Screenplay Editor vs Highland
Last updated: February 2026
Highland is beautiful, minimal, and thoughtfully designed by John August. It's a great writing app. But it's Mac-only and built for solo writers. If you need cross-platform access or real-time collaboration, it's not the tool.
Highland 2 is a screenwriting and writing app for Mac created by screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Charlie's Angels). It uses the Fountain markup language under the hood but hides it behind a clean, distraction-free interface. It's genuinely well-made software.
Screenplay Editor takes a different approach: it lives inside Google Docs. You don't download anything. You don't switch apps. You format your screenplay where you already write. Different philosophies, different trade-offs.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Screenplay Editor | Highland |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free basic / $49.99 Pro |
| Platform | Web (Google Docs) | Mac only |
| Real-time Collaboration | ✓ Built into Google Docs | No |
| File Format | Google Docs | Fountain (.fountain) |
| PDF Export | ✓ | ✓ |
| .fdx Export | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-format | ✓ One-click | ✓ Fountain-based |
| Character Management | ✓ | Basic autocomplete |
| Works Offline | Limited (Google Docs offline) | ✓ Fully offline |
| Learning Curve | None — click buttons | Low — clean interface |
When to Choose Highland
Highland is a great app for a specific kind of writer. Here's when it makes sense.
- You're on a Mac and want a beautiful, native writing experience
- You like minimalist, distraction-free design
- You write alone and don't need real-time collaboration
- You want a standalone app that's not tied to any cloud platform
- You also write prose — Highland handles novels and articles too
When to Choose Screenplay Editor
Screenplay Editor is the better fit if your workflow needs are different.
- You're not on a Mac — you use Windows, Linux, or Chromebook
- You collaborate with a co-writer in real time
- You want free — no $50 upgrade needed for full features
- You prefer working inside Google Docs, not switching to a new app
- You want your scripts stored in Google Drive and accessible anywhere
Write screenplays in Google Docs
Free. Cross-platform. Collaborative. Installs in seconds.
Install Screenplay Editor — Free