Arc Studio Pro vs Beat

Arc Studio Pro is screenwriting software for drafting and managing scripts on Mac, Windows, iPadOS, iOS, and browsers. Its writing tools include industry formatting, Focus mode, timed sprints, notes, and outlining. Users can work offline, while automatic draft history lets them recover deleted text. Encryption and automatic backups protect work on devices and in the cloud. The Free plan includes up to two scripts and PDF export with a watermark; the free writing experience can begin without a credit card, and each account includes a free 7-day Pro trial. Free is free, billed annually. Essentials costs $69 a year and includes unlimited scripts, advanced formatting, desktop and mobile apps, and PDF export. Pro costs $99 a year and adds features including outlining, revision management, feedback links, and two collaborators. Collaboration works on Free, but inviting collaborators requires a subscription. The product is published by Arc Studio Labs, Inc., headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.

Beat is a screenwriting app for structuring stories and writing in a distraction-free interface. It saves scripts as plain-text Fountain files, which the maker describes as portable and compatible with other editors. Beat imports Final Draft, Highland, Fade In, and Celtx files, then exports to Final Draft and PDF. Outline view and scene cards let writers add sections and synopses and rearrange scenes by dragging. The app recognizes screenplay elements, offers autocomplete, tracks revisions, and highlights changes in exported PDFs. The macOS version supports JavaScript plugins, including official options from a Plugin Library. Beat stores documents on the device, works offline, and says it collects no data. Files can be synchronized between iOS and macOS through iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, although the maker cautions against opening one file on both devices. Beat is free on macOS; the iOS companion costs €12.99 a month with lifetime ownership after purchase.