Celtx vs OpenDraft

Celtx9.1Visit OpenDraft7.9Visit

Higher score Celtx #2 in Screenwriting Software 9.1/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Celtx

vs

OpenDraft #6 in Screenwriting Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit OpenDraft

• 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 9.1/10 Visit ↗	OpenDraft 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	7.9
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/mo	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	7 days	—
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 checked yet	✓ (best)
Offline mode	✓	✓
Revision tracking	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Production breakdown tools	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	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 →

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

• Celtx9.1/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

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

  Visit CeltxFull verdict →
• OpenDraft7.9/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit OpenDraftFull verdict →