StudioDB vs Fountain · easy screenwriting
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
Fountain · easy screenwriting
This app offers a streamlined approach to writing screenplays using a simple, Markdown-based language. It provides essential editing, viewing, and exporting tools for writers on Apple devices, focusing on speed and a clutter-free experience. Your scripts are saved as standard plaintext files, ensuring portability and ownership.
- Fountain screenwriting language support
- Native iOS, iPadOS, and macOS editor
- Fast and responsive performance
- Clutter-free writing interface
- Plaintext document export
- Outline and export tools
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Fountain · easy screenwriting at 4.5 against StudioDB's 4.0. Fountain · easy screenwriting also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 15 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. StudioDB sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 3 months. Fountain · easy screenwriting asks for nothing beyond the download.
Fountain · easy screenwriting holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fountain · easy screenwriting has 35 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
StudioDB ships an update every 15 months, Fountain · easy screenwriting every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | StudioDB | Fountain · easy screenwriting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (1 ratings) | 4.5 (35 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 73.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 35 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 15 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 9 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dipen Patel | Alex Walker |
Customer experience
StudioDB
Fountain · easy screenwriting
Bugs and requests
StudioDB
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
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
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- 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
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- 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
StudioDB
- Premium Access$2.993 Months
- Premium Access$9.991 Year
Fountain · easy screenwriting
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is StudioDB free?
Is Fountain · easy screenwriting free?
Which has better reviews, StudioDB or Fountain · easy screenwriting?
Do StudioDB or Fountain · easy screenwriting have ads?
Which is updated more often, StudioDB or Fountain · easy screenwriting?
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