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Head-to-head · Storyboarding Software

Boords vs PanelForge

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Boords #3 in Storyboarding Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Boords
PanelForge #8 in Storyboarding Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit PanelForge

Boords leads on 0 checks, PanelForge on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBoords · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPanelForge · 1 of 4

Boords scores higher on our rubric for storyboarding software: 8.8 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Boords is the better fit for video teams coordinating boards and client approvals. PanelForge is the better fit for desktop artists creating drawn animatics on a budget.

  • Boords fits best

    Video teams coordinating boards and client approvals

  • PanelForge fits best

    Desktop artists creating drawn animatics on a budget

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Side by side

Feature Boords 8.8/10 Visit ↗ PanelForge 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.9
Ranking #3 in Storyboarding Software #8 in Storyboarding Software
Best for Video teams coordinating boards and client approvals Desktop artists creating drawn animatics on a budget
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $26/user/mo £7/user/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Desktop
Platforms Web Windows, macOS
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Community, Email, Phone
Integrations 5 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Boords 0/4 · PanelForge 1/4
Real-time collaboration Not checked yet Not checked yet
Animatic tools Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Script import Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom characters Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Export formats PDF, DOCX, XLSX, image files, MP4, Google Slides, Markdown, plain text MP4 H.264, QuickTime, PDF, PNG, JPEG, PSD, XML, Alembic
Supported platforms Not checked yet Windows, macOS
Our review
Pros
  • Combines script editing, storyboard frames, shot lists, and animatics
  • Real-time collaboration, guest comments, and approval tracking
  • Client review links and exports including MP4 and Google Slides
  • Layered 2D canvas and 3D stage support detailed storyboard work
  • Timeline, multitrack audio and preview tools support animatic production
  • Exports to MP4, QuickTime, PDF, XML, Alembic and image sequences
Cons
  • Free tier is limited to a single user
  • Pro and higher plans have stated user caps
  • Annual Agency pricing is not specified in the listed plans
  • Runs on Windows and macOS desktop systems only
  • Free projects are limited to 100 panels and 1080p resolution
  • Unlimited panels, 8k+ output and priority support require Studio
Our verdict

Boords brings script writing, storyboard creation, shot lists, and animatics into a browser-based pre-production workspace. It is aimed at video agencies, studios, and brand teams that need to develop a project visually and share it for…

Read the review →

PanelForge is desktop pre-production software for animation, video and film teams. It brings together a layered 2D drawing canvas with brush and tablet support, a 3D stage for geometry, cameras, lighting and materials, storyboard panel…

Read the review →
  1. BoordsStoryboarding Software 8.8Free plan
  2. PanelForgeStoryboarding Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Boords — where it wins

    • Combines script editing, storyboard frames, shot lists, and animatics
    • Real-time collaboration, guest comments, and approval tracking
    • Client review links and exports including MP4 and Google Slides

    Where it doesn't

    • Free tier is limited to a single user
    • Pro and higher plans have stated user caps
    • Annual Agency pricing is not specified in the listed plans

  • PanelForge — where it wins

    • Layered 2D canvas and 3D stage support detailed storyboard work
    • Timeline, multitrack audio and preview tools support animatic production
    • Exports to MP4, QuickTime, PDF, XML, Alembic and image sequences

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows and macOS desktop systems only
    • Free projects are limited to 100 panels and 1080p resolution
    • Unlimited panels, 8k+ output and priority support require Studio

More comparisons

All storyboarding software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update