Beat
Free, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS
What is Beat?
Beat is a screenwriting app for macOS and iOS by filmmaker Lauri-Matti Parppei. It stores scripts in the plain-text Fountain format, formats them automatically as you type and adds outlining views such as index cards and a timeline. The code is open source under the GPL v3. The Mac app is free on the App Store, while the iOS companion app, which has a smaller feature set, is sold for a one-time fee.
Beat has a free plan. Paid plans start at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app. See every plan
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
Beat pricing
- Starts at
- $11.99 one-time for the iOS app
- Free plan
- Beat for macOS is free on the Mac App Store, and its listing says the core app will always be free of charge.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Beat for macOS | $0 | The full desktop app, free on the Mac App Store. Requires macOS 10.13 or later. |
| Beat for iOS | $11.99one-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. |
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Beat before you buy.
Works with
- Final Draft
- Fountain
Beat alternatives
- Beat vs Slugline
Free plan · from $19.99 one-time
- Beat vs Highland Pro
Free trial · from $4.99/mo
- Beat vs Fade In
Free trial · from $79.95 one-time
- Beat vs Trelby
Free
- Beat vs Final Draft
Free trial · from $99.99/yr
Common questions
Is Beat free?
Beat has a free plan. Beat for macOS is free on the Mac App Store, and its listing says the core app will always be free of charge. Paid plans start at $11.99 one-time for the iOS app.
How much does Beat cost?
Beat lists 2 plans. Beat for macOS: $0. Beat for iOS: $11.99 one-time purchase on the App Store. Prices were read from apps.apple.com on Oct 9, 2026.
What platforms does Beat work on?
Beat is available on macOS and iOS.
Does Beat have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Beat is listed for macOS and iOS.
Does Beat have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Beat is listed for macOS and iOS.
Is Beat open source?
Yes. Beat is open source, according to its own site.
What does Beat integrate with?
Beat's listing names Final Draft and Fountain. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Beat?
Beat is made by Lauri-Matti Parppei.
What are the alternatives to Beat?
The closest alternatives to Beat in our directory are Slugline, Highland Pro, Fade In, Trelby and Final Draft. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Beat.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026.