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Final Draft description
Final Draft is the industry-standard screenwriting software used by professionals in film and television. It helps writers format scripts to industry standards, brainstorm ideas, and organize their writing. Final Draft offers various tools to streamline the writing process, from outlining to character management. It's a comprehensive solution designed specifically for screenwriters to create professional-level scripts.
Who is Final Draft best for
Final Draft is the industry-standard screenwriting software for film and television, designed for individual writers, studios, and production companies. Users praise its intuitive interface, automatic formatting, and helpful tools for outlining and character management. However, some find the pricing high and collaboration features limited.
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Best for small businesses.
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Ideal for film and television.
Final Draft features
| Supported Final Draft automatically formats scripts to industry standards. |
| Supported Final Draft supports scene cards for outlining and reordering scenes. |
| Supported Final Draft supports digital index cards for scene planning and reordering. |
| Supported Final Draft offers a library of pre-designed templates and allows customization. |
| Supported Final Draft supports detailed character profiles using features like Beat Board and Character Navigator. |
| Supported Final Draft supports real-time co-editing for multiple users. |
Final Draft reviews
We've summarised 43 Final Draft reviews (Final Draft G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.
- Industry-standard scriptwriting software, widely used in film and television.
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface for script formatting.
- Automatic formatting and templates for various script types.
- Helpful tools for outlining, character management, and brainstorming.
- Useful features like Navigator, reports, and revision mode.
- High price point, especially with recurring costs for new versions.
- Limited collaboration features compared to modern tools.
- Mobile app requires separate purchase.
- Occasional software bugs and compatibility issues after updates.
- Some advanced features can be overwhelming for new users.
Final Draft pricing
The commentary is based on 10 reviews from Final Draft G2 reviews.
Final Draft is widely considered the industry standard for screenwriting, offering excellent formatting and collaboration features. While the software is praised for its ease of use and robust tools, reviewers frequently mention its high cost and paid upgrades as significant drawbacks. Despite the price, many users find Final Draft a worthwhile investment for professional screenwriting.
Users sentiment
See the Final Draft pricing page.
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Final Draft has a free trial.
Personal
Best for personal use.
Upgrade
Best for current users of older Final Draft versions.
Educational Edition
Same functionality, discount for individual teachers and students.
Volume Licensing
Right for Organizations, Schools, and Enterprise
Final Draft alternatives
CeltxBetter for collaboration and pre-production planning. Caters to a wider range of creative projects including games. Has more momentum.Read more
final-draft vs ScrivenerBetter for long-form writing projects. A Final Draft alternative geared towards novelists and researchers. Easier to use, but harder to implement. Caters to a wider range of industries, including healthcare, education, and media.Read more
PlottrBetter for novelists and story planning. A Final Draft competitor focused on visual outlining and organization, Plottr is growing slower and is a better fit for Media & Entertainment.Read more
Xodo SignBetter for individuals, small to medium businesses, and enterprise customers seeking e-signatures. A strong Final Draft competitor for streamlining document workflows.Read more
BoldSignBetter for businesses needing e-signatures. A strong Final Draft alternative for legally-compliant document signing. BoldSign is growing faster and has higher ratings. Offers a more affordable and scalable solution.Read more
Final Draft FAQ
What is Final Draft and what does Final Draft do?
Final Draft is the industry-standard screenwriting software used by film and television professionals. It helps format scripts, brainstorm ideas, and organize writing with tools like scene cards, index cards, and character sheets. Final Draft streamlines the writing process from outlining to final draft.
How does Final Draft integrate with other tools?
Final Draft integrates with other tools through file import and export. It supports various industry-standard script formats, facilitating collaboration and workflow with other pre-production and post-production software. However, compared to modern alternatives, its real-time collaboration features are limited.
What the main competitors of Final Draft?
Top Final Draft alternatives include Celtx, known for its pre-production tools and collaboration features, and Scrivener, favored by writers for its organizational capabilities. Trelby offers a free, open-source option with robust formatting features. Plottr is a strong contender for visual planning and outlining.
Is Final Draft legit?
Final Draft is safe and legitimate software. It's the industry standard for screenwriting, used by professionals in film and television. While some users mention the high price and occasional bugs, many praise its intuitive interface and helpful tools.
How much does Final Draft cost?
Final Draft's pricing varies depending on the edition. The "Personal" license costs $249.99, the "Upgrade" is $99.99, and the "Educational Edition" is $129.99. Volume licensing for organizations offers custom pricing. Is Final Draft worth it? It depends on your specific needs and budget.
Is Final Draft customer service good?
Final Draft's customer service is generally considered excellent. Users frequently praise the prompt, courteous, and professional support they receive. The company is known for its willingness to help and readily available expertise.
Reviewed by
Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.
Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.