Beat review
A capable free Mac screenwriting app, with a one-time purchase for iPhone and iPad.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 autocomplete, and works with Fountain plain-text files. Its outline view, scene cards, timeline, automatic scene numbering and screenplay statistics support work from early structure through revision. Novel writing is also described as a use case, though the feature set centers on screenplays.
The macOS app is free and open source, with offline writing, revision tracking, color-coded revision generations and version control. Writers can import and export Final Draft files and export PDFs. The iOS companion app costs €12.99 as a one-time purchase and supports core Beat features, with lifetime ownership after purchase. The vendor notes that pricing is discounted in some countries. This split makes the free desktop app the clearest entry point; writers who want to work on iPhone or iPad should account for the separate purchase, and version control is documented for macOS only.
Beat connects with iCloud, Dropbox and Google Drive, supports JavaScript plugins, and keeps screenplay text in the plain-text Fountain format. Those options suit writers who value portable files and work across compatible storage services, but the app is limited to Apple platforms. Collaboration is not established as a feature, so teams looking for shared drafting workflows should compare alternatives. Beat is a strong fit for individual screenwriters who want a focused, free Mac tool with outlining and revision features; writers on other platforms or seeking confirmed collaboration tools should look elsewhere.
Beat pros and cons
- 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.
Beat fact sheet, pricing and score →
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