Comparison

Scriptation vs Fountain · easy screenwriting

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Scriptation

This Emmy-winning app revolutionizes script annotation for film and TV professionals. It intelligently transfers your notes and markups to new script revisions, saving significant time. Organize all your production documents digitally and enhance your rehearsal process with advanced features.

Highlights
  • Intelligent note transfer to new revisions
  • Comprehensive annotation tools
  • Digital production binder organization
  • Annotation layers for note separation
  • Page Maker for custom inserts
  • Auto-highlight for character lines
  • Read/rehearse/record modes
Features
Read full description

Scriptation is the Emmy®-winning script annotation app trusted by directors, script supervisors, actors, development executives, and production teams on film and television sets worldwide, from prep through production. "When I mark up my script, I use Scriptation now." (Kathy Bates) "Scriptation changed my life. Every time you get a new draft, it transfers all your notes." (Sophia Bush) The script changes. Your work stays with it. FOR DIRECTORS & WRITERS Organize your entire prep in one digital production binder. • Annotate scripts with highlights, notes, photos, Apple Pencil drawings, and audio • Transfer markups to new revisions automatically in seconds • Use layers to separate personal, department, and meeting notes • Insert facing pages, shot lists, set plans, and reference images • Create and share daily sides directly from the app • Listen to your script read aloud with customizable character voices • Keep scripts, call sheets, schedules, and production documents in one place No more 3-ring binders. No more rewriting notes when revisions land. FOR PRODUCTION & DEPARTMENTS Break down scripts, tag elements, and generate reports. • Tag props, wardrobe, locations, VFX, SFX, and more with custom categories • Generate formatted breakdown reports as PDF or CSV • Include photos, reference notes, and scene details • Integrate with planning apps like Cinapse, SetHero, Shamel Studio, Shot Lister, and Think Crew • Transfer tags to new revisions so breakdowns stay current Perfect for assistant directors, department heads, producers, and anyone else on set who interacts with a script. FOR SCRIPT SUPERVISORS Professional lining and continuity tools built for production. • Generate instant scene coverage tramlines • Add facing page reports and mark takes directly in the script • Maintain continuity notes across scenes and revisions • Transfer lining and notes when new drafts arrive. Nothing lost. Built for how modern script supervisors actually work on set. FOR ACTORS Prepare for auditions and rehearse scenes, no scene partner needed. • Highlight your character's lines in one tap • Rehearse with customizable character voices and scene looping • Use Record Mode as a self-tape teleprompter with slate delays • Transfer your annotations when new drafts arrive. No rewriting. Whether you're prepping sides, running lines, or recording a self-tape, Scriptation turns your script into a rehearsal studio. FOR DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVES Evaluate scripts faster. Listen to them, mark them up, and share notes. • Listen to scripts with distinct character voices to hear dialogue, pacing, and tone • Use it as a table read on the go between meetings or during a commute • Annotate scripts as you read or listen • Share note layers with creative teams while keeping personal notes separate Whether you're reading for a greenlight or giving notes on a draft, Scriptation lets you experience the script, not just read it. SCRIPTATION INDUSTRY PRO Unlock the full production toolkit across all your devices. Industry Pro includes advanced Note Transfer, multi-layer transfer, collate pages, compare scripts, breakdown tagging and reports, facing pages, daily sides, script supervisor lining tools, advanced layers, collaboration, and rehearsal tools for actors. Premium AI features and AI voice access may require a separate AI subscription. Scriptation offers optional auto-renewing subscriptions, including Industry Pro and AI access, with monthly and/or annual options where available. A free 14-day trial may be available for eligible offers. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Renewal is charged within 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage subscriptions in Apple Account Settings. Terms of Use: https://scriptation.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://scriptation.com/privacy

About

Fountain · easy screenwriting

This app provides a native writing and editing experience for screenplays on Apple devices. It utilizes a simple, natural writing language that handles formatting automatically, allowing users to focus on their story. Export scripts in various formats with ease.

Highlights
  • Native screenplay editor
  • Fountain screenwriting language
  • Automatic formatting
  • Outlining tools
  • Script exporting
  • Plaintext documents
Features
Read full description

Fountain is a fully native screenplay editor purpose-built for iOS, iPadOS and macOS, loaded with deceptively powerful editing, viewing, outlining and exporting tools. It uses the Fountain screenwriting language, a flavor of Markdown which lets you write naturally, without worrying about formatting. FAST · Fully native, from parser to editor. Translation? No slowdowns or hiccups. Just you and your script. FOCUSED · The tools you need to hit your flow without clutter. LEAN · Sips battery life thanks to a custom parser built on the latest macOS, iOS & iPadOS technologies. PORTABLE · Uses standard plaintext documents which you can read from (or write to!) with any text editor. Your data is yours. I'm an indie developer and fellow screenwriter, so your feedback is super important! Reach out to me at fountainappdev@gmail.com anytime with feedback, questions or ideas.

Screenshots

Scriptation4 screens
Fountain · easy screenwriting3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Fountain · easy screenwriting at none against Scriptation's 10. Scriptation's advantage is ratings volume (3.6K vs 35) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Scriptation sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Fountain · easy screenwriting asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Scriptation holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scriptation has 3.6K ratings behind it against 35, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Scriptation's written reviews are positive against 74% of Fountain · easy screenwriting's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Scriptation ships an update fortnightly, Fountain · easy screenwriting every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Scriptation versus Fountain · easy screenwriting: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScriptationFountain · easy screenwriting
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (3.6K ratings) — better4.5 (35 ratings)
Positive reviews76.2% of reviews — better73.9% of reviews
Number of ratings3.6K — better35
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.1
Further details — not scored
Size247 MB6 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperScriptation LLCAlex Walker

Customer experience

Scriptation

All ratings3,554 ratings
Positive94.5%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews261 reviews
Positive76.2%
Neutral5.4%
Negative18.4%

Fountain · easy screenwriting

All ratings30 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral3.3%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive73.9%
Neutral10.9%
Negative15.2%

User reviews

Scriptation

From 3.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent for script prep and organization
  • 🚀 Seamless transfer of notes between script versions
  • 👍 Customizable and user-friendly
  • 👍 Helpful for various departments (directors, actors, etc.)
  • 👍 Reduces paper usage

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and glitches
  • 🐛 Issues with iCloud/Dropbox sync
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔧 Some features could be more intuitive

Fountain · easy screenwriting

From 35 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💰 Free to use
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive UI
  • 📝 Good for early drafts
  • ✨ Accessible screenwriting

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🐛 Files disappearing after crash
  • 🐛 Saving issues
  • 🐛 Text behind keyboard bug
  • 🐛 Line breaks in the middle of words

Bugs and requests

Scriptation

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Annotations disappearing or shifting when transferring to new script versions
  • Inability to open password-protected scripts
  • Unreliable performance on certain devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to create new scripts
  • Improved text editing and formatting tools
  • Better integration with other production apps
  • Handwriting recognition for notes
  • More customization options for the toolbar and layout

Fountain · easy screenwriting

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Constantly changes file name back to Untitled
  • Stopped saving
  • Deleted work when changing document title
  • No version history
  • Text continues behind the keyboard and is inaccessible
Show 12 more
  • Crashes frequently
  • App closes unexpectedly while writing
  • Loses progress after crashing
  • Crashes when adding a period with double-tap space
  • Formatting while writing not as pictured
  • Boots user off the app
  • Lyrics not handled well
  • Last line on each page lost on PDF export
  • Non-removable 'Made In Fountain' + QR Code watermark on exported PDFs
  • No paginated view until PDF export
  • Dialogue breaks lines unexpectedly in the middle of words
  • Character names break lines unexpectedly

Requested features

13 requests
  • Autocomplete for commands (e.g., INT.)
  • Light mode option
  • See page breaks within the app
  • Title page creation
  • Option to change text size
Show 8 more
  • Support for research notes
  • Drag and drop for rearranging sections/beats
  • Force a Slugline (e.g., with 'Intercut')
  • Improve character name recognition
  • Dual dialogue support (^)
  • Custom default folder option
  • Clarification on AI-generated icon
  • Icon change

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Scriptation

Subscriptions9
  • Scriptation Industry Pro14 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Scriptation AI3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Scriptation AI$39.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Scriptation Industry Pro14 Days trial$39.993 Months
  • Scriptation AI$59.991 Month
  • Scriptation Industry Pro14 Days trial$69.996 Months
  • Scriptation AI$79.991 Month
  • Scriptation AI$99.991 Month
  • Scriptation Industry Pro14 Days trial2 variants$99.991 Year
None

Fountain · easy screenwriting

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Scriptation free?
Scriptation is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Fountain · easy screenwriting free?
Fountain · easy screenwriting is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Scriptation or Fountain · easy screenwriting?
Scriptation is rated higher. Scriptation averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.6K ratings, while Fountain · easy screenwriting averages 4.5 from 35 ratings.
Do Scriptation or Fountain · easy screenwriting have ads?
Neither Scriptation nor Fountain · easy screenwriting shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Scriptation or Fountain · easy screenwriting?
Scriptation ships an update fortnightly, and Fountain · easy screenwriting every 3 weeks. Most recently, Scriptation was updated on October 26, 2026 and Fountain · easy screenwriting on October 24, 2026.

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