Arc Studio Pro

Arc Studio Pro is screenwriting software for creating and managing scripts on Mac, Windows, iPadOS, iOS, and browsers. Its tools include industry formatting, Focus mode, timed writing sprints, notes, and outlining. Users can work offline, compare versions through draft history, and recover deleted text. Encryption and automatic backups protect work on devices and in the cloud. The Free plan allows up to two scripts and PDF exports with a watermark; starting to write does not require a credit card, and accounts include a seven-day Pro trial. Free is free, billed annually. Essentials is $69 a year and includes unlimited scripts, advanced formatting, desktop and mobile apps, and PDF export. Pro is $99 a year and includes history, revision management, outlining tools, feedback links, and two collaborators. Collaboration works on Free, but inviting collaborators requires a subscription. The product is published by Arc Studio Labs, Inc., headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.

Arc Studio Pro combines script drafting tools with offline access and draft recovery. Check the script limit and watermark on Free, or the annual prices and collaboration requirements for paid plans.

Arc Studio Pro suits screenwriters who want script formatting and drafting tools across desktop, mobile, and browser platforms. Its free tier may suit writers working on up to two scripts.

Arc Studio Pro is screenwriting software for writers who want dedicated screenplay formatting and drafting tools across desktop, mobile, and browser. It works for solo writers as well as teams, though its free plan is best treated as a starting point: it caps scripts at two and marks PDF exports.

Overview

Arc Studio Pro combines industry formatting with Focus mode, timed sprints, notes, and outlining. The mix supports both focused page-by-page drafting and planning a story’s structure. Publishing tools, offline mode, and standard export formats help writers carry a script from drafting toward sharing, while automatic draft history can restore deleted text.

Encryption and automatic backups protect work on devices and in the cloud, useful safeguards for scripts that go through repeated revisions. Collaboration works on Free, but inviting collaborators requires a subscription. Writers can manage script access with one click, giving solo users a straightforward route to shared work when they are ready to pay.

Key features

The free plan includes industry-standard formatting, comments, Fountain and Final Draft export, and PDF export with a watermark. That is a credible way to draft and exchange a small number of scripts without a credit card. The two-script limit and marked PDFs, however, make Free a poor fit for writers building a larger portfolio or sharing clean PDFs professionally.

Paid plans add more room and capability in stages. Essentials removes the script cap and adds advanced formatting, desktop and iPhone and iPad apps, and PDF export. Pro adds outlining tools, history, revision management, feedback links, The Stash, and the ability to invite collaborators. Automatic draft history adds practical protection against deleted text, while the one-click access controls make shared projects easier to manage.

Pricing

Free costs nothing and is free forever. It allows up to two scripts, with industry-standard formatting, comments, Fountain and Final Draft export, and watermarked PDF export. A free seven-day Pro trial is included with every account, and starting the free writing experience does not require a credit card. This suits writers evaluating the workflow or drafting a couple of scripts; the PDF watermark and cap are meaningful constraints for ongoing work.

Essentials costs $69 a year, billed annually. It includes advanced formatting, unlimited scripts, a desktop app, iPhone and iPad apps, and PDF export. It is the sensible step for a solo writer who has outgrown Free’s script limit or needs unwatermarked PDF export, but does not need the listed Pro collaboration and revision tools.

Pro costs $99 a year, billed annually. It includes professional features and season outlines with two collaborators, plus inviting collaborators, outlining tools, history, revision management, feedback links, and The Stash. Writers who regularly develop scripts with others or need those planning and revision features have a clear reason to pay the extra $30 per year over Essentials. Students can receive $70 off Pro with an .edu address.

Platforms

Arc Studio Pro supports Mac, Windows, iPadOS, iOS, and browsers. Android users can access it through Chrome, but without long-term offline support, so it is a weaker fit for writers who need a dependable offline workflow on Android. Offline mode is supported, and the desktop and mobile apps arrive with Essentials.

Who it's for

Arc Studio Pro is a strong fit for screenwriters who want formatting, outlining, and revision tools in one product, especially those working across Mac or Windows computers and iPhone or iPad. Its free tier lowers the barrier to trying it, while Essentials suits solo writers with more than two active scripts. Pro makes more sense for writers who need collaboration, revision management, or season outlines. Android-first writers and anyone who needs more than two scripts or clean PDFs without a subscription should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free includes industry formatting and Fountain and Final Draft export, so writers can begin with useful screenplay tools at no cost.
• Pros: Automatic draft history, encryption, and backups help protect work and recover deleted text during revision.
• Pros: Essentials removes the script cap and watermark, while Pro adds collaboration and deeper revision tools.
• Cons: Free is limited to two scripts and watermarks PDF exports, restricting portfolio growth and polished sharing.
• Cons: Inviting collaborators requires a subscription, even though collaboration works on Free.
• Cons: Android access is through Chrome and lacks long-term offline support.

Alternatives

Celtx suits writers who want a free cloud-based script editor with real-time collaboration and a one-project free studio across Android, iOS, desktop, and web.

Story Architect is a free, open-core alternative for writers who value source code available under the MIT license, with some features closed source.

Beat is worth considering for writers who want a free macOS desktop app or prefer its iOS plan.

DubScript is an Android option with unlimited scripts and scenes on its free plan, though ads appear in write mode and some screens.

OpenDraft fits writers seeking free software with no account, subscription, or feature gating across mobile, desktop, web, and self-hosted platforms.

ScreenWeaver offers unlimited projects and pages, plus PDF and Final Draft export, on its free Screenwriter plan.

TalkingDraft is an option for writers who want standard transcription, an outliner, and formatted script export on a free plan with a three-story limit before sharing for more.

Revision Screenwriter is another free option for writers who want screenplay software across desktop, mobile, and web.

For more options, browse Screenwriting Software or Writing Apps.

Verdict

Choose Arc Studio Pro if you want dedicated screenwriting tools across desktop and Apple mobile devices, with a free entry point and a clear upgrade path from solo drafting to collaboration. Its strongest case is the combination of formatting, recovery, and paid revision and outlining features. Look elsewhere if two free scripts and watermarked PDFs are too restrictive, or if you need long-term offline access on Android.