Movie Magic Screenwriter vs WriterDuet (2026): which should you pick?

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

Pick WriterDuet if

• Fits if you write a script with a partner or a writers' room and will pay for live co-writing
• Works for writers who switch between a browser, a desktop app and a phone

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you're staying free, as that's three projects of one document each
• Not for you if you want to co-write for free, because free users can only add read-only collaborators
• Skip it if you outline on a phone or tablet, as cards can't be edited or rearranged there
• Watch out: the desktop app and offline writing start at Plus, revision tracking at Pro, and full history is Premium-only
• Pricey if you pay monthly: Plus, Pro and Premium are $9.99, $11.99 and $13.99, against $7.49 to $10.49 a month yearly

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.