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Head-to-head · Writing Apps

Final Draft vs Beat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Final Draft #1 in Writing Apps 9.4/10 5-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Final Draft
Beat #87 in Writing Apps 3.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Beat

Final Draft leads on 0 checks, Beat on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFinal Draft · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Beat
  • Free trialonly Final Draft
  • Most featuresFinal Draft · 5 of 5

Final Draft scores higher on our rubric for writing apps: 9.4 against 3.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #87.

Beat offers free plan; Final Draft doesn't. On export formats, Final Draft gives you Extensive where Beat offers Standard.

Final Draft is the better fit for professional screenwriters and production teams. Beat is the better fit for mac and iPad screenwriters wanting a free desktop app.

  • Final Draft fits best

    Professional screenwriters and production teams

  • Beat fits best

    Mac and iPad screenwriters wanting a free desktop app

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Side by side

Feature Final Draft 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Beat 3.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 3.0
Ranking #1 in Writing Apps #87 in Writing Apps
Best for Professional screenwriters and production teams Mac and iPad screenwriters wanting a free desktop app
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $99.99/yr €12.99 one-time
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 5 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS macOS, iOS
Integrations 5 integrations 3 integrations
Features Final Draft 5/5 · Beat 4/5
Publishing tools ✓ ✓
Real-time collaboration ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Version history ✓ ✓
Offline mode ✓ ✓
Mobile apps ✓ ✓
Specs
Export formats Extensive Standard
Our review
Pros
  • Automatically formats and paginates screenplays to industry standards.
  • Combines beat planning, outlining, tracked revisions, and commenting.
  • Adds production reports, collaboration, and cloud version restoration.
  • Free, open-source macOS app supports offline writing.
  • Outlining combines scene cards, a timeline and an outline view.
  • Exports to PDF and Final Draft; tracks revisions and versions on macOS.
Cons
  • The one-time Final Draft 13 purchase does not include Final Draft Cloud.
  • Suite Monthly costs more per month than the annual Suite plan.
  • Desktop sign-in requires internet access initially.
  • The iOS companion app costs €12.99 one time.
  • Version control is available on macOS only.
  • The app is limited to macOS and iOS.
Our verdict

Final Draft is screenwriting software for professional and aspiring screenwriters, filmmakers, producers, playwrights, and production teams. Its core purpose is to handle screenplay conventions while supporting story planning and the work…

Read the review →

Beat is a screenwriting app for macOS and iOS, aimed at writers who want screenplay-specific formatting and outlining tools rather than a general-purpose word processor. On Mac, it automatically formats screenplay elements, offers…

Read the review →
  1. Final DraftWriting Apps 9.45-day trial
  2. BeatWriting Apps 3.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Final Draft — where it wins

    • Automatically formats and paginates screenplays to industry standards.
    • Combines beat planning, outlining, tracked revisions, and commenting.
    • Adds production reports, collaboration, and cloud version restoration.

    Where it doesn't

    • The one-time Final Draft 13 purchase does not include Final Draft Cloud.
    • Suite Monthly costs more per month than the annual Suite plan.
    • Desktop sign-in requires internet access initially.

  • Beat — where it wins

    • Free, open-source macOS app supports offline writing.
    • Outlining combines scene cards, a timeline and an outline view.
    • Exports to PDF and Final Draft; tracks revisions and versions on macOS.

    Where it doesn't

    • The iOS companion app costs €12.99 one time.
    • Version control is available on macOS only.
    • The app is limited to macOS and iOS.
  • Final Draft9.4/10 · 5-day trial

    A screenplay-focused toolkit with deep planning, production, revision, and collaboration features.

    Visit Final DraftFull verdict →
  • Beat3.0/10 · Free plan

    A capable free Mac screenwriting app, with a one-time purchase for iPhone and iPad.

    Visit BeatFull verdict →

More comparisons

All writing apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update