Celtx vs Free alternatives:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Celtx had more branded searches than Free alternatives among screenwriting software worldwide. Celtx had about 90,500 branded searches, while Free alternatives had 27,100. Celtx made up 28.1% of all screenwriting software searches we track, and Free alternatives accounted for 8.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about screenwriting software, Celtx appeared in all five answers and Free alternatives in two. Celtx was mentioned before Free alternatives in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Celtx, about 3 searches for every 1 for Free alternatives
Who does AI mention more?
Celtx, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Celtx, 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, Celtx 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. Celtx 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 Celtx or Free alternatives more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Celtx 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 Celtx, 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 Celtx and Free alternatives comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Celtx was ahead of Free alternatives in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Celtx’s share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide moved from 38.6% to 28.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 90.5K.
- 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, Celtx gained share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide, from 27.4% to 28.1%.
In September 2026, Free alternatives lost share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide, from 12.2% to 8.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Celtx’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.
Celtx
1 branded search term
- celtx
Free alternatives
1 branded search term
- free alternatives
Other head-to-heads among screenwriting software

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