Storyboarder
Storyboarder is a free, open-source app for visualizing stories, developing ideas and making animatics.
What Storyboarder is
Storyboarder is a free, open-source app for visualizing stories, developing ideas and making animatics. It runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, but not Windows 7 or 32-bit computers. Drawing tools include light and hard pencils, pen, brush, note pen and eraser. You can print storyboard worksheets or photograph completed sheets and import them into a project. The Shot Generator makes customizable reference shots from text descriptions. Boards can open in Photoshop, with saved edits reflected back in Storyboarder; other editors that handle Photoshop files can also be configured. Timeline mode lets you set board timing, view audio waveforms, attach audio and record from a microphone. The app opens Fountain screenplays and uses scene IDs to link boards with script scenes. Exports include Premiere, Final Cut, Avid, PDF and animated GIF. Its free plan is listed as free. Real-time team collaboration is not supported, though the project invites contributions through GitHub.
Good
- Free and open source
- Exports to Premiere, Final Cut, Avid, PDF and GIF
- Imports photographed storyboard worksheets
- Supports Fountain screenplay scene IDs
- Timeline includes audio waveforms and microphone recording
Watch out
- Does not support Windows 7 or 32-bit computers
- Real-time team collaboration is unavailable
- Some Huion pressure sensitivity may not work
Who it suits
Storyboarder suits story artists, directors, writers, advertisers and anyone who wants to turn an idea into storyboard panels or animatics. It can also fit people who work from Fountain scripts or printed worksheets.
Verdict
Storyboarder brings drawing, script links, audio timing and several export options into a free desktop app. Check the system and tablet limitations, and note that live team collaboration is not included.
Plans and prices
From Storyboarder's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free and open source | Free | Mac OS X · Windows · Linux · open source |
The facts
Each one read from Storyboarder's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Collaboration
- The GitHub repository lists collaboration through GitHub and invites users to submit issues or pull requests.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Drawing tools
- The app includes light pencil, hard pencil, pen, brush, note pen, and eraser tools.checked 30 Sep 2026
- External editors
- Any editor that opens Photoshop files can be configured, including Krita, Gimp, Sketchbook, and Clip Studio.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The maker lists story artists, directors, writers, advertisers, dreamers, and anyone with an idea as users.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Open source
- Wonder Unit states that Storyboarder was released free and open source, with the source hosted on GitHub.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Paper worksheets
- Users can print storyboard worksheets and import photographed worksheets into a project.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Photoshop editing
- Boards can be opened in Photoshop and automatically updated in Storyboarder after saving.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Storyboarder helps users quickly visualize stories, test story ideas, and create animatics.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Script integration
- Storyboarder can open Fountain screenplays and adds scene IDs to associate storyboard files with script scenes.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Shot generator
- The Shot Generator creates customizable reference shots from typed descriptions.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Tablet support
- Most Wacom tablets work with current Mac and Windows drivers, while some Huion pressure sensitivity may not work.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Timeline and audio
- Timeline mode lets users set board timing, view audio waveforms, attach audio files, and record from a microphone.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Unavailable features
- Real-time team collaboration is not currently supported because the maker says large file sizes make it difficult.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Unsupported systems
- Storyboarder does not support Windows 7 or 32-bit computers.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Video exports
- Storyboarder exports to Premiere, Final Cut, Avid, PDF, and animated GIF formats.checked 30 Sep 2026
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