Beat vs Fade In

Beat

• Mac users who want a free screenwriting app
• Screenwriters who work in the plain-text Fountain format
• Writers who outline with index cards and a timeline

Fade In

• Screenwriters who would rather buy once than subscribe
• Writers who work on Linux as well as Windows or Mac
• Productions that need revision colors, locked pages and breakdown reports

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.

Fade In

• Cloud saving and browser editing need Fade In Access, a separate subscription whose price is not shown on the purchase page.
• The Fade In Mobile apps for iOS and Android have been discontinued; phones and tablets use Fade In Access in a browser.
• The demo shows a registration reminder after 10 pages, watermarks printed scripts and leaves out online realtime collaboration.
• The price covers one individual user; site and multiuser licenses are arranged by email.

Beat

Automatic screenplay formatting

Formats the script as it is typed, with autocompletion for character names and scene headings, automatic scene numbering and an option to hide Fountain markup.

Story structure views

Several outline views with filtering, sections and synopses, including a collapsing list, index cards and a timeline. Scenes can be colour-coded.

Fountain and Final Draft files

Scripts are plain-text Fountain files that other apps can open. Beat also imports and exports Final Draft files, including revisions and outline items, and exports PDF.

Revisions and version control

Tracks revisions across generations, keeps version control inside the file's metadata and stores copies in a backup vault.

Statistics

A statistics view reports line counts per character, inclusivity by gender and scene locations.

Plugin API

A JavaScript plugin API lets users write their own extensions for the Mac app. Plugin support is not part of the iOS version.

Fade In

Automatic script formatting

Moves from scene heading to action to dialogue as you type, with standard screenplay styles that can be customized and autocomplete for character names and locations.

Navigator and organization

The Navigator reorders scenes and builds nested sequences. Scenes can be color-coded by plot point, theme or character, and bookmarks and links jump around the script.

Revisions and production tools

Manages revisions, page and scene locking and omitted scenes, shows changed pages in standard revision colors, and generates breakdowns and scene, cast and location reports.

File format support

Opens, edits and saves Final Draft .fdx files, imports and exports Word .docx and RTF, and works with Fountain, Scrivener, Celtx and StudioBinder files. Its own format is the XML-based Open Screenplay Format.

Rewriting tools

The Dialogue Tuner gathers one character's dialogue in one place for editing, and other tools check word-use frequency and compare versions of a script.

Fade In Access

An optional monthly or annual subscription for cloud storage, backup, version history, online editing in a browser, collaboration, sharing and publishing.

Beat

• Beat for macOS$0

  The full desktop app, free on the Mac App Store. Requires macOS 10.13 or later.

• Beat for iOS$11.99

  one-time purchase on the App Store

  Companion app for iPhone and iPad with a more limited feature set and no plugin support. Requires iOS 18.0 or later.

Fade In

• Fade In$79.95

  one-time purchase, individual license

  The full desktop version for Windows, Mac and Linux with free updates. Shown against a crossed-out regular price of $99.95.

Beat

No public discounts listed.

Fade In

• Education

  Student price of $59.95

  Current students of accredited post-secondary institutions can buy the full desktop version for $59.95 after emailing proof of student status from a school address.