Brandwave

How popular isFree alternatives?

In September 2026, people searched for Free alternatives by name about 27,100 times worldwide, a 2610% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 8.4% of all global screenwriting software searches, placing Free alternatives fifth out of nine brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about screenwriting software, Free alternatives appeared in two of the five answers and was the ninth most recommended of the nine.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Free alternatives is the fifth most searched of 9 competitors and the ninth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. CeltxShare of searches 28.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
  2. WriterDuetShare of searches 28.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  3. Final DraftShare of searches 18.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  4. Arc StudioShare of searches 8.4%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  5. Free alternativesShare of searches 8.4%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 9th

+4 more

Follow Free alternatives and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Top screenwriting software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Free alternatives was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Free alternatives is the ninth most recommended of the nine.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Final Draft1st
  2. Fade In2nd
  3. WriterDuet3rd
  4. Arc Studio4th
  5. Movie Magic Screenwriter5th
  6. Celtx6th
  7. Highland7th
  8. Trelby8th
  9. Free alternatives9th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Celtx5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • WriterDuet5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Final Draft5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Arc Studio5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Fade In5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Highland3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Free alternatives2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Trelby2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Movie Magic Screenwriter2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about screenwriting software

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Which screenwriting software compete with Free alternatives?

Free alternatives against screenwriting software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Celtx, WriterDuet, Final Draft, Arc Studio, Free alternatives, Fade In, Trelby. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCeltxWriterDuetFinal DraftArc StudioFree alternativesFade InTrelbyHighlandMovie Magic Screenwriter
Oct 202538.6%21.1%21.1%7.7%0.29%7.7%2.8%0.29%0.29%
Nov 202536.8%20.2%24.7%7.4%0.24%7.4%2.7%0.24%0.35%
Dec 202533.8%22.6%22.6%10.1%0.49%6.8%3%0.33%0.37%
Jan 202634.3%23.1%23.1%8.4%0.5%6.9%3.1%0.31%0.31%
Feb 202636%24.2%19.8%8.9%0.52%7.3%2.7%0.33%0.29%
Mar 202638.9%26.1%17.4%7.8%0.55%6.4%2.3%0.29%0.25%
Apr 202636%24.2%19.8%8.9%0.78%7.3%2.6%0.29%0.24%
May 202637.5%25.2%16.9%9.2%0.82%7.6%2.2%0.34%0.25%
Jun 202631.3%25.6%20.9%9.4%2.3%7.6%2.3%0.37%0.3%
Jul 202630.1%24.6%20.1%9%6%7.4%2.2%0.29%0.24%
Aug 202627.4%22.4%18.3%10%12.2%6.7%2.4%0.27%0.33%
Sep 202628.1%28.1%18.8%8.4%8.4%5.6%2%0.31%0.22%

  1. 1.Celtx

    28.1%

    Held 1st. 90.5K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.

  2. 2.WriterDuet

    28.1%

    Held 2nd. 90.5K estimated branded searches, +49.6% vs prior month. Share +5.7 points.

  3. 3.Final Draft

    18.8%

    Held 3rd. 60.5K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.

  4. 4.Arc Studio

    8.4%

    Moved from 5th to 4th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.6 points.

  5. 5.Free alternatives

    8.4%

    Moved from 4th to 5th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -3.8 points.

  6. 6.Fade In

    5.6%

    Held 6th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.1 points.

  7. 7.Trelby

    2%

    Held 7th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.

  8. 8.Highland

    0.31%

    Moved from 9th to 8th. 1K estimated branded searches, +38.9% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  9. 9.Movie Magic Screenwriter

    0.22%

    Moved from 8th to 9th. 720 estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

Compare popularity between Free alternatives and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Free alternatives

8 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Free alternatives changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

4 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Free alternatives worldwide rose from 1K to 27.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Free alternatives’ share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide increased from 0.29% to 8.4%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Free alternatives’ share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide peaked at 12.2% in August 2026 and was lowest at 0.24% in November 2025.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Free alternatives rose from 7th to 5th among screenwriting software worldwide.

How did search popularity change for screenwriting software worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, WriterDuet gained share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide, from 22.4% to 28.1%.

  2. In September 2026, Celtx gained share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide, from 27.4% to 28.1%.

  3. In September 2026, Free alternatives lost share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide, from 12.2% to 8.4%.

  4. In September 2026, Arc Studio lost share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide, from 10% to 8.4%.

  5. In September 2026, Fade In lost share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide, from 6.7% to 5.6%.

  6. In September 2026, Highland rose from 9th to 8th among screenwriting software worldwide.

How are Free alternatives’ branded searches counted?

1 search term

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Free alternatives’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • free alternatives

Do you work for Free alternatives? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Is Free alternatives your brand?

Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.

Start free