Beat

Beat is a screenwriting app for structuring stories and drafting in a distraction-free interface. It saves scripts as plain-text Fountain files, which its maker describes as portable and compatible with other editors. Writers can import Final Draft, Highland, Fade In, and Celtx files, then export to Final Draft or PDF. Outline view and scene cards support adding sections and synopses and rearranging scenes by dragging. Beat recognizes screenplay elements, offers autocomplete, tracks revisions, and can highlight changes in exported PDFs. The macOS app supports JavaScript plugins, including official options in the Plugin Library. Beat works offline and stores documents on the user's device; its maker says it collects no data. Files can be synced between iOS and macOS through services such as iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, though the maker advises against keeping the same file open on both devices. macOS is free; the iOS companion costs €12.99 per month and includes lifetime ownership after purchase. There will be no Windows or Linux version, and plugins are macOS-only.

Beat offers a focused screenwriting workflow with outlining, revision tools, and several import and export options. Its macOS and iOS platform split, plus the iOS price and macOS-only plugins, matter when choosing it.

Beat suits screenwriters who want outlining, scene rearrangement, screenplay formatting support, and offline writing. It is relevant to writers using macOS or iOS, with plugins limited to macOS.

Beat is a screenwriting application for writers who want a quiet drafting environment alongside practical story-structure tools. It suits writers moving between desktop and mobile who value portable files and local storage, while its platform split and plugin restrictions narrow its appeal. The strongest case is a focused, format-aware workflow that remains useful when you are offline.

Overview

Beat combines screenplay drafting with outlining rather than treating structure as a separate planning exercise. Its plain-text Fountain files are portable and compatible with other editors, which makes the project less dependent on a proprietary document format. Import support covers Final Draft, Highland, Fade In and Celtx files; export goes to Final Draft and PDF, giving established workflows a practical route in and out.

The app is designed for writers who want fewer visual distractions while still having screenplay-specific assistance. Beat recognizes screenplay elements automatically and offers autocomplete, so formatting work does not have to interrupt drafting. It also keeps a version history and can work offline, with documents stored on the device. The maker says it collects no data.

Key features

Structure and revision

Outline view and scene cards let you add sections and synopses, then rearrange scenes by dragging them into a new order. That is useful during early development and structural rewrites, when moving a sequence should be quicker than rewriting pages. Revision tracking can highlight changes in exported PDFs, making Beat more suitable for circulating updated drafts than a basic text editor.

Plugins and file handling

The macOS app supports JavaScript plugins, and the Plugin Library includes official extensions with optional automatic updates. This gives desktop users a way to tailor the workflow, but it is not a cross-platform capability. Syncing between iOS and macOS can use iCloud, Dropbox or Google Drive; the maker cautions against leaving the same file open on both devices at once, so the setup requires disciplined file handling rather than simultaneous editing.

Pricing

Beat uses a freemium model. The macOS plan costs nothing and provides the desktop app. The iOS plan costs €12.99 a month for the iPhone and iPad companion app; it includes core Beat features and states lifetime ownership after purchase. That makes the iOS offering the relevant expense for mobile writers, while macOS users can start without a software charge. The maker also offers a specialized release for schools and organizations, with licensing and update costs handled by contacting the developer.

There is no reason to pay for iOS access if you only write on a Mac, but writers who need a phone or tablet companion should account for the separate iOS terms. The free desktop plan is therefore best for a stationary workflow; the iOS plan is aimed at people who accept the mobile cost to carry projects between devices.

Platforms

Beat runs on macOS and iOS, including iPhone and iPad. Offline operation and local document storage suit travel or unreliable connections. There will be no Windows or Linux version, and plugins are available only on macOS, so mixed-platform teams and Windows-based writers should look elsewhere.

Who it's for

Beat is a strong fit for screenwriters who want outlining, scene-card organization, screenplay-aware autocomplete and revision-marked PDF exports in one focused application. It also suits writers who value open, portable Fountain files and local privacy. It is a weaker choice for teams needing broad operating-system coverage, simultaneous cloud editing or a plugin ecosystem on mobile.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Fountain storage keeps scripts portable; imports from four established screenplay formats ease migration; scene cards and outline tools support structural rewrites; offline, on-device storage supports privacy and travel; macOS plugins add extensibility.
• Cons: Windows and Linux are explicitly excluded; plugins stop at macOS; cross-device syncing requires care because the same file should not be open on both devices; iOS is a separate €12.99-per-month plan despite lifetime ownership language.

Alternatives

Celtx is the better choice for writers who need Android, web or Windows access, cloud-based script editing and real-time collaboration; its free studio is limited to one project. Choose Arc Studio Pro instead if you want Windows support and a free plan covering two scripts with watermarked PDF export. Story Architect is worth considering for broader platform coverage, including Android, Linux and Windows, and an open-core approach. DubScript suits Android-only writers who want unlimited scripts and scenes for free, accepting ads in the writing view and some screens. OpenDraft is the simpler free-forever option across web, desktop and mobile, with no account, subscription or feature gating. ScreenWeaver offers unlimited projects and pages plus PDF and Final Draft export on a free plan. TalkingDraft is aimed at writers who want transcription, an outliner and formatted export across Android, iOS and web. Revision Screenwriter is another free option with broad platform coverage.

Verdict

Choose Beat if you want a privacy-conscious, Fountain-based screenwriting workflow with serious outlining and revision support, primarily on macOS with optional iOS use. Its portability and focused tools are compelling; the main reasons to look elsewhere are the absence of Windows and Linux, macOS-only plugins and the separate iOS pricing model.