Final Draft AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Text Editors

The best Text Editor alternative to Final Draft is Manuskript, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Final Draft and 13 are Text Editors so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Text Editor alternatives to Final Draft are Story Architect (STARC), Hemingway Editor, Rayuela Editor and Inkwell Editor.

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Alternatives list

  1. Manuskript icon

    Manuskript

     169 likes

    Open-source software offering a hierarchical outliner, distraction-free editor, character management, plot tools, Snowflake method support, section multi-organization, customizable writing workflows, cross-platform availability, and export to standard formats.

    123 Manuskript alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Manuskript screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    Comments about Manuskript as an Alternative to Final Draft
    Top Positive Comment
    José Relland
    1

    Manuskript is more for "quite complex" novels. Not really for screenplays.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    9

    Manuskript is not a scriptwriting program.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    M is for novels, FD is for Screenwriting

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    Manuskript icon
    Manuskript icon
    • Manuskript is Free and Open SourceFinal Draft is Paid and Proprietary
  2. Story Architect (STARC) icon

    Story Architect (STARC)

     15 likes

    A smooth yet powerful writing experience for devoted authors. With only wanted features and native workflow it runs faster than all your previous apps combined.

    46 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Android
    Story Architect (STARC) screenshot 1
     
  5. Rayuela Editor icon

    Rayuela Editor

     2 likes

    Rayuela Editor is moderm, privacy-focused writing environment designed for long-form fiction (novels, screenplays, and theses). It bridges the gap between the structural power of Scrivener and the portability of modern web technology, wrapped in a native desktop application.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Dark Mode
     
  6. Inkwell Editor icon

    Inkwell Editor

     1 like

    Inkwell is a modern screenwriting app that combines professional formatting with an integrated AI co-writer named Quill. Designed for writers, not robots, Inkwell helps you brainstorm ideas, improve dialogue, and refine your story while keeping your creative voice in full...

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Quill never auto-applies edits. Suggestions appear as diffs—added text in green, deletions in red. Click accept or reject. Simple. Transparent. You stay in complete control of every single word.
     
  9. Highland icon

    Highland

     3 likes

    With Highland, crafting a perfectly-formatted screenplay is as simple as writing an email. Just type. Highland will make it look good.

    16 Highland alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Highland screenshot 1
     
  10. JotterPad icon

    JotterPad

     22 likes

    Designed for creative writers, JotterPad is a plain text editor without the fuss and distraction of a word processor. It is perfect for writing books, novels, lyrics, poems, essays, drafts and screenplays.

    32 JotterPad alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    JotterPad Android interface
     
  11. Shy Editor icon

    Shy Editor

     3 likes

    Shy Editor is an online text editor and writing environment that was designed for maximum writer productivity. It is used every day by novelists, non-fiction writers, students, academics, bloggers, content creators, journalists, and more.

    66 Shy Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Shy Editor screenshot 1
     
  12. Clapperbie icon

    Clapperbie

     1 like

    Clapperbie is the first screenwriting and production platform designed for franchises, series, and cinematic universes. Go beyond single scripts and manage entire story worlds in one unified workspace.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Screenshot of script formatting and scene management interface in Clapperbie
     
  13. WriterDuet icon

    WriterDuet

     8 likes

    Collaborative screenwriting for everyone*

    *Great for solo writers as well!.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
     
    |
    1
    Comments about WriterDuet as an Alternative to Final Draft
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    SO intuitive, real-time collaboration, integrated outliner, unlimited revision tracking, access from anywhere, online and offline writing, perfectly standard (can't tell the difference from a Final Draft PDF), compatible with basically all filetypes, and my favorite thing: see full line history and all line comments in one click, next to every line.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    WriterDuet icon
    WriterDuet icon
    • WriterDuet is Freemium and ProprietaryFinal Draft is Paid and Proprietary
  14. First Draft icon

    First Draft

     2 likes

    First Draft, developed by a 15-year professional writer, is an offline, artificially intelligent writing tool that assists a huge number of literary tasks.

    100 First Draft alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    First Draft screenshot 1
     
12 of 13 Final Draft alternatives