Comparison

Paper vs Book Writer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Paper

This app offers a clean and configurable writing environment for various creative projects. It supports Markdown and plain text, syncs with iCloud, and integrates with other tools. Users can publish drafts to popular blogging platforms and export documents in multiple formats.

Highlights
  • Gorgeous writing space
  • Silky-smooth typing
  • Deep personalization (Pro)
  • Markdown or Plain Text support
  • iCloud sync
  • Publish to Medium, WordPress, Ghost
  • Export to PDF, HTML, DOCX, ePub
Features
Read full description

“This is a super-clean writing space with a lot of configurability that stays out of sight when you don’t need it.” App Store Review 2020 # STORY Read it here → paper.pro/story # HIGHLIGHTS · Gorgeous writing space · Silky-smooth typing · Deep personalization (Pro) · Markdown or Plain Text · Syncs with iCloud · Integrates with TextExpander · Publishes drafts to Medium, WordPress, Ghost, or Micro.blog · Exports to PDF, HTML, RTF, DOCX, ePub, image, or clipboard · Works seamlessly across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac # PRO FEATURES Basic adjustments like text size are free in Paper. More advanced personalization can be purchased with Pro Features. You will not be buying anything blindly, though. The trial period for Pro Features is untimed, so you can take your time to decide if they are a worthy investment. While trialing Pro Features, you might occasionally see a popup. Simply press Reset in the popup to get rid of it completely. Pro Features are either a subscription or a one-time purchase. Both the subscription and the one-time purchase unlock Pro Features on all your iPhones and iPads that share the same Apple ID. This subscription (or one-time purchase) applies only to iPhones and iPads. Macs require a separate subscription (or one-time purchase). The one-time purchase is hidden by default. To enable it, go to the Settings app → Apps → Paper → Purchases → toggle "Show Lifetime Option". If you want to upgrade from a Monthly subscription to a Yearly one (or to a Lifetime license), go to Paper’s page in the App Store and press the rounded button with the price next to the Yearly subscription option (or next to the Lifetime in-app purchase). # BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS & ORGANIZATIONS Businesses, schools, and organizations can use one of the following methods to purchase the Pro version of the app: · Apple Business Manager · Apple School Manager · Volume Purchasing The Pro version of the app can be accessed from this link → paper.pro/get # MARKDOWN FORMATTING SYNTAX # Heading 1 ## Heading 2 ### Heading 3 #### Heading 4 ##### Heading 5 ###### Heading 6 **Bold** __Bold__ *Italic* _Italic_ ~Underline~ ~~Strikethrough~~ ==Highlight== ::Highlight:: `Inline Code` ``` Code Block ``` [Link Text](http://paper.pro) ![Alt Text](http://image.jpeg) - Bulleted List - Bulleted List - Nested Bulleted List * Bulleted List * Bulleted List * Nested Bulleted List 1. Numbered List 2. Numbered List 3. Numbered List 1. Nested Numbered List - [ ] Task List - [x] Task List > Blockquote >> Nested Blockquote >>> 2x Nested Blockquote Text that needs a footnote[^Footnote description] ++ Inline comment ++ /* Inline comment */ %% Comment block | Col 1 | Col 2 | | ------ | ------ | | Cell 1 | Cell 2 | | Cell 3 | Cell 4 | --- ← Horizontal Rule \_ ← Markdown Escape ° ← HTML Escape # FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ## How do I share my document? · On the main screen with documents: Tap and hold the document. Select "Share" from the menu. · In the document editor: Tap the title of the document in the top bar, then tap the round "Share" button in the popup. ## How do I print my document? · On the main screen with documents: Tap and hold the document. Select "Print" from the menu. · In the document editor: Tap the title of the document in the top bar. Select "Print" from the menu. ## Can I draw in the app? No. Paper is purely a plain-text editor. ## Can I add pictures? You can only link to public images on the Web. ## Can I password-protect my notes? No. ## Paper changes the font when I switch between alphabetic and non-alphabetic keyboards. How do I prevent it? · Change the keyboard to a non-alphabetic one (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, etc.). · Tap the "Settings" button in the top right corner. · Under the "Font" submenu, toggle "Keep for ABC Keyboards". ## Need more help? You can reach me via the in-app chat → "Settings" button in the corner → "Chat with the Maker" # TERMS OF USE paper.pro/terms-of-use

About

Book Writer

This app helps aspiring authors and writers organize their ideas, characters, and drafts into a complete book. It offers tools for efficient writing, editing, and managing story elements to bring creative projects to life.

Highlights
  • Book creation and organization
  • Character creation and notes
  • Draft management
  • Side note functionality
  • Fast editing tools
  • Cloud saving
Features
Read full description

MAKE YOUR BOOK A REALITY WITH THE #1 BOOK CREATOR AUTHOR APP Have everything you need to write your book in 1 app with -- Book Write - Extensive Writer--. Our easy to use and yet exceptionally efficient book creator app organizes your writings into a great book. Turn yourself into a quick, efficient and skillful writer in a faster and easier way. Understanding the need for organization, linking subjects, notes & characters, we specifically made our book creator as a simple notes & book writing tool for all authors and aspiring writers. Finally, you have 1 app with intuitive UI and features to turn your ideas and creativity into a book! ADD CHARACTERS, DRAFTS, AND SIDE NOTES Create quality and consistent book with an easy to use book creator app. Add text and let the book writing app organize everything you write beautifully and productively. Edit the lines you write, add side notes, and organize everything endlessly until you are completely satisfied. All our tools make the writing easier and consistent, which is especially important for character development, story flow and ending. For a neater experience, we made sure that each line you write within the book creator is accompanied by tiny glowing stars. Use this as an inspiration to create magic writing. BOOK WRITE FEATURES: - Detailed yet easy app to create a book - Character creation and taking notes about characters - Detailed book and line organization - Creating drafts for books - Keyboard bar for fast editing - Quick add and Quick copy features Whether you want to write a novel, short story or you just want to try your creative writing skills, this app is just the tool you need for writing. Don’t miss one of the best book writer apps to write a book. Subscription Service: 1. Required to access the app's capabilities 2. Creating books, characters, drafts and book chapters 3. Exporting books 4. Saving books to cloud, to reach them from all your devices. Payment models for Book Write Subscription • Book Write Monthly Subscription: $1.99 per month, • Book Write Yearly Subscription: $11.99 per year Terms of Use: https://hiappsco.wordpress.com/2020/12/03/book-write-terms-of-use/ Privacy Policy: https://hiappsco.wordpress.com/2020/02/27/book-write/ • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current subscription period. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication. Download Book Write - Extensive Writer

Screenshots

Paper4 screens
Book Writer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Paper at 72% against Book Writer's 20%. Paper also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.9) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Paper sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Book Writer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Paper holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Paper has 1.7K ratings behind it against 78, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Paper's written reviews are positive against 20% of Book Writer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Paper ships an update monthly, Book Writer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Paper versus Book Writer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaperBook Writer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.7K ratings) — better3.9 (78 ratings)
Positive reviews72.5% of reviews — better19.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1.7K — better78
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB104 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMihhail LapushkinKaan Yildiz

Customer experience

Paper

All ratings1,703 ratings
Positive92.4%
Neutral3.3%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews229 reviews
Positive72.5%
Neutral8.7%
Negative18.8%

Book Writer

All ratings78 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral11.5%
Negative21.8%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive19.5%
Neutral19.5%
Negative61.0%

Bugs and requests

Paper

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Files randomly disappearing
  • Cursor issues causing freezes
  • Syncing and iCloud integration problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add image support
  • Improve file management and recovery
  • Expand font and customization options
  • Implement team/collaborative writing features
  • Add text formatting options like italics and bold

Book Writer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Paper

Subscriptions4
  • Pro Features — Discounted$14.991 Month
  • Pro Features$29.991 Month
  • Pro Features — Discounted$49.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro Features$99.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro Features — Discounted$99.99
  • Pro Features$199.99
6 purchases

Book Writer

Subscriptions5
  • Book Writer Weekly$6.997 Days
  • Book Write Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Book Write Monthly$12.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Book Writer Yearly$24.991 Year
  • Book Write Yearly Subscription$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Book Write Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Paper free?
Paper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Book Writer free?
Book Writer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Paper or Book Writer?
Paper is rated higher. Paper averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Book Writer averages 3.9 from 78 ratings.
Do Paper or Book Writer have ads?
Neither Paper nor Book Writer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Paper or Book Writer?
Paper ships an update monthly, and Book Writer every 6 weeks. Most recently, Paper was updated on September 23, 2026 and Book Writer on September 4, 2026.

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