# CardBeat: Story Plot Corkboard — Index Cards to Outline Movies

> Digital cork board for plotting novels, screenplays, and short stories. (iPhone/iPad app by Stefan Stuckmann.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cardbeat-story-plot-corkboard/id1488252091 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Stefan Stuckmann](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434238274)
- Category: Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.50/5 from 33 App Store ratings · 24 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 7 MB
- Languages: American English, German (Germany)
- Released: 2020-11-02
- Data updated: 2026-10-24
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cardbeat-story-plot-corkboard/id1488252091/reviews.md

## What is CardBeat?

A digital corkboard for plotting your novel, screenplay or short story. CardBeat keeps all the fun things about index cards – and gets rid of all the rest.

Break your story into acts, sequences and scenes. Put each beat on a card, pin it to the board and shuffle until the structure works – without wasting ink or paper.

WRITE YOUR WAY
- Handwrite with Apple Pencil or just your finger – pens, pencils, markers and brushes in any color.
- Prefer typing? Every card takes keyboard input, too.
- Choose blank, lined, dotted or grid cards in different colors to track characters, subplots or timelines.

SEE THE WHOLE STORY
- Place cards anywhere on the board – no rows, columns or table cells. Turn on snap-to-grid when you want things tidy.
- Zoom out for the big picture, zoom in to work on a single scene.
- Working in a writers' room? Connect a TV, monitor or projector and show a clean view of the board while you plot.

SHARE AND SYNC
- Your boards stay in sync across iPhone and iPad with iCloud – or turn sync off with a single switch.
- Export a board as a PDF for feedback, or as a CardBeat file your co-writer can import and keep working on.

PRIVATE BY DESIGN
No accounts, no ads, no third-party analytics. CardBeat doesn't collect any data.

FREE TO START
Plot up to two boards for free. Unlock unlimited boards with a one-time purchase – no subscription.

## Key features

- Digital cork board for story plotting
- Structure stories into acts, sequences, and scenes
- Rearrange plot elements freely
- Customizable cards with colors and backgrounds
- Multiple drawing tools and keyboard input
- Export boards as PDF
- iCloud syncing

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited Story Boards | $19.99 | one-time |


## Is CardBeat safe?

CardBeat: Story Plot Corkboard appears mostly safe based on user ratings. The AppsHunter Safety Score for CardBeat is 70 out of 100. This assessment is based on 33 user ratings, with an App Store average of 3.5 out of 5. Of 33 App Store ratings, 60.6% point to a safe experience, 12.1% suggest some concerns, and 27.3% point to a risky experience.

## Is CardBeat legit?

CardBeat: Story Plot Corkboard appears to be a legitimate app. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for CardBeat is 83 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

## Recent user reviews (10 of 24)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cardbeat-story-plot-corkboard/id1488252091/reviews.md

### 3/5 — I’m so frustrated

*2025-08-12, version 2025.1*

I spend ages working on something and then it kicks me out and deletes everything. 😤 other than that this app is ok.

### 1/5 — The app doesn’t work

*2025-06-11*

The app has potential, unfortunately it doesn’t work. Yeah it’s pretty and everything but it keeps crashing on my iPad Pro. I mean how can I work if my work continuously get lost? Will update review if it gets better.

**Developer response:** Hey Pedro, thanks for your feedback! There is a new version out that fixes a lot of bugs. Maybe you’re up for giving it another try.

### 5/5 — This Deserves 5 Stars

*2025-05-24*

This app does exactly what it’s supposed to do and does it really well.

### 5/5 — Not perfect, but just right

*2024-11-17*

I don’t usually write reviews for things, but this app deserves this. I have looked, and there isn’t any other app that does what this app does. It’s simple it’s easy, it’s going to help me SO much with writing in the future. And there isn’t an accursed subscription. Maybe I’m cheap, but I don’t like subscriptions. And as long as I limit myself to one to two projects at once, I shouldn’t have to spend a dime :) I was seriously about to go out and buy a cork board and a ton of notecards, and then I saw this app, and it really saved me, because I don’t have any room for a cork board. So thank you.

**Developer response:** Thank you so much, I hope you keep enjoying this app!

### 3/5 — Would be higher if the app didn’t crash constantly

*2024-10-11, version 2024.1*

I find that constantly I create a card only for the app to crash loosing anything I’ve drawn/written with no obvious way to save while editing. Its actually infuriating.

### 3/5 — *Almost* great…

*2024-07-24*

Love the interface, its beautiful simplicity is exactly what I was looking for to plot my story. I feel like a lot of the alternative apps are trying to hard to wow you with useless bells and whistles or, worse yet, AI nonsense.

So CardBeat is my pick!

Alas, it is also quite buggy. 

Sometimes I’ll spend several minutes writing a card, only for the program to crash and delete it. Of course, I can remember and re-write it, but it’s quite a disruption to the process.

I’d consider going “pro” if I was more confident in the program, but until then…it’s good enough.

**Developer response:** Hey there, thanks for your feedback! There is a new version out that fixes a lot of bugs. Maybe you’re up for giving it another try.

### 1/5 — One board, really??

*2024-02-06*

Lovely I absolutely adore the app and it’s settings! I find it easy to use and quite helpful with the ability to rearrange things! Yet there are many, and I mean MANY setbacks. First of all, is there seriously only a singular board to go with? I would say atleast five is a small but good amount especially without buying, but ONE…? Really? Come on now. The nest is more of a personal preference. I feel you should be able to zoom in more to the cards. It’s just a small pet peeve of mine that I can deal with, but the one board is really something that I hate. Please consider adding more, even. If it’s just a couple I would be much happier.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback! If you need more boards than the two you can use for free, I recommend exporting the old ones and deleting/reusing them.

### 4/5 — Great App!

*2024-01-07, version 2023.1*

This app works really well! I mostly use it for plotting out my story ideas, and the features available work very well. There is some features I still would like to see though, including being able to have a set text size and being able to resize notes. This app is very functional and I much prefer it over many other apps. The only downside to this app is that the boards have a restricted size, and the free version only allows two boards! I’d buy the pro version but I can't see myself paying $40 AUD— which is a lot of money.

### 5/5 — A complete game-changer!

*2023-11-23*

I write constantly. For years, my girlfriend has tolerated rows and rows of sticky notes covering our walls. This app does everything I need as a writer, and all while being quite privacy-conscious. This is a must-have for novelists, screenwriters, anyone passionate about storytelling!

### 5/5 — This is a very, very good app… but,

*2023-11-01, version 2023.1*

… it needs some more functionality with formatting, colours, backgrounds etc. and generally, a few more options.

The MAIN thing is: it needs to be £12.99 one time purchase. It’s good at what it is, but what it is - is not a £22.99 app.

Creating cards is all well and good, but that’s all it is. If it was, I don’t know, also a notes app with a calendar then, yeah £22.99, but no.

I use the free one in the limited role from time to time and as I say, it’s excellent at what it does.

If they give it some more ‘format’ functionality and half the price then, you’re on.

## Frequently asked questions about CardBeat

### What is CardBeat?

CardBeat is a digital cork board application designed to help writers plot their novels, screenplays, and short stories. It offers a flexible and visual way to organize narrative elements like acts, sequences, and scenes without the limitations of physical index cards.

### What are the key features of CardBeat?

Key features include the ability to break down stories into structural components, rearrange them freely, customize cards with different colors and backgrounds, and use various drawing tools or keyboard input. It also supports PDF export for sharing and optional iCloud syncing.

### How much does CardBeat cost?

The application is free to download and use, with in-app purchases available for additional features or customization options. Specific pricing for in-app purchases is not detailed in the provided description.

### What devices is CardBeat compatible with?

The app is designed for use on iPads and iPhones, making it accessible for mobile and tablet users. It supports drawing with a finger or an Apple Pencil.

### How can I share my story plots with others?

CardBeat allows you to export your entire cork board as a PDF document. This makes it easy to share your story structure and progress with colleagues, editors, or writing partners for feedback.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2026.10.1 — 2026-10-20

- Made for iPhone Duo: unfold your device and see the whole board at once.
- New mini-map: find your way around large boards. Turn it on in the More menu.
- Fixed cards that could end up out of reach, and boards growing while zoomed.
- Smoother iCloud sync and faster boards overall.

### 2026.10 — 2026-10-12

Added support for iPhone Duo. Also: some bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 2026.8 — 2026-08-07

- New design that implements the Liquid Glass Interface
- Bring order to your boards with the new clean up function
- Export and import boards for easy collaboration 
- Rewritten Sync and database engine

### 2025.1 — 2025-01-14

Performance improvements and a Dark Mode icon

### 2024.1 — 2024-07-14

- New pens and brushes on iOS 17 and higher
- Performance improvements

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-10-24.*