Beat vs Scriptum
Beat
beat-app.fiScriptum
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Beat | Scriptum |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €12.99/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Screenwriting Software | 8.8 (#5) | 7.5 (#21) |
| Spec score · Script Writing Software | 8.8 (#5) | 7.5 (#18) |
| Privacy | The maker says Beat collects no data and stores documents on the user's device; the app can work offline. | The project states that Scriptum has no accounts, analytics, advertising, telemetry, cloud sync, or crash-reporting service, and that its application code does not receive or transmit screenplay text. |
| Support | Users can report bugs through the maker's bug-report page and contact the developer by email or Discord. | The project welcomes suggestions, bug reports, accessibility feedback, translations, and pull requests through GitHub issues. |
Plans
In their own words
Beat
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.