Brandwave

Fade In vs Free alternatives:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Free alternatives had more branded searches than Fade In among screenwriting software worldwide. Free alternatives had about 27,100 branded searches, while Fade In had 18,100. Free alternatives made up 8.4% of all screenwriting software searches we track, and Fade In accounted for 5.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about screenwriting software, Fade In appeared in all five answers and Free alternatives in two. Fade In was mentioned before Free alternatives in every answer.

Among screenwriting software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Free alternatives, about 50% more searches than Fade In

Free alternatives 27.1K searchesFade In 18.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Fade In, mentioned in every answer we collected

Fade In in 5 of 5Free alternatives in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Fade In, named ahead of Free alternatives in every answer

Fade In first in 5Free alternatives never first

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Top screenwriting software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Fade In 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. Fade In 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.

  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.

Is Fade In or Free alternatives more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Fade In 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.

Fade In and Free alternatives among screenwriting software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Free alternatives, Fade In. 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%

How has the Fade In 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, Fade In’s share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide moved from 7.7% to 5.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 18.1K.
  • 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

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

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

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Fade In’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.

Fade In

1 branded search term

  • fade in

Free alternatives

1 branded search term

  • free alternatives

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among screenwriting software

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