The Highland Pro Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Highland Pro in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Highland Pro
The Insider’s Guide
Plain-text screenwriting app for Mac, iPad and iPhone
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among writing tools, read from Highland Pro’s own pages.
Made by The Quote-Unquote Company · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Highland Pro’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Highland Pro’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 32 of the 69 other writing tools we grade
Highland Pro is a writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone from the company of screenwriter John August. Scripts are written as plain text in Fountain or Markdown and formatted automatically, and the same app is used for novels and other documents. It is sold as a monthly or yearly subscription after a 30-day free trial, and documents sync through iCloud.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Highland Pro, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Syncing is your own iCloud rather than an account to make.
- 1
Best for plain-text screenwriting on Apple devices
Highland Pro is a plain-text writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone: you type in Fountain or Markdown and it formats scripts and novels for you.
- 2
Paid plans start at $4.99 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $4.99 per month, billed $59.99 annually.
- 3
You can try it first
30-day free trial; cancel anytime
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
macOS and iOS.
- 5
Fountain and Markdown writing
Write in plain text and let the app format it. There are 14 templates, including Screenplay, Multi-Cam and Manuscript, and autocomplete for character names and scene headers.
- 6
Navigator and Overview
The Navigator maps sections, scenes, synopses and notes, and the Overview shows a whole script or novel in one view with characters and scenes highlighted.
- 7
Revision Mode
Tracks changes in different colors with stars in the margin, alongside automatic scene numbering with custom ranges.
- 8
A 2.6 GPA, above 32 of 69
That is against the other writing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Your call
A writing app at its plainest is a page that saves what you type.
Highland Pro at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $4.99 per month, billed $59.99 annually
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 30-day free trial; cancel anytime
- Runs on
- macOS, iOS
- Made by
- The Quote-Unquote Company
- Category
- Writing Tools
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for plain-text screenwriting on Apple devices
Highland Pro is a plain-text writing app for Mac, iPad and iPhone: you type in Fountain or Markdown and it formats scripts and novels for you. It's $4.99 a month billed $59.99 a year, or $9.99 month to month. It's Apple only, sync rests on iCloud, there's no free plan after the 30-day trial, and the iPhone and iPad apps need iOS 26.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | $4.99 a month billed $59.99 a year, which lands just inside this category's cheaper quarter, where the line is $5.00. Everything is in the one plan, on Mac, iPad and iPhone. Pay by the month and it's $9.99, double. |
| Free plan and trial | C | No free plan. There's a 30-day trial and the listing doesn't say whether it wants a card. After that the app still opens, prints and exports your documents, but every feature needs a subscription. |
| Features | B | Fountain and Markdown formatted automatically, 14 templates, a Navigator for scenes, synopses and notes, Revision Mode with colours and margin stars, sprints and goals, Final Draft files both ways, and PDF Melting to turn a script PDF back into editable text. No gap the listing admits to. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: type plain text and the app formats it, with autocomplete for character names and scene headers. Syncing is your own iCloud rather than an account to make. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | One family of devices: Mac, iPad and iPhone, synced through iCloud, with no Windows, Android or web version and nothing else to connect to. The App Store listing also wants iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 on a phone or tablet. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Highland Pro is for
- Fits if you write scripts or novels on Apple devices in plain text
- Works for turning a script stuck in a PDF back into editable text
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you or your writing partner use Windows, Android or a browser, as it's Mac, iPad and iPhone only
- Pricey if you pay monthly, at $9.99 against $4.99 a month on the yearly plan
- Not for you if your iPhone or iPad can't run iOS 26, or your Mac is older than macOS 13
- Watch out: after the 30-day trial every feature needs a subscription; without one it only opens, prints and exports
- Watch out: syncing between devices relies on iCloud, and nothing else connects to it
Good to know
Good for
- Screenwriters on Apple devices who like writing in plain text
- Writers who draft both scripts and novels in one app
- Anyone who needs to turn a script PDF back into an editable document
Worth knowing
- It is listed only for Mac, iPad and iPhone; there is no Windows, Android or web version.
- After the 30-day trial a subscription is required for all features; without one the app still opens, prints and exports documents.
- The App Store listing requires iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 on mobile devices and macOS 13 or later on a Mac.
- Syncing between devices relies on iCloud.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$4.99
A month to start
Highland Pro is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $4.99 per month, billed $59.99 annually.
Everything is in the one plan, on Mac, iPad and iPhone.
Yearly
$4.99
per month, billed $59.99 annually
All Highland Pro features on Mac, iPad and iPhone, billed once a year. Advertised as a 50% saving on the monthly plan.
Monthly
$9.99
per month, billed monthly
The same features on a month-to-month subscription.
Trying it first
30-day free trial; cancel anytime
Read from quoteunquoteapps.com on Oct 6, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
Save 50% with the yearly plan
The yearly plan is billed $59.99, which works out to $4.99 a month against $9.99 on the monthly plan, or $119.88 over twelve months.
Stated on quoteunquoteapps.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Monthly”, against $9.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | ₱ 499.00 | $7.94 | 20% less |
| Canada | $12.99 | $9.13 | 9% less |
| Turkey | ₺449,99 | $9.15 | 8% less |
| Indonesia | Rp 169ribu | $9.45 | 5% less |
| Mexico | $199.00 | $10.93 | 9% more |
| Germany | 9,99 € | $11.19 | 12% more |
| South Africa | R199.99 | $12.10 | 21% more |
| United Kingdom | £9.99 | $13.21 | 32% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: macOS and iOS
Plain-text screenwriting app for Mac, iPad and iPhone. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: Markdown, templates, long-form writing.
One family of devices: Mac, iPad and iPhone, synced through iCloud, with no Windows, Android or web version and nothing else to connect to.
- Fountain and Markdown writing
- Write in plain text and let the app format it. There are 14 templates, including Screenplay, Multi-Cam and Manuscript, and autocomplete for character names and scene headers.
- Navigator and Overview
- The Navigator maps sections, scenes, synopses and notes, and the Overview shows a whole script or novel in one view with characters and scenes highlighted.
- Revision Mode
- Tracks changes in different colors with stars in the margin, alongside automatic scene numbering with custom ranges.
- Sprints and goals
- Timed writing sprints track focused sessions, and goals set milestones for a page, word or character count.
- /Lookup
- Typing a slash and a question returns quick answers such as definitions, rhymes and world facts without leaving the draft.
- Import, export and PDF melting
- Imports and exports Fountain, Final Draft .fdx and PDF files. PDF Melting converts Final Draft and Fountain PDFs back into editable text.
Where it runs
- macOS
- iOS
What it works with
- iCloud
Highland Pro is made by The Quote-Unquote Company.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
32/69
Other writing tools it is graded above
Highland Pro's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 32 of the 69 other writing tools we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on features (B, above 36 of 69) and worst on platforms and integrations (C, above 3).
Its paid plans start at $4.99 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 8 of the 44 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 3 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 70 writing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Highland Pro’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 35 of 69
- CFree plan and trialAbove 5 of 69
- BFeaturesAbove 36 of 69
- BEase of useAbove 32 of 69
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 3 of 69
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 53 writing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Highland Pro is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Your call
A writing app at its plainest is a page that saves what you type.
You could make the core of Highland Pro for yourself: long-form writing, Markdown and templates. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call. It costs $59.88 a year.
What you could make
- Long-form writing, Markdown and templates: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS and iOS that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Highland Pro’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Slugline, Beat, Final Draft, Fade In and Arc Studio
The 5 tools Highland Pro is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Slugline
Free plan · from $19.99 one-time
Plain-text screenwriting app for Mac, iPhone and iPad.
- 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.
- 3.2GPA
Beat
Free plan · from $11.99 one-time
Free, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS.
- 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.
- 2.2GPA
Final Draft
Free trial · from $99.99/yr
Screenwriting software with automatic script formatting.
- Only Final Draft lists a web app.
- Only Final Draft lists a Windows app.
- Final Draft can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
Fade In
Free trial · from $79.95 one-time
One-time-purchase screenwriting software for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- Only Highland Pro lists an iOS app.
- Only Fade In lists a web app.
- Only Fade In lists Windows and Linux apps.
- 2.6GPA
Arc Studio
Free plan · from $69/yr
Screenwriting app with outlining and real-time co-writing.
- Arc Studio has a free plan. Highland Pro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Arc Studio lists a web app.
- Only Arc Studio lists a Windows app.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Highland Pro free?
No, Highland Pro is a paid product, but you can try it first. 30-day free trial; cancel anytime.
How much does Highland Pro cost?
Highland Pro lists 2 plans. Yearly: $4.99 per month, billed $59.99 annually.
What platforms does Highland Pro work on?
Highland Pro is available on macOS and iOS.
Does Highland Pro offer any discounts?
Highland Pro publicly lists the following: Save 50% with the yearly plan.
Does Highland Pro have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Highland Pro is listed for macOS and iOS.
Does Highland Pro have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Highland Pro is listed for macOS and iOS.
Is Highland Pro open source?
Highland Pro is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does Highland Pro integrate with?
Highland Pro's listing names iCloud. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Highland Pro?
Highland Pro is made by The Quote-Unquote Company.
What are the alternatives to Highland Pro?
The closest alternatives to Highland Pro in our directory are Slugline, Beat, Final Draft, Fade In and Arc Studio.
How does Highland Pro compare with other writing tools?
Highland Pro's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 32 of the 69 other writing tools we grade, and level with 10.
Is Highland Pro good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Highland Pro B for value for money. Its paid plans start at $4.99 a month, against a middle price of $8 for the category: 8 of the 44 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Highland Pro?
A writing app at its plainest is a page that saves what you type. You could make the core of Highland Pro for yourself: long-form writing, Markdown and templates.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Highland Pro’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Highland Pro's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-03-08.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by The Quote-Unquote Company. Prices change, so check quoteunquoteapps.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Highland Pro, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/highland-pro
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Highland Pro: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/highland-pro
Know someone choosing between writing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/highland-pro/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded writing tools after Highland Pro, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Writing Tools Insider's GuideEvery one of the 70 writing tools we grade, compared
- Microsoft Word Insider's GuideWord processor sold with Microsoft 365, free in the browser3.4 GPA
- Beat Insider's GuideFree, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS3.2 GPA
- JotterPad Insider's GuideMarkdown and Fountain editor for books, papers and screenplays3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Highland Pro’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Highland Pro is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by The Quote-Unquote Company. Prices and plans change: check quoteunquoteapps.com before you buy.