No Budget Slate is a digital clapperboard utility for small video production groups to sync audio and video on iOS.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The app removes the need for physical slates and manual audio-video alignment by providing a digital interface with a built-in audio sync signal.
For Small video production groups requiring a digital slate to sync secondary audio sources with video footage.
What does it look like?
Key features
Displays scene, take, audio file name, and timestamp for production synchronization.
Swipe left/right to slate and up/down to increment/decrement numbers, reducing manual input time.
How much does it cost?
No Budget Slate is a free utility with no in-app purchases or subscription gates.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceUX improvementsShow more...
The app is currently in a maintenance phase, having shipped only one release in the last 124 days. The latest release focused exclusively on a technical rebuild for modern hardware compatibility rather than introducing new user-facing features. Development momentum is minimal, with no evidence of active feature expansion or live operations. The current cadence of approximately 0.06 releases per week indicates a focus on basic stability rather than iterative growth.
Who built it?
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads mixed. Users appreciate the simple interface and intuitive swipe controls allow filmmakers to quickly adjust slate information on set and the inclusion of a double-tone audio signal helps external editing software synchronize audio and video tracks.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- The simple interface and intuitive swipe controls allow filmmakers to quickly adjust slate information on set
- The inclusion of a double-tone audio signal helps external editing software synchronize audio and video tracks
- The audio and visual signals last for too many frames, making precise synchronization impossible for professional workflows
31 of 31 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Mixed overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 2 user requests, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for No Budget Slate
How's the Photo & Video market?
No Budget Slate occupies a niche utility space in the Photo & Video category as a free, specialized tool. With a 3.5-star rating across 34 total ratings, the app serves a specific, low-budget segment that prioritizes simplicity over the professional-grade precision found in paid alternatives.
The rivals identified
The Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for No Budget Slate
Where is it heading?
The market for production utilities is consolidating around tools that offer frame-accurate precision, leaving No Budget Slate exposed due to its maintenance-only cadence. Without addressing the sync duration and UI legibility, the app will likely see continued churn among users who require reliable performance for professional-grade projects.
- Fixed clap duration prevents frame-accurate sync, which forces professional users to abandon the app for more precise, specialized alternatives.
- Recent UI regressions (poor contrast, small text) erode the daily active habit, which compounds the stability issues reported on modern hardware.
The SWOT
- Gesture-based controls allow for rapid, one-handed slate adjustments during high-pressure production setups.
- Double-tone audio signal provides a baseline for automated sync software in external editing environments.
- Variable clap duration settings would address the primary barrier to professional adoption.
- Customizable field names would allow the app to adapt to non-standard production metadata requirements.
Next best moves
Ship variable clap duration settings because users report the current signal is too long for frame-accurate sync → increase professional utility.
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The app's simplicity is its primary retention lever…
Read the full takeBottom line
No Budget Slate provides a functional, free utility for basic sync needs, but the inability to achieve frame-accurate synchronization limits its utility for professional workflows. Addressing the clap duration and restoring UI legibility would stabilize the core user base, preventing churn to more precise alternatives.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 1 market threat, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is No Budget Slate suitable for professional film sets?
Does No Budget Slate have intrusive ads or hidden costs?
What are the limitations of the current version?
Sources
Report last updated