# Slugline

> Plain-text screenwriting app for Mac, iPhone and iPad

Slugline is a screenwriting app for Mac, iPhone and iPad that works from plain text in the open Fountain format and applies screenplay formatting automatically as you type. Slugline 2 for Mac adds a drag-and-drop outline, a timeline of the script's structure and change tracking by comparing two documents. The Mac app is free for the first six pages and then needs a one-time upgrade; the iOS app is a separate purchase.

- **Category:** Writing Tools
- **Made by:** Act Focused Media LLC
- **Website:** https://www.slugline.co
- **Runs on:** macOS, iOS
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 9, 2026

## Pricing

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.

- **Pricing model:** Free plan
- **Free plan:** Slugline 2 for Mac is a free download that works without watermarks or limitations until a screenplay passes page six. Longer scripts and Final Draft export need the paid upgrade.
- **Free trial:** None listed.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. |

Read from https://www.slugline.co/ on Oct 9, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Slugline before buying.

## Mac App Store prices by country

"Unlimited Writing Upgrade", as each country's Mac App Store showed it on Oct 9, 2026. These are the app's prices, not the website's.

| Country | Price | In US dollars |
| --- | --- | --- |
| United States | $49.99 | |
| United Kingdom | £49.99 | about $66.09 (32% more) |
| Germany | 59,99 € | about $67.22 (34% more) |
| Canada | $69.99 | about $49.20 (about the same) |
| Australia | $79.99 | about $55.84 (12% more) |
| India | ₹ 4,999 | about $51.68 (about the same) |
| Brazil | R$ 299,90 | about $59.92 (20% more) |
| Mexico | $999.00 | about $54.89 (10% more) |
| Turkey | ₺2.499,99 | about $50.84 (about the same) |
| Indonesia | Rp 999ribu | about $55.87 (12% more) |
| Philippines | ₱ 2,990.00 | about $47.60 (about the same) |
| South Africa | R999.99 | about $60.48 (21% more) |

## Key features

- **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.

## Good for

- 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

## Worth knowing

- 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.

## Works with

iCloud, Dropbox, Final Draft, Fountain

**Tags:** Long-form writing, One-time purchase

## Alternatives

- [Highland Pro](https://toolgpa.com/tools/highland-pro): Plain-text screenwriting app for Mac, iPad and iPhone. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/highland-pro-vs-slugline)
- [Beat](https://toolgpa.com/tools/beat): Free, open-source Fountain screenwriting app for Mac and iOS. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/beat-vs-slugline)
- [Final Draft](https://toolgpa.com/tools/final-draft): Screenwriting software with automatic script formatting. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/final-draft-vs-slugline)
- [Fade In](https://toolgpa.com/tools/fade-in): One-time-purchase screenwriting software for Windows, Mac and Linux. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/fade-in-vs-slugline)
- [WriterDuet](https://toolgpa.com/tools/writerduet): Screenwriting software built for real-time co-writing. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/slugline-vs-writerduet)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 9, 2026:

- https://www.slugline.co/
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/slugline-2/id1483507254
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/slugline-simply-screenwriting/id1217359226

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/slugline
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).