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Head-to-head · Screenwriting Software

Celtx vs OpenDraft

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Celtx #2 in Screenwriting Software 6.4/10 Free plan · paid from $11.24/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Celtx
Higher score OpenDraft #6 in Screenwriting Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit OpenDraft

Celtx leads on 0 checks, OpenDraft on 3, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpenDraft · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresOpenDraft · 4 of 4

OpenDraft scores higher on our rubric for screenwriting software: 9.0 against 6.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #2.

OpenDraft offers real-time collaboration; Celtx doesn't publish it. OpenDraft offers revision tracking; Celtx doesn't publish it. OpenDraft offers production breakdown tools; Celtx doesn't publish it.

Celtx is the better fit for writers moving from scripts into production. OpenDraft is the better fit for free, full-platform collaborative screenwriting.

  • Celtx fits best

    Writers moving from scripts into production

  • OpenDraft fits best

    Free, full-platform collaborative screenwriting

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Side by side

Feature Celtx 6.4/10 Visit ↗ OpenDraft 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 6.4 9.0
Ranking #2 in Screenwriting Software #6 in Screenwriting Software
Best for Writers moving from scripts into production Free, full-platform collaborative screenwriting
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $11.24/user/mo Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, macOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Features Celtx 1/4 · OpenDraft 4/4
Real-time collaboration Not published ✓ (best)
Offline mode ✓ ✓
Revision tracking Not published ✓ (best)
Production breakdown tools Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Not published macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, Android, browser
Export formats standard PDF, Microsoft Word (.docx), Final Draft (.fdx), Fountain (.fountain), Fade In (.fadein), Open Screenplay Format (.osf), OpenDraft (.odraft)
Our review
Pros
  • Automatic formatting for screenplay, stageplay, and multi-column scripts
  • Real-time collaboration with comments, permissions, and approvals
  • Production tools for breakdowns, schedules, budgets, and call sheets
  • Professional screenplay formatting with beat boards and index cards
  • Real-time collaboration, permissions, version history, and track changes
  • Broad platform support with imports, exports, and production tagging
Cons
  • The Free plan is limited to one project
  • Advanced production features require paid or specific plans
  • Offline editing availability differs between web and Android descriptions
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple drafting
  • Production tagging is geared toward workflows beyond writing alone
  • Self-hosting requires managing the deployment environment
Our verdict

Celtx is cloud-based software for screenwriters, stage writers, filmmakers, studios, educators, and media production teams. It covers automatic screenplay, stageplay, and multi-column script formatting, while also extending into story…

Read the review →

OpenDraft is a free, open-source screenwriting application for writers, collaborators, and production-focused teams. It combines an industry-standard screenplay editor with beat boards, drag-and-drop index cards, character profiles,…

Read the review →
  1. CeltxScreenwriting Software 6.4Free plan · paid from $11.24/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial
  2. OpenDraftScreenwriting Software 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Celtx — where it wins

    • Automatic formatting for screenplay, stageplay, and multi-column scripts
    • Real-time collaboration with comments, permissions, and approvals
    • Production tools for breakdowns, schedules, budgets, and call sheets

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan is limited to one project
    • Advanced production features require paid or specific plans
    • Offline editing availability differs between web and Android descriptions

  • OpenDraft — where it wins

    • Professional screenplay formatting with beat boards and index cards
    • Real-time collaboration, permissions, version history, and track changes
    • Broad platform support with imports, exports, and production tagging

    Where it doesn't

    • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple drafting
    • Production tagging is geared toward workflows beyond writing alone
    • Self-hosting requires managing the deployment environment
  • Celtx6.4/10 · Free plan · paid from $11.24/user/mo (annual) · 7-day trial

    A strong fit for writers who need production planning beyond screenplay formatting.

    Visit CeltxFull verdict →
  • OpenDraft9.0/10 · Free plan

    A broad, no-cost screenwriting suite for writing, collaboration, revisions, and production planning.

    Visit OpenDraftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All screenwriting software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on screenwriting software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026