Final Draft
The industry-standard screenwriting software for actor-writers creating their own material
Overview
Final Draft is the industry-standard screenwriting software used by professional screenwriters, studios, and production companies worldwide. For actors who also write, Final Draft ensures that your scripts are formatted correctly and ready for professional submission.
The software automatically handles screenplay formatting, including scene headings, action lines, dialogue, and transitions. This lets you focus on the creative work rather than wrestling with margins and tab stops in a word processor.
How It Works
Final Draft also includes features like real-time collaboration, script notes, and a built-in name database. The software is widely accepted across the industry, so scripts written in Final Draft will be taken seriously by agents, managers, and producers.
Final Draft is a one-time purchase of approximately two hundred and fifty dollars, with no ongoing subscription required. Educational discounts are available for students enrolled in accredited programs.
Who Uses It
If you are an actor-writer who is serious about creating and submitting professional screenplays, Final Draft is the gold standard. The investment pays for itself when your scripts arrive in the format that the industry expects. The software's longevity and ubiquity in the industry mean that virtually every production company, agency, and studio can open and work with Final Draft files without compatibility issues. For actor-writers pursuing dual careers, Final Draft signals professionalism before anyone reads a single word of your script.
Pricing & Plans
Final Draft 13, the current version as of 2025, retails at approximately two hundred fifty dollars as a one-time purchase with no ongoing subscription fees. Upgrades from previous versions are available at a reduced price, typically around one hundred dollars. Educational pricing brings the cost down to approximately one hundred thirty dollars for students and faculty at accredited institutions. Compared to subscription-based alternatives like WriterSolo at twelve dollars per month or Arc Studio Pro at twenty dollars per month, Final Draft's one-time payment model becomes more economical after roughly one to two years of ownership. The absence of recurring charges means the software remains fully functional indefinitely, even if you choose not to upgrade to future versions.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Final Draft is the undisputed industry standard, meaning your scripts will be received in a format that every agent, manager, producer, and studio executive expects and can open without conversion. The automatic formatting engine handles every element of screenplay structure flawlessly, from scene headings to dual dialogue, allowing you to focus entirely on the creative work. Real-time collaboration features let you co-write with a partner remotely, with changes synced instantly between users. The script comparison tool highlights differences between drafts, which is invaluable during the revision process. The Beat Board and Story Map features provide visual outlining tools that help you structure your screenplay before diving into pages, bridging the gap between brainstorming and drafting.
What Could Be Better
Final Draft's two hundred fifty dollar price tag is a significant investment for actors who are exploring screenwriting casually and may not use the software regularly enough to justify the cost. The software can feel bloated and slow on older computers, with occasional lag when working on longer scripts that exceed one hundred twenty pages. The user interface has not evolved as dramatically as competitors, and some users find it visually dated compared to newer tools like Highland or WriterSolo. Final Draft is only available on Mac and Windows with no Linux support, and the iOS app is a separate purchase that does not include the full feature set of the desktop version. The learning curve for features beyond basic formatting, such as the outlining tools and tagging system, is steeper than necessary due to inconsistent menu organization.
Our Recommendation
Final Draft is the right investment for actor-writers who are committed to screenwriting as a significant part of their career and plan to submit scripts to agents, managers, contests, or production companies. If you are writing your first screenplay and are not sure whether screenwriting will become an ongoing pursuit, start with a free alternative like Highland's free mode or WriterSolo and upgrade to Final Draft once you have confirmed your commitment. Actor-writers who collaborate frequently will appreciate the real-time co-writing features, while solo writers may find equally capable tools at lower price points. If you are already using another screenwriting tool and are happy with it, the format compatibility of modern alternatives has reduced the necessity of owning Final Draft specifically. However, for actors who also want to create writing samples for representation, Final Draft remains the safest and most universally accepted choice.
Pro Tips
Take advantage of Final Draft's built-in templates for feature films, television episodes, and stage plays to ensure your formatting matches industry expectations for each medium. Use the Navigator panel to organize your script by scene, making it easy to jump between sections and track your story's structure at a macro level. Set up the ScriptNotes feature to leave yourself revision reminders and character development questions directly in the script without cluttering the actual text. Export your scripts in both Final Draft and PDF format so you always have a universally readable version ready to send at a moment's notice. If you are an actor preparing a scene, use Final Draft's Table Read feature to hear your script read aloud with different computer voices assigned to each character, which can reveal dialogue issues before you step into the audition room.