# Save the Cat! — The Language of Storytelling!

> Story structuring tool based on Blake Snyder's best-selling books and software. (iPhone/iPad app by Blake Snyder Enterprises.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save-the-cat/id1495073895 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Blake Snyder Enterprises](https://appshunter.io/developer/333296577)
- Category: Education, Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 440 App Store ratings · 44 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 19 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-04-08
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save-the-cat/id1495073895/reviews.md

## What is Save the Cat!?

All new version, built from the ground up using Apple's standard, master-detail style for full compatibility with iOS functionality including Dark Mode.

Even if you don't own the desktop version of Save the Cat!®, you can still use this amazing tool, touted as the "secret weapon" of the working writer, to help build better, more powerful stories, with greater resonance and emotional impact.

Whenever your creative juices start flowing you'll have this revolutionary app, which is based on Blake Snyder's best-selling books and software, at your fingertips. You'll delight in the ability to structure your screenplay, teleplay, stageplay or novel the Save the Cat!® way. 

By incorporating the methods, tips and tactics found in the Save the Cat!® series of books on story structure, this application will help you to:

* Develop a powerful Logline and Title
* Choose one of the 10 unique Save the Cat!® Genres
* Complete a Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (BS2) with variations for screenplays, novels, and 1/2 hour and 1 hour tv episodes.
* Use “the Board” to create cards for each scene and arrange them in the perfect order and to track character arcs and other important aspects of your story. Just long-press on a scene or other element in the Board then pick what you want to insert at that point.
* Add sequences to combine multiple scenes.
* Add labels to the Board to keep track of important points.
* Create Emotional Changes for each and every scene
* Create Set-ups and Payoffs as your protagonist progresses through the story

Sync your files across devices. This is a manual process so you're in complete control as to when you post and download your changes. Just create an account and login on all your devices. If you had a Save the Cat! account for the website or for when you purchased STC, that will not work here. You'll need to create a new account.

You can even add one or more writing partners to your project and sync your changes with them if you have the Premium or Pro level. Enter the username for their new STC account.

The free version allows you to add projects and work on your title, logline, genre, and the beat sheet. Many of the features listed below require an in-app purchase.

Essentials has all the basic functionality you need to develop a screenplay, novel, or tv episode with characters, locations set-ups, and pay-offs.

Premium adds the ability to track things or objects, and relationships. You'll also be able to develop a novel by chapters instead of using a beat sheet. 

Pro adds the ability to develop an entire series of movies or novels that use all the same characters, locations, things, and relationships and to track their stories across the entire series. You can also develop an entire tv series with multiple seasons.

Other cool updates include the ability to have multiple versions of your beat sheet and multiple versions of your board for each beat sheet.

Much improved script typing. And, if you're working on a novel, just type in your manuscript with proper formatting.

All new facts section keeping track of important facts ("Bible" for tv writers) for characters, locations and other entities.

Add important elements for characters, locations and other entities that you need to track through the story. Add the character or entity to the Board and track those items through the story.

As always you can add attachments such as photos, pdf's, and other important research documents so you have everything at your fingertips.

## Key features

- Develop logline and title
- Choose from 10 story genres
- Complete Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (BS2)
- Organize scenes with 'the Board'
- Track character arcs
- Create emotional changes per scene
- Sync files across devices

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Essentials Subscription | $21.99 | per year |
| Premium Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Pro Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Essentials Monthly | $2.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Essentials | $21.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Premium | $29.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Pro | $39.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade Premium to Pro | $9.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Save the Cat!?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- ✍️ Excellent script outlining tool
- 🎯 Effective Save the Cat methodology implementation
- 📱 Good mobile app functionality
- 🔄 Syncing between devices works well
- 🎨 Visual board feature enhances creativity
- 📚 Integrates well with Final Draft
- 💡 Helps overcome writer's block
- 🧠 Useful for story structure and planning

**Cons**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model with limited free features
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🔐 Website login problems
- 📝 Poor UI/UX design and clunky interface
- 💾 Data loss and unsaved work issues
- 🪟 Window mode functionality broken
- 📱 Limited platform support (missing Core i3, Mac desktop)
- 🌐 Geo-blocking and regional availability issues
- 🔤 Font size and UI label cutoff problems
- 🎭 Steep learning curve for non-Save the Cat users
- 🔄 Syncing problems between devices
- ⚠️ Misleading pricing and upgrade practices

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when opening Board feature
- Beat selection stuck in window mode
- Login credentials rejected on website
- Crashes every 10-15 minutes
- Unable to upload attachments
- Text field entrapment - unable to exit beat field
- Work disappears without explanation
- iPad version won't sync to desktop version
- App not available in certain countries/regions
- Glitchy and unresponsive desktop version
- Manual save required - no auto-save on crash
- UI labels cut off in both orientations

**Most requested features**

- Monthly subscription or free trial option
- Spanish language support
- Downloadable desktop app with same login credentials
- Printable outline/board export
- Scrivener export functionality
- Larger font size adjustment
- Actual board layout with pinch-to-zoom on mobile
- Auto-save functionality like Google Docs
- Automatic app access with book purchase
- Desktop version for Mac with full feature parity
- Genre description snapshots in selection

## Recent user reviews (10 of 44)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save-the-cat/id1495073895/reviews.md

### 5/5 — This is stellar!

*2026-01-06, version 5.0.21*

This app has everything I need to outline my scripts. Thank you for this, fellas! I’d definitely recommend this for anyone trying to figure out how to outline their scripts ❤️😎

### 3/5 — Can’t log in on website!

*2025-12-07, version 5.0.21*

This would be a higher rating if I could use the website. It says my credentials are invalid, when I know they’re not. Whatever. Using the app because the last one lost all my stuff! Fix the website issue or just make a downloadable computer app that lets you log in with the same credentials you use in this app!

### 4/5 — Small issue

*2025-11-01, version 5.0.21*

Hi, I’m here to say this app is great, but when it is used in window form, you can’t select a beat and it’s stuck. Annoys me to no end, but otherwise great.

### 1/5 — nearly everything is behind a paywall.

*2025-01-22, version 5.0.16*

i get why the subscription is there since the creators have to be paid but having like 70% of the app completely unusable unless you pay $3-40 is kinda crazy.

### 5/5 — :)

*2024-11-30, version 5.0.16*

Great app for storytellers and it can be opened by final draft go for free

### 1/5 — App keeps crashing

*2024-02-12, version 5.0.11*

Every time I try to open the "Board" the app crashes. I'd like a refund.

### 5/5 — So so useful!

*2023-12-22, version 5.0.10*

Structuring a project is incredibly hard, but using the patented Save the Cat outline, here you have a great tool to break things down and think about keep structural elements that need to land within any project.

### 1/5 — Why does it require personal info?

*2023-11-24*

Most likely a scam used to collect and sell private and personal data. Do not give them any info

### 1/5 — Is there a legitimate reason for no Core i3 support?

*2023-11-09, version 5.0.10*

I write on the go, so my goal was to sync my work on my mobile with my MacBook. But unfortunately ‘STC’ is unable accomplish what Final Draft does just fine. Had I known beforehand I won’t have purchased. That’s a shame.

### 2/5 — Issue

*2023-10-11, version 5.0.10*

The app is e excellent , but mi creativity grow in Spanish can you  make  this app with a configuration  In Spanish please and thank sorry for bothering

## Frequently asked questions about Save the Cat!

### What does the Save the Cat! app do?

The app helps writers structure their stories for screenplays, novels, and TV episodes. It's based on Blake Snyder's popular books and provides tools to develop loglines, choose genres, create beat sheets, and organize scenes.

### What are the key features of the app?

Key features include developing a logline and title, selecting from 10 unique genres, completing a Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (BS2) with variations for different media, and using 'the Board' to arrange scenes and track character arcs. It also allows for scene sequencing, emotional change tracking, and set-up/payoff creation.

### How much does the Save the Cat! app cost?

The app offers a free version that allows users to add projects and work on the title, logline, genre, and beat sheet. Many advanced features, such as tracking objects, relationships, developing novels by chapters, and managing entire series, require an in-app purchase for Essentials, Premium, or Pro levels.

### What kind of stories can I structure with this app?

You can structure screenplays, teleplays, stageplays, and novels using this app. The Blake Snyder Beat Sheet (BS2) has variations specifically designed for screenplays, novels, and 1/2 hour and 1 hour TV episodes, allowing for tailored story development.

### Can I collaborate with others using this app?

Yes, you can add writing partners to your projects and sync changes with them if you have the Premium or Pro level subscription. This allows for collaborative story development and ensures everyone is working with the latest version of the project.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.0.21 — 2025-09-11

We have prepared our application for iOS/iPadOS 26.

### 5.0.20 — 2025-08-12

Minor bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 5.0.19 — 2025-07-09

We've fixed up a few things for better experience.

### 5.0.18 — 2025-05-23

Minor UI improvement.

### 5.0.17 — 2025-04-03

The Login screen has been updated.

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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 2026-08-25.*
