Paper vs Pelago
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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“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)  - 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
Pelago
This app helps you collect, organize, and connect ideas using a digital notecard system. It allows for easy searching, tagging, and even printing cards in a standard index card size. Unlock advanced features and unlimited cards with a premium subscription.
- Digital notecard system
- Search and tag functionality
- Printable 3x5 index card export
- Card annotations and metadata
- Smart and static groupings
- Idea connection and randomization
- Review system with notifications
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Curate the most interesting and meaningful ideas in Pelago to review, remember and use that information in new ways. Inspired by the commonplace book, notecard system and Zettlekasten, Pelago isn’t just a place to capture notes - it’s a way to use what you’ve collected in original and surprising ways. The digital format allows you to search, tag and carry your cards with you anywhere. Still a big fan of having physical cards? We’ve included a way to print cards in the popular 3x5 index card size, so you can have both a physical and digital copy of your cards. Use Pelago to - Write a book or article - Research a new business idea - Generate journaling prompts - Reference creative inspiration - Impress your friends! (probably!) It’s really easy! Put one idea, quote, note or anything you want to remember per card. File the card with tags, sources and groupings or we’ll remind you to later. Review the information again when you need it or use our resurfacing tools and see what catches your interest. ----FEATURES--- FILE - Add metadata to cards after they’re created with the File Later system - Keep a log of additional thoughts with card annotations - File cards with tags and sources EXPLORE - Search for cards by metadata and keyword - Revisit cards in interesting ways with card resurfacing tools - Create static groupings (stacks) and smart groupings with rules that continue to pull in new cards automatically (bundles). CONNECT - Tempt serendipity by mashing random cards together in Smash Mode - Create a web of knowledge with linked cards - Randomize card list views to mix up which cards are displayed near each other REVIEW - Behind and overwhelmed about your cards to review? We have a button for that! Declare Review Bankruptcy and clear them out - Review system with optional notifications to revisit cards regularly BACKUP - Backed up in iCloud, we never see or read your data - Print cards at home using the 3x5 card PDF export ---PELAGO PREMIUM--- Pelago is a subscription service with the first 50 cards free. Unlock unlimited card entries and support future development with Pelago Premium. $5/month or $48/year Your cards are never deleted, regardless of your subscription status. If you decide to cancel your subscription, all your current cards remain in the app, but new cards can’t be created. Price may vary by location. Subscription will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will automatically review unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription from the account settings on iTunes after purchase. ---CONTACT--- Please contact us with questions or comments! pelago@wearelucida.com
Screenshots
Verdict
Paper and Pelago both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 72% of Paper's written reviews are positive against 33% of Pelago's. Paper also leads on ratings volume (1.8K vs 8). Pelago's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15). On price, rating, 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
Both are free to download. Paper sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Pelago sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Paper against 4.5 for Pelago. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Paper has 1.8K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 72% of Paper's written reviews are positive against 33% of Pelago's.
| Parameter | Paper | Pelago |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (1.8K ratings) — better | 4.5 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 71.6% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.8K — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 85 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mihhail Lapushkin | Lucida Labs, LLC |
Customer experience
Paper
Pelago
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
Pelago
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Paper
- Pro Features — Discounted$14.991 Month
- Pro Features$29.991 Month
- Pro Features — Discounted$49.991 Year
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Pro Features$99.991 Year
- Pro Features — Discounted$99.99
- Pro Features$199.99
Pelago
- Pelago Premium (Monthly)$4.991 Month
- Pelago Premium (Annual)$47.991 Year









