Arc Studio vs Celtx

Arc Studio

• New screenwriters who want to draft a first script on a free plan
• Writing partners and writers' rooms working on episodic scripts
• Writers moving from Final Draft who need to import and export its files

Celtx

• Filmmakers who want the script and pre-production planning in one tool
• Film and media classes, which get seat-based education plans
• Production teams of 3 to 15 people sharing scripts and schedules

Arc Studio

• Free accounts are limited to 2 scripts, get watermarked PDF exports and cannot use the desktop, iPhone or iPad apps.
• Inviting collaborators, outlining tools, draft history and revision management are Pro-only.
• There is no Android app; Arc Studio runs in Chrome on Android without long-term offline support.
• Table Read, Character Images and Research Assistant are not part of the subscription price and need separately bought credits.

Celtx

• The Free plan allows 1 project, with read-only script history and no commenting or collaboration.
• Production planning tools cost extra on Writer and Writer Pro and are only included from the Team plan.
• Team is priced for a group of 3 to 15 members rather than as a single seat.
• The download page links the mobile Celtx Screenplay app on Google Play and the Microsoft Store only, with no iOS App Store link.

Arc Studio

Script editor

Formats sluglines and margins to industry standards as you write, with a Focus mode and timed writing sprints. Scripts export to PDF, Final Draft and Fountain.

Plot board and outlining

Drag-and-drop story beat cards, color-coded tags for storylines and characters, and outlining templates. The outline can sit beside the script. Pro only.

Real-time co-writing

Co-writers edit the same script live, leave comments with custom tags and @mentions, and chat beside the script. Inviting collaborators needs Pro; those invited can be on Free.

Draft history and revisions

An automatic draft history keeps deleted text so it can be brought back. History and revision management are both listed under the Pro plan.

Sync and offline writing

Writing continues without a connection and syncs when back online. One subscription covers unlimited devices across Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad and any browser.

Credit-based add-ons

Table Read voices a script aloud, Character Images generates pictures from descriptions, and Research Assistant answers questions beside the script. Each is paid for with credits.

Celtx

Script editors

Auto-formatting editors for film and TV screenplays, stage plays and two-column A/V scripts are included on every plan, including Free.

Story development tools

A Beat Sheet, a Storyboard, shot lists and talent sides help plan a script. They are included from Writer Pro and sold as an add-on to Writer.

Production planning

Script breakdown, catalog, scheduling, cast and crew, budget, call sheets and production reports are included on Team and are an add-on for the writer plans.

Collaboration and approvals

Comments are anchored to script text with @mentions, presence awareness shows co-writers' cursors and edits in real time, and scripts can be sent for review and approval.

Script history, drafts and read-through

Restore earlier saves from a dated history, keep editable draft copies of a script, and play lines back with text-to-speech voices.

Revision Mode and episodic projects

Revision Mode locks a script for production so scene numbers are preserved through changes. Episodic projects link scripts across the installments of a series.

Arc Studio

• Free$0

  2 scripts, cloud sync, automatic backups, comments, and Fountain and Final Draft export; PDF export carries a watermark.

• Essentials$69

  per year

  Unlimited scripts, PDF export without a watermark, and the desktop, iPhone and iPad apps.

• Pro$99

  per year

  Adds inviting collaborators, outlining tools, custom formats, draft history, revision management, feedback links and The Stash.

Celtx

• Free$0

  1 project with the three script editors, script goals and read-through; read-only script history and limited script settings.

• Writer$11.24

  per month, billed yearly ($134.88); $14.99 billed monthly

  Up to 3 projects, unlimited comments and collaboration, script drafts and custom headers and footers. Story and production tools are optional add-ons.

• Writer Pro$18.74

  per month, billed yearly ($224.88); $24.99 billed monthly

  Unlimited projects, episodic scripts, Revision Mode, watermarking, review and approval, the story development tools and the Adobe Premiere Pro plugin.

• Team$44.99

  per month for 3 members, billed yearly; $59.99 billed monthly

  For 3 to 15 members: everything in Writer Pro plus production planning tools, episodic planning, advanced sharing controls and live chat support.

• Education$600

  per year for 10 seats ($60 a seat), billed yearly

  Classroom plan for 10 to 700 seats with educator admin controls and recyclable student seats; the price per seat falls as seats are added.

• Student$79.99

  per year, billed yearly

  Writer Pro features plus the production planning tools for one student, with a student email required and 3 years of discounted pricing.

Arc Studio

• Education

  $70 off Pro for students

  The pricing page offers students $70 off the Pro plan with an .edu address, and advertises a separate classroom discount for educators.

Celtx

• Annual discount

  Save 25% with yearly billing

  The pricing page advertises 25% off for yearly billing: Writer is $134.88 a year against $14.99 a month, and Writer Pro is $224.88 a year against $24.99 a month.

• Education

  Student plan for $79.99 a year

  Students with a school email get Writer Pro features plus the production planning tools for $79.99 a year, described by Celtx as over 75% off, for up to 3 years.