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Celtx alternatives · Writing

Alternatives to Celtx with a one-time purchase

The Celtx listing shows no one-time purchase. 25 of the 100 other writing tools in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Celtx has a free plan. Paid plans start at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer). 8 of them are free or have a free plan.

25 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to Celtx

  1. Final Draft

    Screenwriting software with automatic script formatting

    • Final Draft starts at $99.99 per year or $16.99 per month (Suite); $249.99 one-time for Final Draft 13. Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Celtx has a free plan. Final Draft does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Final Draft lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Only Celtx lists an Android app.
    Final Draft vs CeltxFinal Draft pricing and details

  2. Fade In

    One-time-purchase screenwriting software for Windows, Mac and Linux

    • Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time. Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Celtx has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Fade In lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Celtx lists an Android app.
    Fade In vs CeltxFade In pricing and details

  3. Movie Magic Screenwriter

    Screenwriting software for scripts, stage plays and comics

    • Movie Magic Screenwriter starts at $169 one-time (listed against a crossed-out $249.95). Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Celtx has a free plan. Movie Magic Screenwriter does not.
    • Only Movie Magic Screenwriter lists a macOS app.
    • Only Celtx lists a web app.
    Movie Magic Screenwriter vs CeltxMovie Magic Screenwriter pricing and details

  4. Dabble

    Novel writing app with plotting, story notes and sync

    • Dabble starts at $19 per month, billed monthly (Writer). Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Celtx has a free plan. Dabble does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Dabble lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Celtx lists an Android app.
    Dabble pricing and details

  5. 4thewords

    Writing game where your word count defeats monsters

    • 4thewords starts at $10 per month, or $96 per year (Member). Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Only 4thewords lists a browser extension.
    • Only Celtx lists Android and Windows apps.
    • 4thewords can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    4thewords pricing and details

  6. Scrivener

    Manuscript writing app with a binder, corkboard and outliner

    • Scrivener starts at $23.99 one-time (iOS); $59.99 one-time for macOS or Windows. Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Celtx has a free plan. Scrivener does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Scrivener lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Only Celtx lists a web app.
    Scrivener pricing and details

  7. Atticus

    Book writing and formatting app for ebooks and print

    • Atticus starts at $147 one-time. Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Celtx has a free plan. Atticus does not.
    • Only Atticus lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • Only Celtx lists an Android app.
    Atticus pricing and details

  8. Vellum

    Mac app for formatting ebooks and print books

    • Vellum starts at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks). Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Celtx has a free plan. Vellum does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Vellum lists a macOS app.
    • Only Celtx lists a web app.
    Vellum pricing and details

  9. Plottr

    Visual book outlining and series bible software

    • Plottr starts at $60 per year (Plottr); Plottr Pro is $9.99 per month or $99 per year. Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Celtx has a free plan. Plottr does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Plottr lists a macOS app.
    • Only Celtx lists an Android app.
    Plottr pricing and details

  10. Campfire

    Modular novel writing and worldbuilding app with per-module pricing

    • Campfire starts at $0.50 per month for one module; $12 per month for all modules (Standard). Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Only Campfire lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Campfire can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Campfire also covers templates.
    Campfire pricing and details

  11. bibisco

    Novel planning and writing software built around characters

    • bibisco starts at $3.49 per month for Everywhere sync; desktop Supporters Edition is $69 one-time. Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Only bibisco lists macOS, Linux and iOS apps.
    • Only Celtx lists a web app.
    • bibisco is open source, according to its own site.
    bibisco pricing and details

  12. Slugline

    Plain-text screenwriting app for Mac, iPhone and iPad

    • Slugline starts at $19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac. Celtx starts at $11.24 per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly (Writer).
    • Only Slugline lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Only Celtx lists a web app.
    • Only Celtx lists Android and Windows apps.
    Slugline pricing and details

13 more that can be bought with a one-time purchase

All 25 in one table

Common questions

Is there an alternative to Celtx that you buy once?

Yes. Final Draft, Fade In, Movie Magic Screenwriter, Dabble, 4thewords, Scrivener, Atticus, Vellum and 17 more can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy Celtx once instead of subscribing?

The Celtx listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 6, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these writing tools are free?

4thewords, Campfire, bibisco, Slugline, JotterPad, Hemingway Editor, Calmly Writer and Cold Turkey Writer are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Celtx: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.