The Best Alternative to Celtx
Looking for a Celtx script writing alternative? StudioBinder provides a film production project management solution for agencies, indies, and studios. Read the full Celtx review and comparison below.
Different Approaches
Celtx is a document builder. StudioBinder is mission control.
Celtx screenwriting software is a cloud based solution that provides indie filmmakers with tools to generate production documents. Celtx operates much like a spreadsheet.
You input data into a cell, and then export a PDF.
Celtx Studio is similar to StudioBinder, but it does not provide the same A-to-Z functionality that links your tasks, calendars, contact messaging, and other project management to improve collaboration across teams.
This modern approach is what defines us here at StudioBinder.
This is all to say:
Celtx Studio is a document builder
StudioBinder is mission control for production teams.
User experience
StudioBinder is more intuitive
StudioBinder is known for its modern, intuitive design.
Everything is where you'd expect it to be. No special training is required to get started.
You’ll get more video production management features than Celtx without having to navigate a maze of interfaces.
Fewer clicks. Quicker results.
Better experience.
Celtx Script Writing Software
Intuitive screenwriting solution
Celtx screenwriting solution solution is collaborative, but the user experience doesn't come close to StudioBinder's scriptwriting software.
Industry Standard Format
Celtx Studio has a screenwriting feature that build script with industry standard format, similar to Final Draft, but the software doesn't teach you along the way like our software.
Collaborative Screenwriting
Celtx screenwriting can be done with a writing partner or team, but you won't get the same robust collaborative functionality as you do with StudioBinder.
User Friendly Experience
Celtx script writing software is slower and has a much less intuitive interface, which means your creativity can be stifled by a confusing and frustrating writing experience.
Feature by Feature
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Screenwriting Features |
StudioBinder |
Celtx |
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Screenwriting Creator |
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Watermark Script |
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Actor Script Sides |
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Script Notes |
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Commenting System |
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Keyboard Shortcuts |
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Sync Screenplay |
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Renumber Scenes |
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Script Versioning |
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Auto-Saving |
Interface Comparison
Interactive Demo
Touring Man Screenplay in StudioBinder
Call Sheet Creator
Industry standard call sheets with more clarity
StudioBinder and Celtx app both offer online call sheet builders. However, the process couldn't be more different.
Easier to Create
StudioBinder auto-populates call sheets with data from other pages, and you can include personalized notes and file attachments like maps in every email.
Our call sheets are integrated with Google Places and DarkSky Weather APIs to automatically include Google maplinks and up-to-date weather changes.
Easier to Send
Celtx can not send call sheets — you'll need to download and compose emails.
StudioBinder sends call sheets as emails, PDFs and text messages with one-click. Every recipient receives a personalized email digest with the information that pertains to them like call time, parking details, map links to the location, and a "Confirm" button to RSVP so that no one is left behind on your production.
Easier to Track
Celtx does not track the delivery of a call sheet.
StudioBinder tracks the delivery status, view counts, and RSVPs of every call sheet that is sent to a specific recipient. Notice someone didn't open their call sheet? No problem, you know exactly why, and can swiftly resolve and resend.
Feature by Feature
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Call Sheet Features |
StudioBinder |
Celtx |
|---|---|---|
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Call Sheet Creator |
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Auto-Populated Schedule |
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Distribute Call Sheets |
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Multiple Templates |
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Personalized Emails |
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Text Message Reminders |
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"Confirm" Button to RSVP |
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Delivery Tracking |
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Approval & Sign-Offs |
Interface Comparison
Interactive Demo
"Feature Film" Call Sheet Template
"Photoshoot" Call Sheet Template
Track Delivery Status
Don't Stay in the Dark.
Track Your Call Sheet Delivery.
“StudioBinder is an invaluable tool for our production workflow. The sleek design and smart features like call sheet tracking bring organization, efficiency and automation to our shoots, and greatly increases our productivity.”
Senior Producer, Trevor Fernando
Shot List & Storyboards
Shot Lists & Storyboards
Celtx Studio offers a shot list and storyboard feature, but they do not have the same seamless functionality and customization that you get with StudioBinder.
Better Details
Celtx Studio shot lists and storyboards give you fewer opportunities to describe and plan your creative goals. Sections can't be customized to your desires. Our shots lists allow you to create setups and estimated times for each shot.
Better Visualization
Celtx Studio shot lists and storyboards have smaller view windows when working on your boards. Also, Celtx Studio limits your ability to change aspect ratios, page layout, custom numbering, or to quickly rearrange frames on your storyboards.
Better Functionality
Celtx Studio shots listing forces you to link shots to specific moments in your scripts and their storyboards are disconnected from your scenes. Our shot lists and storyboards automatically calculate the estimated times you add to each shot or setup, giving you an accurate timeframe for each on the day.
Feature by Feature
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Shot List & Storyboard Features |
StudioBinder |
Celtx |
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Shot List Creator |
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Storyboard Creator |
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Description Window |
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Upload Images |
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Page Dedicated Collaboration |
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Custom Rows & Columns |
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Custom Shot Specs |
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Custom Numbering |
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Presentation Mode |
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Camera Setups |
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Variable Aspect Ratios |
Interface Comparison
Interactive Demo
Wonder Woman Storyboard in StudioBinder
script breakdowns
Script Breakdowns
Celtx Studio offers a script breakdown feature that is similar to StudioBinder. The difference is that StudioBinder script breakdowns are much cleaner.
Cleaner Tagger
Celtx Studio's breakdown tagger is a helpful tool, but it has failed to improve upon itself in many years. Once tagged, you must enter a separate catalog window to customize each mention of a scene element.
Cleaner Interface
Celtx Studio's interface has small text that is difficult to read. Windows pop up in front of important information while you tag your script. Celtx does not give you the ability to directly embed images, videos, or scene notes to individual scenes.
Cleaner Experience
Celtx Studio is slower than StudioBinder, and customizing script breakdown details require you to navigate through a maze of separate windows and page layouts. There features are also less predictive which means redundancies. You cannot tag all mentions, nor can you create element variants in Celtx Studio.
Feature by Feature
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Breakdown Features |
StudioBinder |
Celtx |
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Easy Tagger |
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Color Labels |
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Element Sidebar |
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Report Integration |
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Easy Customization |
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Predictive Features |
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Quantity Count |
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Tag All Mentions |
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Media Embeds |
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Variant Labels |
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Scene Notes |
Interface Comparison
Interactive Demo
stripboards
Film Scheduling
Celtx Studio offers a shooting schedule feature that is similar to StudioBinder. The difference is that working with StudioBinder stripboards is more advanced.
Advanced Sorting
Celtx Studio's shooting schedule feature is pretty good, but it suffers from limited sorting features. While you can sort stripboards by a single criterion, you cannot reorder strips based on multiple criteria like time, setting, and cast.
Advanced Integration
Celtx Studio's stripboards do not have a script preview window, so if you want to read the corresponding scene for a particular strip, you'll need to open up a new window. StudioBinder lets you alter your script directly from your stripboard.
Advanced Layout
Celtx Studio's stripboard layout is somehow awkwardly simple and needlessly complicated. Tool icons are poorly labeled. Banner notes are one-size-fits-all. They walk like spreadsheets. They talk like spreadsheets. They're spreadsheets.
Feature by Feature
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Scheduling Features |
StudioBinder |
Celtx |
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Color Strips |
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Assign Location |
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Note Banners |
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Setup Banners |
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Day Breaks |
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Boneyard |
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Script Preview |
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Advanced Sorting |
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Renumber Scenes |
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Spin-off Call Sheets |
Interface Comparison
Interactive Demo
plan your movie
Production Calendar
Celtx Studio does not give you the ability to build Gantt Charts, and their calendar focuses purely on shooting rather than your entire company.
Better Layout
Celtx Studio's calendar layout is limited, and does not provide a workflow tab to track and sort events, or dependencies that inform your order of operations. You also cannot add individual tasks to your events.
StudioBinder gives you multiple layout options.
Better Versioning
Celtx Studio makes it difficult to create and navigate multiple versions of your calendar, which means fewer options for your game plans.
StudioBinder lets you build new versions and templates with one click.
Better Collaboration
Celtx Studio doesn't allow you to leave comments, create tasks, attach media files, or assign team members to your events.
StudioBinder gives you all of this and more.
Feature by Feature
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Calendar Features |
StudioBinder |
Celtx |
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Color Labels |
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Create Events |
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Set Working days |
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Media Attachments |
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Event Comments |
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Event Tasks |
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Workflow Tab |
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Event Dependencies |
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Save Template |
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New Version |
Interface Comparison
Interactive Demo
Touring Man Production Calendar | Made in StudioBinder
contact management
Contacts, only on StudioBinder
Celtx does not have a contact management feature. This means you'll need a separate application to organize contacts like talent, crew, clients, extras, etc.
StudioBinder provides a master contact book where details are stored securely. Easily reassign existing contacts to new projects with just a few clicks.
Also, StudioBinder's integrated messaging system helps you send styled production updates that feature your production or company letterhead.
file management
File Sharing, only on StudioBinder
StudioBinder offers a robust media library and file storage feature.
Celtx Studio does not provide this feature.
Securely upload and preview deal memos, financial documents, permits, invoices, headshots, etc. View, crop, and rotate files all within StudioBinder.
You can also invite your team to shared folders, where they can add and edit files together. Use comments to gather feedback right next to specific files.
A major part of production is document and media management.
Something you only get with StudioBinder.
TASKS AND CALENDARS
Collaborate in context.
StudioBinder and Celtx both allow you to invite team members to collaborate on projects.
However, only StudioBinder provides a sidebar on every page to create tasks in context.
We think it's more valuable for team members to see (and check off ) tasks while on the relevant page (e.g. call sheet, stripboard, breakdown, etc.).
StudioBinder aggregates all of the open tasks in a unified, kanban-style task board (similar to Trello or Asana) where every customizable column represents the stage or status of the card.
monthly & annual plans
Flexible Pricing
StudioBinder offers an annual pricing plan in case you’d like to pay once every twelve months. Pay for the whole year and get a discounted rate.
How about another perk for going annual?
Like any company, our pricing may change as StudioBinder’s feature set evolves and improves. When you purchase an annual plan, you’ll be locking in your current discounted rate for the next 12 months.
the bottomline
Why is StudioBinder better than Celtx?
The short version?
StudioBinder is better for studios, video agencies and production companies who want a more intuitive all-in-one solution for planning their projects.
You’ll have better status tracking. Stress free call sheets, better task workflows, project management, total integration, all built to emphasize your team’s creativity.
StudioBinder is best if…
- You want to create, send and track personalized call sheets
- You want integrated project management features like tasks and calendars
- You need to robust shot list and storyboarding functions
Celtx may be a better choice when…
- You just want to generate general production documents
- You don’t want to create, send, and track personalized call sheets
- Film project management and communication are not a priority
