Beat vs Slugline

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

Slugline

• Screenwriters on Mac, iPhone and iPad who like writing in plain text
• Short-film writers: scripts of up to six pages are free on Mac
• Writers who want to pay once instead of subscribing

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.

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.

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.

Slugline

Automatic formatting

Screenplay formatting is worked out from the words as they are typed, so there are no element menus to pick from and no need to press Tab.

Drag-and-drop Outline Navigator

Anything shown in the outline can be dragged into a new order, and the matching parts of the screenplay move with it.

Timeline

Shows the outline elements spaced according to page count, giving an overview of a script's structure and pacing.

Live Compare

Tracks changes by comparing the current screenplay with another document. Asterisks mark modified text and can be clicked to inspect the differences.

Fountain and Final Draft files

Scripts are saved in Fountain, an open plain-text screenplay format. Slugline 2 also opens and exports Final Draft files, including dual dialogue and notes.

Sync between Mac and iOS

Slugline 2 for Mac and Slugline for iPhone and iPad share screenplays through iCloud or Dropbox.

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.

Slugline

• Slugline 2 for Mac$0

  Free download from the Mac App Store, with no watermarks or limitations until a screenplay passes page six.

• Slugline for iPhone & iPad$19.99

  one-time purchase on the App Store

  Separate app for iOS and iPadOS that shares files with the Mac version over iCloud or Dropbox and also works on its own.

• Unlimited Writing Upgrade$49.99

  one-time in-app purchase on Mac

  Unlocks screenplays longer than six pages and Final Draft (FDX) export in Slugline 2 for Mac.