Writerly vs Story Time
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Writerly
This app guides aspiring and experienced writers through creative writing with advice, exercises, and AI-powered tools. It offers features to spark creativity, brainstorm ideas, research, and develop characters, acting as a constant writing companion.
- AI Toolkit for research and brainstorming
- Character development tools and exercises
- Daily writing prompts
- Techniques to combat writer's block
- Sensory detail guidance
- Built-in timer for exercises
- Home screen widgets
Read full descriptionHide full description
Want to write? Start thinking like a writer! Writerly will show you how. Writerly is for everyone interested in creative writing. From first steps to advanced topics, Writerly is loaded with advice, exercises, ideas and prompts to help you develop as a writer, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro. Our new AI Toolkit unleashes the power of Apple Intelligence to bring you tools to spark your creativity, brainstorm your ideas, help you research books and novels, and create characters and writing exercises - it's like having an always-available creative writing friend! Writerly includes a huge amount of unique content that has been extensively tested and trialled by professional authors and creative writing students. So have fun, get inspired and get writing! Key features: - Available for your Mac, iPhone and iPad! - Learn how to observe the world like a writer - AI Toolkit (for research, exercises, brainstorming and more) - Like having an always-available creative writing friend! - Techniques to combat writer's block - Discover techniques to unlock your creativity - Unique 'generators' for Appearance, Mood, Character, Journeys and much, much more - Warm-up exercises - Meet your characters (like speed dating with your characters!) - Ways into Character (in-depth character development tools, techniques and exercises) - A Year of Prompts (a writing prompt for every day of the year) - How to work with sensory detail - Core character development exercises - Built-in timer for exercises - Widgets (daily prompts and character generation right on the home screen) - Progress tracker
Story Time
Read full descriptionHide full description
Story Time helps young children practice reading aloud, one word at a time. As your child reads a story page by page, each word is highlighted the moment it's recognized. When they're stuck, a gentle helper reads the word aloud and celebrates their progress along the way. No red X's, no pressure, just encouragement that keeps them turning the page. **How it works** Pick a level and a story. Choose from 4 levels with 3 original stories each, from first words to confident short chapters. Read aloud while Story Time listens and highlights each word as you go. Get unstuck with a tap. The app reads the current word aloud, or gently assists after a few tries. Finish a page or story and celebrate with a little confetti. **Track progress** A private Parent Area keeps progress for each child. See reading streaks, words read, reading time, accuracy, and tricky words. "Keep going" takes you right back to the last story you were reading. **Private by design** Everything runs on device. Nothing is sent to any server. **For parents** A quick arithmetic gate keeps little ones out of the Parent Area. Recognition settings let you tune how strict the listener is, and even try Mock Speech for a quiet demo. **Privacy & Terms** [Privacy Policy](https://lirazhad.github.io/privacy-policy/policies/story-time/) [Terms of Use (EULA)](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Story Time at none against Writerly's 4. Story Time also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 10 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Writerly sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Story Time asks for nothing beyond the download.
Writerly ships an update every 10 months, Story Time every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Writerly | Story Time |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (112 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 76.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 112 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 79 MB | 61 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Russell Archer | Liraz Hadad |
In-app purchases
Writerly
- A Year of Prompts$0.99
- Ways into Character$1.99
- Meet your Characters$1.99
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- AI Toolkit$2.99
Story Time
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Writerly free?
Is Story Time free?
Do Writerly or Story Time have ads?
Which is updated more often, Writerly or Story Time?
Other comparisons















