Alternatives · Writing
Slugline alternatives
Slugline compared with 5 alternatives: Highland Pro, Beat, Final Draft, Fade In and WriterDuet.
Slugline has a free plan. Paid plans start at $19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SluglineThis tool | Free plan · from $19.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Highland Pro | Free trial · from $4.99/mo | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Beat | Free plan · from $11.99 one-time | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| Final Draft | Free trial · from $99.99/yr | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS |
| Fade In | Free trial · from $79.95 one-time | Trial only | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| WriterDuet | Free plan · from $7.49/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Slugline
- 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. Slugline starts at $19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac.
- Slugline has a free plan. Highland Pro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Slugline can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Highland Pro also covers Markdown and templates.
Suits: Screenwriters on Apple devices who like writing in plain text
- Free plan · from $11.99 one-time
Beat
Free, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS
- Beat starts at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app. Slugline starts at $19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac.
- Beat is open source, according to its own site.
- Slugline can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Mac users who want a free screenwriting app
- 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. Slugline starts at $19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac.
- Slugline 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 also covers templates.
Suits: Screenwriters who need scripts in industry-standard format
- 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. Slugline starts at $19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac.
- Slugline 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 Slugline lists an iOS app.
Suits: Screenwriters who would rather buy once than subscribe
- Free plan · from $7.49/mo
WriterDuet
Screenwriting software built for real-time co-writing
- WriterDuet starts at $7.49 per month, billed annually ($89.88); $9.99 billed monthly (Plus). Slugline starts at $19.99 one-time for the iPhone and iPad app; $49.99 one-time on Mac.
- Only WriterDuet lists a web app.
- Only WriterDuet lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- Slugline can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- WriterDuet also covers templates.
Suits: Writing partners and writers' rooms working on one script at the same time
Limits worth knowing in Slugline
- Apple platforms only: there is no Windows, Linux, Android or web version.
- On Mac, writing past page six and exporting Final Draft files require the $49.99 Unlimited Writing upgrade.
- The iPhone and iPad app is sold separately for $19.99.
- Slugline 2 requires macOS 10.14 or later, and the iOS app requires iOS or iPadOS 14 or later.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Slugline?
The alternatives to Slugline in this directory are Highland Pro, Beat, Final Draft, Fade In and WriterDuet. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Slugline.
Is there a free alternative to Slugline?
Yes. Beat and WriterDuet have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Slugline alternatives work on Windows?
The Slugline listing does not include a Windows app. Final Draft, Fade In and WriterDuet list one.
Which Slugline alternatives work on Linux?
The Slugline listing does not include a Linux app. Fade In and WriterDuet list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Slugline?
Beat is described as open source on its own site.
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.