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Final Draft
Final Draft · Burbank, California · founded 1990
What it is
Final Draft is screenwriting software that automatically formats scripts to screenplay standards. Writers can use professional templates, customizable workflows, autosave, editing tools, and SmartType completion for character names and locations. Beat Board, Outline Editor, and Structure Lines support brainstorming, outlining, and navigating drafts; the software can also store multiple dialogue versions. Production tools cover revisions, location tracking, casting, scheduling, budgeting, production tagging, and reporting. Collaboration is available in real time on scripts and the Beat Board, while Final Draft Cloud supports asynchronous collaboration, project folders, Vault storage, ScriptNotes, sharing, and optional desktop-to-cloud syncing. Final Draft is offered for macOS, Windows, web, and iOS. The desktop version requires macOS 12 Monterey or later, or Windows 10 or later with an Intel or AMD processor; it is not available for Chromebook. The Suite includes Final Draft 13 and Cloud, with monthly pricing at $16.99 a month or annual pricing at $99.99 a year, each with a 5-day trial.
For and against
For
- Automatically formats screenplays.
- Includes story-planning boards and outline tools.
- Production tools cover scheduling, budgeting, and revisions.
- Supports real-time and asynchronous collaboration.
- Works across web, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
Against
- No free plan is listed.
- Desktop versions do not work on iPad or iPhone.
- Not available on Chromebook.
- Desktop use is limited to two active computers.
The verdict
Final Draft combines screenplay formatting and story-planning tools with production workflows and collaboration features. Check the platform requirements and plan details, especially whether you need Final Draft Cloud or mobile access through the separate Final Draft Go app.
Who it suits
It suits aspiring and professional screenwriters, as well as producers, directors, and industry executives. Teams that need production workflows or real-time and asynchronous collaboration may also find its tools relevant.
Plans and prices
Final Draft Suite Monthly
Includes Final Draft 13 · Includes Final Draft Cloud · Includes a free 5-day trial
Read 19 Sep 2026 · finaldraft.com
Final Draft 13
Desktop application for macOS and Windows · One-time purchase · Does not include Final Draft Cloud
Read 27 Sep 2026 · finaldraft.com
Final Draft Suite annual
Final Draft Cloud + Final Draft 13
Read 28 Sep 2026 · finaldraft.com
Final Draft Suite
Final Draft Cloud + Final Draft 13 · encrypted cloud storage · asynchronous collaboration
Read 28 Sep 2026 · finaldraft.com
Upgrade to Final Draft 13
for owners of any previous Final Draft desktop version
Read 28 Sep 2026 · finaldraft.com
Educational Edition
students · college instructors · K-12 teachers
Read 28 Sep 2026 · finaldraft.com
Final Draft 13 Student
student verification required · does not include Final Draft Cloud
Read 28 Sep 2026 · finaldraft.com
Final Draft 13 Personal
desktop application · does not include Final Draft Cloud
Read 28 Sep 2026 · finaldraft.com
Final Draft 13 Studios & Production
multi-user licensing · writers rooms and production teams · technical support and upgrades included · does not include Final Draft Cloud
Read 28 Sep 2026 · finaldraft.com
On the record
- Included Activations
- Each purchase includes two activations.finaldraft.com · read 27 Sep 2026
- Automatic Formatting
- The software automatically formats screenplays.finaldraft.com · read 27 Sep 2026
- Autosave Support
- Automatic formatting, autosave, and advanced editing are included.finaldraft.com · read 27 Sep 2026
- Chromebook Support
- Final Draft is not available on Chromebook.finaldraft.com · read 27 Sep 2026
- Cloud workspace
- Final Draft Cloud provides Writer, Vault storage, project folders, ScriptNotes, sharing, and optional desktop-to-cloud syncing through Vault Sync.finaldraft.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Collaboration
- Final Draft supports real-time collaboration on the script and Beat Board, while Final Draft Cloud provides asynchronous collaboration.finaldraft.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Company history
- Final Draft was co-founded in 1990 by Marc Madnick and Ben Cahan and was acquired by Cast & Crew in 2016.finaldraft.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Export formats
- extensivefinaldraft.com · read 19 Sep 2026
- Free Tier
- No free tier is stated in the supplied page text.finaldraft.com · read 27 Sep 2026
- Industry adoption
- Final Draft says it is used by 95% of film and television productions.finaldraft.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Installation limit
- Final Draft 13 can be installed on as many Windows and Mac computers as the owner likes, but can run on two at the same time.finaldraft.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- macOS Requirement
- Mac users need macOS 12 Monterey or higher.finaldraft.com · read 27 Sep 2026
- Mobile apps
- Yesfinaldraft.com · read 19 Sep 2026
- Mobile limitation
- The numbered desktop versions do not work on iPad or iPhone; Final Draft Go is offered separately for those devices.finaldraft.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Refund Period
- The purchase includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.finaldraft.com · read 27 Sep 2026
- Offline mode
- Yesfinaldraft.com · read 19 Sep 2026
- PDF handling
- Final Draft 13 can import most text-based PDFs but cannot import PDFs scanned from paper or made from photographs of script pages.finaldraft.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Primary users
- Final Draft says it is used by professional and aspiring screenwriters, producers, directors, and industry executives.finaldraft.com · read 28 Sep 2026
