Storyboarding is the process of visualizing a story’s progression. Your plot is broken down into sequential scenes that are drawn in panels, accompanied by brief descriptions of what’s happening.
Though they are mostly associated with filmmakers, storyboards can serve many purposes. To writers, marketers, and educators, it’s a powerful tool that brings a story to life. And thanks to storyboarding software, it’s no longer as much of a hassle to use.
Top Storyboarding Software
Traditionally, storyboards are drawn and written which can be time-consuming. Thankfully, storyboarding software allows you to streamline the process through available templates, pre-made images, and more. Below are some of the best ones on the market.
1. Storyboarder
Price: Free!
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linus
Storyboarder is an open-source program that offers a simple and clean interface. It’s perfect for someone who’s just starting out and has a limited budget.
It’s easy to learn, with just six drawing tools to choose from, the ability to quickly add boards, and attach metadata to each one. It also seamlessly integrates with Photoshop, so you can do more complicated edits which will automatically update on Storyboarder. And if you ever need to, it lets you export to Premiere, Final Cut, Avid, PDF, and Animated GIF
2. Plot
Price: $9.99-19.99/month. Free trial available.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linus
Plot is a tool created by animator Adrian Thompson who “came to despise how tedious it was to edit a basic storyboard template.” It’s a solid option for people who work under tight deadlines and need to create storyboards quickly.
Not only is it easy on the wallet, but also to use. You simply add your script (broken down into scenes) and attach images. If you’re not an artist, stock images are available or you can import from other sources.
A click-and-drag function also makes it easy to add and rearrange scenes. Different people are able to add notes, making collaboration convenient.
3. StudioBinder
Price: $29-99/month. Free version available.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linus
StudioBinder is a deluxe software that provides you with a feature-rich interface without making things too complex. There are a lot of filters you can use to organize scenes, add and color code images, adjust aspect ratios, include storyboard specs, and more.
Collaboration is also much easier as you can assign tasks, comment on specific panels, and use a “presentation mode” when showing others your project. It does take a bit of time to learn but for people who want a customizable tool, it’s well worth the effort.
4. Boords
Price: $35-120/month.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linus
Boords is another user-friendly software with an incredibly low learning curve. While others on this list need a bit of learning to use, Boords can be used without much technical knowledge.
You can use templates to easily set up your workspace, add images or draw your own, and specify technical details (camera movement, sound, lighting, etc.). It even has the ability to turn your storyboard into animation with just a single click.
5. Canva
Price: $12.99-14.99/month. Free version available.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linus
Canva, while not used solely for storyboarding, can be easily adapted to your storyboarding needs. You have access to a large number of templates, images, and fonts to use.
It’s also easy to collaborate as you can give access to multiple people for a specific project. Once it’s done, you can download your storyboard in different formats, or send it by email.
6. MakeStoryboard
Price: $14-110/month. Free version available.
Platforms: Windows, Mac
MakeStoryboard is a tool perfect for newbies or casual storyboard makers. Its simple interface allows you to quickly add or draw images, add details, and adjust as needed. And when it’s time to share your work, it’s easy to export it as a PDF or send people a private link.
Another excellent feature is its ability to save multiple versions of your storyboard. It saves you time when you need to revise your work or check on your progress.
7. StoryboardThat
Price: $9.99-24.99/month. Free version available.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linus
StoryboardThat is for people who don’t know how to draw or prefer not to. It comes with hundreds of graphics, from backgrounds to characters, that you can customize to your needs.
It’s a great tool for quick and dirty storyboards that don’t need too many specifics, just a way to convey the visuals of your story.
Choosing the Right Storyboarding Tool
Most storyboarding software available on the market is subscription-based or comes with a hefty one-time fee. Before you commit to any tool, there are a lot of factors you need to consider aside from budget.
A storyboard is only one part of a complex process. If you also plan to do other stuff, make sure that the tool you use already has the features you need or that it can be easily integrated with other tools.
If you intend to collaborate with people, check whether the software you’re looking at is compatible with different operating systems like Windows, Mac, or Linus. An online-based storyboard creator might be better as you don’t have to deal with compatibility.
Lastly, think of whether you actually need this kind of software. If you’ll only be making storyboards infrequently, a more general tool like Canva might work better.
What storyboarding software do you use? Share it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Storyboard: Visualize Your Novel in 5 Easy Steps
- 9 Best Mind Mapping Software Tools
- 10 Best Project Management Software Tools
- The Best Novel Writing Software: Tools Every Fiction Writer Should Use
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
