Free Final Draft AlternativesTop Novel Authoring & Story Writing Tools like Final Draft

The best free alternative to Final Draft is Manuskript, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Final Draft and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Final Draft are Story Architect (STARC), yWriter, Rayuela Editor and Causality Story Sequencer.

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Alternatives list

  1. Manuskript icon

    Manuskript

     170 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.

    124 Manuskript alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Manuskript screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    Manuskript vs Final Draft Comments
    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 is Free and Open SourceFinal Draft is Paid and Proprietary
  2. Story Architect (STARC) icon

    Story Architect (STARC)

     17 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.

    48 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Android
    Story Architect (STARC) screenshot 1
     
  4. yWriter icon

    yWriter

     69 likes

    yWriter is a writing tool that uses "scenes" as a unit of text and allows you to associate that text with all manner of story elements (characters, locations, items) as well as place it and rearrange it within the context of chapters.

    79 yWriter alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Main screen on Windows XP
     
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    2
    yWriter vs Final Draft Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    5

    yWriter is for novels. Final Draft is for screenplays.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    Not screenplay or script writing software

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • yWriter is Freemium and ProprietaryFinal Draft is Paid and Proprietary
    • yWriter is LightweightFinal Draft is not according to our users
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  6. 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.

    46 Rayuela Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    Dark Mode
     
  8. Trelby icon

    Trelby

     32 likes

    Trelby is simple, fast and elegantly laid out to make screenwriting simple. It is infinitely configurable.

    31 Trelby alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Trelby
     
    |
    1
    Trelby vs Final Draft Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It's faster and easier than Fianl Draft and has converting options to many formats.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Trelby is Free and Open SourceFinal Draft is Paid and Proprietary
    • Trelby is CustomizableFinal Draft is not according to our users
  10. Celtx icon

    Celtx

     42 likes

    Based on the Firefox engine, supports standards, visual storyboarding, production scheduling, publication & international languages MUI support. Free tutorials, videos & wiki are available from the site. There is a very helpful community too.

    49 Celtx alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Celtx screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Celtx vs Final Draft Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Free version for writers to get started.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Celtx is Freemium and ProprietaryFinal Draft is Paid and Proprietary
  11. Screenplay Editor icon

    Screenplay Editor

     Like

    Screenplay Editor brings industry-standard screenplay formatting directly into Google Docs. Format scene headings, action, character names, dialogue, and parentheticals with one click. Export to PDF or .fdx when you're done.

    3 Screenplay Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Google Docs
    • Google Workspace
    Screenplay Editor screenshot 1
     
  13. 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.
     
  14. Campfire Write icon

    Campfire Write

     7 likes

    Campfire provides a one-stop-shop for novelists: organizational and writing tools (Campfire Write), a hub of writing resources (Campfire Learn), & a writing and reading platform for building an audience and sharing your work (Campfire Explore).

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    Campfire Write screenshot 1
     
  15. Paper - Writing App icon

    Paper - Writing App

     5 likes

    Super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Paper - Writing App screenshot 1
     
12 of 31 Final Draft alternatives