Skip to content

(beat)

You get a free, open-source screenwriting app for drafting scripts, planning story structure, and tracking revisions, whether you’re writing your first screenplay or already write regularly.

by Lauri-Matti Parppei

Get it on the Mac App Store Developer website ↗
Helps you Write articles, books & docs 31 Outline ideas & projects 13 Convert documents 32

What you get

You can focus on your screenplay while Beat handles the formatting.

You can draft your screenplay without stopping to format every passage. Beat handles screenplay formatting as you type, while autocomplete reduces repeated typing of character names and scene headings. You also get automatic scene numbering to help you keep track of your script.

You can examine your story’s structure through a timeline and index cards, then filter scenes when you need a narrower view. Revision tracking helps you follow your edits as the draft develops, and a low-distraction writing space keeps your attention on the page.

Your work stays in Fountain files that you can open in other compatible apps. You can also import and export Final Draft files or export a PDF for others to read. The core app is free and open source.

  • Spend less time formatting

    You can keep drafting while automatic formatting and autocomplete reduce manual work.

  • See your story’s structure

    You can review your screenplay through a timeline and index cards, or filter scenes to narrow your view.

  • Follow your revisions

    You can track edits as you develop your screenplay.

  • Keep your script portable

    You can use Fountain files in compatible apps, exchange Final Draft files, and export PDFs for reading.

Best for

  • You’re writing your first screenplay
  • You want to review a script’s structure
  • You need to exchange scripts with Final Draft users

Skip it if

You probably don’t need it if you write only general notes or prose and have no use for screenplay formatting.

Screenshots

(beat) screenshot 1 (beat) screenshot 2 (beat) screenshot 3 (beat) screenshot 4

From the developer

Beat is an elegant screenwriting app with focus on story structure. It has as little distractions as possible to let you concentrate on writing. The app was created by a screenwriter for other screenwriters. Beat lets you write in a flow. Just start typing and let Beat take care of the formatting.
Read the full description

Alternatives to (beat)

Other apps to write articles, books & docs. See all

Craft Create and structure documents Setapp 96% · 2,061 ratings Ulysses Write and publish from one app Setapp 98% · 2,382 ratings Paper Write in Markdown, distraction-free Setapp 95% · 173 ratings Focused Focus on your writing Setapp 92% · 142 ratings MonsterWriter Write complex texts easily Setapp 84% · 95 ratings cyberWriter Write privately, think clearly Sold separately