Comparison

Cut Notes vs back

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

Head to head
About

Cut Notes

This app allows post-production professionals to take notes synced to video timecode. It integrates with cloud workflow platforms for collaboration and sharing, and can export notes to editing software. A free version is available for Kollaborate users.

Highlights
  • Timecode sync with editing applications
  • Cloud integration with Kollaborate
  • Collaborative note-taking
  • Customizable notekeys
  • Export notes to editing software
  • Manual note entry
Features
Read full description

Cut Notes: Kollaborate Edition is a free cut-down version of Cut Notes for use with the Kollaborate cloud workflow platform. It requires a subscriber or trial account on Kollaborate or Kollaborate Server. To start, create a project on Kollaborate, then upload a file and it will show up in Cut Notes once you have logged into your account. To create local projects on the device, you will need the full version of the app which is available through an in-app purchase or at the following URL: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cut-notes/id395617220?mt=8 *** Cut Notes is an iPad note-taking app for post production professionals. Take notes on the fly using quick preset buttons, all synced to the timecode of your editing application. Used worldwide by studios and freelancers alike, Cut Notes allows you to focus on the cut instead of looking down to write. Cut Notes is integrated with the Kollaborate cloud workflow platform which allows you to easily share notes with colleagues and clients, as well as having collaborative note-taking sessions. TIMECODE Sync timecode from Kollaborate, Final Cut Pro 6/7, Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro CS 6.0.2 for Mac, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Avid Media Composer / Symphony for Mac, Adobe Audition and Pro Tools. Additionally, Cut Notes should be able to sync to any app that supports MIDI timecode. NOTE KEYS With a single tap of a notekey, the note is added instantly at the current timecode position. Create notekey sets for different tasks such as editing and mixing. MANUAL ENTRY Create a custom note at any time with the text box above the notekeys. Cut Notes will insert the note at the moment you first began typing so there’s no need to rush. CUSTOMIZE Change any notekey, create notekey sets and color code the keys. CLOUD INTEGRATION Make notes on your Kollaborate videos and sync them instantly to the cloud. Sync timecode directly from your web browser and remotely control playback. View comments by colleagues instantly and take part in collaborative note-taking sessions. EXPORT Cut Notes can export notes to Final Cut Pro 6/7, Final Cut Pro X, Avid Media Composer and Pro Tools (via the third-party application EdiMarker). Importing a Marker List into Final Cut Pro 7 or FCPX requires the free Cut Notes Marker Import utility for macOS available at http://www.digitalrebellion.com/cutnotes. "Cut Notes is a perfect example of how an iPad can supplement production & post production workflows." - Craig Bergonzoni, Editor/Producer "I'm really happy with the software… I'd feel comfortable using Cut Notes in a screening with executives." - Chris Chris Losnegard, Story Producer See the user manual to find out how to sync to various applications. For Support please visit http://www.digitalrebellion.com/support/cutnotes.

About

back

Features
Read full description

From script to finished blocking. back-to-one is the blocking tool for directors and cinematographers. Import your screenplay as FDX and the app builds the project for you: every scene with its slugline, and every character. Instead of starting from scratch, you start where the work begins. SCRIPT IMPORT - Import FDX, TXT or PDF - FDX creates the project, scenes and characters automatically - Pick scenes individually, OMITTED scenes are excluded - Each scene's text laid out in proper screenplay format CANVAS AND STAGING - Top-down canvas, smooth on iPhone, iPad and Mac - Place characters, cameras, lights, walls and props - or drag them straight from the menu onto the stage - Room scan: on LiDAR devices the app captures walls, doors and windows and turns them into a usable floor plan - Import a floor plan as a background image - Scene templates, and save your own - 146 props at true size - furniture, tableware and decor, animals, vehicles, film gear - each drawn in its own material, and the material switches off for plain outlines - Import your own PNG props - Background actor groups as a single object - Copy the walls and openings of one scene into another CAMERAS - Auto-aim: the camera turns with the character it is linked to - Field of view from focal length and sensor format (S35, FF, S16, MFT, ARRI LF, anamorphic) - Six rig types: tripod, Steadicam, handheld, drone, action cam, crane - Camera icon size adjustable, setup number large on the label or in the body - Multi-cam setups, grouped by color - 180-degree line with a crossing-the-line warning - Viewfinder: live image in the project's aspect ratio, focal-length wheel, shutter - the frame lands on the shot of the camera you picked SHOT LIST - Every camera creates a shot, linked both ways with the canvas - Shot numbers by setup (1A/1B) - A storyboard image per shot - drop it on the plan too, tied to its camera - Coverage status: open, shot, cut - also visible on the plan, as a tick or cross on camera and storyboard - Estimated shooting time per shot, with totals - Shoot day per scene, and a shoot-day filter ANIMATION - Timeline with keyframes, play, loop, speed - Characters walk to waypoints, facing direction per keyframe - Camera moves and orbits on smooth curves, dolly track drawn on the plan - Follow: the camera tracks a character LIGHT AND EXTERIORS - Key, fill, back, practical, HMI, Kino, reflector - Watts, dimmer, gel, diffusion, height, color temperature - Real sun position by location, date and time, with golden hour detection SET DOCUMENTS, READY TO HAND OUT - Scene PDF with plan and shot table - also as a compact one-pager per scene - Lighting plot with numbered fixtures and a legend - Project overview as a PDF - Shot list as Excel and CSV - Canvas as an image ON SET - Full-screen presentation mode - Dim, night and red-light modes for a dark set - Works offline: open, edit and save in airplane mode, iCloud catches up when you are back online PROJECTS AND COLLABORATION - iCloud sync between iPhone, iPad and Mac - Share projects through iCloud sharing - Scene-level merge, auto-save, backups, duplicate whole projects - Colour labels per scene, with a filter - shared along with the project YOUR DATA No server of our own, no tracking, no ads. Your content stays on your device and in your iCloud. Available in English and German. For iPhone, iPad and Mac. SUBSCRIPTION Pro is available as an auto-renewing subscription (monthly or yearly, with a 7-day free trial) or as a one-time Lifetime purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation. A subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel subscriptions in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://back-to-one.de/datenschutz.html

Screenshots

back4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: back at every 3 days against Cut Notes's every 4 months. back also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Cut Notes's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. Cut Notes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and back sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cut Notes ships an update every 4 months, back every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Cut Notes versus back: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCut Notesback
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDigital Rebellion LLCERIK HAFFNER

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Cut Notes

One-time1
  • Full Version Upgrade$14.99
3 purchases

back

Subscriptions2
  • Back-to-One Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Back-to-One Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time1
  • Back-to-One Pro (Lifetime)$179.99

Questions

Is Cut Notes free?
Cut Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is back free?
back is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cut Notes or back have ads?
Neither Cut Notes nor back shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cut Notes or back?
Cut Notes ships an update every 4 months, and back every 3 days. Most recently, Cut Notes was updated on October 21, 2026 and back on October 24, 2026.

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