Fade In vs Movie Magic Screenwriter (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Fade In grades higher than Movie Magic Screenwriter: 2.8 against 1.6 out of 4.0.
Checked Oct 6, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 · graded Oct 10, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
Fade In grades higher on value for money, the free plan, features and ease of use. They get the same grade on platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Fade In
One-time-purchase screenwriting software for Windows, Mac and Linux
Movie Magic Screenwriter
Screenwriting software for scripts, stage plays and comics
Which one is for you
Pick Fade In if
- Fits if you want to pay for screenwriting software once and get the updates free
- Works for scripts going into production, with revision colors, locked pages and breakdown reports
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you write on a phone or tablet, as the mobile apps have been discontinued
- Not for you if you want cloud saving in the price, because that's a separate subscription with no price on the purchase page
- Tight if you plan to stay on the demo, which nags after 10 pages and watermarks every printed script
- Watch out: the $79.95 covers one user, and site or multiuser licenses are arranged by email
- Not for you if you want it linked to other tools, as no integrations are listed
Pick Movie Magic Screenwriter if
- Fits if you write screenplays and want a desktop program
- Makes sense if you'd rather pay once than subscribe
Look elsewhere if
- Pricey if you're only trying screenwriting, at $169 with nothing free
- Skip it if you want a web or mobile version, as none is listed
- Watch out: the Windows version is 6.0 and the Mac version is 6.8
- Watch out: it needs an internet connection during installation
How we grade them
| 2.8GPAFade InGood | 1.6GPAMovie Magic ScreenwriterWeak | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A$79.95 once for the full desktop app on Windows, Mac and Linux, with free updates, against a category middle of $8.33 a month: under a year of a typical rival for something you keep. Students pay $59.95. Cloud saving is extra, and that price isn't on the purchase page. | C$169 once, against $19.99 in the middle of one-time prices in writing tools, though under two years of a $9.95 subscription. |
| Free plan and trial | CNo free version, but the demo is a free download with no stated time limit and no card: it nags you to register after 10 pages, watermarks anything printed or exported to PDF, and leaves out online realtime collaboration. | FNo free plan or trial is listed. A 30-day money-back guarantee isn't a trial. |
| Features | BFormatting as you type, a Navigator for reordering scenes, revision colors, page and scene locking, breakdowns and cast and location reports, a Dialogue Tuner, and Final Draft, Fountain and Celtx files all opening. The screenwriting job covered, though live collaboration needs the paid Access service. | CScript templates, instructional and TV templates, sample files and free technical support. No web or mobile version on the page. |
| Ease of use | BNo store rating on record, but it's a plain download with nothing to set up: start typing and it moves from scene heading to action to dialogue by itself, with autocomplete for character names and locations. | CNo store rating on record. It needs an internet connection to install and activate. |
| Platforms and integrations | CA program for computers alone: Windows, Mac and Linux from one purchase, which is a C however many systems that is. The iOS and Android apps are discontinued, browser editing needs the paid Fade In Access, and no integrations are listed. | CWindows 8 or later and macOS 10.15 or later only. Computers only, with no integrations listed. |
| Best for | screenwriting software you buy once | screenplay formatting on a desktop |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Fade In and Movie Magic Screenwriter. How we grade
Where they differ
- Fade In also covers long-form writing.
At a glance
| Fade In | Movie Magic Screenwriter | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free trial | Paid |
| Starts at | $79.95 one-time | $169 one-time (listed against a crossed-out $249.95) |
| Free plan | None | None |
| Free trial | Free demo with no stated time limit: registration reminder after 10 pages and a watermark on printed and PDF output | None listed |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | GCC Productions Inc. | Screenplay.com (Write Brothers) |
| Price read from | fadeinpro.com | screenplay.com |
| Checked | Oct 6, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Fade In
- Cloud saving and browser editing need Fade In Access, a separate subscription whose price is not shown on the purchase page.
- The Fade In Mobile apps for iOS and Android have been discontinued; phones and tablets use Fade In Access in a browser.
- The demo shows a registration reminder after 10 pages, watermarks printed scripts and leaves out online realtime collaboration.
- The price covers one individual user; site and multiuser licenses are arranged by email.
Movie Magic Screenwriter
- It is a desktop program for Windows 8 or later and macOS 10.15 or later; there is no web or mobile version on the page.
- An internet connection is needed during installation.
- The Windows download is version 6.0 while the Mac download is 6.8, per the product page.
- Screenplay.com states a 30-day money-back guarantee on purchases from its store.
Key features
Fade In
- Automatic script formatting
- Moves from scene heading to action to dialogue as you type, with standard screenplay styles that can be customized and autocomplete for character names and locations.
- Navigator and organization
- The Navigator reorders scenes and builds nested sequences. Scenes can be color-coded by plot point, theme or character, and bookmarks and links jump around the script.
- Revisions and production tools
- Manages revisions, page and scene locking and omitted scenes, shows changed pages in standard revision colors, and generates breakdowns and scene, cast and location reports.
- File format support
- Opens, edits and saves Final Draft .fdx files, imports and exports Word .docx and RTF, and works with Fountain, Scrivener, Celtx and StudioBinder files. Its own format is the XML-based Open Screenplay Format.
- Rewriting tools
- The Dialogue Tuner gathers one character's dialogue in one place for editing, and other tools check word-use frequency and compare versions of a script.
- Fade In Access
- An optional monthly or annual subscription for cloud storage, backup, version history, online editing in a browser, collaboration, sharing and publishing.
Movie Magic Screenwriter
- Script templates
- The product page lists over 100 templates and tools, including 20 or more blank formats for screenplays, TV shows, stage plays, radio plays and comic books.
- Instructional templates
- Eight templates cover forms such as stage play, screenplay, sitcom structure and classic film structure.
- TV templates
- The page says it includes over 86 television templates.
- Sample files
- Sample files include a comic story arc, a radio play, a screenplay and a stage play.
- Activations
- A license manager lets you activate and deactivate computers; full versions allow three at once, academic versions two.
- Free technical support
- The page promises free technical support for as long as you use the program.
Plans
Fade In
Fade In$79.95
one-time purchase, individual license
The full desktop version for Windows, Mac and Linux with free updates. Shown against a crossed-out regular price of $99.95.
Movie Magic Screenwriter
Movie Magic Screenwriter$169
one-time purchase
The Windows and Mac download. The store shows $249.95 crossed out with no end date given, and says full versions allow three activations.
Academic Version$99.95
one-time purchase
For full-time students and teachers, who must give proof of academic standing. The store lists $129.95 crossed out; two activations.
Upgrade$89.95
one-time purchase
Upgrade download for Mac and Windows, listed against a crossed-out $99.95.
6.8 Upgrade (Mac)$69.95
one-time purchase
Mac-only upgrade download for version 6.8.
Ways to pay less
Fade In
- Education
Student price of $59.95
Current students of accredited post-secondary institutions can buy the full desktop version for $59.95 after emailing proof of student status from a school address.
Movie Magic Screenwriter
- Education
Academic version for students and teachers
The academic edition is $99.95 against $169 for the standard download, with proof of full-time academic status required.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Fade In or Movie Magic Screenwriter?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time, and Movie Magic Screenwriter starts at $169 one-time (listed against a crossed-out $249.95).
Which has a free plan, Fade In or Movie Magic Screenwriter?
As of Nov 12, 2026, neither Fade In nor Movie Magic Screenwriter has a free plan. Fade In has a free trial.
Which platforms do Fade In and Movie Magic Screenwriter run on?
As of Nov 12, 2026, only Fade In lists a web app and a Linux app. Both list macOS and Windows apps. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.