How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
What is the best film production management software?
StudioBinder is the best all round choice for most productions, because it covers script breakdowns, stripboards, call sheets, and shot lists in one cloud workspace at a clear starting price. Yamdu is the better pick for long running series and features with a production office, because it links the budget to the schedule. Movie Magic Scheduling remains the standard when a studio, union, or bond company expects its file format. Kitsu is the best value for animation and VFX teams that can self host.
Key takeaways
- StudioBinder suits most indie and mid size productions that want one cloud tool from script to call sheet.
- Yamdu fits long running series and features, with budgeting tied to the schedule and strong crew tools.
- Movie Magic Scheduling is the file format studios and unions still ask for, even though it is desktop only.
- Kitsu is free to self host and is the strongest tracker for animation and VFX shot pipelines.
How much does film production management software cost?
Shot Lister Pro costs 15.99 dollars a month, Assemble starts at 16 dollars a month billed yearly, and Gorilla Scheduling Online Solo costs 19 dollars a month. StudioBinder Starter costs 29 dollars a month, and Movie Magic Scheduling costs 29.99 dollars a month at its introductory rate. Yamdu Flex costs 39 euros a month. Celtx Writer costs 14.99 dollars a month, but its production tools need the Team plan. Kitsu costs nothing to self host, with cloud hosting from 20 euros per user per month.
The headline price is rarely the full cost. Most tools charge per seat, per project, or per extra user, so a team of five pays far more than the starting figure. Budgeting is often a separate product, as with Movie Magic and Gorilla, which doubles the bill for the full set. Before you commit, work out the cost for your real team size and project count, not the single user price on the pricing page.
A small indie production needs a tool that is cheap, quick to learn, and easy to share with a crew that changes every shoot. StudioBinder fits that shape well, because it has a free plan for one project and a Starter plan at 29 dollars a month. Celtx also works when the writer is also the producer, since the script and the schedule live in the same place. Gorilla Scheduling Online is a good fit when the budget is tight and the schedule must export to Movie Magic later.
Yamdu and Movie Magic assume a production office and staff who know the format. A small team should start on a free plan, run one real short film through it, and only pay once the limits start to bite.
What should you check before you pay?
Check four things before you pay for any tool in this list. First, confirm the plan you would buy includes the documents you need. Celtx puts production tools on its Team plan, and Gorilla sells call sheets and budgeting separately, so the cheapest plan may not cover your shoot. Second, confirm how the tool charges for extra people. StudioBinder, Yamdu, and Kitsu Cloud all price by seat or by user, so a growing crew raises the bill fast. Third, confirm the export formats. If a studio or financier needs Movie Magic files, only Movie Magic and tools that export to it will do. Fourth, confirm the free plan limits. A free plan that covers one project is fine for a short, but a feature with many shoot days will hit the cap. Also check whether the tool is cloud based or desktop based. Cloud tools share the schedule live, while desktop tools pass files around.
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | Scheduling | Budgeting |
| StudioBinder | Indie and mid size productions | $29 per month | Yes, 1 project | Yes | No, template only |
| Yamdu | Series and features with a production office | €39 per month | No, trial only | Yes | Yes |
| Celtx | Writer led small teams | $14.99 per month | Yes, 1 project | Yes, Team plan | Yes, Team plan |
| Movie Magic Scheduling | Studio and union productions | $29.99 per month introductory | No | Yes | No, separate product |
| Shot Lister | Directors running shot lists on set | $15.99 per month | Yes, limited projects | Shot schedule only | No |
| Gorilla Scheduling | Indie productions needing Movie Magic export | $19 per month | Yes, 1 project | Yes | No, separate product |
| Assemble | Video teams planning on a calendar | $16 per month billed yearly | No, trial only | Task calendar | No |
| Kitsu | Animation and VFX studios | Free self hosted | Yes, self hosted | Task and shot tracking | No |
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 StudioBinder | Indie and mid size productions that want scheduling, breakdowns, and call sheets in one cloud tool | $29 per month for Starter (1 user), checked 15 November 2026. Note: some third party listings show $42 per month for Starter, so confirm the figure on the vendor pricing page before you buy. | Yes, 1 project with limited features |
 Yamdu | Long running series, features, and European productions with a production office | €39 per month for Flex (1 user, 1 project), checked 15 November 2026. Note: some US sources list Flex at $45 per month, so the figure depends on currency and region. | No free plan; a trial is available |
 Celtx | Writers and small teams that want the script and the production plan in one tool | $14.99 per month for Writer, or $11.24 per month billed yearly, checked 15 November 2026. Production tools are included only on Team, from $59.99 per month. | Yes, 1 project with the script editors |
 Movie Magic Scheduling | Studio and union productions that must deliver Movie Magic files | $29.99 per month introductory, $39.99 per month regular, checked 15 November 2026; annual subscription listed at $299.88 | No free plan; academic pricing available |
 Shot Lister | Directors and DPs who run the shot list live on set from an iPhone or iPad | $15.99 per month for Pro, or $99.99 per year, checked 15 November 2026 | Yes, free download with limited projects |
 Gorilla Scheduling | Independent productions that want desktop scheduling depth at a lower price than Movie Magic | $19 per month for Gorilla Scheduling Online Solo, checked 15 November 2026. Note: the desktop version costs $24.99 per month, and older listings show $29 per month, so check which version you are pricing. | Yes, Gorilla Online free tier with 1 active project and up to 20 editable scenes |
 Assemble | Video and creative production teams that plan work on a shared calendar timeline | $16 per month billed yearly, checked 15 November 2026. Note: other listings show per teammate pricing from $5 per teammate per month, so confirm the current plan structure on the vendor site. | No free plan; a free trial is available |
 Kitsu | Animation, VFX, and game studios that track shots, assets, and tasks | Free to self host; Kitsu Cloud from €20 per user per month billed annually, checked 15 November 2026. Note: some sources list cloud at $29 per user per month. | Yes, free self hosted version under an open source licence |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The eight tools below, in order.
#1StudioBinder
Best for: Indie and mid size productions that want scheduling, breakdowns, and call sheets in one cloud tool3.8/5 on
G2 (18 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit studiobinder.com
Starting price$29 per month for Starter (1 user), checked 15 November 2026. Note: some third party listings show $42 per month for Starter, so confirm the figure on the vendor pricing page before you buy.
Free planYes, 1 project with limited features
StudioBinder is the most complete cloud option for a typical indie or mid size production. It starts with script breakdowns, builds stripboards and shooting schedules, and ends with call sheets that track who received them. Storage and project caps rise with each plan, from 10 projects on Starter to unlimited on Professional. The main gap is budgeting, which StudioBinder does not offer as a product. Teams that need a full budget will pair it with a separate tool or a spreadsheet.
What we like- Covers script to call sheet in one place
- Clear per user pricing
- No install needed, it runs in the browser
Watch out for- No built in budgeting tool, only a downloadable spreadsheet template
- Pricing rises fast as seats are added
- No refunds or prorated billing on cancellation according to vendor support pages
#2
Yamdu
Best for: Long running series, features, and European productions with a production office
Visit yamdu.com
Starting price€39 per month for Flex (1 user, 1 project), checked 15 November 2026. Note: some US sources list Flex at $45 per month, so the figure depends on currency and region.
Free planNo free plan; a trial is available
Yamdu is built for productions that run for months and have an office behind them. It models cast, crew, locations, documents, budget, and post in one place, and the office reports come off the same schedule. Crew who only receive call sheets are external contacts and are unlimited on every plan. The assistant director can change the shooting schedule offline, and it syncs when the connection returns. The main drawback is the lack of a free plan, so a small team cannot test it on a real project without paying or using the trial.
What we like- Budget linked to the schedule
- Strong crew, document, and reporting tools
- Offline client for the assistant director
Watch out for- No permanent free plan
- Thinner footprint in the United States
- Budget format may still need export to Movie Magic for some North American financiers
#3Celtx
Best for: Writers and small teams that want the script and the production plan in one tool4.2/5 on
G2 (83 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit celtx.com
Starting price$14.99 per month for Writer, or $11.24 per month billed yearly, checked 15 November 2026. Production tools are included only on Team, from $59.99 per month.
Free planYes, 1 project with the script editors
Celtx starts as a screenwriting tool and grows into a production studio. The script editors cover film, television, stage plays, and two column audio visual scripts. Paid plans add a beat sheet, storyboard, and shot lists, and the Team plan adds breakdown, scheduling, cast and crew, budget, call sheets, and production reports. The catch is the plan split. A writer on the Writer plan pays for writing only, and production tools cost extra until Team. A solo filmmaker should price the Team plan, not the Writer plan, when comparing Celtx with rivals.
What we like- Script, breakdown, schedule, budget, and call sheets in one place
- Low entry price for writers
- Education pricing available
Watch out for- Production planning is a paid add on on Writer and Writer Pro
- Team is priced for 3 to 15 members rather than one seat
- No iOS app
#4
Movie Magic Scheduling
Best for: Studio and union productions that must deliver Movie Magic files
Visit ep.com
Starting price$29.99 per month introductory, $39.99 per month regular, checked 15 November 2026; annual subscription listed at $299.88
Free planNo free plan; academic pricing available
Movie Magic Scheduling is the stripboard that most union assistant directors learned on, and studio production offices still ask for the file. The current version adds split screen views, drag and drop, multi episode schedules in one file, sub boards for additional units, conflict detection, and a calendar for events that are not tied to breakdown sheets. Breakdown is manual, since there is no AI element detection, and budgeting is a separate product called Movie Magic Budgeting. For a union show, the file format alone justifies the price. For an indie short, the desktop workflow and the learning curve are harder to justify against cheaper cloud tools.
What we like- Industry standard file format
- Strong conflict detection
- Multi episode and multi unit boards
Watch out for- Desktop only, so sharing means passing files around
- Budgeting is a separate product and a separate subscription
- Steep learning curve for new users
#5
Shot Lister
Best for: Directors and DPs who run the shot list live on set from an iPhone or iPad
Visit shotlister.com
Starting price$15.99 per month for Pro, or $99.99 per year, checked 15 November 2026
Free planYes, free download with limited projects
Shot Lister does one job and does it well. It is a native app for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch that builds shot lists in industry style, with shot and cast numbers, a minute by minute schedule, and a live mode that re-plans the day while you shoot. Pro adds storyboards and Final Draft and Fountain import, and Crew Sync shares the list with the team. The limit is scope. Shot Lister is not a production management system, so it will not build a budget or run a full stripboard. It is best as a specialist tool in a kit that already has a scheduler.
What we like- Native Apple app with Live Mode
- Minute by minute schedule
- Crew Sync shares the list with the team
Watch out for- Apple devices only, so Android crew members cannot use it
- Narrow focus, it does not handle budgets or full production paperwork
- Subscriptions are bought through the App Store
#6
Gorilla Scheduling
Best for: Independent productions that want desktop scheduling depth at a lower price than Movie Magic
Visit junglesoftware.com
Starting price$19 per month for Gorilla Scheduling Online Solo, checked 15 November 2026. Note: the desktop version costs $24.99 per month, and older listings show $29 per month, so check which version you are pricing.
Free planYes, Gorilla Online free tier with 1 active project and up to 20 editable scenes
Gorilla Scheduling from Jungle Software has been the cheaper desktop alternative to Movie Magic for years, and it now comes in a browser version too. Both versions import Final Draft or PDF scripts into breakdown sheets, build stripboards, and produce one liners, shooting schedules, day out of days reports, and SAG Exhibit G forms. Gorilla exports to Movie Magic Scheduling, which matters if a studio later wants the file. Version 11 adds a Breakdown Assistant AI that proposes elements for review, priced per script on the web tool. The main weakness is that call sheets and budgeting are sold separately or bundled in a Combo Pack, so the headline price is not the full cost of running a production.
What we like- Exports to Movie Magic format
- Desktop and browser versions
- Breakdown Assistant AI on higher plans
Watch out for- Call sheets and budgeting are sold separately
- Desktop interface looks dated
- Some reports are desktop only
#7
Assemble
Best for: Video and creative production teams that plan work on a shared calendar timeline
Visit onassemble.com
Starting price$16 per month billed yearly, checked 15 November 2026. Note: other listings show per teammate pricing from $5 per teammate per month, so confirm the current plan structure on the vendor site.
Free planNo free plan; a free trial is available
Assemble organises files, notes, conversations, tasks, and reviews on a calendar based timeline for creative and video production teams. The calendar view is the core idea: every asset and task sits on the day it belongs to, so the team can see the whole production at a glance. Review tools let clients and collaborators leave feedback at set points in a video, which suits commercial and branded video work. The site moved from assemble.tv to onassemble.com. Assemble is not a scheduling specialist, so it does not offer script breakdowns or stripboards in the way StudioBinder, Yamdu, or Gorilla do.
What we like- Calendar based timeline for files, notes, tasks, and reviews
- Unlimited free guests
- Simple pricing for small teams
Watch out for- No permanent free plan
- Weaker on script breakdown and stripboards than scheduling specialists
- Pricing figures differ across listings, so the real cost needs a check at signup
Starting priceFree to self host; Kitsu Cloud from €20 per user per month billed annually, checked 15 November 2026. Note: some sources list cloud at $29 per user per month.
Free planYes, free self hosted version under an open source licence
Kitsu is an open source production tracker from CGWire, built for animation, VFX, and game studios. It tracks shots, assets, breakdowns, and tasks across films, series, games, and commercials, with review and approval built in. Around 400 studios run their own instance, according to CGWire, or they can use the hosted Kitsu Cloud service. The trade off is that Kitsu tracks production data and previews, but it does not store working media, so teams still pay for shared storage. It also has no budgeting tools, and it is not built for live action call sheets.
What we like- Open source with no licence cost to self host
- Clean shot and task tracking
- Strong fit for animation pipelines
Watch out for- No built in media storage, so teams pay for storage elsewhere
- No budgeting tools
- Self hosting needs Docker, PostgreSQL, and ongoing maintenance
Frequently asked questions
What is film production management software?
Film production management software is a tool that plans and tracks a film or television production from script to wrap. It covers script breakdowns, shooting schedules, call sheets, cast and crew lists, budgets, and task tracking in one place. It replaces scattered spreadsheets and paper binders with a shared workspace, so the producer, assistant director, and department heads all work from the same schedule and the same documents.
How much should a small production expect to pay?
A production can start for free or for about 15 to 30 dollars a month. Shot Lister Pro costs 15.99 dollars a month, Gorilla Scheduling Online Solo costs 19 dollars a month, and StudioBinder Starter costs 29 dollars a month. Costs rise with seats, projects, and storage. A five person team should budget 50 to 150 dollars a month for a cloud tool, and more for a desktop licence plus budgeting software. Check the vendor pricing page before you commit.
Can one tool cover scheduling, budgeting, and call sheets?
Some tools cover all three, but many do not. StudioBinder and Yamdu cover scheduling and call sheets, while Yamdu also links a budget to the schedule. Celtx includes budgeting only on its Team plan. Movie Magic and Gorilla sell budgeting as a separate product, so you pay twice. Kitsu tracks tasks and shots but does not build budgets. Before you buy, list the documents your production must produce and check each one against the plan you would pay for.
Is a free plan enough for a short film?
A free plan can be enough for a short film. StudioBinder free covers one project, Celtx free covers one project, and Shot Lister free covers two projects. Limits appear when you need more projects, more storage, or team collaboration. A short film shot over two or three weekends usually fits inside a free plan, but a feature with many shoot days will need a paid plan. Test the free plan on a real script before you rely on it.
Which tool is best for animation and VFX productions?
Kitsu is the strongest pick for animation and VFX work, because it tracks shots, assets, tasks, and approvals across episodes and sequences. It is open source and free to self host, with a hosted cloud service from 20 euros per user per month. StudioBinder and Yamdu suit live action shoots better, because their strengths are call sheets and stripboards. A small animation studio with technical staff should try the free self hosted version of Kitsu first.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.studiobinder.com
- https://www.yamdu.com
- https://www.celtx.com
- https://www.ep.com/ep-store/movie-magic-scheduling-annual/
- https://www.shotlister.com
- https://junglesoftware.com/subscription-pricing/
- https://www.onassemble.com
- https://kitsu.cg-wire.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.