# Storyist 4 — A powerful writing environment

> Powerful writing environment for manuscript and screenplay creation and revision. (iPhone/iPad app by Storyist Software.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storyist-4/id1423912340 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Storyist Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/438008297)
- Category: Productivity, Education
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 363 App Store ratings · 69 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 21 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), European Spanish
- Released: 2019-03-06
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storyist-4/id1423912340/reviews.md

## What is Storyist 4?

Storyist is a powerful writing environment that lets you create, review, and revise your work wherever inspiration strikes.

“If I could have only one screenwriting app on my iPad, Storyist would be it.” – Taz Goldstein, Hand Held Hollywood.

“I'm currently traveling in Europe and am just now putting the finishing touches on the book that will be published in September. I'm using the Storyist app for my iPad Mini and it's sensational... a real godsend.” – Michael Brandman, Bestselling Author.

With Storyist, you can:

• Produce submission-ready manuscripts and screenplays. Storyist provides a rich text editor with support for comments, images, headers, footers, and style sheets so you can create properly formatted manuscripts and screenplays. And Storyist comes with manuscript and screenplay templates so you can focus on the writing, not the formatting.

• Work with your story at a high level. Storyist lets you sketch out a story using index cards and then refine it with customizable plot, character, and setting sheets. When you're ready to put words on the page, Storyist can even display your index cards next to your manuscript as you write.

• Review and revise on the go. Have a few minutes? Open Storyist and jot down a note, rewrite a few paragraphs, or annotate your manuscript with ideas for future changes.

• Keep all your writing organized and accessible. Storyist organizes your novel manuscripts, screenplays, notes, and other project-related writing so you can access them with just a few taps. And the Files app support lets you store your projects where you want and edit them in place.

Features at a Glance

• Rich text editor with support for fonts, colors, comments, images, headers, footers, and style sheets.

• Files interface with the ability to collaborate with other writers, browse version history, and sync with your favorite cloud storage service.

• Automatic manuscript and screenplay formatting with familiar tab and return key shortcuts.

• Color-coded index cards.

• Customizable story sheets.

• Easy import and export of text and images.

• Support for Storyist for Mac, RTF, Plain Text, Fountain, and Final Draft FDX files.

• Ability to export text files as PDF.

• Wireless printing with AirPrint.

• Courier Prime font for screenplays.

Try Storyist 4 for free for 14 days. After the trial period ends, you can purchase Storyist 4 to continue using the editing features or use the app in reader mode for free. Upgrade pricing is available for customers who purchased Storyist 3 for iOS. No subscription required.

## Key features

- Rich text editor with comments and images
- Index card outlining and story sheets
- Manuscript and screenplay formatting
- Cloud storage and collaboration support
- Import/export text and images
- Support for various file formats

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free Trial | Free | one-time |
| Storyist 4 | $19.99 | one-time |
| Storyist 4 Upgrade | $9.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Storyist 4?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Clean, intuitive user interface
- 🚀 Fast iCloud synchronization across devices
- 💰 One-time purchase with no subscription fees
- 📝 Excellent for organizing long-form writing projects
- 🔄 Seamless Mac-iPad-iPhone sync
- ⭐ Strong character and plot tracking features
- 📊 Effective outline and index card system
- 🎬 Good screenplay formatting capabilities
- 🔗 Bidirectional Scrivener file compatibility
- 👌 Simpler alternative to Scrivener
- 📱 Responsive developer support

**Cons**

- 🐛 Data loss and file deletion issues
- 💔 Upgrade from v3 to v4 requires full repurchase
- 😤 Misleading free trial presentation
- 🔧 Clunky navigation requiring multiple taps
- ⚠️ Significant bugs in version 4 compared to v3
- 🚫 Limited language support (English, French, Spanish only)
- 📱 Poor mobile UI/UX in split-screen mode
- 🔌 Dropbox integration issues
- 💾 Unreliable auto-save functionality
- 🎨 Outdated app icon and visual design
- ⚙️ Style system bugs causing formatting loss

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Files and projects mysteriously disappear
- App crashes when opening manuscripts
- Freezing during typing sessions
- Auto-capitalization in middle of sentences
- Spell-check suggestions showing duplicate words
- Index cards losing color after updates
- Styles vanishing when edited on iOS
- Text disappearing from documents while outline remains
- Dropbox connection failures and blank file displays
- Split-screen zoom focusing on wrong area
- Font selection list not loading
- Restore Purchases prompt appearing repeatedly
- Export formatting issues with dark theme

**Most requested features**

- Footnotes and endnotes support
- Word and Pages format export compatibility
- Better backup system with cloud storage
- Folder tree navigation on mobile
- Non-fiction templates with query tracking
- Improved dark mode customization
- Cursor support for iPad
- Section-level export functionality
- German language localization
- Extended keyboard shortcuts preservation
- Better page number formatting options

## Recent user reviews (10 of 69)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storyist-4/id1423912340/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Infuriating

*2026-06-18, version 4.7*

Every time I buy a new device—upgrade. Storyist acts like I don’t exist. I add my Apple ID password, and it literally stays on the same page, instead of moving to my profile. Coincidentally, the page I’m stuck on offers a new subscription. SMH 🤦‍♀️ So tired of this game.

### 1/5 — Bit of a rip off

*2026-05-15, version 4.7*

I used to use Storyist a lot, I mean A LOT. I bought the app years ago and it’s my go-to for writing stories and scripts. However it’s now stopped working, telling me I have to pay for the latest version. Now when I first got it, I was told it was a one-time payment, so what’s changed? It won’t even let me restore my purchases. What’s going on? Not happy.

### 1/5 — Very Frustrated

*2026-04-13, version 4.7*

I just spent over an hour trying to move from Scrivener to Storyist, as it was supposed to be more iPadOS friendly. There is no good way to import a document, the styles all get broken, the user guide on their web site doesn’t even match the functionality of the app, this is a disgrace. At least Scrivener does what it says it will do.

### 5/5 — A Surprise..

*2026-02-03, version 4.7*

Perfect Writer App..

### 1/5 — Bought it a long while ago now they stole it from me in the new update

*2025-09-26, version 4.6.1*

Bought it in 2022, and loved it.
Just went to use it and it updated to 4, and I can’t use it any more.
It’s locked under the update and I have to PAY again if I want it!!!!
Huge scam!!!

### 1/5 — Can’t see all projects

*2025-06-15, version 4.6.1*

I have created 5 projects but can’t see them all at once.  Have to go into files which is a nuisance and doesn’t always work.

### 5/5 — Pretty good!

*2025-05-30, version 4.6.1*

I use the macOS app, and the iOS app has all the same features, presented in an easy to use fashion. I don’t really use it for logging characters or locations or plot points. Another app fills that gap, as I find Storyist’s methods for this a bit half baked. But it excels as a more focused version of Pages with much smaller file sizes. All I need is a simple writing app that lets me see the pages and word count rack up, whilst  being able to highlight blocks of text and add comments to myself for future drafts. Storyist provides this with a one off payment and no sub. Can’t fault the iCloud sync either which lets me work on the same draft seamlessly between phone and desktop. Highly recommended.

### 5/5 — Brilliant and Elegant  in its Simplicity.

*2025-04-24, version 4.6*

Beautiful and lean- not over designed and needlessly complex. 

It’s a Writing Machine for writers who want to Write rather than spend time being software technicians. 

Have appreciated Storyist from the beginning and ditched my other screenwriting programs. 

It’s one of the best deals in writing apps. You don’t feel like you’re being gouged by Corporate “Greed”.

### 5/5 — Zur Zeit die beste Alternative zu Scrivener

*2024-12-15, version 4.5*

Vielen Dank an die Entwickler für diese App. Es war so Mühsam mit der Synchronisierung auf den Geräten (Mac - iPad) via Dropbox mit Scrivener. Storyist geht mit iCloud super gut um, da das Xxx.story Format besser ist als das Xxx.scriv Format (die Datei ist eigentlich ein Ordner und wird in Unterordnern gliedert). Aber das beste noch: Storyist kann bidirektional (Import - Export) mit Scrivener Dateien umgehen. Wer nicht auf Scrivener verzichten möchte, kann sogar Storyist als Begleitapp auf dem iPad nutzen (mit ein Paar Einschränkungen) um Dropbox zu vermeiden. Ein kleiner Vermutstropfen ist, dass Storyist nur auf Englisch, Französisch und Spanisch verfügbar ist und auf die Sprache der Dichter und Denker komplett verzichtet.

### 4/5 — Sonny feedbacks…

*2024-10-22, version 4.5*

… asked over the timbre; and yet so few enhancements over the last years., I like the program and use it with all my books. But there could be brushing up to the software. Land I even would participate for input, if needed

## Frequently asked questions about Storyist 4

### What does Storyist 4 do?

Storyist 4 is a powerful writing environment designed for authors and screenwriters. It allows you to create, review, and revise your work, from initial story outlining with index cards to producing submission-ready manuscripts and screenplays.

### What are the key features of Storyist 4?

Key features include a rich text editor with support for comments, images, headers, and footers; index card outlining and customizable story sheets; automatic manuscript and screenplay formatting; and Files app integration for cloud storage and collaboration.

### How much does Storyist 4 cost?

Storyist 4 offers a 14-day free trial. After the trial, you can purchase the app to continue using editing features. Reader mode is available for free. No subscription is required, and upgrade pricing is available for previous users.

### What devices is Storyist 4 compatible with?

The description mentions Storyist for iPad and Storyist for Mac, suggesting compatibility with iOS devices and macOS. It also supports Files app integration, implying access across devices where Files is available.

### What file formats does Storyist 4 support?

Storyist 4 supports import and export of text and images. It is compatible with Storyist for Mac, RTF, Plain Text, Fountain, and Final Draft FDX files. It can also export text files as PDF.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.7 — 2025-10-10

Support for iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.

### 4.6.1 — 2025-05-02

Minor bug fixes.

### 4.6 — 2025-03-12

* Introduces a new app launch screen for iOS 18.
* Provides an app icon that automatically adjusts when you change to Dark Mode.
* Fixes an issue causing the cursor to disappear in certain circumstances when typing on a physical keyboard.
* Fixes a display bug in the word count overlay when using large accessibility text sizes.

### 4.5 — 2024-10-19

* Support for iOS 18.
* Story sheet enhancements.
* General bug fixes and performance enhancements.

### 4.4.1 — 2023-05-16

Bug fixes.

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*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 2026-08-26.*