13 Best PDF Annotation Apps for Screenplays

The 13 Best PDF Annotation Apps for Screenplays look at script PDFs as a different beast. From page‑locked revisions, colored pages, A/B inserts, scene numbers (as well as A, B, C scenes…), and so many more show, network, and genre-specific formatting issues, being able to annotate your screenplay in a PDF saves today’s filmmaker endless time (on top of endless reams of paper). The growing number of cross-platform annotation options means more of the team can play together for crews divided by device, location, or protocols.

These aren’t just what the pros use, in many cases it’s what they built for themselves. A note app for a grocery list may get you through the Trader Joe’s aisle, but unless you’re working with production‑grade annotation tools you want to leave the basics by the Butter Chicken. This list focuses on the annotator tools and software that can get you from the table read to locked pages; from brainstorming dialogue to plot-saving ADR. So get out your Apple pencil and start scrolling, because here are the 13 Best PDF Annotation apps for Screenplays.

Scriptation is an Emmy® Award–winning PDF annotation app built specifically for scripts. Whether you’re reading for development, prep, production, or post, Scriptation makes it easy to move through a screenplay and keep your notes organized as the project evolves.

If you just want to read a PDF script, Scriptation offers clean page navigation, smooth scrolling, and an optional Reader mode that lets you listen to your script on the go (also perfect for rehearsing lines). But when you do need to mark things up, everything is there when you want it—highlights, underlines, text notes, sticky notes, and more.

One of Scriptation’s standout features is Note Transfer, which automatically carries your annotations to new drafts so you never lose your thoughts or need to recopy anything. If lines change or scenes move, Scriptation intelligently relocates your notes, and even keeps anything that doesn’t match in a dedicated section so nothing gets lost.

For users who need deeper organization, Scriptation offers Layers, which let you keep annotations separate by character, department, revision pass, or any system you prefer. Layers can be shared individually, making it easy to send just your actor notes to performers, your story notes to writers, or your production notes to the team.

Try out Scriptation’s free PDF Annotation App for Screenplays and see for yourself.

PDF Expert shines in the script annotation arena, as well as offering a cross-platform option with both Mac and OS devices. As a script annotator is stands out with a sleek interface, clean UI, and strong page editing. For a simple read and skim, you can’t do much better. You can also flatten a PDF, if that’s what you’re into (and don’t want the next set of eyes running a budget off of your writer’s draft).

For the legal side of things, PDF Expert is preferred for its form fills (how many times do you want to write your initials) but that does take away from the screenplay annotation uses. While it doesn’t offer screenplay-specific features like Note Transfer or Layers, the page manager does help when it comes to dropping those Pink A pages in from your latest set of revisions. It’s not the worst idea to use a screenplay annotation tool for your revision notes, and PDF Expert for your deal memo.

GoodReader reads good, and with customizable toolbars and it’s ability to handle huge files, it’s a PDF annotation app for screenplays that are meant to be epic. File server support means you can keep it all in the app, and their file management system is what PDF storage was made for. It’s a lot more organized than a pile of papers in a filing cabinet (or the office floor), but it does take a few spins around the folders to get a hang of these annotation tools. TXT files are also supported, helpful for breaking down scripts for post and VFX.

GoodReader also offers a Pro Pack series also offers military-grade encryption to make sure no one finds out about that Act 3 cameo until your project hits theaters (unless they have military-grade hacking tools, of course). GoodReader is perfect for the UPM or Line Producer with things on their plate besides script revisions and using a script annotator, but likes to read the latest when they come up for air. For more heavy screenplay annotation, maybe check out another option on the lis.

XODO sets a high bar among PDF annotation apps for screenplays, offering a comprehensive solution that caters to the intricate needs of a variety of industries. Available on iOS, Android, web AND Windows, this cross-platform presentation is the answer to prayers of any device user. That’s right, even with live sync and/or cloud storage concerns, XODO makes it so you can update in one place and read in another.

While it’s more business or education focused, the ‘free’ price tag means any TV or film professional should take advantage of the ability to work with XODO almost anywhere. With over 20 years of PDF annotation experience, you’ll have all the noting and sharing of your docs ready to go after download. You can password protect your PDFs, upload bank statements for budgeting, and redact contracts for days. For all the business-ended plusses, XODO does lack in production-specific and script formatting offerings; something that might stick out after a few projects. Especially if those projects contain larger script files.

Drawboard PDF emerges as a cutting-edge contender in the script annotation arena, another cross-platform PDF annotation software you can use anywhere you take your device. While it works great on a Surface (you can take it to your iPad for a non-stylus mark up too), it’s supposed to; the aim of design was to give users that pen-and-paper feel, without the pen-and-paper mess/waste/cost.

Free plans come with all the tools you need to work on your screenplay, with paid offerings coming in for those who want to collaborate more directly or use more advanced features like audio files, additional storage, or their engineering-specific toolkit. The lack of note transfer will catch up to the heavy script annotator, but for mid-level production heads it has more than enough oomph on your PDF annotation for screenplays.

Foxit PDF Editor may not be a PDF Annotation App for cross-platform use, but it is as solid as a Windows-first offering gets. Get all your PDF editing tools for documents, including scan and e-sign options for legal offerings, and a completely free PDF Reader. If you’re not sure if you want to pay for their full suite of tools with either PDF Editor or PDF Editor+, both come with free trials that allow the user to take them for a spin before committing to a purchase. Their new AI Assistant can also summarize the work in front of you, great for a department head who just needs to know if the Full Green Draft still has that coffee shop scene.

You want to sit at your desk to review a bunch of PDF docs, maybe work through some screenplay notes once you have the lay of the land? Then Foxit PDF Editor is the right choice. For the mobile needs of someone on a commute, set, or scout, you may want to look into an option with more specific screenplay annotation tools. They also have an impressive list of integrations that plug your business tools and file sharing into all your PDF annotation needs.

Another cross-platform annotator candidate, PDF Viewer Pro is an excellent option for crew members looking for a new PDF annotation app for screenplays. It’s got the annotations, note taking, and yes, legal options that a PDF Annotator is searching for, but it also brings a developer-grade PDF engine you don’t traditionally find in a consumer app. The script annotations are going to look clearer here than some others on this list, meaning storyboard artists and directors looking at set plans could take advantage of that resolution upgrade.

PDF Viewer Pro also brings in custom stamp sets, similar to Scriptation’s saved annotations, for production heads looking to customize their notes even further (or not have to write out ‘beat this joke’ more than once). Their Presenter Mode also makes production meetings and show-and-tells smoother, with the ability to cast to Apple TV or any old connected external screen. For a variety of packages they offer a variety of payment plans, and another free option to get you started on your PDF Annotation for Screenplay journey.

Adobe Acrobat is the trusted industry standard when it comes to working with PDFs from any background, so why not use them as a PDF Annotation App for Screenplays? A huge plus of their market share means not having to explain to your collaborators how to use them, thanks to their ubiquitous tools. Subscription tiers are available to unlock advanced features, so you may want to check with the team first before signing up.

Traditionally, Adobe works best for most on desktops, so the Mobile UI can be a little dense at first glance. But for comparing files, redaction (Pro feature), and robust commenting, Adobe Acrobat brings the traditional excellence you remember.

iAnnotate for iPad has power markup with customizable toolbars, perfect for heavy markup workflows you make your own. With its fast, proven annotation engine there’s no surprise it’s been a staple on film and TV sets for years. Want to give a line reading or note to self to remember later? Then use their audio notes feature to get the right pitch, pause, or preset.

For all the script annotator plusses, it’s another app without screenplay formatting awareness – so you’re going to get a few hiccups from draft to draft. But for prepping a Table Read or quick feedback on a sketch? iAnnotate is one of the best annotation apps for screenplays on the market.

Miss your old-fashioned notebook? Then Goodnotes has you covered with their page-style handwriting app for reliable PDF annotation. It’s got that missing ink feel, along with the ability to get notes down by writing, typing, drawing or speaking: however the mood strikes you that day. There are also plenty of templates to help scaffold your ideas on, as you move from development scratching to screenplay annotation.

Designed as a notebook first, so there are fewer production-specific features (no Layers or Note Transfers); so you may want to pair up with a Scriptation or Adobe once you get to script phase. But with a lasso/select feature for quick rearranges and endless tabs for your endless inspiration, Goodnotes greatest limitations might be your own imagination. As a script annotator, it’s OK, but as a notes app it’s an industry leader.

LiquidText is another cross-platform tool (that’s right, available on iPad/Mac/Windows) that’s excellent as a PDF Annotation App for screenplays just coming into shape. Great for research, idea development, and notes of all kinds for writers putting together development bibles since any note can be connected to any other with the click of that smart pen. No longer do you have to switch physical binder pages, or rewrite inspiration from page 1 of your legal pad to where you landed on page 200.

Want to bring ideas closer together? You can literally do so in a pinch with their visualization tools. While the land of Carrie from Homeland-style connection boards may be behind you with LiquidText, you still will need to clean up your forms when presenting them to another writer. So if you’re craving locked-page workflow, you may want to transition to a more traditional PDF annotation app for screenplay editing. But before you get there? Dig in to this flexible digital workspace as you literally put your ideas together.

PDFelement by Wondershare is another cross-platform offering of script annotator excellence. Big file with all those storyboards blowing up your inbox? Then use their compression tools to get that file sent to producers; and yes, for sending mini-series episodes or pitch decks, you can batch compress to save time as your save file size.

PDFelement is much, much more than just file compression. You can find all your legal document tools (document signing, redacting, legalese), or use their AI upgrade for summarizing and editing help. A free download means you can start working today, and see why so many users are thrilled with this annotation app before looking to upgrade to a paid plan.

No, not the WCW Monday night offering, but a PDF annotator program providing full‑featured PDF editing on Mac (without Adobe). Available for Windows, Mac, and OS, the cross-platform ability allows self-integration across devices to go along with over 15 business-ready ones. It’s one of the strongest companions to iPad annotation on the market, with both subscription and one-time purchase options for their suite of tools (and of course, we love a free trial).

Create, interact, and edit within PDFs of all shapes and sizes, perfect for legal redacting, screenplay annotating, and spreadsheet reviewing (go ahead and throw some links in there, don’t be scared!). Now, you may want to make sure to test their annotation tools on your screenplay PDFs in that free trial, since they don’t offer script-specific revision tools as of publishing. Users rave about their PDF creation and signature capturing functionality.

Do I need a “script‑aware” app for screenplay annotations?

If you handle color revision pages, A/B page inserts, or weekly draft drops, then yes you want a PDF Annotation App for Screenplays that knows about script formatting and production guidelines. Otherwise, any strong PDF editor may suffice if you’re mainly using the script annotator for reading and *light* notes.

Will my script annotations survive a new screenplay draft?

Not unless your script annotator app supports note transfers! Which is what Scriptation was built for. Literally.

What’s a ‘Flattened PDF’? When would I want to send one versus an unflattened PDF?

A “Flattened PDF” is a PDF that has all of the elements removed; it just reads like words on a piece of paper, with no indentation or assignment to things like character, dialogue, or slug lines. It can be helpful to flatten your PDF for delivery to folks who don’t need to annotate their script, but always – always – keep an editable copy with live annotations for your working file.

Is it better to annotate screenplays on an iPad or laptop?

An iPad with Apple Pencil is ideal for on‑script notes and on-set scripts. Easier to move and be flexible to a shooting location if your PDF annotation app is, too. Desktop and laptop set-ups excels at page editing and heavy exports, like we mentioned for a UPM or Line Producer who is overseeing more than noting action lines and punch ups.

Whether you’re trying to send a few thoughts on your friend’s script, or fully annotate a production draft for a story meeting, the best PDF annotation apps for screenplays have options for both. When picking which to make part of your budget, it’s all about finding the features that support your workflow without breaking your bank. Most script annotator apps have a free option to test drive their offerings, and doing so will make sure you always support the programs that help you do your best work – because you’ve already worked with them.

For more app recommendations, screenplay hacks, and more, stay tuned to the Scriptation Blog.