# Save the Cat! vs ShotDeck

The clearest difference is rating: Save the Cat! at 4.6 against ShotDeck's 3.2. Save the Cat! also leads on ratings volume (440 vs 44) and review sentiment (39% vs 29%). ShotDeck's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Save the Cat! sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. ShotDeck asks for nothing beyond the download.

Save the Cat! holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Save the Cat! has 440 ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Save the Cat!'s written reviews are positive against 29% of ShotDeck's.

Save the Cat! ships an update every 2 months, ShotDeck every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Save the Cat! | ShotDeck |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (440 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save-the-cat/id1495073895/reviews)** | [3.2 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shotdeck/id6450038072/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **440** | 44 |
| Positive reviews | **38.6% of reviews** | 28.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 19 MB | 78 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Blake Snyder Enterprises](https://appshunter.io/developer/333296577) | [Filmmakers Research Lab, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1691687907) |

## What reviewers say

### Save the Cat!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save-the-cat/id1495073895)

This app helps writers structure stories for screenplays, novels, and TV episodes using a proven methodology. It guides you through developing loglines, genres, beat sheets, and scene organization with features for emotional arcs and character development.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Essentials Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro Monthly Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| Essentials Subscription | $21.99 | per year |
| Premium Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Pro Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Upgrade Premium to Pro | $9.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Essentials | $21.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Premium | $29.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Pro | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✍️ Excellent script outlining tool
- 🎯 Effective Save the Cat methodology implementation
- 📱 Good mobile app functionality
- 🔄 Syncing between devices works well
- 🎨 Visual board feature enhances creativity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 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

**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

**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


### ShotDeck

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shotdeck/id6450038072)

Access the world's largest library of high-quality, searchable cinematic images. This tool aids directors, cinematographers, and visual artists in finding inspiration, conducting research, and referencing visual styles for film production. Explore detailed information for each image to enhance your creative process.

**Highlights:** Largest collection of cinematic images, Meticulously keyworded and searchable, Detailed image metadata (cast, crew, camera, lens), Time-saving image discovery, Inspiration, research, and reference tool, Collaborative professional tool

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Save the Cat! free?

Save the Cat! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ShotDeck free?

ShotDeck is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Save the Cat! or ShotDeck?

Save the Cat! is rated higher. Save the Cat! averages 4.6 out of 5 from 440 ratings, while ShotDeck averages 3.2 from 44 ratings.

### Do Save the Cat! or ShotDeck have ads?

Neither Save the Cat! nor ShotDeck shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Save the Cat! or ShotDeck?

Save the Cat! ships an update every 2 months, and ShotDeck every 2 weeks. Most recently, Save the Cat! was updated on September 21, 2026 and ShotDeck on September 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*