Do you find you get inspiration while on-the-go or do you prefer to write in coffee shops? If you often find your writing routine needs you to be mobile, then you will want a way to access screenwriting software on the move.

If you have to make long commutes every day on the subway or a bus, then accessing screenwriting software on your phone can transform your productivity as you can take advantage of the time that would have otherwise been wasted.

The question is, what are the best mobile screenwriting apps? Here we've reviewed some of the best screenwriting apps you might want to consider downloading.  

Best screenwriting mobile apps

We reviewed all the major players when it comes to screenwriting apps. Below you'll find our reviews for Arc Studio Pro, Final Draft, and Celtx.

Arc Studio Pro app

The Arc Studio app comes with a 7-day free trial, so you can try it before purchasing a subscription - which is nice! Remember your subscription lets you access Arc Studio on a Mac or Windows computer and your phone.

This enables seamless switching between the two, so you can pick up where you left off on your phone if you need to leave your house and your desktop in a hurry.

The Arc Studio experience for the phone has been completely optimized to make things as easy as possible. The shortcuts for action, character, and scene headings have been adapted and assigned a specific letter on the keyboard to make writing easy.

Arc Studio on mobile also makes auto-suggestions so that you do not always struggle to input complex dialogue or sluglines, which can be more fiddly when using a cell phone.

The Arc Studio app is also great for managing notes. However, you can reply quickly to any messages on your script left by colleagues in the industry looking it over or editors you are working with.

If you are using an iPad, the iPad OS app is even more extensive and takes full advantage of the wider screen. It's the perfect app if you have Apple's new magic keyboard and an iPad Pro with the lightning-fast M1 chip.

You will need iOS or iPad OS 13 or later to install the Arc Studio app.

Quick facts:

Price: As part of the Arc Studio Essentials subscription from $69 per year.

Available on: iPhone and iPad

Final Draft app

For many years Final Draft was the industry standard screenwriting software. However, there are now many options for budding screenwriters to choose from, and it's not necessarily the best screenwriting apps 2022.

The Final Draft mobile app gives you all the functionality you'd expect from a screenwriting mobile app. You can write and edit your existing scripts while you are on the go. You can also create new screenplays if you have a rush of ideas while you are out for your morning jog.‍

Final Draft's app also supports Bluetooth keyboards, so if you have a stand for your phone and you're at a coffee shop or a train with a table seat, you can emulate the experience you would have on a laptop, only with a smaller screen.

You can search the script for references to characters, locations, or headings you might need to find quickly.

There are also great tools for collaboration. For example, you can add script notes and color code some of the pages to know what draft you are working on. There is also the option to export your script to a PDF.

Another feature of the Final Draft app is changing the color settings. You can set the screen background to black with text that is white. This is great for those with poor eyesight or those who want to change things up to spot mistakes they might otherwise have missed.

If you are struggling to know how to format your screenplay, then some pre-installed templates can give you a head start prompting you to format a play, television screenplay, or a script for a film.  

Quick facts:

Price: $9.99 one-off fee

Available on: iPhone and iPad

Celtx Script

If you're strapped for cash or want to see if mobile screenwriting apps work for you before purchasing a premium app, this can be a great free option that meets your needs.

Celtx allows you to choose from various formats for your scripts, such as a screenplay or a theater production, and will automatically layout your script for you, giving you a stress-free experience. It even gives you a format for comic book writing.

You can take advantage of the index cards to feature so that you can keep track of your characters, plot points, and scenes without having to worry about hundreds of physical cards that you might lose.

One of the best features of this app is that it allows you to import and export your Celtx files from your desktop, so you are always up to speed. This is great for collaborative work.

Quick facts:

Price: Free

Available on: iPhone, iPad, and Android devices

Consider if screenwriting apps work for you

Every writer works differently; some can only work from home in their cozy environment on their desktops.

Screenwriting apps could be for you if you can type on the move and are fast with your thumbs. Most industry-standard screenwriting software for desktops comes with a mobile app as part of the upfront fee or subscription. You could consider a free screenwriting app to try the experience first.

However, some writers are more inspired when they are on the move, while other writers want to use the time that would be otherwise wasted on public transport. Remember, one of the advantages of being out in the world as a writer is both people-watching and networking as you never know who you might meet.