Cerul vs ScreenplayIQ

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-08-23
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At a glance

DimensionCerulScreenplayIQ
PricingFree with limits, Pro via contact pricing (freemium model)Free tier (1 analysis/mo), Pro $19/mo, Studio $49/mo, plus contact-based enterprise
Target UserDevelopers, AI agents, research teams, content teamsScreenwriters, producers, studio executives
Core FunctionMultimodal video search (speech, visuals, text)AI screenplay analysis & box office prediction
PlatformCloud API + Mac desktop app (local indexing)Web-based, collaborative workspace
Key FeatureSingle API endpoint, relevance scores, tracking linksPitchTrailer integration, beat sheets, market comparisons
Open SourceYes (self-hosting option)No

ScreenplayIQ and Cerul serve completely different users. ScreenplayIQ is for film professionals who need AI to predict script box office potential, while Cerul is for developers and teams who need to search video content by meaning. Neither replaces the other; choose based on whether your problem is screenwriting or video retrieval.

Cerul
Cerul

Semantic video search with timestamped evidence for agents and local libraries.

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ScreenplayIQ
ScreenplayIQ

AI screenplay analysis with box office prediction and tailored feedback.

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Pricing
Freemium
Paid
Plans
$0
$9.99/month (billed annually at $119.88)
$29.99/month (billed annually at $359.88)
Pay as you go
~$24 for TV / ~$38 for Feature
~$48 for TV / ~$78 for Feature
~$60 for TV / ~$98 for Feature
~$24 for TV / ~$38 for Feature
~$24 for TV / ~$38 for Feature
~$118 for TV / ~$198 for Feature
Popularity
12 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Intermediate
Intermediate
API Available
Platforms
APIDesktop
WebAPI
Categories
👁️ Computer Vision🌐 Web Scraping & Search APIs
📖 Fiction & Screenwriting
Features
Semantic video search across speech, visuals, and on-screen text
Single API endpoint POST /v1/search with scope and execution policy
Timestamped grounded results with relevance scores (0.0-1.0)
Evidence includes start/end seconds, exact quote, and locator URL
Optional AI-generated answer from matched evidence
Local desktop app for macOS Apple silicon, no account needed
Global search overlay (Alt+Space) to jump to video moments
Index local folders, YouTube channels, and podcasts offline
Local REST API in desktop app for agent integration
MCP support for agent calls, with daily limits per plan
Cloud API for upload, speech indexing, search, and clip export (early access)
Manual single-video cloud upload with explicit confirmation (v0.0.93)
Cloud sync across authorized devices (Go and Pro plans)
Open-source core with no-training commitment on user data
Free tier with 10-hour local library and 20 MCP calls per day
AI-powered structural analysis
Box office performance prediction
PitchTrailer integration for pitch decks
Beat sheet generation
Visual heatmap of dialogue and pacing
Genre classification
Character arc and emotional journey charts
Comparative market data
PDF report export
Collaborative workspace (up to 5 users)
Custom genre templates
API access
Advanced analytics dashboard
Priority support
Dedicated account manager
Integrations
PitchTrailer

What real users say: Cerul vs ScreenplayIQ

Not marketing copy and not our opinion — a structured sweep of public discussion (reviews, forums, communities and video comments), showing what people praise and what they complain about for each tool.

Cerul

14 mentions across 1 sources · 50% positive — mixed

Lemmy

What users praise

  • Multimodal search across speech, visuals, and text
  • Free tier with 100 signup credits and 10 daily searches
  • Open-source self-hosting option available
  • Privacy commitment: no training on customer data

What frustrates them

  • No community feedback to validate tool claims
  • Limited platform support: desktop app is Mac-only
  • Designed for developers, not non-technical users
  • No integrations listed, may require custom setup

Researched Jul 3, 2026

ScreenplayIQ

7 mentions across 1 sources · 25% positive — critical

YouTube

What users praise

  • Pay-per-analysis avoids subscription lock-in.
  • Offers box office prediction, a unique feature.
  • Tailored feedback based on script length and TV options.
  • Includes character journey charts and beat sheets.

What frustrates them

  • Reported to nearly ruin a user's script feedback.
  • Expensive per analysis, up to $198.
  • No line-by-line editing, despite expectations.
  • Limited to English scripts only.

Researched Aug 18, 2026

Who should pick which

  • Screenwriter seeking market feedback
    Pick: ScreenplayIQ

    ScreenplayIQ provides structural analysis, box office prediction, and market comparisons tailored for film scripts.

  • Producer evaluating script investments
    Pick: ScreenplayIQ

    Its financial forecasting and comparative data help assess a script's commercial potential.

  • AI agent developer needing video grounding
    Pick: Cerul

    Cerul's single API endpoint and relevance scores enable real-time video search for agentic workflows.

  • Research team analyzing lecture recordings
    Pick: Cerul

    Multimodal search across speech and visuals makes it easy to find specific moments in long videos.

  • Studio executive building slate
    Pick: ScreenplayIQ

    Collaborative workspace and API access support team-based script evaluation and market analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cerul vs ScreenplayIQ: which should you choose?

ScreenplayIQ and Cerul serve completely different users. ScreenplayIQ is for film professionals who need AI to predict script box office potential, while Cerul is for developers and teams who need to search video content by meaning. Neither replaces the other; choose based on whether your problem is screenwriting or video retrieval.

Can ScreenplayIQ edit my script?

No, it provides structural feedback and analysis, not line-by-line editing or grammar checking.

Does Cerul support live video search?

No, it indexes existing videos but does not handle real-time streaming.

Is ScreenplayIQ suitable for TV scripts?

No, it is designed for feature films only (under 150 pages).

Can Cerul search by visual content alone?

Yes, it indexes visuals (scenes, slides) and on-screen text, not just speech.

What integrations does ScreenplayIQ offer?

It integrates with PitchTrailer for pitch deck generation.

Is Cerul open source?

Yes, it offers an open source self-hosting option.

Do these tools have free tiers?

Both have free tiers: ScreenplayIQ offers 1 analysis/month; Cerul has a free tier with limitations.

Can I use Cerul without cloud upload?

Yes, via the desktop app for local media indexing with no cloud upload required.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026