Comparison

Screenplay vs StudioDB

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

Head to head
About

Screenplay

This app offers a streamlined approach to writing screenplays on Apple devices, featuring automatic industry formatting and powerful navigation tools. It supports seamless syncing across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with optional AI assistance for enhanced writing speed and quality.

Highlights
  • Automatic industry formatting
  • Seamless iCloud sync across devices
  • Scene and character indexing
  • Beat board and index card planning
  • Import and export various script formats
  • Optional AI writing assistance
Features
Read full description

SCREENPLAY – WRITE AND CREATE YOUR SCRIPT ANYWHERE Screenplay has been featured by Apple in the Apps We Love collection on the App Store. Screenplay is the fast, modern way to write screenplays on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Designed for both new writers and working creators, Screenplay gives you automatic industry formatting, powerful navigation tools, and optional AI assistance to help you write better and faster. Whether you’re drafting a short film, pilot, or feature, Screenplay keeps everything simple, clean, and focused on your story. FEATURES • AUTOMATIC FORMATTING that follows real screenplay standards as you type • WRITE ANYWHERE across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with seamless iCloud sync • SCENE INDEX for fast navigation and instant access to any scene • CHARACTER INDEX with appearance attributes and complete dialog view • MINI-MAP VIEW for a full structural overview (iPad and Mac) • BEAT BOARD MANAGER with visual scene images and beat lists • INDEX CARDS for notes, ideas, and planning • SMART IMPORT for FDX, Fountain, TXT, and PDF with automatic PDF conversion • EASY EXPORT to FDX, Fountain, TXT, and PDF AI ASSISTANT (SUBSCRIPTION) • SCRIPT STARTER generates a 1–10 page screenplay draft from a short idea • ELEMENT PROOFING offers optional rewrites for Action and Dialog lines • SCENE PROOFING reviews an entire scene with suggestions you control • AI BEAT BOARDS create a visual collage and beat summary for any scene Perfect for beginners who need guidance and professionals who want a faster scriptwriting workflow. WHY SCREENPLAY A beautifully simple, writer-first screenwriting app designed to reduce clutter and remove friction. Screenplay adapts to your process, not the other way around. SCREENPLAY IS BACK One of the first screenwriting apps on the App Store returns — fully reimagined for today’s writers. Start your screenplay now. SUBSCRIPTIONS SCREENPLAY offers auto-renewal subscription. Please read the following about the auto-renewable nature of subscriptions: • Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews at the end of your current subscription period unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours prior to end of the current period. • You can manage or turn off auto-renewal in your Apple ID Account Settings any time after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. • Privacy policy - https://www.blackmanastudios.com/screenplay-privacy-policy/ • Terms of use - https://www.blackmanastudios.com/screenplay-terms-and-conditions/

About

StudioDB

This app offers a unique object-oriented approach to scriptwriting, allowing users to create, edit, and manage projects, characters, scenes, and dialogue. It provides tools for casting actors, defining locations, and organizing script elements with intelligent options and import/export capabilities.

Highlights
  • Object-oriented scriptwriting interface
  • Project, scene, and character management
  • Intelligent element options for dialogue and action
  • Actor casting and character association
  • Import/export projects and scripts as JSON
  • Generate reports and share files
Read full description

With StudioDB app you can create, edit or read your Scripts anywhere anytime on the palms of your hands.  Will allow you to cast your Characters , define Locations for your Scenes  - give you a unique point of view of your characters – where you will be able to read/control/edit Scenes for Scripts where an individual Character can exist from the Project and Scripts Character Options. It has an Object Oriented concept in writing Scripts that gives you a new and fresh interface in writing Scripts.  Every aspect of writing a Script is considered an Object from the highest level (Projects) to the lowest level (Elements - Action, Dialogue, etc..) Objects that can be analyzed, copied, moved, imported, exported, etc… Example:  Project Object – contains Scripts, Characters, Locations, Artists, etc… Objects Script Object – contains Scenes, Elements (Action-Dialogue-Shot-Transition-Note), Characters, XScript, etc… Objects This concept in writing Scripts – creates a unique interface in bringing your imagination/Story to your Scripts.  StudioDB will let you cast your Characters– and as you read and write your story – the image of your Actor will be connected to your Characters. You will be able to select an Image that identifies your Object (Project, Script or Artist) Features: * Projects/Scripts are stored in Apps Core Database - where all aspect of writing Scripts exist as an Object * StudioDB Artist Data is fully user controlled on the content - which allows you to control what Artist (Actors) are available for your Projects which can be used to cast your Character * Intelligent Element Options - When writing the Scenes    - Character Button to pick the Characters in the Dialogue & Scenes - Auto check - typed Character name to see if they exist in Script Characters list - and linking it to the Scene and Dialogue    - Shot Button - to Select predefined/user customizable Shot options    - Transition Button - to Select predefined/user customizable Transition Options * Character Segment in Project Detail - allow you to view & edit all the Scripts the Character is associated within that Project * Copy/Cut/Paste functionality on you Script Writing Objects (Characters, Scenes & Elements) * Internal Clipboard for Characters, Locations, Scenes, Elements and saved XScripts - User Controlled and Maintained * Import/Export your Projects, Scripts, Characters, Locations, Artists, etc.. by creating the Objects JSON file. * Options to Generate Report, Color rtf PDF, B&W rtf PDF and JSON Files depending on the Object (Project, Script, Scene, Character, Location, etc..) * Studio, Project, Script, Character, Location, Artist, Site Report File and Option to Share once File is generated. * Create Read Only files to send to other App Users to import in their Read tab as Read Only Script Version 2.0.0+. App will be Free to use. Full Access to all Functionality. Privacy policy: https://www.x23apps.com/studiodb-privacypolicy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Screenplay4 screens
StudioDB4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: StudioDB at none against Screenplay's shown. Screenplay's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (18 vs 1). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Screenplay sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and StudioDB sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for Screenplay against 4.0 for StudioDB. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Screenplay has 18 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Screenplay ships an update every 2 months, StudioDB every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on August 3, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Screenplay versus StudioDB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterScreenplayStudioDB
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (18 ratings) — better4.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews61.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings18 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 15 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size98 MB25 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperBlack Mana Studios Group LLCDipen Patel

Customer experience

Screenplay

All ratings18 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive61.9%
Neutral19.0%
Negative19.0%

StudioDB

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Screenplay

Subscriptions6
  • Standard Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • AI Monthly Subscription$12.991 Month
  • AI Plus Monthly Subscription$24.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Standard Annual Subscription$29.991 Year
  • AI Annual Subscription$129.991 Year
  • AI Plus Annual Subscription$249.991 Year
2 purchases

StudioDB

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Access$2.993 Months
  • Premium Access$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Screenplay free?
Screenplay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StudioDB free?
StudioDB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Screenplay or StudioDB?
Screenplay is rated higher. Screenplay averages 4.1 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while StudioDB averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Screenplay or StudioDB have ads?
Screenplay shows ads; StudioDB does not.
Which is updated more often, Screenplay or StudioDB?
Screenplay ships an update every 2 months, and StudioDB every 15 months. Most recently, Screenplay was updated on August 3, 2026 and StudioDB on September 21, 2026.

Other comparisons