# Author — user reviews > 131 indexed App Store user reviews of Author by The Augmented Text Company LTD, rated 3.00/5 from 5 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/author/id951792010/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/author/id951792010.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 2 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 2 ## What do users think of Author? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - ✨ Clean, minimalist interface design - 💡 Innovative concept mapping and mind mapping features - 📚 Excellent citation and reference management - ⌨️ Useful keyboard shortcuts and productivity features - 🎯 Powerful outlining and document folding capabilities - 📝 Ideal for academic and research writing - 🔗 Seamless linking between concepts and documents - 💾 Automatic saving and version history - 🎨 Elegant typography and customizable background colors - 🚀 Fast performance and smooth scrolling - 👥 Responsive and helpful developer support - 🔄 Good cross-device syncing (when working) - 📖 Excellent for journaling and note-taking - 🎓 Superior to Word for academic purposes **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and data loss issues - 📱 iOS/iPad app severely broken and non-functional - 🔄 Syncing problems between devices - 🎨 Limited formatting and customization options - 📊 Poor image handling capabilities - 🧮 Lacks LaTeX export functionality - 📋 No markdown support - 🖼️ Vision Pro app requires separate purchase - 🌐 Localization bugs (Russian text appearing for US users) - ⚙️ Steep learning curve for new users - 🔍 Inadequate search and find-replace features - 📐 Fixed text width on large displays - 🎬 No typewriter scrolling mode - 🗂️ Outline view takes user out of writing context **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes frequently, causing data loss - iOS app shows blank screen and won't open documents - iPad app completely non-functional - Text disappears or becomes greyed out during iCloud saves - Vision OS app lacks cursor for text input - Ask AI feature shows infinite loading spinner - Unexpected Russian pricing text displayed to US users - App doesn't launch or open on some systems - Files not detected in Downloads folder - Cannot open documents created in desktop version on iOS - Automatic file conversion to Liquid format breaks iOS compatibility - Text rendering issues (white text on white background) - Table function broken - cannot write in cells - App lags and deletes lines when typing quickly - Highlight feature not working - Citations not resolving automatically - Markdown export only exports preamble - Copy-paste functionality issues - French localization not working despite being advertised - App not compatible with iOS 18 and latest macOS versions **Most requested features** - iPad and iOS app that actually works - Typewriter scrolling mode - Variable screen width for large displays - Complete LaTeX export with full file support - Markdown support - Better image handling and integration - Find and replace functionality - Dark mode for older macOS versions - Inline predictive text support - Nested list creation and editing - Paragraph indentation options - Photo support on macOS version - Keyboard shortcut reference guide - Table editing improvements - Integration with reference management software (Zotero, EndNote) - Local AI endpoints or BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) for privacy - Better onboarding and UI guidance for new users - Typeface options (Courier, American Typewriter, serif fonts) - Line spacing options (1.5, double spacing) - Color themes and dark mode options ## Newest reviews (11 of 131) ### 4/5 — Initial headache turned out to be a PEBKAC issue *2026-03-08, version 11.6* I made the mistake (and it was a mistake) of downloading this based on the App Store promise of “…Author is ideal for EVERYTHING from note-taking to academic writing.” Everything is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. I wanted something to help with creative writing and fiction. For this purpose, I’d rate the application at about minus 3 stars. However. I stuck with it after realising my mistake and found that it is the ideal tool for my “day job”. For technical reports, research papers, training material, etc. it is absolutely fantastic. It would be 5 stars if I could find a crib sheet for all of the keyboard shortcuts. ### 2/5 — “Ask AI” is not working *2025-12-29, version 11.5.1* The “Ask AI” feature shows an infinite loading spinner and displays an unexpected price string: “199 p/месяц,” which appears to be Russian. As a US user, this raises concern and looks like a localization or billing bug. Aside from this issue, the app is well designed. It would be significantly stronger if local AI endpoints or BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) were implemented, as this would better support privacy and trust. ### 2/5 — Crashing *2025-11-21, version 11.5.1* I am sorry to write this, having paid for the app and wanting the great features to work. The app crashes - an example after asking it to save to iCloud it appeared to do so, although a chunk of more recent text was greyed out and then disappeared. The word count went from c.1200 to c.900. Whilst staring at the screen in disbelief at losing my work the app crashed. Using the latest version of Sequoia M4 Mac mini. Not a big loss this time, but feels now a risk. ### 4/5 — Tedirginim *2025-01-31, version 1.2* Uygulama harika çok beğendim ama neden yükleyen olmamış yorum yapan yok? Telefonuma güncelleme gelirse uygulama desteklemezse çalışmamı kaybetmek istemem. ### 3/5 — Läuft unter iOS 18.1.x nicht. *2024-12-26, version 1.1.0* An sich eine echt tolle Schreibapp. Und macOS läuft die Software. Auf meinem iPhone mit iOS leider nicht. Neues Dokument anlegen, geht, ansonsten schwarzer Bildschirm. Nachbessern wäre toll., Dann gibt es auch fünf Sterne. ### 2/5 — Not working with the last ios *2024-12-20, version 1.1.0* Can ´ t open liquid files ### 3/5 — Not fully working on iPhone *2024-12-18, version 1.1.0* For some time it worked just fine but after the latest update from Apple I cannot read my texts on iPhone or edit ### 4/5 — Very promising —might up to a 5 *2024-12-12, version 10.3* This is hot take after a brief look. The app shows a great deal of thought and love into the process of writing. I bought the full version after only a brief tryout with the free version that doesn’t provide for publishing. I have used a lot, really a lot, of text editors and word processors over the past 45 years, but this is one that grabbed me immediately. It’s the polar opposite of the ancient Wang word processor which is the only computer writing system I’ve ever abandoned in favor of a typewriter. ### 3/5 — finally here *2024-12-01, version 1.1.0* As a loyal user, I’ve waited (desperately) for the devs to bring this app to iOS for nearly four years now. after knocking on their virtual doors with little hope given, and they’ve finally threw a dog a bone. I’ve tried other writing apps that share Mac + iOS capabilities like uFocus, Agenda, gdocs, and a handful of other indie writing apps to fill the gaps but none have scratched the itch (for writing, research, mind maps) like Author has. Thank you dearly for taking care of us writers. [update] iOS app hasn't allowed me to open my projects ever since it automatically began saving files as liquid. desktop app is still a reliable workhorse ### 4/5 — Almost Perfect *2024-11-22, version 10.3* This is a very slick and easy-to-use program. The only disappointment, from my point of view, is the handling of LaTeX exporting. I understand that others may feel differently, but I would prefer Author to have the option to export a complete LaTeX file. I work heavily in LaTeX and I would appreciate a quick way to export and preview parts of a book which I would later top and tail, combine and complete in TeXShop. As it is, I’m more likely to continue my present practice of writing books directly in TeXShop. Also, It would be good to have a single button push to export LaTeX. I am puzzled by the MD export which seems to only export the preamble. Having said that, the handling of references and most aspects of the UI are excellent. ### 4/5 — Ganz gut *2024-11-17, version 10.3* Eine minimalistische Applikation die ihr Zweck gut erfüllt. Leider konnte ich der App keine deutsche Oberfläche entlocken, obwohl in der Beschreibung enthalten. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — More AI Nonsense *2026-02-03, version 11.6* Real writers don’t use AI, and this app puts the theft machine front and center. ### 1/5 — No French *2025-08-31, version 11* It’s not translated in French as described. Some buttons are not in latin-like language. ### 1/5 — Never Worked *2025-02-18, version 10.5* The Author of this app never responded to me. I also was unable to get a refund on any of the apps. I bought all the apps that came from the author of this writing app, but unfortunately none of them work for some reason, even though I’ve checked the OS, updates, etc. Very frustrating to be ignored by both Apple and this app publisher. ### 1/5 — It doesn’t work on iPad at all *2025-01-09, version 1.1.0* I can’t open any document or write anything. It’s a shame that I can’t work from my iPad. When are you going to fix it? ### 1/5 — Misleading advertising re: Vision Pro app *2024-12-20, version 10.5* This store page makes it look as though the Vision Pro app comes with the iOS and macOS versions as a combined app (in the same way it works for other cross-platform apps). This is not the case. The Vision Pro version requires a separate purchase despite its screenshots being on this page. Missed my opportunity for a refund as I only discovered this after my window was up. ### 1/5 — App does not show a cursor in current version of Vision OS *2024-12-18, version 1.2* Hey there. Love your app, but presently I cannot use it. There is no cursor, and therefore no way to input text. I believe this changed with the latest public release of Vision OS. ### 1/5 — Does not work at all on iPad *2024-12-02, version 1.1.0* I was hoping that I could use this in conjunction with the amazing Mac app, but it appears to be in limbo. It won’t open documents recently created in the desktop version. ### 1/5 — Apple’ın tavsiyesi üzerine edindim *2024-11-29, version 1.1.0* Üç yazılımınızı da satın aldım. Telefonda ve tablette dosya açılmıyor. Acilen güncelleme bekliyoruz. Macos sürümünde Reader, bibtex ekleme ve düzenleme konusunda ciddi sorunlu. Bilgi notu, işletim sistemlerinin son sürümlerini kullanıyorum. ### 1/5 — Файл даже не обнаруживается *2024-11-17, version 10.3* 17.11.24. Деньги сняли. Приложение даже не обнаруживается на Макбуке. Перезагрузка ничего не решает. Верните деньги! Hello!
The file does not open, and it is not even detected in Downloads MakBook Air Apple M1 MakOS Sequoia 15.1 ### 1/5 — Broken *2024-11-15, version 1.1.0* It doesn’t not work on my iPhone or iPad when I try to open a document, and I tried everything. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Amazing app! *2026-04-20, version 14* It takes some time getting used to, but I think it’s an amazing app. I like it a lot more than Word! It has a nice and clean lay-out, lots of useful keyboard shortcuts, and just lots of useful functions in general. I first bought this app for creative writing (which I hate doing in Word) but now I’ve found myself using it all the time for all different kinds of writing. I’d definitely recommend it! ### 5/5 — A labor of love I love *2026-03-18, version 11.6* I use it many hours everyday - for job interview preparation. An excellent tool able to record links, headings, key points. Frode is spot on. Author introduced me to new ways of thinking and connecting thoughts - job prep has evolved into research and knowledge of industry practices, logging data, identifying and exploring concepts. When I get a new position, I will have to credit Author. In anticipation, I have started building connected documents to support leading and managing. I plan to use it for executive level reporting. I have not used the VR capabilities, yet. What a wonder that will be. Thank you, Frode. ### 5/5 — Love it *2025-10-18, version 11.4* It’s a great tool for organizing my thoughts and improving my writing. Totally worth it! ### 5/5 — Great for minimalist journaling, and probably a lot more *2025-07-31, version 10.5* I primarily bought Author to use as a minimalist, open-and-type journaling app. For this it’s been excellent. There are layers of features, for which I didn’t initially buy the app, that are well thought out and useful. I use it to record daily bird watching observations. I love the way that entries expand and contract. With a few shortcut keys, I can “zoom out” to a macro level of information that just shows me the names of the birds I listed for each day. Then, it expands back with a few shortcut keys and it feels like “zooming in” to read the details I recorded for that day. The text find feature is similarly helpful. And, it’s a joy to use with a good mechanical keyboard. It just feels satisfying to type stuff. ### 5/5 — Citing is the heart *2025-02-26, version 10.5* I’m a PhD student, and I always wanted an app like this. When I saw it, I thought it was a dream come true so I buy the three apps, author, reader and liquid. After using them I can say that, I completely love the idea and the concept of the apps. I hope that this apps from augmented text continue evolving in order to someday become my main option to go when writing and recommend them to all my friends and colleagues (Hardware MacBook Pro M1). ### 5/5 — Metni kopyalayamıyorum *2025-02-03, version 1.2* Uygulamayı kullanıyorum, memnunum da ama yazdığım metni kopyalayamıyorum. Bu sorunu nasıl çözebilirim ### 5/5 — Developing... *2025-02-02, version 10.5* I very much want Author to soar past the other tools I've been using. I'm rating it 5-stars in faith that it will improve and become everthing it can be. Currently I'm stuck with the following tools: - MS Word because of its auto-outlining capabilities. I desperately want Author to match or exceed it. I long for freedom. - IA Writer for its massive editing feature set, but Writer's sans/humanist fonts are apalling to me. Author does not have this flaw. - Byword for its simplicity (and .txt default. I never got into markdown; its useful but I just don't like it). Most of Author's features I have not yet explored, but the concept map looks fascinating, and the ability to make notes in the margins is nice. There's a lot of promise in this tool, no matter how niche, and I look forward to being part of the developer's journey. Best to you, sir. I'm on your side. ### 5/5 — Back to 5 Stars *2025-01-26, version 1.2* I wrote a review previously that was more negative as the Author app was not working, so I could not use the shared functionality between my phone and MacBook to make writing notes during the day and expand on them at home. This seems to have been fixed and I am very excited about this as now I can go back to my old routine. It really is a fantastic app, I’ve tried so many physical and digital ways of writing over the years and Author really feels like the only software designed for the writing experience. It has lovely shortcuts and tools that are worth learning, it definitely seems like a lot of thought has been put in and I look forward to seeing where it goes. If you’re on the fence, get the free version to try it out, I’m sure it’ll win you over. The only thing I’d like is to be able to add photos on the MacOS version, just to add context to my writing. Wonderful app and very glad it has been redeemed in my eyes. ### 5/5 — Neurodivergent Necessity *2025-01-26, version 10.5* The Concept Map feature is a true gem and something you don’t know you need until you have it. Citations are a breeze and keeps me from getting distracted by a Zotero quest. ### 5/5 — My New Go-to Writing App *2025-01-01, version 10.5* I have finally found an app that is minimal, powerful, and syncs to all my devices! Though this app is primarily designed for academic writing, I have found the concept map and Journal to be helpful for fiction writing. Excited to see where this app goes in the future. :) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*