The 6 Best Film Budgeting Software of 2023

From Movie Magic Budgeting, to Showbiz budgeting software, to film budget templates in Google sheets, film budgeting software is the line producer’s art form and most valued tool.

In this article, we cover the best and latest in film budgeting software for 2023.

What is a Production Budget Used For?

But first, let’s look at some of the key uses for a film budgeting template. Are you looking to win a bid on a big commercial project or are you already greenlit to pre-production on a feature? Your project needs will inform which film budgeting software is best for you!

Production budgets can be used for a variety of important reasons in various stages of a project, such as:

WINNING A BID

Producers use film budgeting software when first bidding on projects or fundraising a project they want to make.

Budgets are put together here to both show that you know what you are doing and to propose what cost you can (and are willing to) produce the project for.

APPEASING CLIENTS

Once you’ve landed the project, your production budget is frequently updated to show changing costs for both yourself and as a client-facing tool. If your budget needs are mostly client-facing, you’ll need budgeting software that is both workable for you and presentable to your client. Here, the visuals matter!

WORKING WITH UNIONS

Unions will want to see your budget before agreeing to work with you on a project. SAG-AFTRA, for example, requests a budget when you submit your signatory packet, along with a slew of other regulations.

It’s why we wrote a whole article on how to budget SAG payroll.

Don’t forget to include line items for SAG rates, agent and manager fees (if applicable), and union talent fringes such as pension & health and payroll taxes.

PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING

Last, but certainly not least, just like a production schedule, your production budget is a living, changing document that update well into post. So it’s vital to find the right user-friendly film budgeting software that is both trustworthy and comprehensive to your needs.

And if you are working for a production company or studio, they will likely have their own unique way of working that you’ll have to adopt.

The 6 Best Film Budgeting Software of 2023

Just as it goes for production, when it comes to production budgets, you often get what you pay for. Here’s a shortlist of the best film budgeting softwares that money can buy.

1. Movie Magic Budgeting

A product of Entertainment Partners, Movie Magic Budgeting is the great scripted whale of film budgeting softwares. In addition to film budgeting software, Movie Magic also offers one of the leading scheduling softwares in the scripted space, aptly named Movie Magic Scheduling.

Film budget example: Watch this Movie Magic budgeting tutorial straight from the software creators - Best Film Budgeting Software 2022.

Movie Magic budgeting is most frequently used for scripted content, both long and short. You can’t always (or ever) rely on computer-populated script breakdown so this old school program may take you a bit longer in the setup but it’s a useful tool for a detail-oriented shoot.

PROS

Most recognized film & TV Format: It is still the scripted gold-standard in film budget templates.

Templates galore: The software comes with some great film budget templates from the major studios on down.

Student Rate: if you are a current student or faculty member, you can get a very nice discount.

Tons of educational materials: there are some excellent Movie Magic Budgeting tutorial videos to teach this software to a producer at any stage in their career.

CONS

Accessibility: As a long-running program, Movie Magic Budgeting struggles to keep up with the tech times. It’s a desktop software that doesn’t communicate very well with it’s own scheduling software. There is no cloud.

The look: This film budgeting software has been around a while. For some, it shows.

Pricey, unless you’re a student: $489 for the latest version, Movie Magic Budgeting 7. But, the “Academic Edition” (Student/Faculty discount) is only $189.

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2. Celtx Budgeting

Celtx budgeting software comes from the makers of Celtx Screenwriter which is a well-known mostly-free screenwriting software that is a great entry point for emerging creators. They recently rolled out their digital production suite that includes Celtx budgeting and some engaging perks.

It is a solid full-service option and a great place to look if you are just starting out or want everything in one place. Recommended for full-service indie producers working in film, digital, and smaller scale commercials.

Celtx’s budgeting software is included in their “video production plan,” for $30/month if billed monthly, $27/month if billed annually. However, it's currently offering your first year 50% off with prices starting at $15/month, and $13.50/month respectively. While not a free film budgeting software like their screenwriting software, this plan comes with a bunch of bonuses, including their “scriptwriting plan plus,” scheduling software, and call sheet and cost report generators.

PROS

Complimentary perks: A subscription to Celtx comes with great bonuses including scheduling and screenwriting software.

Cloud-based system: Login in wherever the internet is found!

Pricing: Celtx is affordable – opt in month to month.

Sleek interface: Fun to look at, yet easy to work with.

Fully integrated: The screenwriting software has a script breakdown function that itemizes by department and then adds these elements into your Celtx budgeting software.

CONS

Too modern: If you’re a stalwart for tradition, this format may be too new age for you.

Somewhat confusing interface: Though the layout is clean, it can sometimes be confusing to navigate your way from software to software.

Some bugs: It’s pretty new compared to the heavyweights, so some user kinks may need to be worked out.

3. Showbiz Budgeting Software

Showbiz Budgeting software comes from the team at Media Services. A rival to Entertainment Partners and Movie Magic Budgeting, it’s a nice middle ground between Movie Magic Budgeting and Hot Budget.

One of the best film budgeting softwares of 2022- it may not be free film budgeting software, but it certainly is worth the price.

Showbiz Budgeting Software is best for commercials and music videos, of all sizes. Showbiz Budgeting Software can be used for scripted as well, if you like that sort of thing. If you are mostly in the commercial and music video space but do the occasional scripted project and are looking for a one-stop shop, Showbiz budgeting software may be for you.

PROS

Built-in film budget calculator: Showbiz Budgeting Software’s OT Translator function gives you a self-updating overtime calculator.

Tailored to the producer: Showbiz Budgeting Software’s purchase order system and petty cash workflow allow for streamlined actualization.

Client-facing: Showbiz Budgeting software is well regarded in the commercial space and a recognizable format.

CONS

Weird layout: Showbiz Budgeting’s layout isn’t that easy on the eyes, and we’re being honest, a bit clinical.

One trick pony: Showbiz budgeting software is slightly more conducive to commercial than scripted content.

$$$: The software is a tad pricey, roughly comparable to Movie Magic Budgeting at 2 software licenses for $399.

4. Hot Budget

Hot Budget is to commercials what Movie Magic Budgeting is to film and TV. In its short lifespan, it has arguably become the industry standard for commercial budgeting software.

Great for spinning up a budget to win bids, Hot Budget is easy to use as well as affordable.

Hot Budget is actually cheaper when purchased with Hot Bricks, making it a favorite for those that already use Hot Bricks and is simply just one of the best film budgeting softwares of 2022.

Questions on how to program professional video equipment insurance and calculate Film equipment insurance costs in Hot Budget?

PROS

Recognizable: The most popular commercial budgeting software around.

Built for the bid: The top sheet is in an easily read with a clean client-facing format.

Easy importing: Easily import your own (or the company your working for) chart of accounts. Timecards can be uploaded directly to the payroll log.

CONS

Commercial Focused: Not often used as a film budgeting software tool. It’s most useful if you’re working on a SAG commercial or a non-union commercial shoot.

Hidden pricing: In addition to their website being confusing to navigate, their pricing details are not disclosed. The rates here are a bit confusing but it is subscription based and costs around $100/ year. Discounts seem to be available for those who utilize their production rentals company, Hot Bricks.

Not Cloud based: As an excel plug-in, Hot Budget is a desktop software, which means you’re bound to one computer.

5. Gorilla Budgeting

In charge of scheduling your shoot? Then Gorilla Budgeting may be just what you’re looking for. Produced by the same people behind Gorilla Scheduling, this budgeting software may not be free, but certainly eliminates a few headaches, and is one of the best film budgeting softwares of 2022.

While you still need to get a payroll company, Gorilla can handle the budgeting...

At $249 its a bit cheaper than its film budgeting software competitors. They also offer a 15-day free trial via their creator, Jungle software. Similar to the Celtx model, their focus is more narrow. It has a user-friendly interface and integrates well with its scheduling software.

PROS

User friendly: Gorilla Budgeting is intuitive, especially compared to Movie Magic Budgeting.

Sleek design: Like their other products, Gorilla Budgeting utilizes a neat layout.

Integrated: Easily port in your Gorilla-made schedule, and vice versa.

CONS

Pricey: At $249, it’s expensive. Plus to add a union rate book, it’s another $50.

6. Google Sheets (Free Film Budgeting Templates)

Budgeting on a budget? Have no fear, there are some great free film budgeting software options and film budgeting templates out there for you as well. You may have to wade through a bit more muck to find the right one for you (and beware trial modes that don’t allow you to download PDFs) !

Whether you’re looking for a film budget template for Google Sheets or want to keep things on the desktop with an excel program, templates are a great way to customize the process to your needs! Google Sheets is a great place to import a customized film budgeting template. Many commercial producers who utilize this have inherited a film budget sheet template, passed down from generation to generation of line producer.

They are a great tool for an emerging producer as sometimes they have remnants of costs from past shoots, like how much was paid for professional video equipment insurance. But these film budget templates are coveted and hard to come by. So if you don’t have an in, you either need to design your own or purchase a film budget sheet template from a company.

PROS

Control over layout: If you are a wiz with a spreadsheet, you can customize to your hearts delight.

In the cloud and on the drive: If you love google suite and organize your digital wrapbook there, this is nearly a one stop shop.

Probably free: Many websites offer a solid free film budget template for Google Sheets. Or you can purchase templates from a number of places for a flat fee. Places like BoilerPlate sell their formats starting at $49 and you can plop it into Excel or throw it up to the drive.

CONS

Must love Excel: If you’re not a whiz with a spreadsheet, this is likely not for you.

No integration: Doesn’t auto-populate from a complimentary program, like your scheduling software.

Too broad: If you don’t find a template tailored to a specific project type (commercials or features), your film budget template might not give you the nuance you need to win bids.

*The majority of these companies offer both budgeting and scheduling software.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, there are many options out there for film budgeting softwares and it often comes down to personal preference.

Whether you’re planning to use your own film budget template or you're ready to throw down for Movie Magic budgeting or Showbiz film budgeting software, don’t be afraid to test out a few before making your final decision. You might have an equally hard time choosing the best filmmaking software to use before or after you worry about the budget. But the budget will always be thereAs the saying goes, it takes a video village to make a movie, and also money, crafty, and great film budgeting software.