Trelby Review

Overview

Trelby is a relic from a different era of screenwriting software. Originally released in 2003 and last officially updated in 2012, it is an open-source screenplay editor that still functions on Windows and Linux despite over a decade without active development. Reviewing Trelby in 2026 feels a bit like reviewing a classic car -- it still runs, it has its charms, but you would not recommend it as a daily driver.

That said, Trelby has legitimate reasons for existing in any screenwriting software directory. It is completely free, fully open source, and one of the few native screenwriting applications that runs on Linux. For writers on extremely tight budgets who work on Linux and specifically want a native desktop application rather than a web-based tool, Trelby remains a functional option.

The interface is spartan by modern standards. There is no dark mode, no customization, and no visual polish. But the core formatting engine works correctly -- scene headings, action, dialogue, parentheticals, and transitions are all handled properly. Trelby also includes a surprisingly comprehensive name database of over 200,000 names and a script comparison feature that lets you diff two versions of a screenplay.

The bottom line is that better free options exist today. WriterSolo, Beat, and Story Architect all offer superior experiences. But Trelby holds a place in the history of open-source screenwriting software, and for a very specific use case -- native Linux, offline, open source -- it still works.

Key Features

Core Screenplay Formatting

Trelby handles the fundamental elements of screenplay formatting correctly. Scene headings, action, character, dialogue, parentheticals, and transitions all follow industry-standard rules. Tab and Enter shortcuts cycle between elements. The formatting is functional and correct, even if the interface is dated.

200,000+ Name Database

One of Trelby's unique features is its built-in name database with over 200,000 names from various cultural backgrounds. You can search and browse names while writing, which is a surprisingly useful tool for character creation that many modern tools lack.

Script Comparison

Trelby includes a script comparison (diff) feature that lets you compare two versions of a screenplay side by side, highlighting additions, deletions, and changes. This is useful for tracking revisions and is a feature that some paid tools still do not offer.

Open Source (GPL)

Trelby's source code is freely available under the GPL license. Anyone can modify, distribute, and improve the software. Community members have made unofficial updates and fixes, though no comprehensive maintained fork has emerged.

Pricing Breakdown

Price: Free. Completely free and open source.

There are no paid tiers, no premium features, and no upsells. Trelby is a community project that exists purely because its creators believed screenwriting software should be free.

Pros and Cons

Who Is Trelby For?

Trelby is for a very specific audience: Linux users who want a native, offline, open-source screenwriting application and are comfortable with dated software. If you are on a tight budget, run Linux, and prefer native applications over web-based tools, Trelby is one of your few options.

For everyone else, better alternatives exist. WriterSolo offers a superior free experience on Windows and Linux. Beat provides a beautiful free experience on Mac. Story Architect covers all platforms with a free desktop version. Trelby's day has passed, but it still works for those who need it.

Editorial Verdict

Trelby is hard to recommend in 2026 when superior free alternatives exist. The name database and script comparison features are genuinely useful, but the dated interface, lack of maintenance, and missing Mac support are significant drawbacks. It earns our Legacy badge as a historically important open-source tool that still functions, but most writers should look at WriterSolo, Beat, or Story Architect instead.

Alternatives to Trelby

Frequently Asked Questions