Choose First Page if
- You would rather own your app than rent it.
- You write on a Mac, with or without Wi-Fi.
- You want scripts in the cloud encrypted end to end.
- You want a voice for every character, free on your Mac.
First Page vs Celtx
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.
Celtx is a studio in the browser that puts writing beside production planning: breakdowns, schedules, budgets and call sheets come with its Team plan or as add-ons. It is free for one project, and Writer is $11.24 a month, billed yearly. First Page is a native Mac app with a web companion, built around owning your license, keeping scripts private and hearing your draft read back. First Page One is $79 once.
If your work is mostly writing, First Page is the calmer, more private place to do it. Scripts in its cloud are encrypted end to end, and nothing you write is used for training. If you want production tools beside the script, or co-writing on a free plan, choose Celtx. 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 PageCeltx
Paying$79 once, Lifetime $199, or Suite from $89 a year.Free for one project. Writer from $11.24 a month, billed yearly.
Writing togetherReal-time co-writing, encrypted end to end.Real-time co-writing, even on the free plan.
ProductionNone. First Page is for writing.Breakdowns, schedules, budgets and call sheets, on Team or as add-ons.
OfflineEdits offline on the Mac, once activated.Offline Mode was retired in September 2023.
PrivacyEncrypted end to end. Never used for training.Encrypted in transit. We found no training statement.
Hearing the scriptA voice per character, free with your Mac's voices.Read Through, with automated voices.
ImportFDX, Fountain, Word and PDF, scans included.FDX, Fountain, Word and text PDFs. Scans need OCR.
ExportFDX, Fountain and PDF.PDF, plain text and Fountain. We found no FDX export.
Writing for youNever writes for you. One switch turns off Listen and Analysis.We found no generated writing.
| As of October 2026 | First Page | Celtx |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Buy once, or subscribeFirst Page One, or Lifetime at $199, once. Or Suite | SubscriptionA free plan for one project |
| Entry price | $79 onceOr Suite at $9.99 a month or $89 a year. Reading is free | $11.24 a monthWriter, billed yearly. Free for one project |
| 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 | NoOffline Mode was retired in September 2023 |
| PDF import | Yes, on your MacScanned pages too, read without uploading | Text PDFsScanned pages need OCR first |
| FDX import and export | Yes, both waysFountain too, and Word import | ImportWe found no FDX export |
| Read-aloud | Your Mac's voices, freeA voice per character, plus a narrator. Studio voices with Suite or credits | Read ThroughAutomated voices, or collaborators reading roles |
| Where scripts are kept | On your MacOptional encrypted AutoSave to the cloud with Suite and Lifetime | Celtx's cloudEncrypted in transit. No statement on encryption at rest |
| Training on your scripts | NeverIn writing, in our privacy policy | No statement foundIts terms limit your content to running the service |
| Platforms | Mac, plus a web appNative on macOS 14 or later. The web app is free for up to 3 scripts | In the browser |
Who should pick which.
Choose Celtx if
- You want to co-write on a free plan.
- You write in a browser, on Windows or a Chromebook.
- You want breakdowns, schedules and call sheets beside the script.
Bring your scripts over.
Opened on your Mac, so nothing is uploaded.
Download it from Celtx
Download the script from Celtx as a PDF, or export it as a Fountain file.
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
Your Celtx project stays as it was, so nothing is lost either way.
.fdx.fountain.pdf.docx
Sources
Facts about Celtx come from Celtx’s own pages, checked October 23, 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.