Comparison

Talking Scripts vs The Black List

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

Head to head
About

Talking Scripts

This app reads film and TV scripts aloud with customizable voices, perfect for actors to run lines or anyone who wants to listen to scripts on the go. It intelligently ignores script formatting to focus on dialogue, offering a seamless and immersive experience.

Highlights
  • Reads film and TV PDF scripts aloud
  • Virtual partner for running lines
  • Customizable voice pitch and speed
  • Automatic character voice assignment
  • Ignores script formatting (headers, page numbers)
  • Line learning feature for actors
  • Siri integration for script notes
Features
Read full description

"Hi, this is Idris Elba. Most scripts are read under pressure. Late nights. Flights. Prep. Walks between meetings. As someone with dyslexia, this was a killer. I wanted a simpler way to stay connected to stories. I looked everywhere for something that could do this. I couldn't find it. So I built Talking Scripts with award-winning director Stefan Schwartz - an app that brings your scripts to life, wherever you are. We hope it helps you the way it's helped us." Idris Elba & Stefan Schwartz Talking Scripts is an iOS app that reads film and TV PDF scripts aloud with natural-sounding voices. Now featuring Professional Subscriptions with access to our new generation of expressive, high-quality voices designed to make scripts feel more alive, immersive and easier to follow. 40% FOUNDERS MEMBER PRICING is currently available for early subscribers locked in for life. There’s even a free 50-page trial so you can try Talking Scripts for yourself. Talking Scripts Studio is built in. A professional solution for productions and studios. Instantly distribute scripts with fully cast voices, custom workflows and production-friendly tools designed for professional environments. Talking Scripts Studio includes watermarking, secure script distribution and full security controls, giving productions a safer and more flexible way to share, review and listen to scripts on the move. • PROFESSIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Unlock our latest natural-sounding voices with Professional plans. Designed for producers, executives, assistants, actors, writers, crew and anyone who reads scripts. • TALKING SCRIPTS STUDIO Built for productions and studios that need secure, production-friendly script distribution. Fully cast scripts, watermarking and professional security controls help teams review and listen to scripts safely wherever they are. • LINE LEARNING FOR ACTORS Choose any character in your script to play. Adjust the pause length, and you are good to go. Talking Scripts mutes your lines to help you rehearse and prepare. • NATURAL-SOUNDING VOICES Listen to scripts performed with human-sounding voices. Multiple voice options are available depending on your subscription. • VARIABLE SPEED Customise playback speed to match the way you like to work. Slow things down for detail or speed through coverage on the move. • YOUR LEADS ALL HAVE DIFFERENT VOICES Talking Scripts automatically assigns masculine and feminine voices to characters. Or you can fully customise voices script by script for your preferred listening experience. • PAGE NUMBERS, HEADERS, FOOTERS AND WATERMARKS - ALL IGNORED Talking Scripts intelligently skips page numbers, watermarks, continued lines, headers and footers so you hear the story, not the formatting. FEATURES • Professional subscriptions with premium natural-sounding voices • Founder Member pricing available for a limited time • Line Learning for actors • Script notes • Variable voice speed • Listen while driving, walking, travelling or cooking • Bookmark your place automatically • Ignores page numbers, headers, footers, continued/more lines and watermarks • Choose from free and premium voices WEBSITE Visit Talkingscripts.com to learn more about available voices and subscriptions. SUBSCRIPTION Your payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription automatically renews monthly or annually unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time in your iTunes account settings. Founder Member and promotional pricing apply while your subscription remains active. If you cancel and later return, standard pricing may apply. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Privacy Policy: https://www.talkingscripts.com/privacy-policy Terms and conditions: https://www.talkingscripts.com/terms-of-service

About

The Black List

This app connects film industry professionals with promising screenplays and their writers. Discover top scripts and foster new connections within the industry.

Highlights
  • Discover promising screenplays
  • Connect with writers
  • Industry professional focus
  • Official Black List app
Features
Read full description

The official Black List app for film industry professionals. Discover the most promising screenplays and connect with the writers behind them.

Screenshots

Talking Scripts4 screens
The Black List4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: The Black List at 5.0 against Talking Scripts's 4.2. The Black List also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). Talking Scripts's advantage is ratings volume (23 vs 2). On price, ads and device support 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. Talking Scripts sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. The Black List asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The Black List holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Talking Scripts has 23 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Talking Scripts ships an update weekly, The Black List every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Talking Scripts versus The Black List: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTalking ScriptsThe Black List
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (23 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings23 — better2
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size127 MB32 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperTalking Scripts LtdThe Black List, LLC

Customer experience

Talking Scripts

All ratings23 ratings
Positive78.3%
Neutral8.7%
Negative13.0%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive80.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative11.5%

The Black List

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Talking Scripts

Subscriptions8
  • Premium Monthly1 Month trial$3.991 Month
  • Solo$7.991 Month
  • Pro$14.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Max$22.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly1 Month trial$45.991 Year
  • Solo (Yearly)$83.991 Year
  • Pro (Yearly)$167.991 Year
  • Max$249.991 Year
One-time2
  • Top-up 100$4.99
  • Top-up 500$14.99
None

The Black List

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Talking Scripts free?
Talking Scripts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Black List free?
The Black List is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Talking Scripts or The Black List?
The Black List is rated higher. Talking Scripts averages 4.2 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while The Black List averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Talking Scripts or The Black List have ads?
Neither Talking Scripts nor The Black List shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Talking Scripts or The Black List?
Talking Scripts ships an update weekly, and The Black List every 3 days. Most recently, Talking Scripts was updated on September 23, 2026 and The Black List on September 9, 2026.

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