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Head-to-head · Writing Apps

Scrivener vs Celtx

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Scrivener #2 in Writing Apps 9.3/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Scrivener
Celtx #3 in Writing Apps 9.2/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Celtx

Scrivener leads on 0 checks, Celtx on 2, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreScrivener · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Celtx
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresCeltx · 5 of 5

Scrivener scores higher on our rubric for writing apps: 9.3 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Celtx offers free plan; Scrivener doesn't. Celtx offers real-time collaboration; Scrivener doesn't. On export formats, Scrivener gives you Extensive where Celtx offers Standard.

Scrivener is the better fit for novelists and other long-form authors. Celtx is the better fit for production-oriented screenwriters.

  • Scrivener fits best

    Novelists and other long-form authors

  • Celtx fits best

    Production-oriented screenwriters

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Side by side

Feature Scrivener 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Celtx 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.2
Ranking #2 in Writing Apps #3 in Writing Apps
Best for Novelists and other long-form authors Production-oriented screenwriters
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $23.99 one-time $11.24/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days 7 days
Free trial length 30 days 7 days
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms macOS, Windows, iOS Web, macOS, Android
Features Scrivener 4/5 · Celtx 5/5
Publishing tools ✓ ✓
Real-time collaboration — ✓ (best)
Version history ✓ ✓
Offline mode ✓ ✓
Mobile apps ✓ ✓
Specs
Export formats Extensive Standard
Our review
Pros
  • Organizes drafts and research in a binder-style project structure
  • Snapshots, targets, and progress tracking support revision
  • Compiles manuscripts, screenplays, and ebooks for export
  • Automatic formatting for screenplay, stageplay, and multi-column scripts
  • Real-time co-writing, comments, permissions, and approvals
  • Production tools include breakdowns, schedules, budgets, and call sheets
Cons
  • Separate perpetual licences are required for each platform
  • No Google Docs-style real-time collaboration
  • Its extensive project structure may be unnecessary for short-form writing
  • Free plan is limited to one project
  • Version preview and restore are for subscribers
  • Platform coverage and export breadth are limited
Our verdict

Scrivener is a writing application for novelists, screenwriters, academics, journalists, and other long-form writers. Its binder-style structure lets authors divide a project into sections, rearrange them, and keep research alongside the…

Read the review →

Celtx brings scriptwriting and media production planning into a cloud-based workspace for screenwriters, stage writers, filmmakers, educators, and production teams. Its editors automatically format screenplay, stageplay, and multi-column…

Read the review →
  1. ScrivenerWriting Apps 9.330-day trial
  2. CeltxWriting Apps 9.2Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Scrivener — where it wins

    • Organizes drafts and research in a binder-style project structure
    • Snapshots, targets, and progress tracking support revision
    • Compiles manuscripts, screenplays, and ebooks for export

    Where it doesn't

    • Separate perpetual licences are required for each platform
    • No Google Docs-style real-time collaboration
    • Its extensive project structure may be unnecessary for short-form writing

  • Celtx — where it wins

    • Automatic formatting for screenplay, stageplay, and multi-column scripts
    • Real-time co-writing, comments, permissions, and approvals
    • Production tools include breakdowns, schedules, budgets, and call sheets

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to one project
    • Version preview and restore are for subscribers
    • Platform coverage and export breadth are limited
  • Scrivener9.3/10 · 30-day trial

    A structured workspace for drafting, organizing, and compiling long-form work.

    Visit ScrivenerFull verdict →
  • Celtx9.2/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    Scriptwriting and production planning for screenwriters working with collaborators.

    Visit CeltxFull verdict →

More comparisons

All writing apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update