How to Cancel Your
Final Draft Subscription
Finished your screenplay and ready to take a break from the industry standard? Here's how to cancel Final Draft in about 4 minutes -- no dramatic third-act twist required.
Quick Overview
Monthly Cost
$9.99/mo
Difficulty
EasyTime
~4 minutes
Refund
Generally no
Cancel Final Draft via Website
Log in to your Final Draft account
Head over to finaldraft.com and sign in with the email and password you used to set up your subscription. If you forgot your password, now is a great time to use that "Forgot Password" link -- we all have that one account we never remember the credentials for.
Go to My Account or Account Settings
Once logged in, navigate to My Account or Account Settings. This is where Final Draft keeps all your subscription and billing details tucked away.
Navigate to Subscriptions
Look for the Subscriptions section within your account settings. Here you will see your current plan, renewal date, and all those billing details.
Click Cancel Subscription
Hit that Cancel Subscription button and follow the on-screen prompts. Final Draft may ask why you are leaving -- feel free to give honest feedback or just click through. And scene!
Pro tip: Final Draft is the industry standard for screenwriting. Before canceling, make sure to export all your scripts to PDF or .fdx format so you have local copies of your work.
What Happens After You Cancel Final Draft?
Access continues until your billing period ends
You will still have full access to Final Draft until your current subscription period expires. No immediate lockout -- you can keep writing until the credits roll on your billing cycle.
Your scripts stay on your computer
Any .fdx files saved locally are yours to keep. You just lose the ability to edit them in Final Draft without an active subscription or license.
Editing features become unavailable
Without a subscription, you lose access to the full editing suite, collaboration features, and cloud sync. Time to export those scripts before the final curtain call.
Alternatives to Final Draft
Hanging up the Final Draft hat but still need to write screenplays? Here are some alternatives worth checking out:
WriterSolo
Free screenwriting software with professional formatting. A solid choice if you want the basics without the price tag.
Free screenwriting toolHighland 2
Created by screenwriter John August. Clean, distraction-free writing with Fountain syntax support. Free version available.
Mac screenwriting appCeltx
Cloud-based screenwriting with collaboration features. Free tier available for basic screenwriting needs.
From $22.50/moFrequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my scripts if I cancel Final Draft?
Your existing scripts remain as files on your computer. You keep the .fdx files, but you lose access to editing features and cloud sync that require an active subscription. Export everything to PDF before canceling just to be safe.
Can I still open Final Draft files after canceling?
You can still open and read .fdx files, but full editing capabilities will be limited. Some free tools like WriterSolo can import .fdx files, so you are not completely locked out of your own work.
Does Final Draft offer refunds?
Final Draft generally does not offer refunds on subscriptions. Your access continues through the end of your current billing period, so you get what you paid for -- but nothing more after that.
What is the difference between subscription and perpetual license?
Final Draft offers both a subscription ($9.99/mo) and a one-time perpetual license purchase. If you bought the perpetual license, you own it and there is nothing to cancel -- you just will not get future major updates.
Is there a free alternative to Final Draft?
Yes! WriterSolo and Highland 2 (basic version) are both free. Celtx offers a free tier too. They may not have every bell and whistle, but they will get your screenplay formatted and looking professional.
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