Open Source Final Draft Alternatives

The best open source alternative to Final Draft is Manuskript. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Final Draft and five 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 Page 2 Stage.

Final Draft alternatives are mainly Novel Authoring Tools but may also be Note-taking Tools or Text Editors. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Final Draft.

Final Draft alternatives page was last updated

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Manuskript
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Novel Authoring Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Flathub
100 Manuskript alternatives
Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.
- - Manuskript is the most popular Linux alternative to Final Draft.
- - Manuskript is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Final Draft.
Suggest and vote on features
Manuskript Features
1. Works OfflineManuskript can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Ad-freeManuskript doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Dark ModeManuskript supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Support for MarkDownManuskript supports MarkDown for document formatting.
5. File VersioningManuskript has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Outliner
Tree structure
Tracking of plots
Distraction-free Writing
Tracking of characters
Plot visualisation
Track Characters
Export to EPUB
Visual timeline
Tracking of locations
Comments about Manuskript as a Alternative to Final Draft
This alternative is disputed. Manuskript is still a legitimate Final Draft alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
José Relland
Manuskript is more for "quite complex" novels. Not really for screenplays.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
Manuskript is for novels. Final Draft is for screenplays.
Negative comment•
11

Guest
Manuskript is not a scriptwriting program.
Negative comment•
7

Guest
Manuskript is for writing novels.
Negative comment•
5
Story Architect (STARC)
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Novel Authoring Tool
Text Editor
Note-taking Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
AppImageHub
Flathub
30 Story Architect (STARC) alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Story Architect (STARC) Features
1. LightweightStory Architect (STARC) consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Spell CheckingStory Architect (STARC) can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
3. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Story Architect (STARC) simultaneously.
4. PortableStory Architect (STARC) can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. AutocompletionStory Architect (STARC) can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
6. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Story Architect (STARC).
7. Distraction-freeStory Architect (STARC) has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
8. Dark ModeStory Architect (STARC) supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Hierarchical StructureOrganize your notes, pages, documents, etc., hierarchically with Story Architect (STARC).
Outliner
Screenwriting
Writing assistance
Collaborative writing
Export to PDF
Visual Novel
Tracking of plots
No Coding Required
Tree structure
Works Offline
Trelby
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Windows
Linux
22 Trelby alternatives
Trelby is simple, fast and elegantly laid out to make screenwriting simple. It is infinitely configurable.
Suggest and vote on features
Trelby Features
1. WYSIWYG SupportTrelby integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
Customizable
Discontinued
The project is no longer developed. Last version, 2.2, released in September 2012, can be still downloaded from the official website.

Comments about Trelby as a Alternative to Final Draft
Almost everyone thinks Trelby is a great Final Draft alternative.
Guest
It's faster and easier than Fianl Draft and has converting options to many formats.
Positive comment•
0
Scrite
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
5 Scrite alternatives
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.
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Scrite Features
Screenwriting
Page 2 Stage
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Word Processor
Windows
10 Page 2 Stage alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Page 2 Stage Features
Screenwriting
Discontinued
Discontinued