Head-to-head · Screenwriting Software
OpenDraft vs Scriptum
OpenDraft leads on 1 check, Scriptum on 0, and 4 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 · 7.9/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresOpenDraft · 4 of 4
OpenDraft scores higher on our rubric for screenwriting software: 7.9 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #9.
OpenDraft offers real-time collaboration; Scriptum doesn't.
OpenDraft is the better fit for free, full-platform collaborative screenwriting. Scriptum is the better fit for free offline writers needing revisions and breakdowns.
- OpenDraft fits best
Free, full-platform collaborative screenwriting
- Scriptum fits best
Free offline writers needing revisions and breakdowns
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Side by side
| Feature | OpenDraft 7.9/10 Visit ↗ | Scriptum 7.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| Ranking | #6 in Screenwriting Software | #9 in Screenwriting Software |
| Best for | Free, full-platform collaborative screenwriting | Free offline writers needing revisions and breakdowns |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile | Cloud, Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features OpenDraft 4/4 · Scriptum 3/4 | ||
| Real-time collaboration | ✓ (best) | — |
| Offline mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Revision tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Production breakdown tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, Android, browser | web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Export formats | PDF, Microsoft Word (.docx), Final Draft (.fdx), Fountain (.fountain), Fade In (.fadein), Open Screenplay Format (.osf), OpenDraft (.odraft) | Scriptum (.scriptum), Final Draft (.fdx), Fountain (.fountain, .spmd), plain text (.txt), PDF |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | 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 → |
Scriptum is free, open-source screenwriting software for writers who want industry-standard formatting without a subscription. It supports browser use and downloadable desktop software for macOS, Windows, and Linux, with offline mode and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
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
Scriptum — where it wins
- Industry-standard formatting with autocomplete and screenplay pagination
- Revision snapshots, comparisons, restoration, and revision sets
- Production tagging, breakdown reports, and local PDF export
Where it doesn't
- No real-time collaboration for shared writing workflows
- No cloud synchronization, accounts, or online screenplay storage
- On-device table reads use system or browser voices
- OpenDraft7.9/10 · Free plan
A broad, no-cost screenwriting suite for writing, collaboration, revisions, and production planning.
Visit OpenDraftFull verdict → - Scriptum7.6/10 · Free plan
A capable offline screenwriting workspace for writers who do not need collaboration.
Visit ScriptumFull verdict →
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All screenwriting software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update






