Arc Studio vs Free alternatives:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Arc Studio and Free alternatives were level in searches among screenwriting software worldwide, with an estimated 27.1K branded searches each, at 8.4% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about screenwriting software, Arc Studio appeared in all five answers and Free alternatives in two. Arc Studio was mentioned before Free alternatives in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Arc Studio and Free alternatives are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Arc Studio, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Arc Studio, named ahead of Free alternatives in every answer
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Top screenwriting software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Arc Studio appeared in all five answers. Free alternatives was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Arc Studio was listed before Free alternatives in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Final Draft1st
Fade In2nd
WriterDuet3rd- Arc Studio4th
- Movie Magic Screenwriter5th
Celtx6th
Highland7th
Trelby8th- 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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which screenwriting software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best screenwriting software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best screenwriting software for script writing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“screenwriting software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“screenplay software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Arc Studio or Free alternatives more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Arc Studio and Free alternatives by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine screenwriting software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Arc Studio, Free alternatives. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Celtx | WriterDuet | Final Draft | Arc Studio | Free alternatives | Fade In | Trelby | Highland | Movie Magic Screenwriter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 38.6% | 21.1% | 21.1% | 7.7% | 0.29% | 7.7% | 2.8% | 0.29% | 0.29% |
| Nov 2025 | 36.8% | 20.2% | 24.7% | 7.4% | 0.24% | 7.4% | 2.7% | 0.24% | 0.35% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.8% | 22.6% | 22.6% | 10.1% | 0.49% | 6.8% | 3% | 0.33% | 0.37% |
| Jan 2026 | 34.3% | 23.1% | 23.1% | 8.4% | 0.5% | 6.9% | 3.1% | 0.31% | 0.31% |
| Feb 2026 | 36% | 24.2% | 19.8% | 8.9% | 0.52% | 7.3% | 2.7% | 0.33% | 0.29% |
| Mar 2026 | 38.9% | 26.1% | 17.4% | 7.8% | 0.55% | 6.4% | 2.3% | 0.29% | 0.25% |
| Apr 2026 | 36% | 24.2% | 19.8% | 8.9% | 0.78% | 7.3% | 2.6% | 0.29% | 0.24% |
| May 2026 | 37.5% | 25.2% | 16.9% | 9.2% | 0.82% | 7.6% | 2.2% | 0.34% | 0.25% |
| Jun 2026 | 31.3% | 25.6% | 20.9% | 9.4% | 2.3% | 7.6% | 2.3% | 0.37% | 0.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 30.1% | 24.6% | 20.1% | 9% | 6% | 7.4% | 2.2% | 0.29% | 0.24% |
| Aug 2026 | 27.4% | 22.4% | 18.3% | 10% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 2.4% | 0.27% | 0.33% |
| Sep 2026 | 28.1% | 28.1% | 18.8% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 5.6% | 2% | 0.31% | 0.22% |
How has the Arc Studio and Free alternatives comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Free alternatives took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Arc Studio’s share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide moved from 7.7% to 8.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 27.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Free alternatives’ share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide moved from 0.29% to 8.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 27.1K.
How did search popularity change for screenwriting software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Free alternatives lost share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide, from 12.2% to 8.4%.
In September 2026, Arc Studio lost share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide, from 10% to 8.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Arc Studio’s and Free alternatives’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Arc Studio
1 branded search term
- arc studio
Free alternatives
1 branded search term
- free alternatives
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