Choose First Page if
- You want to write together, with the script encrypted end to end.
- You want an app that keeps working offline.
- You would rather pay once than renew every year.
- You want read-aloud free on your Mac, not bought by the read.
First Page vs Arc Studio
Write, hear and plan your screenplay together, on the Mac and the web.
Checked October 2026. Sources at the end of the page.
The short answer.
Arc Studio is a subscription, $69 a year or $99 a year for Pro, built around real-time collaboration for writers' rooms. It runs on Mac, Windows, iOS and the web, with an account required. First Page is a native Mac app you can buy once, $79 for First Page One, or subscribe to, and it keeps scripts on your Mac.
Both read scripts aloud. Arc's Table Read uses cloud voices paid for in credits. First Page's Listen is free with the voices on your Mac, and its studio voices come with Suite or with credits. First Page shares a script with the people you choose, and you write in it together in real time, encrypted end to end.
What is different.
TopicFirst PageArc Studio
Paying$79 once, or Suite at $9.99 a month or $89 a year.Billed yearly: $69, or $99 for Pro.
Writing togetherReal-time co-writing, encrypted end to end.Real-time collaboration for writers' rooms.
Hearing the scriptYour Mac's voices, free. Studio voices with Suite or credits.Cloud voices, bought with credits.
Generated featuresAnalysis notes on the whole draft, when you ask.A research assistant and generated images.
Accounts and offlineReader needs none. Edits offline once activated.An account is required.
PrivacyNever used for training. Cloud scripts encrypted end to end.No training statement found.
| As of October 2026 | First Page | Arc Studio |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Buy once, or subscribeFirst Page One, or Lifetime at $199, once. Or Suite | Subscription onlyBilled yearly |
| Entry price | $79 onceOr Suite at $9.99 a month or $89 a year. Reading is free | $69 a yearPro is $99 a year. The free tier is two watermarked scripts in the browser |
| Paid upgrades | Only for a new major versionEvery 1.x update is free. Lifetime includes future majors | Included in the subscription |
| License expiry and activations | First Page One has no expiry dateUp to five Macs on one account | SubscriptionAn account is required |
| Offline writing and accounts | Offline once activatedWriting needs an account. Reading needs none | NoAn account is required |
| PDF import | Yes, on your MacScanned pages too, read without uploading | Yes |
| FDX import and export | Yes, both waysFountain too, and Word import | Not confirmed |
| Read-aloud | Your Mac's voices, freeA voice per character, plus a narrator. Studio voices with Suite or credits | Cloud voices on creditsTable Read with ElevenLabs or Murf, paid for separately |
| Where scripts are kept | On your MacOptional encrypted AutoSave to the cloud with Suite and Lifetime | Not confirmed |
| Training on your scripts | NeverIn writing, in our privacy policy | No statement foundNone in its privacy notice of July 18, 2026 |
| Platforms | Mac, plus a web appNative on macOS 14 or later. The web app is free for up to 3 scripts | Mac, Windows, iOS and web |
Who should pick which.
Choose Arc Studio if
- You work on Windows, or on an iPhone.
- You want outlining built for writers' rooms.
Bring your scripts over.
Opened on your Mac, so nothing is uploaded.
Export from Arc Studio
Export a copy in a format First Page opens: Final Draft (.fdx), Fountain, PDF or Word. Final Draft and Fountain keep the most structure.
Open it in First Page
Choose Open in the File menu and pick the file. Reader opens it free, with no account, so you can check how it came across before you buy.
Leave the original where it is
Nothing changes in Arc Studio, so collaborators can keep working there while you try First Page.
.fdx.fountain.pdf.docx
Sources
Facts about Arc Studio come from Arc Studio’s own pages, checked October 8, 2026. Prices are US list prices and change, so follow the links for today’s.
Open your own script, free.
Download free and read any script today.
macOS 14 or newer, on Apple silicon and Intel.