Is Movie Magic Budgeting Free? Pricing, Trials & Alternatives (2026)

By Jens Jacob — Film producer (After Death, The Heart of Man), co-founder of Saturation.io

Movie Magic Budgeting is not free. There is no free tier, no publicly advertised free trial, and no free version. The software starts at $42.99 per month or $299.88 per year per seat, sold through Entertainment Partners. If you are searching for a free or lower-cost way to budget your film, you will need to look at alternatives — and there are solid ones available in 2026.

I have been producing films for over a decade and built Saturation.io because the tools available to independent filmmakers did not match how producers actually work. This guide covers exactly what Movie Magic Budgeting costs, what you get for that price, where it falls short, and what free and paid alternatives exist today.

Movie Magic Budgeting Pricing in 2026

Entertainment Partners sells Movie Magic Budgeting through its EP Store. As of February 2026, the confirmed pricing is:

• Monthly subscription: $42.99 per month, per seat

• Annual subscription: $299.88 per year, per seat (saves over 40% versus monthly)

• Multi-seat annual: $299.88 per seat per year

• Academic edition: $125.88 per year (students and faculty only)

There is no perpetual license listed in the current EP Store. The older Movie Magic Budgeting 7 perpetual license at $489 was a legacy product replaced by the subscription model in the current version. No free tier exists at any price point.

To put the annual cost in context: one seat at the monthly rate over a 12-month feature film production runs $515.88 in software costs before a single crew member is hired. A two-person production office — line producer and production accountant — runs $1,031.76 per year at the monthly rate, or $599.76 at the annual rate.

Is There a Free Trial for Movie Magic Budgeting?

Entertainment Partners does not advertise a free trial for the current version of Movie Magic Budgeting. The EP Store product page for the monthly subscription makes no mention of a trial period. Some older third-party download sites reference a trial for Movie Magic Budgeting 7.6, but that is a legacy version no longer sold or updated.

If you want to evaluate Movie Magic before committing, your options are limited:

• Contact Entertainment Partners directly to ask about evaluation access

• Subscribe at $42.99 per month and cancel before the next billing cycle

• Use a free alternative to assess whether dedicated budgeting software fits your workflow before investing in a subscription

The absence of a free trial is a meaningful friction point for independent filmmakers and students who need to assess the software before committing funds.

Is There a Free Version of Movie Magic Budgeting?

No. There is no free version, lite version, or any other no-cost access path. The academic pricing at $125.88 per year is the lowest cost option, and it is restricted to verified students and faculty. It is not available for professional productions.

What Do You Get With Movie Magic Budgeting?

Before deciding whether Movie Magic Budgeting is worth the cost, it helps to understand what the subscription actually provides.

Core Capabilities

• ATL/BTL budget structure: Above-the-line and below-the-line budget organization using industry-standard account codes. Familiar to production accountants, line producers, studios, and completion bond companies.

• Fringe calculations: Automated fringe benefit calculations for SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Teamsters, and other guilds. Reduces the risk of costly manual fringe errors on union productions.

• Top-sheet rollup: Clean top-sheet summary that rolls department totals into a single view — the standard format expected by studios, completion bond companies, and film financiers.

• Sub-budgets: Break a master budget into department-level sub-budgets. Allows department heads to manage their section without accessing the full production budget.

• Budget comparison: Compare multiple budget scenarios side by side. Useful for evaluating location incentives, schedule changes, or cast modifications.

• Libraries and templates: Save fringe rates, globals, groups, and locations for reuse across projects. Speeds up setup on recurring production types.

• Cloud sync: Central online storage for sharing budgets and accessing them from multiple machines. Budgets can also be accessed offline.

• Legacy import: Import budgets built in the older Movie Magic Budgeting 7.

• EP payroll integration: Budget data exports cleanly into Entertainment Partners' payroll processing system for productions using EP payroll.

What Movie Magic Budgeting Does Not Include

Movie Magic Budgeting is a standalone budgeting application. It is not a full production management platform. Notable omissions:

• No real-time multi-user collaboration. One person works in a budget at a time.

• No integrated expense tracking or cost-to-complete reporting against actuals. That requires separate software or manual entry.

• No mobile app. Desktop-only, requiring installation on a Windows or Mac computer.

• No contractor or vendor payment tools.

• No scheduling integration. Movie Magic Scheduling is a separate product with separate pricing.

For a single production accountant working alone, these omissions are manageable. For a production team spread across locations — remote line producer, on-set coordinator, production accountant in the office — the single-user model creates real workflow friction.

Movie Magic Budgeting Limitations

Movie Magic Budgeting is effective within its design, but several architectural limitations matter depending on how your production operates.

Single-User Architecture

Movie Magic Budgeting is licensed per seat and designed for one active user at a time. While budgets can be stored centrally and accessed from different machines, the software does not support simultaneous editing by multiple users. If your line producer and production accountant both need to work in a budget concurrently, you are working around the tool, not with it.

Desktop-First Design

The application runs locally on your computer. Cloud sync handles storage and remote access, but the software still requires installation, local system resources, and version management across team machines. This creates setup overhead that cloud-native tools eliminate.

No Integrated Actuals Tracking

Movie Magic Budgeting handles the top-down budget estimate. Tracking what you actually spend during production requires a separate system. Productions using Movie Magic typically pair it with Entertainment Partners' cost reporting tools or a third-party production accounting platform — adding cost and integration complexity.

Learning Curve

Movie Magic uses account codes and budget structures that are standard in the industry but steep for filmmakers without a production accounting background. UCLA Extension offers a dedicated course in Movie Magic Budgeting, which reflects how much setup and training the software requires before producing a usable budget.

Cost Relative to Independent Production Scale

At $42.99 per month per seat, the cost accumulates quickly for small production offices. For a micro-budget or student film, this is a real budget line. The academic license helps students, but it does not extend to professional productions — even very small ones.

Free Alternatives to Movie Magic Budgeting

If cost is driving your research into whether Movie Magic is free, there are legitimate alternatives. These fall into two categories: free tools and modern paid platforms that offer free tiers.

Saturation.io (Free Tier Available)

Saturation.io is a cloud-native film budgeting and production financial management platform with a permanently free tier. No credit card required, no expiration date. I built Saturation because the existing tools — including Movie Magic — were not designed for how independent productions actually operate today.

Key differences from Movie Magic Budgeting:

• Free to start: No credit card required. No time limit on the free tier.

• Cloud-native: Runs in the browser on any device. No installation, no version management, no per-machine setup.

• Real-time collaboration: Multiple team members can work in the same budget simultaneously. Line producer, production accountant, and producer in the same document at the same time.

• ATL/BTL structure: Industry-standard budget format that studios and completion bond companies recognize.

• Integrated expense management: Track actuals against your budget in the same platform where you built it.

• Saturation Pay: Built-in contractor and vendor payment tools for managing production disbursements without a separate accounts payable system.

• AI-assisted features: AI-assisted fringe calculations and budget suggestions launching April 2026.

The honest trade-off: Saturation does not yet carry the same depth of legacy fringe rate libraries or decades of institutional adoption that Movie Magic holds. For productions where a completion bond company or studio specifies Movie Magic format for delivery, Saturation serves well as the working tool during prep while Movie Magic handles specific delivery requirements.

Start budgeting free on Saturation — no credit card required.

Google Sheets or Excel

Spreadsheet-based budgeting is free and fully flexible. Many line producers use spreadsheet templates for micro-budget and independent productions where dedicated software complexity is not justified by project scale. The limitations are manual fringe calculations, no built-in production account code logic, no automated top-sheet rollup, and no actuals tracking.

For productions with fewer than 50 line items, a well-structured spreadsheet is a legitimate option. For anything more complex, the time spent managing spreadsheet infrastructure typically exceeds the cost of a purpose-built tool. See our guide on how to create a film budget for a walkthrough of budget structure that applies whether you use software or a spreadsheet.

Celtx

Celtx is a browser-based production planning platform with a budgeting module. It has an entry-level pricing tier and works without installation. Its budget structure is less granular than Movie Magic and better suited to lower-budget productions than to complex features or episodic television.

StudioBinder

StudioBinder includes budgeting tools alongside scheduling, shot lists, and production management features. Pricing starts at $42 per month for individual users. It is not a free option, but it provides an integrated alternative for productions that want scheduling and budgeting in a single platform. Pricing information should be verified at studiobinder.com before making decisions, as it changes periodically.

Saturation vs. Movie Magic Budgeting: Direct Comparison

For filmmakers deciding between the two, the following comparison covers the functional differences. For a full analysis, see our detailed Movie Magic Budgeting vs. Saturation comparison.

Who Should Still Use Movie Magic Budgeting

Movie Magic Budgeting is not the right tool for every production. But there are specific situations where it remains the practical choice.

Bond Company Requirements

Completion bond companies regularly review budgets and sometimes specify Movie Magic format. If your production is bonded, confirm the completion guarantor's requirements early in pre-production. Some bond companies will accept a clean Excel or PDF export; others want the native Movie Magic file for their own analysis. In those cases, Movie Magic Budgeting is a delivery requirement, not just a software preference.

Studio and Network Mandates

Certain studios and networks specify Movie Magic Budgeting in production agreements or standards documents. If you are producing under a studio deal or network contract, verify the technical specifications before committing to another tool. Line producers and UPMs who have used Movie Magic for years are also most productive in familiar software and may prefer it regardless of alternatives.

Complex Productions with Heavy Guild Fringe Requirements

For productions with large union crews across multiple guilds, Movie Magic's fringe rate libraries and automated calculation engine reduce the risk of costly errors that compound across a large crew. For a $10M+ feature or a network television series, that accuracy and the software's reputation with production accountants may justify the subscription cost.

Productions Inside the EP Ecosystem

If your production uses Entertainment Partners for payroll and production accounting, Movie Magic Budgeting integrates naturally within that ecosystem. Switching budgeting tools when your payroll, cost reports, and production accounting all run through EP creates reconciliation work that may not be worth the cost savings from an alternative.

What Movie Magic Is Not Worth Paying For

For independent filmmakers, first-time producers, students, micro-budget films, short films, and music videos — or any production without a dedicated production accountant on staff — Movie Magic's pricing and complexity are hard to justify in 2026. Cloud-based alternatives have eliminated most of Movie Magic's technical advantages while adding collaboration features the desktop tool has never offered.

How to Get Started Without Paying for Movie Magic

If you are in pre-production and want to build a budget before committing to software costs, here is a practical approach:

1. Start with Saturation's free tier. Create your budget structure, add department accounts, and work through above-the-line and below-the-line costs. No credit card required. Sign up free at Saturation.

2. Use a structured budget framework. Our guide on how to create a film budget covers the standard account structure and what each section should include, whether you use software or a spreadsheet.

3. Confirm whether your project requires Movie Magic format. Check financing agreements, completion bond requirements, and distributor specs. Many independent productions never need a Movie Magic file for delivery.

4. If required, subscribe at $42.99 per month for the duration of pre-production only, then cancel or downgrade. The annual rate at $299.88 makes sense only if you have multiple projects running through the year or production extends beyond seven months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Movie Magic Budgeting free?

No. Movie Magic Budgeting has no free tier and no free version. The software is available by subscription only, starting at $42.99 per month or $299.88 per year per seat through Entertainment Partners.

Does Movie Magic Budgeting have a free trial?

Entertainment Partners does not advertise a free trial for the current version of Movie Magic Budgeting. Some older online references point to a trial for Movie Magic Budgeting 7.6, which is a legacy version. If you need evaluation access to the current version, contact Entertainment Partners directly.

How much does Movie Magic Budgeting cost in 2026?

The current pricing is $42.99 per month per seat, $299.88 per year per seat, or $125.88 per year for academic users. There is no perpetual license for the current version. These prices are confirmed from the EP Store as of February 2026.

Is there a free version of Movie Magic Budgeting?

No. There is no free version of Movie Magic Budgeting at any level. The academic edition at $125.88 per year is the lowest cost option and is restricted to students and faculty at educational institutions.

What is the best free alternative to Movie Magic Budgeting?

Saturation.io offers a permanently free tier for film production budgeting, with no credit card required and no expiration date. It is cloud-native, supports real-time collaboration, and includes integrated expense tracking alongside the standard ATL/BTL budget structure. For a full comparison of options, see our guide to the best film budgeting software. Google Sheets with a film budget template is another no-cost option for simple productions with fewer than 50 line items.

Can I use Movie Magic Budgeting on a Mac?

Yes. The current version of Movie Magic Budgeting supports both Windows and macOS. After purchasing, you select your operating system during the download process from the MyEP Store portal.

Do I need Movie Magic Budgeting for a union production?

Not always. Some completion bond companies and studios require Movie Magic format for budget delivery, but many union productions use other tools without issue. Verify your financing agreements and delivery specifications before assuming Movie Magic is required. Guild productions can be budgeted in modern cloud tools if delivery specs allow it.

Is Movie Magic Budgeting worth it for independent films?

For most independent films, Movie Magic Budgeting is more tool than the project requires and more cost than the budget justifies. Its value is strongest on complex features and television with heavy guild fringe requirements and institutional delivery formats. For micro-budget and independent productions, a free or lower-cost alternative typically handles the work without the learning curve, installation requirements, or per-seat subscription cost.

What is the difference between Movie Magic Budgeting and Movie Magic Scheduling?

They are separate products sold separately. Movie Magic Budgeting handles the financial production budget. Movie Magic Scheduling handles the production schedule and stripboard. Both are published by Entertainment Partners and each requires its own license and subscription. Owning one does not include the other.

How does Saturation compare to Movie Magic Budgeting for independent filmmakers?

Saturation offers a free tier, runs in the browser without installation, supports real-time collaboration across your team, and includes integrated expense tracking and contractor payment tools. Movie Magic Budgeting costs $42.99 per month, runs as a desktop application, and is single-user by design. For independent filmmakers without a bond company or studio requirement for Movie Magic format, Saturation covers the full budgeting workflow at a fraction of the cost. See the complete Movie Magic vs. Saturation comparison for a full breakdown.

The Bottom Line

Movie Magic Budgeting is not free. It costs $42.99 per month or $299.88 per year per seat with no free tier, no advertised free trial, and no way to access the software without paying. For productions with completion bond requirements, studio mandates, or deep integration with Entertainment Partners payroll, it remains a practical choice. For everyone else — independent filmmakers, emerging creators, students, and small production offices — the cost and single-user desktop model are hard to justify when cloud-native alternatives exist that are free to start and built for collaborative work.

If you want to get your production budget started today without paying for software, sign up for Saturation's free tier. No credit card required.