Arc Studio vs WriterDuet

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

WriterDuet

• Writing partners and writers' rooms working on one script at the same time
• Screenwriters who move between a browser, a desktop app and a phone
• Students and teachers, who can get half off a subscription

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.

WriterDuet

• The Free plan is limited to three projects of one document each, and free users can add only read-only collaborators.
• The desktop app and offline writing with auto-sync are listed from the Plus plan up.
• Revision tracking and production tools start at Pro, and full line and document history is Premium-only.
• Cards cannot be edited or rearranged in the mobile app or in phone and tablet browsers; WriterDuet recommends a computer for them.

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.

WriterDuet

Real-time co-writing

Paid subscribers can invite any number of WriterDuet users, free or paid, to edit a script live, with comments, mentions and text and video chat.

Script formats and templates

Keyboard-driven formatting follows industry conventions for screenplays, stage plays, sitcoms and A/V scripts. Pro adds custom margins, line types and title pages.

Cards, outlining and mind map

Each scene can be viewed as a card and dragged into a new order, and a mind map view lets cards be placed freely and linked.

Revisions and production tools

Pro tracks revisions with accept and reject, shows deleted text, and adds colored revisions, locked pages and scene omission for scripts in production.

Saving, history and backups

Work saves to the cloud as it is typed, with automatic backups to a computer, email, Dropbox, Google Drive or iCloud. Premium can rewind a document or a line to any earlier point.

Import, export and narration

Imports and exports PDF, Final Draft, Fountain, Celtx, docx and other formats. Premium's ReadAloud voices each character, and AutoTranslate covers more than 80 languages.

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.

WriterDuet

• Free$0

  Three projects, industry-standard templates, writing from computer and mobile, and Google Drive and Dropbox backups.

• Plus$7.49

  per month, billed annually ($89.88); $9.99 billed monthly

  Unlimited projects, real-time collaboration, the desktop app and offline writing with auto-sync.

• Pro$8.99

  per month, billed annually ($107.88); $11.99 billed monthly

  Custom formatting, dialogue and character filters, document statistics, a format checker, revision tracking and production tools.

• Premium$10.49

  per month, billed annually ($125.88); $13.99 billed monthly

  Full line and document history, ReadAloud narration with distinct voices, AutoTranslate and MultiColumn tools.

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.

WriterDuet

• Annual discount

  About 25% less with yearly billing

  Yearly plans cost $89.88 (Plus), $107.88 (Pro) and $125.88 (Premium), against $119.88, $143.88 and $167.88 for twelve monthly payments.

• Education

  50% off for students and educators

  Individual students and teachers get 50% off any monthly or yearly subscription, or the Premium Lifetime license, after verifying by email. Bundled class licenses are priced separately.