Comparison

Paper vs Writing Space

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

Writing Space

This app is a distraction-free word processor designed for writers. It offers customizable themes, rich formatting, and progress tracking to help users finish projects faster. Share or publish your work online with ease.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free writing mode
  • Customizable themes and templates
  • Rich text formatting options
  • Progress tracking with word count
  • Automatic backups and cloud sync
  • Inline notes for thoughts
  • Dark mode
Read full description

Writing Space is a powerful writing tool for students, teachers, authors, and bloggers. It is a customizable word processor with a library of user-friendly templates, stunning fonts, and rich formatting options. Writing Space is designed to help you write in a more focused way, so you can finish your writing projects faster and achieve more. Share your writing with your friends and family or publish it online. - Distraction-free writing mode, so you can focus on writing your book with minimal distractions. You can also create lists, insert links, and highlight text with ease. - A library of customizable themes to help you design your book. You can choose from a variety of professionally designed templates, or you can create your own from scratch. - A well-polished word processor packed with all of the features you need for a pleasant writing experience. - Track your progress with Writing Space's word count feature. Set a daily writing goal and know exactly how much you have left to write. - A rich set of formatting options. Change the font, size, color, style, and alignment of your text. - Publish your work online and let everyone read your stories. Writing Space supports PDF or self-publishing. - Dark mode. - Automatic backups - never lose your writing again. Sync your writing with your Google or Apple account, or sign up with just your email. - Inline notes - write your thoughts without including them in your final published copy. - Track your progress with Writing Space's word count feature. Set a daily writing goal and know exactly how much you have left to write. ----------------------------------- If you choose to purchase the Full Access subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account, and your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Auto-renewal may be turned off at any time by going to your settings in the iTunes Store after purchase. Current Full Access subscription price starts at $1.29 USD/week. Prices are in USD, may vary in countries other than the U.S. and are subject to change without notice. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period. If you don’t choose to purchase the subscription, you can simply continue accessing the sample content. Terms of Use: https://www.meali.co/tos.html

Screenshots

Paper4 screens
Writing Space4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Paper at 72% against Writing Space's 44%. Paper also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Writing Space's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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 Writing Space sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. 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 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 1.5K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Paper's written reviews are positive against 44% of Writing Space's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Paper versus Writing Space: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaperWriting Space
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.7K ratings) — better4.5 (1.5K ratings)
Positive reviews72.5% of reviews — better43.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1.7K — better1.5K
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB171 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMihhail LapushkinMealico LLC

Customer experience

Paper

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

Writing Space

All ratings1,489 ratings
Positive86.3%
Neutral5.3%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews326 reviews
Positive43.9%
Neutral18.1%
Negative38.0%

User reviews

Paper

From 1.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💗 Fantastic app
  • 🎀 Great tool for writers
  • 👍 Clean writing app
  • 🤩 Awesome app
  • 👍 Cute animations

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Glitchy and unreliable
  • 💰 Paywalled features
  • 🐛 Lost files and documents
  • 🐛 Cursor issues
  • 🐛 Buggy and unstable

Writing Space

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Organized writing
  • 👍 Customizable book covers and fonts
  • 🚀 Simple and easy to use
  • 👍 No ads
  • 👍 Great for beginners

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and glitches
  • 🔒 Inability to access or recover lost work
  • 👎 Limited free chapters
  • 👎 Subscription required for full functionality
  • 🐛 Syncing and backup issues

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

Writing Space

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes when trying to upgrade
  • Chapters and writing disappearing
  • Inability to type after using backspace
  • Bluetooth keyboard compatibility issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ability to import/export files
  • Implement cursor movement and text selection
  • Integrate grammar/spelling checks
  • Allow more than 5 free chapters
  • Add option to share/publish stories

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
4 purchases

Writing Space

Subscriptions4
  • Unlimited Full Access$1.991 Month
  • Discounted Full Access$3.993 Months
  • Unlimited Full Access$5.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Unlimited Full Access$11.991 Year

Questions

Is Paper free?
Paper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Writing Space free?
Writing Space is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Paper or Writing Space?
Paper is rated higher. Paper averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Writing Space averages 4.5 from 1.5K ratings.
Do Paper or Writing Space have ads?
Neither Paper nor Writing Space shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Paper or Writing Space?
Paper ships an update monthly, and Writing Space monthly. Most recently, Paper was updated on September 23, 2026 and Writing Space on September 26, 2026.

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