Haystack vs SceneMatch
SceneMatch is a clean, cloud continuity tool - until the bars drop. Haystack captures and edits fully offline, with no image caps and no per-gigabyte fees, plus NFC tags, revision change-control and wrap built in.
The short version: SceneMatch and Haystack overlap a lot - looks, wardrobe, scene continuity, script import and real-time updates across devices. The honest difference is the edges: SceneMatch only lets you view cached content offline and meters images per production - charging by the gigabyte once you pass it - while Haystack captures and edits with no signal at all, sets no image ceiling, and carries you past the photo with NFC tagging, boxes and wrap.
No bars.
Still recording.
Sc. 22 - pickup
Two genuinely capable tools. Here's exactly where they part ways - the wins and the trade-offs.
| Funktion | Haystack | SceneMatch |
|---|---|---|
| APlatform & access | ||
| Web app | Full web app | Web app |
| iOS & Android apps | Native iOS & Android | Native iOS & Android |
| Works fully offline (capture & edit) | Capture & edit offlineauto-syncs | Offline viewing onlycached content |
| BDepartments & workflow | ||
| Departments covered | Costume + Hair & Make-upin depth | Six departmentsHair, Make-up, Costume, Set Dressing, Props, Script |
| Department-native language | Changes/Looks, Garments/Products | Shared continuity modelacross departments |
| Principals vs crowd/background | Modelled separatelyprincipals and crowd | Character & actor profiles |
| Episodic & multi-block support | Episodes, acts, story days | Timeline with daysflashbacks & flashforwards |
| COn-set continuity | ||
| Continuity stills with featured frame | Unlimited stillsper scene | Reference photosper look |
| Wear notes & prep notes | Wear + prep notesper scene & department | Look & wardrobe notes |
| Pin & annotate details on photos | Pinned asset noteson images | Reference photos |
| Real-time multi-user sync | Live, multi-user wall | Real-time updatesacross devices |
| DBefore & after the shot | ||
| Script import (PDF & FDX) | PDF & FDXextracts scenes + characters | PDF & FDX+ scheduling |
| Revision re-import with change control | Field-level change control | Not documented |
| NFC tagging (garments & boxes) | Tap to findgarments & boxes | |
| Boxes, storage & wrap | Built inboxes, storage & wrap | No wrap / inventory module |
| Reports & exports | Garment / product reports | PDF export |
| ELimits, pricing & trust | ||
| Project / item / image limits | No image or item capsunlimited uploads | ~1,000 images / 2GBentry tier, then €4.6/GB |
| Users per project | Unlimited users | Unlimitedrole-based access |
| Pricing model | Per productionby budget band & duration | €24.99/mo per productionor €149.99/mo unlimited |
| Free trial (no card) | Free trialno card | Paid per production |
| Data, security & support | UK GDPR + SLAencryption, 99% uptime, human support | Industry-standard data protection |
Competitor details reflect publicly available information at the time of writing and may change - check SceneMatch's current site before relying on any single row.
The three reasons departments give for making the move.
SceneMatch lets you view what you've already loaded when you're offline. Haystack lets you shoot, log and edit with no signal at all - tunnels, basements, the back of the truck - and syncs the second you're back.
No "~1,000 images" line to hit on a feature, and no per-gigabyte top-up when you pass it. Pin every still, every fitting, every pickup without rationing or upgrading mid-shoot.
NFC tags on garments and boxes, change-controlled script revisions, and a real wrap/inventory module - the work before and after the on-set photo.
No signal? No problem.
"Offline" means very different things. SceneMatch lets you look at content you've already cached. Haystack keeps the whole department working with no connection: capture stills, log changes, edit notes, add garments - it all queues and syncs the moment a network reappears. On a remote location, that's the difference between working and waiting.
Pin everything
SceneMatch's entry tier meters images per production - roughly a thousand on 2GB, and once you pass it you pay by the gigabyte. On a feature, that runs out fast. Haystack doesn't cap your stills or charge for storage: pin every fitting, every angle, every pickup, and let the department see them in full resolution when it matters. Optional high-res sync keeps phones light without losing the detail.
Around the shot
Both tools import the shooting script (PDF or FDX) to seed scenes and characters. Haystack adds the bits around it: re-import script revisions with field-level change control so updates don't bury your notes, NFC-tag garments and boxes for instant retrieval, and run the department through to wrap and inventory - areas SceneMatch leaves to other tools.
SceneMatch is a capable tool, and for some teams it's the right one. Honestly:
“I loved using Haystack. It honestly transformed my continuity. It's done with so much more ease now and I can find all of the information and photos I need quick and easily.”
Step 01
No card. Choose your departments and your wall is live in minutes.
Step 02
Import the script PDF or add a scene by hand and pin its stills. Export your images from SceneMatch and we'll help you carry the looks across.
Step 03
Open it on the truck with no signal and keep working - it'll sync itself when you're back in range.
The questions we hear most, torn straight from the notebook.
Yes - particularly if you shoot in places that lose signal, take a lot of continuity photos, or want NFC tagging and wrap alongside on-set continuity. If you need Set Dressing, Props and Script-supervisor coverage in one tool, weigh SceneMatch's broader span.
Fully. Unlike SceneMatch's offline viewing of cached content, Haystack captures and edits with no connection on web and mobile, then syncs automatically when you reconnect.
No. SceneMatch's entry tier meters images per production (around 1,000 on 2GB) and charges by the gigabyte beyond that. Haystack sets no image or storage cap and no per-GB fee, with optional high-res sync.
There's no one-click importer, but you can export your photos and we'll help you bring scenes, characters and looks across. Most teams go live with one scene first.
SceneMatch charges a flat per-production or unlimited monthly fee, plus per-gigabyte storage once you pass the cap. Haystack is priced per production by budget band and duration with unlimited uploads, so smaller shoots pay less - and you can start on a free trial with no card.
Yes - and SceneMatch imports scripts too. Both seed scenes and characters from a PDF or FDX. Haystack adds field-level change control on re-import, plus boxes, storage and wrap in the same place, which SceneMatch leaves to other tools.
Capture offline · No image caps · UK GDPR
Bring one real scene and a stack of looks - then put your phone in airplane mode and watch it keep working.