Trelby report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Oct 9, 2026
Best for free screenwriting on Windows, Mac or Linux
Trelby is a free, open-source screenwriting program that keeps your script in proper format and pagination while you type. It reads and writes Final Draft and Fountain files, and it runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. The awkward part is getting it: the current version installs through Python's pip on Windows and Mac, and there's no web or phone version.
Who Trelby is for
- Great if you want standard script formatting and don't want to pay for it
- Handy when you're on Linux, where it installs from Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu or Flatpak packages
- Good for moving scripts between Final Draft and Fountain files
Who Trelby is not for
- Skip it if a command line puts you off, as the current version installs through Python's pip on Windows and Mac
- Not for you if you write on a phone or in a browser, because it's a desktop program only
- Tight if you work with Celtx or Fade In users, since those files import but can't be exported
Why Trelby gets a 3.4
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree software under the GPL, kept going by volunteers. There's no paid edition, so there's nothing to buy.
- AFree plan and trialThe complete program is free, with every feature in it. No paid edition exists to hold anything back.
- AFeaturesIt does one job, screenplays, and covers it properly. The editor enforces format and pagination, with auto-completion and spell checking. Then come scene, location, character and dialogue reports, script comparison, a PDF generator with watermarks, and Final Draft and Fountain import and export.
- CEase of useThere's no App Store rating on record, and getting it running takes a command line: version 2.4 installs on Windows and macOS through Python's pip. The Windows installer on the download page is for the older version 2.2. Linux gets ordinary packages.
- BPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac and Linux, and it trades files with Final Draft, Fountain, Celtx, Fade In and Adobe Story. It's a desktop program only, with no web or mobile version listed.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Trelby's own pages on 9 October 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/trelby#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/trelby.svg" alt="Trelby: 3.4 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>What is Trelby?
Trelby is a free screenwriting program licensed under the GPL and maintained by volunteers. Its editor enforces screenplay format and pagination, and it adds reports, script comparison, a character name database and a configurable PDF generator. It began as a commercial program called Blyte, was open sourced in 2006 and took its current name after development resumed in 2011.
Trelby is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Screenwriters who want free software with standard script formatting
- Linux users looking for a desktop screenwriting program
- Writers moving scripts between Final Draft and Fountain files
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- Screenplay editor
- Enforces correct script format and pagination as you type, with auto-completion and spell checking.
- Choice of views
- Offers several views of the script, including a draft view, a WYSIWYG mode and fullscreen.
- Reports and script comparison
- Produces scene, location, character and dialogue reports, and compares two scripts to show what changed between versions.
- Import and export
- Imports formatted text, Final Draft XML, Celtx, Fountain, Adobe Story and Fade In Pro files. Exports PDF, formatted text, HTML, RTF, Final Draft XML and Fountain.
- PDF generator
- A built-in, configurable PDF generator can embed a chosen font and add custom watermarks to help track copies of a shared script.
- Name database
- Includes a character name database with over 200,000 names from various countries.
Trelby pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The whole program is free software licensed under the GPL. There is no paid edition.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The complete program. Version 2.4 installs from PyPI on Windows and macOS, and from Fedora, Debian/Ubuntu or Flatpak packages on Linux. |
Read from trelby.org on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Trelby before you buy.
Works with
- Final Draft
- Fountain
- Celtx
- Fade In
- Adobe Story
Trelby alternatives
- Trelby vs Fade In
Free trial · from $79.95 one-time
- Trelby vs Story Architect
Free plan · from $4.17/mo
- Trelby vs Final Draft
Free trial · from $99.99/yr
- Trelby vs Beat
Free plan · from $11.99 one-time
- Trelby vs WriterDuet
Free plan · from $7.49/mo
Common questions
Is Trelby free?
Yes. Trelby is free to use. The whole program is free software licensed under the GPL. There is no paid edition.
How much does Trelby cost?
Trelby lists one plan. Free: $0. Prices were read from trelby.org on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does Trelby work on?
Trelby is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Trelby have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Trelby is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Trelby have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Trelby is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Trelby open source?
Yes. Trelby is open source, according to its own site.
What does Trelby integrate with?
Trelby's listing names Final Draft, Fountain, Celtx, Fade In and Adobe Story. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Trelby?
Trelby is made by Trelby developers.
What are the alternatives to Trelby?
The closest alternatives to Trelby in our directory are Fade In, Story Architect, Final Draft, Beat and WriterDuet. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Trelby.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.