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OpenDraft
What it is
OpenDraft is a free, MIT-licensed screenwriting application for screenplay formatting, story planning, collaboration and production tagging. It runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows and the web. Its planning tools include a Beat Board, Index Cards, Scene Navigator and color-coded Script Notes, alongside character management. Writers can collaborate on a screenplay through an invite link, with changes synchronized in real time. Built-in Git-based version control supports named check-ins, side-by-side comparisons and restoration of earlier versions. OpenDraft imports and exports Final Draft FDX, Fountain and Fade In files; it also imports OSF and plain text, and exports PDF and DOCX. Production tagging supports reusable categories such as cast, extras, stunts, vehicles, props, costumes and VFX. Projects remain as files on the local computer, with no cloud servers, accounts or data collection. The desktop app works offline, while collaboration and update checks require internet access. Backups can be written to desktop folders or, on mobile, to Files, iCloud Drive, Google Drive or Dropbox. Browser self-hosting requires Python 3.12 or newer, Node.js 18 or newer, and Git.
For and against
For
- Free and MIT-licensed, with no feature gates.
- Desktop app works offline.
- Includes Git-based revision history.
- Supports simultaneous screenplay editing.
- Exports PDF and DOCX.
Against
- Real-time collaboration requires internet access.
- Browser self-hosting requires Python, Node.js and Git.
The verdict
OpenDraft combines screenwriting, planning, collaboration and production tagging across desktop, mobile and browser platforms. Writers should account for the internet requirement for collaboration and the dependencies for browser self-hosting.
Who it suits
OpenDraft suits screenwriters who want formatting, story-planning and production tools without a subscription or account. It also fits writers who prefer local project files and offline desktop use.
Plans and prices
Free forever
No account needed · no subscription · no feature gating
Read 1 Oct 2026 · proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io
On the record
- Backups
- Automatic timestamped backups can be written to folders on desktop or to Files, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox on mobile.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Collaboration
- Multiple writers can edit a screenplay simultaneously through an invite link, with changes synchronized instantly.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Data storage
- Projects are stored as files on the local computer with no cloud servers, accounts, or data collection.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- A plugin architecture allows custom features to be added without modifying the core application.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- File formats
- OpenDraft imports and exports Final Draft FDX, Fountain, and Fade In files, imports OSF and plain text, and exports PDF and DOCX.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- License
- OpenDraft is MIT-licensed and has no subscriptions, feature gates, or hidden costs.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Offline use
- The desktop app works entirely offline, while internet access is needed for real-time collaboration and update checks.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- OpenDraft states that it has zero tracking, zero analytics, and zero data collection.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Product
- OpenDraft is a free, open-source screenwriting application with professional screenplay formatting, collaboration, version control, beat boards, character management, production tagging, and multi-format export.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Production tools
- Production tagging supports reusable categories such as cast, extras, stunts, vehicles, props, costumes, and VFX.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting requirement
- Browser self-hosting requires Python 3.12 or newer, Node.js 18 or newer, and Git.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Story planning
- Story-planning tools include a Beat Board, Index Cards, Scene Navigator, and color-coded Script Notes.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can report bugs or request features through the project's GitHub Issues page and community discussions.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
- Version control
- Built-in Git-based version control supports named check-ins, side-by-side comparison, and restoring earlier versions.proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io · read 1 Oct 2026
