Open Source Final Draft AlternativesTop Novel Authoring & Story Writing Tools like Final Draft

The best open source alternative to Final Draft is Manuskript. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Final Draft and eight of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Final Draft are Story Architect (STARC), Trelby, Scrite and Wavemaker Novel Writing.

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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.

    121 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.

    45 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Trelby

     32 likes

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

    28 Trelby alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Trelby
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Trelby as an Alternative to Final Draft
    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 icon
    Trelby icon
    • Trelby is Free and Open SourceFinal Draft is Paid and Proprietary
    • Trelby is CustomizableFinal Draft is not according to our users
  5. Scrite icon

    Scrite

     4 likes

    Scrite is an open-source app to make screenplay writing fun, engaging and productive. You will always be able to write for free using the Scrite app.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Scrite screenshot 1
     
  6. Wavemaker Novel Writing icon

    Wavemaker Novel Writing

     17 likes

    Looking for a suite of tools for writing your book? This is not just a text editor it does so much more. Organise your story using timelines, planning boards and the snowflake tool, all integrated to make writing intuitive and fun.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Wavemaker Novel Writing screenshot 1
     
  7. (Beat) icon

    (Beat)

     1 like

    Beat is an elegant screenwriting app for macOS and iOS, created by a screenwriter for screenwriters. And best of all — Beat is fully open source!

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    The Beat user interface
     
  9. Page 2 Stage icon

    Page 2 Stage

     2 likes

    Page 2 Stage is screenwriting software designed expressly for people writing screenplays, scripts, and plays. It provides numerous features needed by screenwriters not found in standard word processors.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Page 2 Stage screenshot 1
     
8 of 8 Final Draft alternatives