Brandwave

Free alternatives vs Highland:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Free alternatives had more branded searches than Highland among screenwriting software worldwide. Free alternatives had about 27,100 branded searches, while Highland had 1,000. Free alternatives made up 8.4% of all screenwriting software searches we track, and Highland accounted for 0.31%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about screenwriting software, Highland appeared in three of the five answers and Free alternatives in two. Highland was mentioned before Free alternatives in every answer that named either.

Among screenwriting software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Free alternatives, about 27 searches for every 1 for Highland

Free alternatives 27.1K searchesHighland 1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Highland, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Free alternatives in 2

Highland in 3 of 5Free alternatives in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Highland, named ahead of Free alternatives in 3 of 3 answers

Highland first in 3Free alternatives never first

Follow Free alternatives vs Highland 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

Track your brand against a rival →

Top screenwriting software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Highland was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both 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. Highland was listed before Free alternatives in every answer that named either.

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 Free alternatives or Highland more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Free alternatives and Highland 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.

Free alternatives and Highland among screenwriting software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Free alternatives, Highland. 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 Free alternatives and Highland comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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, Highland rose from 9th to 8th among screenwriting software worldwide.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Free alternatives’ and Highland’s 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.

Free alternatives

1 branded search term

  • free alternatives

Highland

1 branded search term

  • highland screenwriting

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among screenwriting software

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free