Screenwriter-mode vs Story Architect

SMScreenwriter-mode—Visit Story Architect9.8Visit

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

vs

Higher score Story Architect #7 in Screenwriting Software 9.8/10 Free plan · paid from $4.17/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Try Story Architect

• Screenwriter-mode fits best

  Plain-text writers using lightweight desktop tools

• Story Architect fits best

  Budget-conscious writers needing broad features

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Side by side

Feature	SMScreenwriter-mode —/10 Visit ↗	Story Architect 9.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	—	9.8
Ranking	#5 in Screenwriting Software	#7 in Screenwriting Software
Best for	Plain-text writers using lightweight desktop tools	Budget-conscious writers needing broad features
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Screenwriter-mode 1/4 · Story Architect 4/4
Real-time collaboration	Not published	✓ (best)
Offline mode	Not published	✓ (best)
Revision tracking	Not published	✓ (best)
Production breakdown tools	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Linux, macOS, Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Export formats	PDF, .screenplay, .scp, .org	DOCX, PDF, FDX, Fountain
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	Free plan includes unlimited projects and documents Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android Supports collaboration, breakdowns, revisions, and broad file formats
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	Mobile sync is still in development Real-time collaboration starts with the Creator tier AI writing assistance uses separately priced credit packs
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 →	Story Architect is screenwriting and story-development software for screenwriters and other authors. Its screenplay editor covers loglines, synopses, title pages, treatments, script text, statistics, and scene-number locking. The… 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

• Story Architect — where it wins

  • Free plan includes unlimited projects and documents
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
  • Supports collaboration, breakdowns, revisions, and broad file formats

  Where it doesn't

  • Mobile sync is still in development
  • Real-time collaboration starts with the Creator tier
  • AI writing assistance uses separately priced credit packs

• SMScreenwriter-mode—/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• Story Architect9.8/10 · Free plan · paid from $4.17/mo (annual) · 30-day trial

  A broad, affordable writing suite with planning, collaboration, breakdowns, and AI tools.

  Try Story ArchitectFull verdict →