Fade In vs Screenwriter-mode

Fade In8.4Visit SMScreenwriter-mode7.9Visit

Higher score Fade In #4 in Screenwriting Software 8.4/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Fade In

vs

SM Screenwriter-mode #5 in Screenwriting Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit site

• Fade In fits best

  Serious writers wanting a strong one-time purchase

• Screenwriter-mode fits best

  Plain-text writers using lightweight desktop tools

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Side by side

Feature	Fade In 8.4/10 Visit ↗	SMScreenwriter-mode 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.4	7.9
Ranking	#4 in Screenwriting Software	#5 in Screenwriting Software
Best for	Serious writers wanting a strong one-time purchase	Plain-text writers using lightweight desktop tools
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$79.95 one-time	Free plan
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Integrations	1 integrations	1 integrations
Features Fade In 1/4 · Screenwriter-mode 1/4
Real-time collaboration	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Offline mode	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Revision tracking	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Production breakdown tools	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Linux, macOS, Windows
Export formats	extensive	PDF, .screenplay, .scp, .org
Our review
Pros	$79.95 one-time license with free updates Extensive import and export formats, including FDX and DOCX Outlining, revisions, breakdowns, reports, and collaboration tools	Free and cross-platform on Linux, macOS, and Windows Core screenplay formatting with automatic .scp and .screenplay activation Character, location, scheduling, and production-oriented reports
Cons	Fade In Access is separate from the desktop application Mobile access is browser-based rather than through mobile apps No free plan is offered	Requires comfort with GNU Emacs and command-line tools Collaboration features are outside its stated focus Revision and publishing capabilities are limited in scope
Our verdict	Fade In is screenwriting software for producing screenplays, teleplays, stage plays, radio scripts, and other scripted formats. Its desktop application supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, while Fade In Access provides browser-based editing… Read the review →	Screenwriter-mode is a screenplay-formatting plug-in for GNU Emacs, aimed at writers and production users who are comfortable working with Emacs and command-line tools. It supports slug lines, action, dialogue, and transitions, while… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Fade In — where it wins

  • $79.95 one-time license with free updates
  • Extensive import and export formats, including FDX and DOCX
  • Outlining, revisions, breakdowns, reports, and collaboration tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Fade In Access is separate from the desktop application
  • Mobile access is browser-based rather than through mobile apps
  • No free plan is offered

• Screenwriter-mode — where it wins

  • Free and cross-platform on Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Core screenplay formatting with automatic .scp and .screenplay activation
  • Character, location, scheduling, and production-oriented reports

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires comfort with GNU Emacs and command-line tools
  • Collaboration features are outside its stated focus
  • Revision and publishing capabilities are limited in scope

• Fade In8.4/10 · Paid

  A deep screenwriting tool with broad production features and a $79.95 one-time desktop license.

  Visit Fade InFull verdict →
• SMScreenwriter-mode7.9/10 · Free plan

  A free, plain-text screenplay tool for writers comfortable with GNU Emacs.

  Visit siteFull verdict →