If you write on Windows 11 and want a free, native experience, use ActOne Screenplay. It is a Fountain editor built for Windows with live formatting, outline navigation and Rust powered PDF export. WriterSolo is a solid browser fallback, and Trelby still works if you need something very light. Web editors like StudioBinder are fine online but need a constant connection.
Windows 11 is where most PC writers live now. But try to find a screenwriting app that feels like it was made for Windows and the list gets short fast. A lot of options are Mac first, web first, or paid from the first screen.
I write on Windows myself. I like having my files local, launching quickly, and not needing a browser tab to open a script. That preference shaped how we built ActOne. It is not a port. It is a Windows and Linux app from the start, with Fountain at its core.
What matters on Windows 11
A good Windows 11 screenwriting app should act like a Windows app. That sounds obvious, but you feel it when an app does not. Native window controls, predictable file dialogs, proper high DPI text, and an editor that does not stutter when your script hits sixty pages.
- Native performance. Fast startup, smooth scrolling, no browser tab needed.
- Live Fountain editing. Real formatting as you type, not import and export tricks.
- Offline and private. Your scripts stay on your PC. No required account.
- Clean export. A PDF you can send to anyone without fixing it somewhere else.
- Project friendly. Keep more than one script and your notes together if you need to.
Quick compare for Windows 11
| App | How it runs | Fountain | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActOne Screenplay | Native desktop (Windows 10/11) | Live Fountain + .actone bundles | Native Windows writing, offline |
| WriterSolo | Browser (offline capable) | Fountain / FDX | Quick free writing in the browser |
| Trelby | Native desktop | No (own format) | Very light old hardware |
| StudioBinder / Arc Studio | Web (online) | Cloud | Online production workflow |
| Fade In Demo | Desktop | Import / export only | Classic UI taste on free demo |
1. ActOne Screenplay — built for Windows
ActOne is the only free Fountain editor we know of that is native to Windows and Linux. It is built with Rust for PDF export, CodeMirror 6 for the editor, and a workspace that treats Fountain as the source of truth.
You get live highlighting, smart Tab behavior for prefixes, ghost text for character names, an outline tree for sections and scenes, and snapshots that save locally. When you export, the PDF is rendered with proper scene numbers and orphan protection. If you need Final Draft format, export to FDX as well. And if you use a terminal sometimes, your Fountain file also opens cleanly in FountTUI.
When to pick it
If you want a PC app that launches like a PC app, keeps files local, and does not ask for a subscription to export a clean PDF, this is the one. It also handles Indic and other Unicode scripts better than most, which matters if you write dialogue beyond English.
2. WriterSolo — good browser option
WriterSolo runs in your browser but can work offline. It handles Fountain and FDX and exports to PDF. If you need something right now without installing, it is a practical free choice.
Tradeoff is that it lives in a browser tab. For long scripts and long writing sessions, a native app will feel smoother and give you better file management.
3. Trelby — light and familiar
Trelby is an old open source screenwriting program for Windows and Linux. It is very light and still formats a script. It does not use Fountain as a native format and it shows its age on high DPI screens, but it can be useful on older PCs.
4. Web editors — StudioBinder, Arc Studio
These are online production suites with screenplay editors inside. They are handy if your writing lives next to call sheets and shot lists, but they need a constant connection and keep your scripts in a cloud format. If you want local files you can back up yourself, a Fountain approach is simpler.
On Windows 11, the difference is not just features. It is how the app feels every time you open it.
How to choose quickly
- Need native Windows, offline, Fountain live editing and clean PDF? Choose ActOne Screenplay.
- Need something in the browser without installs? Try WriterSolo.
- Need something ultra light for old hardware? Try Trelby.
FAQ
Is there a good free screenwriting app for Windows 11?
Yes. ActOne Screenplay is free, native to Windows 11, and Fountain based. It works offline and exports industry standard PDFs without a watermark.
Can I open Final Draft files on Windows 11?
You can import FDX into ActOne and keep writing in Fountain. You can also export back to FDX when you need to share.
Do I need to stay online?
No. ActOne is local first. Only update checks and crash reports use the network, never your script content.
Want to see how it feels on Windows 11?
Install ActOne and open a new Fountain file. No account, no trial limit.
Download ActOne for Windows