ScriptDraft is the best free screenwriting app for iPhone in 2025. No script limit, no export paywall, voice-to-screenplay in 100+ languages, and FDX export — all free. Here is how it compares to the alternatives.
The iPhone has become a serious writing device. Dictation accuracy is high, Bluetooth keyboards make extended sessions possible, and the App Store has genuine screenplay tools — not just notes apps with Fountain export bolted on. This comparison focuses on what matters: what the free tier actually includes.
Apps compared
ScriptDraft · Celtx · Arc Studio · Fade In Mobile · Final Draft Mobile
Comparison table
| App | Free scripts | Free export | Voice input | Indian languages | FDX export |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ScriptDraft | Unlimited | Fountain free; PDF/FDX watermarked | Yes — 100+ languages, on-device | Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi + more | Yes (free, watermarked; Pro = clean) |
| Celtx | Unlimited | No — subscription required | No | No | No |
| Arc Studio | Unlimited | PDF free | No | No | Paid plan |
| Fade In Mobile | Unlimited | PDF/FDX/Fountain free | No | No | Yes (free) |
| Final Draft Mobile | Requires desktop licence | Export requires desktop licence | No | No | Yes (paid) |
ScriptDraft
Best for: Mobile-first writers, Indian and regional language writers, voice-to-screenplay.
ScriptDraft’s free tier has no meaningful limits on writing and Fountain export. PDF and FDX exports include a small ScriptDraft watermark on free; Pro ($3.99/month) removes it.
The differentiating feature is voice-to-screenplay: tap record, speak your scene in your language, and the app formats it as Fountain — scene headings, action lines, character names, dialogue — automatically. Voice processing uses iOS’s on-device speech recognition, so your audio never leaves your phone.
For Indian language writers, ScriptDraft is in a category by itself. Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi all work with voice input and display correctly with bundled Noto Sans fonts. No other screenwriting app on iPhone handles this.
ScriptDraft is available on both iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play). No account required — download and open the editor immediately.
Free tier: Unlimited scripts, unlimited Fountain export, PDF/FDX with watermark, 3 scene improvements/day.
Celtx
Best for: Writers already in the Celtx ecosystem.
Celtx has a long history as the accessible alternative to Final Draft. The iPhone app is functional but the free tier is heavily restricted — export requires a paid subscription. For a writer who just wants to write and export a script on iPhone for free, Celtx is not the right choice in 2025.
Free tier: Writing only — no export without subscription.
Arc Studio
Best for: Desktop writers who want a mobile companion.
Arc Studio’s free tier is genuinely usable: unlimited scripts, clean formatting, and free PDF export. FDX export is behind a paid plan. There is no voice input and no Indian language support. If your primary concern is a clean, desktop-equivalent writing experience, Arc Studio is worth a look.
Free tier: Unlimited scripts, PDF export free, FDX on paid.
Fade In Mobile
Best for: Desktop Fade In users who want a mobile companion.
Fade In Mobile is one of the more complete free options — PDF, FDX, and Fountain export are all free with no watermark. The limitation: no voice input and no Indian language support. The app is functional but feels like a viewer/editor rather than a drafting tool.
Free tier: Unlimited scripts, PDF/FDX/Fountain export free, no watermark.
Final Draft Mobile
Best for: Writers who have already bought Final Draft for desktop.
Final Draft’s iOS app requires an existing Final Draft licence. It is not an independently useful free app — it is a companion to the $249.99 desktop purchase. If you don’t already have Final Draft, this is not a free option.
Free tier: Not meaningfully free — requires desktop licence.
The verdict
If you write on iPhone and want the most capable free tool, ScriptDraft wins on: no export paywall on Fountain, voice-to-screenplay in 100+ languages, Indian language support, and no account requirement.
If you want completely watermark-free FDX export for free, Fade In Mobile is the runner-up.
If you want a clean mobile editor that mirrors a desktop experience, Arc Studio is worth trying.
Quick answers
Which app has the best free tier for iPhone screenwriting? ScriptDraft — unlimited scripts, Fountain export always free, no account needed.
Can I export FDX for free on iPhone? Yes, with ScriptDraft (watermarked on free, clean on Pro) or Fade In Mobile (clean, free).
Does any iPhone app support Tamil or Telugu screenwriting? Yes — ScriptDraft supports voice input and correct font rendering for Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and other Indian regional languages.
Do I need an Apple ID to use these apps? You need an Apple ID to download from the App Store, but ScriptDraft requires no account after installation — open it and write immediately.