(beat)

Name: (beat)
Rating: 0 (0 reviews)
Author: Lauri-Matti Parppei

an elegant screenwriting app

Only for Mac

Free

Ages

4+
Years
Category

Productivity
Developer

Lauri-Matti Parppei
Language

EN
+ 5 More
Size

39.4
MB

Mac

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. The app is totally free and open source, and will remain so – most importantly because free creative software can enable new, aspiring artists from different backgrounds. There might a paid "pro" version later in the future to cover up the costs of the development, but the core app will always be free of charge. - Great outlining tools, such as Timeline and Index Cards - Uses Fountain files, which means you can open your screenplays in multiple other apps - Night mode - Automatic scene numbering - Auto complete for scene headings and character names - Final Draft import and export - PDF export - Revision/edit tracking - Easy scene filtering - Many additional tools, including gender analysis and productivity timer - Plugin support

Ratings & Reviews

This app hasn’t received enough ratings or reviews to display an overview.

Strong writing software that keeps on improving
09/15/2024

The_Corn
This is a newer program than most of the popular screenwriting apps, but it is just as strong as many of them and quickly catching up to the rest.The plugins are super useful and the layout is simple and easy to look at. The mobile app is a great companion to the Mac version. The import and export features are way more solid than most of the apps out there, making it really easy to switch between the other big programs.The developer is super responsive to requests and is creating new features at breakneck speed. I hope to see cloud syncing between the Mac/mobile apps and a playwriting format added in the future, but I am very pleased with the app as it is right now.
Strong writing software that keeps on improving
09/15/2024

The_Corn

This is a newer program than most of the popular screenwriting apps, but it is just as strong as many of them and quickly catching up to the rest.The plugins are super useful and the layout is simple and easy to look at. The mobile app is a great companion to the Mac version. The import and export features are way more solid than most of the apps out there, making it really easy to switch between the other big programs.The developer is super responsive to requests and is creating new features at breakneck speed. I hope to see cloud syncing between the Mac/mobile apps and a playwriting format added in the future, but I am very pleased with the app as it is right now.
Intuitive and Essential
02/14/2023

kevpick
Beat elegantly integrates the outline and writing processes, allowing you to do both on the same page, eliminating the need to switch between separate documents and helping you maintain a consistent rhythm. The interface is well-designed and never feels cluttered, prioritizing what matters most. Plus, if you're going to spend hours staring at a writing app, it might as well be aesthetically pleasing. Beat combines form and function seamlessly. Moreover, free plugins like FTOutliner offer extra functionalities, such as real-time page count updates for each scene.As someone who used Final Draft for years, I can confidently say that I'll never go back; Beat feels intuitive and essential to my writing process.
Intuitive and Essential
02/14/2023

kevpick

Beat elegantly integrates the outline and writing processes, allowing you to do both on the same page, eliminating the need to switch between separate documents and helping you maintain a consistent rhythm. The interface is well-designed and never feels cluttered, prioritizing what matters most. Plus, if you're going to spend hours staring at a writing app, it might as well be aesthetically pleasing. Beat combines form and function seamlessly. Moreover, free plugins like FTOutliner offer extra functionalities, such as real-time page count updates for each scene.As someone who used Final Draft for years, I can confidently say that I'll never go back; Beat feels intuitive and essential to my writing process.
The Missing Writing Tool
10/25/2025

chanderson.tech
For a long time, I went between using Highland and other more multi-purpose editors like Obsidian, but discovering (beat) was a game-changer. It’s hard for software to strike a balance between ease-of-use and flexibility, but (beat) nails it; I recommend it to anyone that writes for screen or stage on Mac.And as a fellow software dev, I really respect how it not only is this software FREE and OPEN SOURCE, but with a documented plugin API, it is easy to extend its functionality with JavaScript. This means the possibilities to adapt the tool for your own needs are practically endless.Anyone that writes screenplays owes it to themselves to try (beat) out. And if you love it, definitely consider donating to this dev or join their Patreon.
The Missing Writing Tool
10/25/2025

chanderson.tech

For a long time, I went between using Highland and other more multi-purpose editors like Obsidian, but discovering (beat) was a game-changer. It’s hard for software to strike a balance between ease-of-use and flexibility, but (beat) nails it; I recommend it to anyone that writes for screen or stage on Mac.And as a fellow software dev, I really respect how it not only is this software FREE and OPEN SOURCE, but with a documented plugin API, it is easy to extend its functionality with JavaScript. This means the possibilities to adapt the tool for your own needs are practically endless.Anyone that writes screenplays owes it to themselves to try (beat) out. And if you love it, definitely consider donating to this dev or join their Patreon.
Best Screenwriting Software For Me
08/06/2023

W. G.
If I had any programming ability whatsoever, Beat is the screenwriting software I would design for myself. It does everything I want, it doesn't hog system resources, and the interface is exactly what I've always wished the industry standard software was.I downloaded Beat because I needed a Fountain editor, but it's become my first choice for screenwriting. I even do novel outlines on it. I would've paid for it, it's so good. I don't think I'll ever go back to industry standard software unless I'm given no other option.
Best Screenwriting Software For Me
08/06/2023

W. G.

If I had any programming ability whatsoever, Beat is the screenwriting software I would design for myself. It does everything I want, it doesn't hog system resources, and the interface is exactly what I've always wished the industry standard software was.I downloaded Beat because I needed a Fountain editor, but it's become my first choice for screenwriting. I even do novel outlines on it. I would've paid for it, it's so good. I don't think I'll ever go back to industry standard software unless I'm given no other option.

Bug fixes for macOS 26 and spell checker improvements

Version 2.1.4

Jan 1

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The developer does not collect any data from this app.

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More by Lauri-Matti Parppei

(beat) for iOS

elegant screenwriting

(beat)

an elegant screenwriting app

Ratings & Reviews

Strong writing software that keeps on improving

Intuitive and Essential

The Missing Writing Tool

Best Screenwriting Software For Me

What’s New

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More by Lauri-Matti Parppei

(beat) for iOS