Comparison

Permanote vs Final Draft Go

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Permanote

This app allows writers to organize ideas and edit text files directly within Dropbox, synchronizing across devices. It offers a distraction-free writing environment and extensive customization options, with advanced features available through a Pro subscription.

Highlights
  • Dropbox file synchronization
  • Customizable macro key strip
  • Distraction-free writing mode
  • Multiple file preview formats
  • TextExpander support
  • Customizable themes and fonts
Read full description

Writers utilize Permanote to arrange their ideas while maintaining control and flexibility over their files. Permanote enables you to modify text files in your Dropbox and synchronize them across all your devices. Enhance your experience with a customizable macro key strip above the keyboard through a Pro subscription. Unlike other text editors that impose specific themes to set the mood or require storing notes in a single folder or exclusive file system, Permanote offers you freedom. Permanote is the go-to tool for organizing thoughts among writers from the New Yorker, BBC correspondents, and CEOs. Cherish your written work. IN-APP PURCHASES Permanote is free to use, with all main features included. To access extra Pro features, opt for a Pro subscription. FEATURES - Synchronize any text file within any folder of your Dropbox - Robust macro key strip above the keyboard - Personalize your macro strip (Pro) - Editor pinch-to-zoom functionality (Pro) - Full-screen, distraction-free "Writeroom" style editing - Touch ID / Passcode privacy support (Pro) - Create custom themes (Pro) - iPad Pro Smart Keyboard shortcuts - "Insert Tab" key - Email as PDF - Adjustable word wrapping - Word/Character/Line count - International file encoding options - Convenient scratchpad - Notepad/CRLF line options - Comprehensive Dropbox Search - TextExpander Support (Pro) - Hashtag support - Preview files in PDF, HTML, Markdown, MultiMarkdown, Rich Text-RTF - Customize CSS and Base URL for markup previews - Personalize editor colors (Pro) - Alter editor fonts (Pro) - Adjust line-spacing and margins - AirPrint - Built in photo editor with advanced features for Pro users REVIEWS "I absolutely LOVE your app." - Merlin Mann, creator of 43 Folders "Permanote is arguably the best tool for writers, bloggers, or journalists who need to work on the go." - AppAdvice.com "Permanote is worth a try if you're particular about your note-taking." - geek.com

About

Final Draft Go

Write, edit, and read screenplays on your mobile device. Seamlessly sync scripts across platforms and enjoy industry-standard formatting. Ideal for writers on the go.

Highlights
  • Write and edit scripts
  • Sync scripts via cloud services
  • Industry-standard formatting
  • SmartType for auto-completion
  • ScriptNotes and character highlighting
  • Grammarly integration
  • Multi-language support
Read full description

Final Draft Go Final Draft™ – the #1-selling screenwriting software in the world – brings you Final Draft Go for iPhone and iPad. With this convenient, subscription-based app, you can write, edit and read Final Draft scripts on your iPhone or iPad. Go paperless and carry all your scripts with you everywhere you go, create new scripts or edit existing ones with easy-to-use features such as Tab and Enter navigation, ScriptNotes, SmartType, and more. Easily move your Final Draft scripts from desktop to iPhone or iPad and back again via iCloud, Dropbox, or email. Your scripts will appear perfectly paginated and formatted to industry standards every time. NEW FEATURES INCLUDE: ENHANCED UI New and improved user interface PINCH TO ZOOM Use multi-touch gestures to zoom in and out and customize the text size of your script view IMPROVED NIGHT MODE Change from day to night mode easily without having to leave the app UNIVERSAL CONTROL SUPPORT Work seamlessly between your iPad and Mac, using your Mac keyboard, mouse, or trackpad GRAMMARLY INTEGRATION Use the Grammarly app with FD Go to edit and proofread your work Creativity is truly portable with Final Draft Go. - Send or share your Final Draft FDX file between all your devices and computers and always be on the same page with Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud - Easily change script elements with classic Tab and Enter functionality or through the Elements bar (iPad) or Menu (iPhone) - Use SmartType to remember your character names, scene headings and more - Multi-language support – Write in over 95 different languages - Bluetooth keyboard support - Character Highlighting allows you to keep track of your characters for table reads or character development - Add, color-code, label, and edit ScriptNotes - Perfectly paginates to US Letter and standard European (A4) page sizes - Send feedback directly through the app - Professionally formatted TV, Film, and Stage Play templates to help get you started - Search your entire script for characters, locations, or other script elements - Export scripts to PDF via Dropbox, iCloud or email - Saves the last page you’re working on to get back to work quickly - iPhone Page View shows 100% accurate Final Draft pagination, formatting and line breaking - Automatic More’s and Continued’s - Multi-page Title Pages are supported for TV production scripts - Includes production features like Scene Numbering, Omit Scenes, Colored and Locked Pages - Shows Active or Collated Revisions with Colored Pages - Quickly switch from one revision set to another - Track key information with Cast Reports, Scene Reports, Location Reports, and more - iPhone Scene Navigator allows you to easily jump to different scenes in your script - Access all of the tools you need while maintaining context in your script in the iPhone Tools Menu - Edit your Header and Footer TESTIMONIALS: “Where has this been all my career?!? I put it through its paces doing a rewrite on the go-go-go. Does a great job. This is a real step forward! What more do you need on the road? (Maybe a chauffeur?).” David Seidler – Writer/Academy Award® winner The King’s Speech, By Dawn’s Early Light, Tucker: The Man and His Dream.

Screenshots

Permanote4 screens
Final Draft Go4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Permanote at 50% against Final Draft Go's 10%. Permanote also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Final Draft Go's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.5) and ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Permanote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Final Draft Go sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Final Draft Go holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Final Draft Go has 1.7K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Permanote's written reviews are positive against 10% of Final Draft Go's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Permanote ships an update every 10 months, Final Draft Go every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Permanote versus Final Draft Go: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPermanoteFinal Draft Go
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (4 ratings)4.0 (1.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better10.3% of reviews
Number of ratings41.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB195 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScreenplay & Script Pte. Ltd.Cast & Crew Production Software, LLC

Customer experience

Permanote

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Final Draft Go

All ratings1,661 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral3.9%
Negative23.4%
Written reviews380 reviews
Positive10.3%
Neutral6.3%
Negative83.4%

Bugs and requests

Permanote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Final Draft Go

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Constant login issues
  • Crashes and freezes
  • Scrolling and cursor problems
  • Formatting and editing bugs
  • Sync and file management issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add Dropbox support
  • Improve Magic Keyboard integration
  • Add Beat Board and other advanced features
  • Unify account system with desktop version

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Permanote

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro Subscription7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Annual Pro Subscription1 Month trial$17.991 Year
2 purchases

Final Draft Go

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Annually$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Permanote free?
Permanote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Final Draft Go free?
Final Draft Go is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Permanote or Final Draft Go?
Final Draft Go is rated higher. Permanote averages 3.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Final Draft Go averages 4.0 from 1.7K ratings.
Do Permanote or Final Draft Go have ads?
Permanote shows ads; Final Draft Go does not.
Which is updated more often, Permanote or Final Draft Go?
Permanote ships an update every 10 months, and Final Draft Go every 5 weeks. Most recently, Permanote was updated on September 11, 2026 and Final Draft Go on September 24, 2026.

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