Free screenplay writing software, in the browser.
Ensemble is a modern screenplay editor with industry-standard formatting, real-time collaboration, AI shot lists, and PDF export. The free tier covers full-length scripts up to 20 pages per project — no credit card, no install, no trial timer.
Start Writing →Or read the getting-started guide first.
Everything most writers need to draft a script.
The free plan isn't a trial. It's the same editor paying users get, with a 20-page-per-project cap. If your script lives in a single 90–110 page document, that's where Pro comes in. For outlines, short films, TV cold opens, or starting a feature, the free tier is genuinely the product.
Industry-standard formatting
Scene headings, action, character, dialogue, parentheticals, transitions — auto-detected as you type. Margins and pagination match what a coverage reader expects.
Real-time collaboration
Invite co-writers by email. Multi-cursor live editing with presence, like Google Docs but for screenplays. Free for everyone in the room.
Offline-first
Edit anonymously in your browser without an account. Local storage keeps your work safe between sessions; create an account when you want to sync.
Import & export
Import from PDF, Fountain, or Ensemble JSON. Export to industry-standard PDF (with optional title page) or Fountain plain text.
Read-aloud table read
Hear your dialogue read by nine distinct voices. Catch clunky lines before they ever leave your script.
Password-protected share links
Send a script as a single URL. Lock it with a password if you need to. No more emailing fresh PDFs every revision.
Spelling, search & revision marks
Built-in dictionary, fast in-document search, blue/pink/yellow revision-mark colors for production drafts.
Visual scene arc
A drag-and-drop story graph plus a character database with biographies. For the days you're staring at the wall.
Because most screenwriting software is overpriced.
Final Draft costs around $250 for a one-time license. WriterDuet's free tier caps you at three projects. Celtx pulled most of its features behind a subscription years ago. Meanwhile, the actual job — typing a screenplay with correct formatting — should not be a $250 problem.
Ensemble's free tier is supported by the Pro plan ($9.99/mo, unlimited pages and AI shot lists). That's it. There's no upsell modal every five minutes, no watermarks on exports, no "free for 30 days." If you only ever use the free tier, that's fine by us.
The two tiers, in one table.
| Feature | Free | Pro — $9.99/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Pages per project | Up to 20 | Unlimited |
| Industry-standard formatting | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes | Yes |
| PDF & Fountain export | Yes | Yes |
| Read-aloud table read | Yes | Yes |
| Password-protected sharing | Yes | Yes |
| AI shot list generation | — | Yes |
| Number of projects | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Revision marks (blue/pink/yellow) | Yes | Yes |
Common questions.
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Is Ensemble really free to use?
Yes. The free tier covers up to 20 pages per project with all core formatting, real-time collaboration, PDF export, and Fountain import/export. No credit card, no time limit. Pro ($9.99/mo) lifts the page cap and unlocks AI shot lists.
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Do I need to download or install anything?
No. Ensemble runs entirely in your browser. Open the site, start typing. Your work is saved locally; if you create a free account, it syncs to the cloud.
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Can I write a full screenplay anonymously?
Yes. Start a script without signing up — it's stored in your browser's localStorage. Make an account when you want to sync across devices, share with collaborators, or export to PDF.
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Does Ensemble export to PDF and Final Draft format?
Yes to PDF and Fountain. Fountain is the open plain-text screenplay format that most modern tools (including Final Draft and Highland) round-trip, so moving between apps is straightforward.
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How does real-time collaboration work?
Invite co-writers by email from inside any project. Cursors, selections, and edits appear live for everyone — like Google Docs, but with proper screenplay formatting. Concurrent edits are handled by Operational Transform.
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Is my work private?
Yes. Projects are private to you and the collaborators you explicitly invite. Share links can be password-protected. Anonymous projects never leave your browser unless you choose to sync them.
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How does it compare to other free screenwriting software?
See our honest comparisons against Final Draft, WriterDuet, Celtx, Fade In, and Highland. Or read the long-form Best Free Screenwriting Software roundup.
Open a blank page in your browser.
Start Writing →No download. No credit card. No watermark.