ActOne Screenplay review
A free, open-source screenplay workspace for Windows and Linux writers.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ActOne Screenplay is a free, open-source desktop application for screenwriters and filmmakers working on Windows or Linux. It edits Fountain plain text while showing live screenplay formatting and pagination, and it combines writing, outlining, revision tracking, analytics, and production preparation in one local workspace. Multi-script projects can include Markdown prose notes, making the application suitable for writers developing several scripts or keeping supporting material alongside a draft. Its focus is practical screenwriting rather than broad, cloud-based collaboration.
The writing and development tools cover several stages of a screenplay workflow. Hierarchical outline navigation uses scene markers and synopses, while X-Ray provides pacing and dialogue analytics. Local timestamped revision snapshots support draft history without requiring online sync. Production breakdown tagging covers props, wardrobe, stunts, and VFX, extending the application beyond drafting. When a script is ready to share or move into another workflow, ActOne exports to PDF and Final Draft XML. These features make it a strong fit for writers who want structured planning and production-oriented metadata alongside Fountain editing.
ActOne also emphasizes local operation. The application runs without mandatory sign-ins or online sync dependencies, and its AI co-pilot can connect to Ollama, LM Studio, or custom API keys. That arrangement suits users who want control over their AI backend, but it adds configuration choices rather than providing a single managed service. The official site identifies ActOne as beta software, so writers seeking a more established platform may prefer an alternative. Choose ActOne for free, open-source, offline screenplay work on Windows or Linux; choose elsewhere if macOS support, mature team collaboration, or a non-beta product is essential.
ActOne Screenplay pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Live Fountain formatting with screenplay pagination and outline navigation
- Local revision snapshots, pacing analytics, and production breakdown tags
- PDF and Final Draft XML export with local or custom-API AI backends
- Where it doesn't
- Supports Windows and Linux, with no listed macOS version
- Beta software may not suit teams seeking a mature production platform
- AI connections require Ollama, LM Studio, or user-provided API keys
ActOne Screenplay fact sheet, pricing and score →
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