Alternatives · Writing
Beat alternatives
Beat compared with 5 alternatives: Slugline, Highland Pro, Fade In, Trelby and Final Draft.
Beat has a free plan. Paid plans start at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app. 2 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeatThis tool | Free plan · from $11.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Slugline | Free plan · from $19.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Highland Pro | Free trial · from $4.99/mo | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Fade In | Free trial · from $79.95 one-time | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Trelby | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Final Draft | Free trial · from $99.99/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS |
How each one differs from Beat
- Free plan · from $19.99 one-time
Slugline
Plain-text screenwriting app for Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Slugline starts at $19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac. Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app.
- Slugline can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Beat is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Screenwriters on Mac, iPhone and iPad who like writing in plain text
- Free trial · from $4.99/mo
Highland Pro
Plain-text screenwriting app for Mac, iPad and iPhone
- Highland Pro starts at $4.99 per month, billed $59.99 annually. Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app.
- Beat has a free plan. Highland Pro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Beat is open source, according to its own site.
- Highland Pro also covers Markdown and templates.
Suits: Screenwriters on Apple devices who like writing in plain text
- Free trial · from $79.95 one-time
Fade In
One-time-purchase screenwriting software for Windows, Mac and Linux
- Fade In starts at $79.95 one-time. Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app.
- Beat has a free plan. Fade In does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Fade In lists a web app.
- Only Fade In lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Beat lists an iOS app.
Suits: Screenwriters who would rather buy once than subscribe
- Free
Trelby
Free, open-source screenwriting program for desktop
- Trelby is free. Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app.
- Only Trelby lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Beat lists an iOS app.
Suits: Screenwriters who want free software with standard script formatting
- Free trial · from $99.99/yr
Final Draft
Screenwriting software with automatic script formatting
- Final Draft starts at $99.99 per year or $16.99 per month (Suite); $249.99 one-time for Final Draft 13. Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app.
- Beat has a free plan. Final Draft does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Final Draft lists a web app.
- Only Final Draft lists a Windows app.
- Final Draft can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Screenwriters who need scripts in industry-standard format
Limits worth knowing in Beat
- Apple devices only: there is no Windows, Linux, Android or web version.
- The iOS app is a paid companion ($11.99) that supports a limited set of the Mac app's features.
- The iOS app requires iOS 18.0 or later.
- The Mac App Store listing says a paid "pro" version may come later, with the core app staying free.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Beat?
The alternatives to Beat in this directory are Slugline, Highland Pro, Fade In, Trelby and Final Draft. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Beat.
Is there a free alternative to Beat?
Yes. Trelby is free to use. Slugline has a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Beat alternatives work on Windows?
The Beat listing does not include a Windows app. Fade In, Trelby and Final Draft list one.
Which Beat alternatives work on Linux?
The Beat listing does not include a Linux app. Fade In and Trelby list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.