Switching screenwriting software

A Free Final Draft Alternative That Opens Your .FDX Files

Final Draft is the industry standard, and it is priced like one. HeatWriter gives you the same screenplay format for free, in your browser, and reads and writes Final Draft files so you can move between the two.

Start Writing FreeSee the Format Rules

Same pages, same format

HeatWriter follows Final Draft's page layout: Courier 12, the standard margins and element indents, and Final Draft's rules for where a page breaks and when (MORE) and (CONT'D) appear. Your page count is the page count a reader will see.

Your .fdx files, both ways

Upload a Final Draft script and keep writing; download .fdx whenever you need it, for Final Draft 11 and later.

The keys you already know

Enter and Tab move between elements the way they do in Final Draft, and Ctrl+1 to Ctrl+7 pick the element.

Suggestions from your script

Character names, locations, times of day and transitions come up as you type, taken from your own pages.

HeatWriter and Final Draft, side by side

HeatWriterFinal Draft
PriceFreePaid license
Where it runsIn your browser, on any computerDesktop app for Mac and Windows
Industry-standard screenplay formatYesYes
Opens and saves Final Draft (.fdx) filesYesYes (its own format)
Downloads as PDFYesYes
Where your scripts are savedYour account, a second after you stop typingFiles on your computer
Publish and rank on a public leaderboardYesNo

What HeatWriter adds

Never lose a page

Your script is saved to your account a second after you stop typing, with earlier versions kept. Open it from any computer.

An honest AI script review

Press Review for an estimated score and notes tied to your lines. How it works.

A leaderboard to be found on

Publish your finished script to be rated and ranked on the HeatWriter leaderboard.

What HeatWriter does not do (yet)

Final Draft remains the tool for production. If you need these, keep a Final Draft license for that stage and write your drafts wherever you like:
  • Revision colours, locked pages and production reports
  • Real-time collaboration on the same script
  • Index cards, beat boards and outlining tools
  • A mobile app

Frequently asked questions

Can HeatWriter open Final Draft files?

Yes. Upload a .fdx file and HeatWriter reads the scenes, dialogue, title page and script notes. You can download any script as .fdx again at any time.

Will my script look the same in Final Draft?

HeatWriter lays pages out the way Final Draft does: the same margins, element indents and page-break rules, including (MORE) and (CONT'D). A script downloaded as .fdx opens in Final Draft with its standard screenplay settings.

Is it really free?

Writing, saving, importing and downloading are free with a HeatWriter account. The AI review is free three times a month, and publishing to the leaderboard uses a submission credit.

Can I go back to Final Draft later?

Any time. Download your screenplay as a .fdx file and open it in Final Draft; nothing locks you in.

Is HeatWriter connected to Final Draft?

No. HeatWriter is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Final Draft. Final Draft is a trademark of its owner.

Try it with your own script

Upload your .fdx, keep writing in your browser, and download it again whenever you want.

Start Writing FreeAbout the AI Review

Final Draft is a trademark of its owner. HeatWriter is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Final Draft.