Free screenwriting software you write in online
No trial, no watermark, no time limit. Write screenplays online in your browser with industry-standard formatting, autosave, and PDF and Fountain export — all free. You only pay if you choose optional extras.
What “free” actually means here
Plenty of tools call themselves free and then meter the parts you need. Here is exactly what costs nothing — for as long as you write.
Free forever — not a trial
Writing, automatic formatting, cloud autosave, live page count, and PDF + Fountain export are free for as long as you use them. No watermark, no page limit, no countdown clock.
A free account, no card needed
You create a free account so your scripts save to the cloud and follow you across devices — exactly like an online document editor. The free library holds up to 3 screenplays, and no payment is required to start.
The same editor, free by default
This is the same writing tool as our writer product. “Free” here is the default experience, not a stripped-down sample meant to push you toward a purchase.
Everything you need to write, at no cost
The free editor takes a screenplay from blank page to finished PDF — and there is nothing you have to pay to configure first.
Formatting that costs you nothing
Scene headings, action, character, dialogue, parentheticals, and transitions all land on standard margins (US Letter, Courier 12pt) automatically. A line that starts with INT. or EXT. becomes a scene heading on its own — no formatting menus, no paid template packs.
A keyboard flow, free of menus
Enter advances to the next logical element, Tab cycles element types, and ⌥1–6 (Option, or Alt on Windows) sets a type directly. The whole writing flow is keyboard-first, so you keep your hands on the page instead of hunting through paid toolbars.
Autocomplete from your own pages
Scene headings and character names autocomplete from what you have already written. Type a couple of letters and your location or protagonist is one keystroke away — no setup, no cost.
Live page count, always on
A running page estimate updates as you write, so you always know how long your screenplay is. It is part of the free editor, not a premium add-on.
Autosave that never charges you
Your work saves to the cloud as you type, with a crash-safe copy kept on your device. Close the tab mid-scene and pick up exactly where you left off on any computer — included for free.
Free PDF and Fountain export
Download a properly paginated, industry-standard PDF or an open plain-text Fountain (.fountain) file whenever you want. No watermark, no export fee — your script is never locked in.
What's free vs. what's optional and paid
The whole point of this page: a clear, honest line between what costs nothing and the optional extras you can ignore entirely.
← Scroll horizontally to see the full table →
| What's free | What's optional (paid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Write & edit unlimited screenplays | Free | — |
| Automatic industry-standard formatting | Free | — |
| Cloud autosave + PDF/Fountain export | Free | — |
| Cloud library | 3 screenplays | Writer Pro $5/mo → 100 |
| AI script assistant | — | Optional: 1 credit per message, packs from $5 |
| Coverage / Combo / Script Reader audio | — | Separate paid products ($39 / $78 / $29), not part of the editor |
You can write, format, autosave, and export forever without paying. The only paid things are optional: a bigger cloud library, the AI assistant, and our separate report products.
Why it's actually free
The editor is free because our paid products pay for it. When you want analysis, AIScriptReader sells screenplay coverage, development notes, and an audio Script Reader as separate products. Those fund the writing tool, so we do not have to gate the part you use every day. Writing stays free, and the only paid features are ones you opt into.
Free screenwriting software FAQ
Is this screenwriting software really free?
Yes. Writing, automatic formatting, cloud autosave, live page count, and exporting to PDF and Fountain are all free, with no watermarks, no page limits, and no time limit. You create a free account so your screenplays save to the cloud and are available wherever you sign in — that account is free too.
What's the catch — is it a free trial?
There is no catch and it is not a trial. The editor is free forever. Only optional extras cost money: a larger cloud library, the AI script assistant, and our separate report products. If you only want to write, format, and export, you never pay anything.
What costs money?
Three optional things, none of which you need to write. A bigger cloud library is Writer Pro at $5/month, which raises your library from 3 to 100 screenplays. The AI script assistant is pay-as-you-go at 1 credit per message, with credit packs from $5 and no credits given away for free. And our coverage reports, combo reports, and Script Reader audio drama are separate products you can buy if you want analysis — they are not part of the editor.
Can I write screenplays online for free without downloading anything?
Yes. Everything runs in your web browser on Mac, Windows, Linux, or a Chromebook, and it is mobile-friendly so you can write on a phone or tablet too. There is nothing to install and no license key.
Do I get watermarks or page limits on the free plan?
No. There are no watermarks on your exports, no page limits on your scripts, and no time limit on how long you can use the editor. Free means free — the pages you write and export are clean and yours.
How many scripts can I store for free?
Three. A free account keeps up to 3 screenplays in your cloud library, each with full autosave and export. If you need more room, Writer Pro ($5/month, cancel anytime) raises that to 100. Writing itself stays free and unlimited — you can always export or delete a screenplay to free up a slot.
Do I keep the rights to scripts I write for free?
Yes. Your work is yours, and writing it here transfers no rights to us. Your scripts are stored privately in your account and are only visible to you.
Do I need a credit card to start?
No. Creating a free account and using the editor requires no payment information at all. You only enter payment details if you later choose an optional paid extra.
Keep exploring
Want the editor-focused tour? See the screenplay editor. Looking at the writing tool more broadly? Try our screenwriting app. Comparing paid tools? Read the full screenwriting software comparison. And once a draft is finished, screenplay coverage and development notes are one upload away.