Boords vs ShortPlay Studio

Boords is a web-based video preproduction tool that brings scripts, storyboards, animatics, and client approvals together. Frames can use original artwork, uploaded images, or AI-generated images with consistent characters. Its script editor supports free-form, audio/visual, and screenplay formats, and scripts can be turned into storyboard frames. Clients can use a shared link to comment on frames and approve them or request changes without an account. Storyboards can be timed to voiceover or music; boards export as PDF or image, while animatics export as MP4. Boords also offers a public API and signed webhooks, with Slack notifications, Dropbox, and Google Drive listed as integrations. The free plan is limited to five active storyboards and up to five team members. Paid pricing is listed from $26/user/mo annually. Boords says customer content is not used to train its AI models, and account administrators can disable AI features. It is designed for video and advertising agencies, creative directors, production managers, in-house brand teams, and animation studios.

ShortPlay Studio is a web-based workflow for turning scripts or scene outlines into shot-by-shot visual plans and review-ready video drafts. It separates scripts into scenes and shots, identifies characters and locations, and supports reusable characters, locations, scenes, and props for continuity. Storyboard rows can record camera shots, movement, visual content, dialogue, sound, duration, and prompts. Approved storyboard beats can become vertical shot frames, then continue into video generation and composition for a draft. The product focuses on 9:16 vertical frames for short drama and positions itself before final video generation. Users can export storyboard frames, reusable references, or a video draft for approval. Script import, shot sequencing, frame generation, shot annotations, and team collaboration are supported. Intended audiences include short drama teams, agencies and pitch teams, directors and producers, and content and training teams. The Free plan costs nothing and includes two credits. Basic costs $30, paid once for 70 credits; Pro costs $60, paid once for 150 credits and priority support.