Free alternatives vs Trelby:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Free alternatives had more branded searches than Trelby among screenwriting software worldwide. Free alternatives had about 27,100 branded searches, while Trelby had 6,600. Free alternatives made up 8.4% of all screenwriting software searches we track, and Trelby accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about screenwriting software, Free alternatives and Trelby each appeared in two of the five answers. Trelby was mentioned before Free alternatives in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Free alternatives, about 4 searches for every 1 for Trelby
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Trelby, named ahead of Free alternatives in 2 of 2 answers
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Top screenwriting software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Free alternatives and Trelby were each mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Trelby 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.
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 Free alternatives or Trelby more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Free alternatives and Trelby 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 Free alternatives, Trelby. 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 Free alternatives and Trelby 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 July 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Trelby’s share of searches among screenwriting software worldwide moved from 2.8% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.9K to 6.6K.
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%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Trelby worldwide fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 9.9K to 6.6K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Free alternatives’ and Trelby’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
Trelby
1 branded search term
- trelby
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