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Trelby alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Trelby: no real-time collaboration or cloud sync, and dated interface compared with commercial tools. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Trelby, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Story Architect (STARC) currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Story Architect (STARC) logoStory Architect (STARC)Free plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +15 of 562.6
  1. Story Architect (STARC) logo

    1. Story Architect (STARC)Top pick

    Best for: Writers who work across screenplays, novels and comics and want a capable free tier

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Trelby

    Free open-source writing suite that adds story structure and cards to screenplay editing.

    Pros

    • Generous free tier with unlimited projects and script formatting
    • Covers screenplays, comics, stage plays, audio dramas and novels
    • Story bible for characters, locations and worlds alongside the text
    • Lifetime licence option instead of only a subscription

    Cons

    • Corkboard, timeline and character maps need Pro
    • Collaboration and sync require the higher Creator tier
    • AI features cost extra credits on top of the plans
    Visit Story Architect (STARC) Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Story Architect (STARC) a good Trelby alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, unlimited projects
    Checked Oct 29, 2026starc.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro lifetime price
    $150 one-time
    Checked Oct 29, 2026starc.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 29, 2026starc.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Education discount
    50% off
    Checked Oct 29, 2026starc.app(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Trelby alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Story Architect (STARC) logo

Best Trelby alternative for most people

Story Architect (STARC)

Free open-source writing suite that adds story structure and cards to screenplay editing.

Story Architect (STARC) logo

Best Trelby alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Story Architect (STARC)

Free open-source writing suite that adds story structure and cards to screenplay editing.

Story Architect (STARC) logo

Best Trelby alternative for open source

Story Architect (STARC)

Free open-source writing suite that adds story structure and cards to screenplay editing.

Scrivener logo

Best Trelby alternative for Mac

Scrivener

Long-form writing app with screenplay mode, for writers who also plan and research heavily.

Final Draft logo

Best Trelby alternative for Windows

Final Draft

The industry-standard screenwriting app, with production reports and the .fdx format studios expect.

Story Architect (STARC) logo

Best Trelby alternative for Linux

Story Architect (STARC)

Free open-source writing suite that adds story structure and cards to screenplay editing.

Final Draft logo

Best Trelby alternative for working in the browser

Final Draft

The industry-standard screenwriting app, with production reports and the .fdx format studios expect.

Trelby alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Trelby?

Story Architect (STARC) ranks first right now. Free open-source writing suite that adds story structure and cards to screenplay editing. Scrivener and Final Draft follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Trelby?

Yes. Story Architect (STARC) (free plan + paid) has a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Trelby?

Yes: Story Architect (STARC).

Which Trelby alternatives work on Linux?

Story Architect (STARC) runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Trelby?

The complaints we hear most: no real-time collaboration or cloud sync; dated interface compared with commercial tools; maintained by a small volunteer team with irregular releases.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Trelby, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.