# Save the Cat! vs SHADOU

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SHADOU at 100% against Save the Cat!'s 39%. Save the Cat!'s advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.0) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Save the Cat! sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and SHADOU sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Save the Cat! holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Save the Cat! has 440 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 39% of Save the Cat!'s written reviews are positive against 100% of SHADOU's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Save the Cat! | SHADOU |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (440 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/save-the-cat/id1495073895/reviews)** | [4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadou/id6477954618/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **440** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 38.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 19 MB | 63 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Blake Snyder Enterprises](https://appshunter.io/developer/333296577) | [AUDIO VIDEO TECHNOLOGY LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1731200267) |

## 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


### SHADOU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shadou/id6477954618)

This app offers a membership-based community for aspiring film and TV professionals to gain hands-on production experience. Access exclusive content, treatments, and event tickets. Members are selected monthly to learn from industry experts on set.

**Highlights:** Hands-on production experience, Exclusive content access, Real treatments provided, Tickets to live events, Monthly on-set learning opportunities, Industry professional mentorship

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Membership | $29.99 | per month |
| Annual Membership | $199.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Save the Cat! free?

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

### Is SHADOU free?

SHADOU is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

Save the Cat! is rated higher. Save the Cat! averages 4.6 out of 5 from 440 ratings, while SHADOU averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.

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

Neither Save the Cat! nor SHADOU shows ads.

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

Save the Cat! ships an update every 2 months, and SHADOU every 2 months. Most recently, Save the Cat! was updated on September 21, 2026 and SHADOU on September 20, 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.*