Screenwriter-mode vs OpenDraft

SMScreenwriter-mode7.9Visit OpenDraft7.9Visit

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

vs

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

• Screenwriter-mode fits best

  Plain-text writers using lightweight desktop tools

• OpenDraft fits best

  Free, full-platform collaborative screenwriting

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	SMScreenwriter-mode 7.9/10 Visit ↗	OpenDraft 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.9	7.9
Ranking	#5 in Screenwriting Software	#6 in Screenwriting Software
Best for	Plain-text writers using lightweight desktop tools	Free, full-platform collaborative screenwriting
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	1 integrations	3 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Screenwriter-mode 1/4 · OpenDraft 4/4
Real-time collaboration	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Offline mode	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Revision tracking	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Production breakdown tools	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Linux, macOS, Windows	macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, Android, browser
Export formats	PDF, .screenplay, .scp, .org	PDF, Microsoft Word (.docx), Final Draft (.fdx), Fountain (.fountain), Fade In (.fadein), Open Screenplay Format (.osf), OpenDraft (.odraft)
Our review
Pros	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	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	Requires comfort with GNU Emacs and command-line tools Collaboration features are outside its stated focus Revision and publishing capabilities are limited in scope	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	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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• SMScreenwriter-mode7.9/10 · Free plan

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

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

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

  Visit OpenDraftFull verdict →