Alternatives · Writing
Trelby alternatives
Trelby compared with 5 alternatives: Fade In, Story Architect, Final Draft, Beat and WriterDuet.
Trelby is free to use. 3 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrelbyThis tool | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Fade In | Free trial · from $79.95 one-time | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Story Architect | Free plan · from $4.17/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Final Draft | Free trial · from $99.99/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Beat | Free plan · from $11.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| WriterDuet | Free plan · from $7.49/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Trelby
- Free trial · from $79.95 one-time
Fade In
One-time-purchase screenwriting software for Windows, Mac and Linux
- Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time. Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Fade In lists a web app.
- Fade In can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Trelby is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Screenwriters who would rather buy once than subscribe
- Free plan · from $4.17/mo
Story Architect
Writing app for screenplays, novels, comics and stage plays
- Story Architect starts at $4.17 per month, billed annually. Trelby is free.
- Only Story Architect lists iOS and Android apps.
- Trelby is open source, according to its own site.
- Story Architect also covers mind mapping.
Suits: Screenwriters who want standard script formatting on a free plan
- Free trial · from $99.99/yr
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. Trelby is free.
- Trelby has a free plan. Final Draft does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Final Draft lists a web app.
- Only Final Draft lists an iOS app.
- Only Trelby lists a Linux app.
Suits: Screenwriters who need scripts in industry-standard format
- Free plan · from $11.99 one-time
Beat
Free, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS
- Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app. Trelby is free.
- Only Beat lists an iOS app.
- Only Trelby lists Windows and Linux apps.
Suits: Mac users who want a free screenwriting app
- Free plan · from $7.49/mo
WriterDuet
Screenwriting software built for real-time co-writing
- WriterDuet starts at $7.49 per month, billed annually ($89.88); $9.99 billed monthly (Plus). Trelby is free.
- Only WriterDuet lists a web app.
- Only WriterDuet lists iOS and Android apps.
- Trelby is open source, according to its own site.
- WriterDuet also covers templates.
Suits: Writing partners and writers' rooms working on one script at the same time
Limits worth knowing in Trelby
- Version 2.4 is installed on Windows and macOS through Python's pip; the Windows installer on the download page is for version 2.2.
- Version 2.4 added no new features: it moved the program to Python 3 and updated its packaging.
- Celtx, Adobe Story and Fade In Pro files can be imported but not exported.
- It is a desktop program only; no web or mobile version is listed.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Trelby?
The alternatives to Trelby in this directory are Fade In, Story Architect, Final Draft, Beat and WriterDuet. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Trelby.
Is there a free alternative to Trelby?
Yes. Story Architect, Beat and WriterDuet have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Trelby alternatives work on Android?
The Trelby listing does not include an Android app. Story Architect and WriterDuet list one.
Which Trelby alternatives work on iOS?
The Trelby listing does not include an iOS app. Story Architect, Final Draft, Beat and WriterDuet list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.