 **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. **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. **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. ### 17. Great Screenwriting Software. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Online Media | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 11, 2019 **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. **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. **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. ### 18. The Easiest Script Writing Software **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Tyler O. | Marketing strategistic , Public Relations and Communications, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 26, 2019 **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. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** I dislike the scarcity of updates given to Final Draft, although this is a small dislike. **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. **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. ### 19. A very versatile program **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Curtis H. | Project Development Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 11, 2019 **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. **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. **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. **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 . ### 20. The classic works well **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Matija R. | producer/director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 05, 2019 **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. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The software engineering and UI design could follow up with modern times a bit more quickly **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. ### 21. A great and convenient software for professional screenwriters **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Media Production | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 23, 2019 **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. **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. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Writing screenplays with perfect structure. ### 22. Superb screen writing solution **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mel G. | Mr, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 20, 2019 **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. **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 **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! **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. ### 23. I love it for writing not planning **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Spencre E. | Scripted Development Intern, BET, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 27, 2018 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** The character recognition when your writing and how formatting is just an afterthought. the software really allows pure creativity in writing. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** There are sometimes issues with saving files- I once lost an entire beat board with it. Customer service kind of helped, but the loss really affected my deadline. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** fix all the bugs and I would love final draft forever. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Formatting my scripts when I write screenplays. ### 24. Not the best, but industry standard **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Motion Pictures and Film | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 09, 2019 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Makes it relatively easy to write a screenplay. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Lots of bugs, lots of obvious things missing, not a lot of innovation. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** It's the industry standard, so it's a solid option. but writer duet has much better collaboration tools. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Final Draft solves the need to easily write things in a standardized screenplay format. ### 25. Final Draft Is the Industry Standard **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sarit S. | Founder and CEO, Media Production, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 13, 2019 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Final Draft is simple to use, as soon as you open a document, everything is formatted correctly. It is professional and without a doubt the industry standard for screenplays. It's easy to focus on creating a good story and good content when all the formatting is automatic and accurate. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The only dislike is the price. Final Draft is a little pricey, especially compared to Cetlx. However, it truly is the industry standard and there's no other software that can compare to it's simplicity and reputation. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** It's worth the hefty price tag. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Final Draft solves benefits my company by allowing us to create professionally formatted scripts and screenplays. Final Draft is a breeze to use and truly is the best in the industry. ### 26. Industry Standard for a Reason **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Entertainment | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 04, 2019 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** My favorite features are the ability to convert text files into screenplays, edit elements line by line, and night mode. The former are useful when I'm editing a screenplay and the writer has written their script in another program. Final Draft is intuitive and includes more features than you'll usually even need. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** If you are writing anything besides a feature film, this is where the other templates suffer - even for a television script. I have multiple screenwriting programs in rotation for this reason alone. That said, if for some reason I needed to delete all but one screenwriting program off of my computer, I would keep this program. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Spend the money. It'll be worth it when your machine crashes hours before the contest deadline, or when you want to be taken seriously. Final Draft will get you there. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Screenwriting is easier when you have the right software. Previously, I have struggled with programs that crashed often and erased data, didn't have all the tools I needed, or could not be used without an internet connection. I bought the bullet and invested in Final Draft and I couldn't be more glad that I did. ### 27. The Gold Standard for Screenwriting **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Entertainment | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 17, 2018 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Final Draft has all the basic features, and many of the advanced, that screenwriters, both professional and beginners need in the construction and development of industry standard narrative writing. Its simple layout and accessibility, added to its advanced option features make it the go to resource for writers working within the film business. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** There is very little, practically, to dislike about what is in effect an industry-leading software. Most of the issues with it, given its US-centric customer support, relate to the ability to resolve problems, or gaining advice on use of little used or unfamiliar features, of which there are many. Other than that, perhaps making it more financially viable with extended licencing or cost-free multi-installations, might make it even more broadly appreciated, especially since competitor programs such as CeltX, are being offered at lower price points, or, as with CeltX, for free. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Don't waste time on other options, plump for the industry leader. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** As I currently write at least one full narrative screenplay per year I find its use as a primary creative tool something I could not rightly do without. It is my standard go to tool in my creative discipline notwithstanding the trials conducted with competitor programs such as Sophocles and CeltX. Its simplicity of use means I'm never struggling to navigate my way around the program, and its regular backup facility means multiple draft saves are done without planning or concern. ### 28. Great software **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bryan C. W. | President, Entertainment, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 08, 2019 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** I’ve been using it for so long that I’m used to it and it seems very intuitive. I love that you can now voice transcribe and the new beat board is great **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The sharing option still seems like you could use some work for when your co-writing on a project **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Are use it for screen writing and planning shoots ### 29. Increasingly less worth the price... **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Chris B. | Writer, Writing and Editing, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 24, 2018 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** As far as formatting screenplays goes, Final Draft is still an easy to use way to get your screenplay on the page. It's ability run reports for characters and locations can be handy when scanning your script for budgeting reasons. Exporting as PDF works well and is necessary if you want to send to anyone who does not have Final Draft installed on their computer. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The application is rarely updated and many of the features (such as the Names Database) don't work on my computer (MacBook running High Sierra). Additionally, there are many more cost effective/free solutions to screenplay formatting (CeltX, Highland) that make it hard to justify spending over $100 on Final Draft. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Try the free options first. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** For years, I used Final Draft to format my screenplays largely because there were not many alternatives. It has done and continues to do the job it advertises. ### 30. Essential and standard **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Entertainment | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 11, 2019 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** If you write screenplays for a living, this is the only software you need. Once you learn how to use it (which takes 10 minutes), you'll find it remarkably simple and user friendly. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** It's not cheap and sometimes when either Final Draft and/or Apple do software updates, they are (at least temporarily) incompatible! **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** It's essential **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Not problems, per se. But no one will take you seriously if you don't use it. ### 31. The best till date to get your script completed **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Entertainment | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 07, 2019 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** What I like best about final draft is that it has brought together a community of writers and filmmakers by by far being the most popular in Hollywood. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** What I dislike is that it is a bit dated compared to its new competitors **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** The business problems we are solving is having quick rewrites ready for on set even overnight at times ### 32. Lot's of great features, but overwhelming at the same time **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Josh H. | Co-Founder & CEO, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 13, 2018 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** It's great that your script can be tied into soooooo many different tools to help produce the film, not just write. Trying to do all things like breakdowns, shot lists, etc separately would be a nightmare. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** I don't like how complicated it is. I feel like I need to go to college to learn how all the tools like the navigator work and I need to have a dictionary available to know what the labels mean. I'm sure a very experienced writer would get it, but not me. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** If you're not super experienced, there are many other writing tools out there that are easier and more simple to use. This has everything, but it's not very useful unless you know the lingo and how to use it. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I'm trying to write a short film/demo. Well, with FinalDraft 9 I haven't realized any really. There are simpler script writing tools out there. ### 33. Great Screenwriting Software **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Writing and Editing | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 11, 2018 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** This software makes screenwriting a breeze. It walks you through everything and is very collaborative. I’ll only use this industry standard! **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** I love everything about Final Draft. It meets all of my screenwriting needs. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** I would recommend this to anyone who wants to write a screenplay. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is the industry standard in screenwriting so it helps me accomplish my job. ### 34. Best software for creative writing **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Helen M. | Actress, Entertainment, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 06, 2018 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** The various templates, I have personally used the Stageplay and Screenplay templates the most and can attest that they are industry standard. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Honestly, nothing. It's a well designed piece of software! **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Well worth the price, perfect for any creative writers, particularly for Scripts, Screenplays and Novels. Well produced tutorial videos allow you to get a basic understand of the software in a matter of minutes, and while it is geared towards creative industry professionals, the ease of use and industry standard formatting are great for someone who is just starting out as a writer. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** The templates are all industry standard, so regardless of personal experience my work will at least always look professional! The story map and beats function allows me to write in a non-linear way, but still keep everything organized. ### 35. Needs to come into digital age **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Entertainment | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 27, 2018 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** It’s the industry standard so the commonality is important, the outlining feature is easy to use as well. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** No way to collaborate with other writers other than emailing files back and forth and no typewriter mode. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Writing screenplays in industry recognized format ### 36. Best screenplay experience **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Entertainment | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** May 25, 2018 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** I can customize the menu, with is needed **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** When I paste the scene, it removes format **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Use Courier 10 Pitch font for better experience **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Creating screenplays fastly, as other members can work over it in their computers ### 37. Final Draft Is A Great Scriptwriting Software **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Writing and Editing | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 05, 2017 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** I love how easy it is to set up dialogue in Final Draft. From outlining to storyboarding and keeping a full array of notes, Final Draft has it all! It is especially important to document all of your pre-production processes and I feel like Final Draft gives you the ability to easily do so. Definitely consider trailing or watching video tutorials of Final Draft before making a decision to purchase a different screenwriting software. I am sure that a thorough vetting of the available screenwriting softwares will give Final Draft the edge. A must use product! **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Final Draft is a bit intricate and takes some time to used to, but ultimately proves to be a great screenwriting software. The fact that Final Draft has a higher learning curve simply proves that its superior to most screenwriting software. It is rich with important information and easy-to-learn keyboard shortcuts. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** I would recommend Final Draft for all upcoming screenwriters who are trying to take their writing game to the next level. This product makes it easy to document your entire outlining process while you continue to write drafts of your script. You can also write specific types of scripts like A/V and film. It's worth taking a deeper look into Final Draft if you are between two different types of screenwriting software. I highly recommend this screenwriting software! **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am simply attempting to streamline my entire screenwriting process. ### 38. Must have as it is the industry standard for professional screenwriters. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Entertainment | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 09, 2017 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** It is very very easy to use. Just open a document and you have the right format to write your screenplay. The correct font, margin and abbreviations are right there. You do not need a tutorial as is very intuitive. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** I do not like that I had to buy a new final draft when I got my new computer as the older version wouldn't work. And is a little bit pricey. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Final Draft is the tool you need if you want to write a script. Like they said you just need to add the words. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** When we started writing scripts we used to use microsoft word because it was the software we had available at that time but the script didn't look professional enough and it took as for ever to make a good template. It was very time consuming and the final product didn't great. Everything changed when we started to used final draft. The process of actually writing the script became much easier, we saved a lot of time and the final product looked much better. We used these software two write 2 scripts two feature films that premiere in theatres in 2007 and 2014 and many shortfilms and scripts that still in development. ### 39. Best Writing Software Out There **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Leora W. | Project Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 23, 2017 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** I like that it's easy to use and every feature I need is accessible and convenient with shortcuts. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** I don't like that it's so expensive to purchase. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Even though you must pay for it, the features it provides does make it a superior program to other free ones out there. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Benefits include: editing scripts and documents, saving to PDF in a quick and convenient way, and sending documents to other employees easily. ### 40. It the standard for a reason! **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Automotive | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 24, 2017 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Once you get over the slight learning curve it becomes very fluid and natural. I watched a few Youtube videos when I needed help on a few things and from there I've had few issues. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** I've been lucky not to have any big gripes so far. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** It's the best, spend the $ and get it. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I didn't have this program in my arsenal and now I do, problem solved. If you want your work to be read and out there using this is step one as far as I'm concerned. ### 41. Final Draft is the premier screenwriting platform **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Samuel L. | Director Of Marketing & Partnerships, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 12, 2016 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Final Draft is the leading screenwriting software ... and for good reason. Professionals and novices alike choose Final Draft because of how deep the platform is, and how versatile it can be. It's a great piece of software but does take some time to get used to and to learn how to properly use. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The learning curve for using Final Draft is unlike any other screenwriting software, but is worth it to learn. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Final Draft is the cornerstone screenwriting software. This is what professionals have and will continue to use for screenplays. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Writing screenplays, stageplays, and television scripts inside of Final Draft has made the process simple. You can draft and produce a professional piece right from your laptop or desktop computer because of how intricate and advanced Final Draft can get. If you're looking for the professional software that other screenwriters use, you'll want to choose Final Draft! ### 42. Industry standard format. Great features and layout! **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Harlan R. | Designer & Artist, Design, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 03, 2016 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** The layout of Final Draft is intuitive and easy to use. It's not weighted down by unnecessary features but it does come equipped with all of the resources and tools you need to write. No longer do you have to worry about formatting! **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The term "industry standard" get confused by many, especially people who are just entering into screenwriting as being the best. However there are other great screenwriting platforms available (Celtx) that can do the same thing with specialized features of their own. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I'm able to write my own scripts from concept to completion with the worry of formatting, spelling, structure, etc. I can simply focus on just the story. ### 43. The industry standard and deservedly so **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Carey M. | Full Professor, Higher Education, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 18, 2017 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** In ease of use and learning curve, FD remains one of the best scriptwriting packages on the market. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Initial price is a bit off-putting, but reasonable upgrades and available student discounts help counterbalance this. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** Final Draft brings transparency to the creative process of writing all kinds of scripts; streamlining the work leads to faster, more efficient production. ### 44. Provides simplicity for formating **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Machinery | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** July 13, 2016 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Fantastic product for getting the formatting right for scripts. I used this for a college screenwriting class. Others chose to just use traditional programs and struggled to get the formatting correct, as the very demanding format requirements of a script can be a real challenge. With Final Draft I was able to focus on the content not the format. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** The cost can be prohibitive. There is an ipad/iphone version available now that is much more cost effective, though at the time the PC version was the one I had used. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I was trying to find a program that would handle the formatting of scripts for me, so that I did not have to figure out how to enter the format, or get slowed down with worrying about correct type face, sizing, indents, etc. ### 45. Final Draft for professionals **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Internet | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 24, 2016 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** Final Draft is probably the most professional software for scripts. Many of Hollywood films scripts were written with it. Besides it help you format script correctly it has many helpful features. It has really cool Navigator which allows you to search characters or scenes in whole script. It is very helpful if you have several dozen of written pages. Shortcut keys are really simple. Notes are really readable thanks to coloring it. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** Only thing that I don’t like in Final Draft is price. For people who’s job is writing scripts it really low but for me as an amateur is too much. That is why I switch to free Celtx (which is now isn't fee anymore :( ). **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Final Draft really don’t need any recommendation. It is top of the scripting software. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** I'm writing scripts as a hobby. I made few amateur short film with my friends. Final Draft helps me format script correctly which is really good even if you are doing amateur film. ### 46. The Film Industry Standard **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Entertainment | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 22, 2016 **What do you like best about Final Draft?** To be honest, there isn't much to Final Draft on the surface. What make it essential is what is under the hood. The automatic formatting it does for screenplays and teleplays has become so expected that rare, if ever, is it that we stop to think about how backwards writing screenplays was thirty years ago. I can't imagine having to write a movie or commercial using a typewriter or word processor. Final Draft takes something that, without item would be time consuming, and allows the writer to simply type their story. **What do you dislike about Final Draft?** My only grip with Final Draft is that the mobile app version is not bundled with the desktop software. The additional charge for the mobile app seems silly, given that the two work together. **Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:** Without impugning other products, I think it's simplest to say that Final Draft is the screenwriting solution that has proven to be both the most reliable product and the most reliable company developing it and selling it over the last twenty years. There are other options who have come and gone. There are others who have more or less the same stability, yet lack the market penetration. There are even apps that claim to do what Final Draft does for much less cost. All of them are a gamble. While the cost may seem steep upfront, it pays dividends in the long-run by hedging yourself against losing data and much hard work that can never be repaid. **What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?** We use this in our organization to write scripts and teleplays for both creative projects and commercial projects we bid on. To put it mildly, we would not meet our deadlines without it. ## Final Draft Discussions - [What is Final Draft used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-final-draft-used-for) - 1 comment - [Is it worth upgrading to Final Draft 11?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-it-worth-upgrading-to-final-draft-11) - 1 comment - [Is Final Draft a one time purchase?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-final-draft-a-one-time-purchase) - 1 comment - [What is Final Draft educational?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-final-draft-educational) - 1 comment - [How much does final draft cost?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-does-final-draft-cost) - 1 comment - [View Final Draft pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/final-draft/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-14+16%3A24%3A58+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=e5cff111-25be-426d-9b4e-3cf291d272a2&secure%5Btoken%5D=367908ca8cc0bb33db7fff53c52250d872a077b3a3ff89ea084e39f93e41eb8f&format=llm_user) ## Final Draft Features **Document Creation** - Template Creation - Story Map - Formatting - PDF Creation **Design** - Graphics - Templates - Themes **Workflow** - Collaborative Creation - Comments and Tasks **Collaboration** - Multi-User Collaboration - Real-Time Communication **Platform** - Web Interface - Mobile apps **File Types** - Export - Import - Web Publishing **Edit & Revise** - Revision History - Suggestion Mode - Document Editor **Agentic AI - Screenwriting** - Autonomous Task Execution - Multi-step Planning - Adaptive Learning - Natural Language Interaction - Proactive Assistance **Integrate & Embed** - Calendar - Website - Applications **Operating System** - PC Operating System - Mac Operating System - Linux Operating System **Generative AI** - AI Text Generation - AI Text Summarization - AI Text-to-Image - AI Text-to-Speech - AI Image-to-Text **Agentic AI - Document Creation** - Proactive Assistance ## Top Final Draft Alternatives - [Scrivener](https://www.g2.com/products/scrivener/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (87 reviews) - [Celtx](https://www.g2.com/products/celtx/reviews) - 4.2/5.0 (78 reviews) - [WriterDuet](https://www.g2.com/products/writerduet/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (29 reviews)