Comparison

Paper vs Minimalist Journal

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

Minimalist Journal

Capture your thoughts and ideas digitally with a handwriting experience that mimics pen on paper. Utilize Apple Pencil for precision and ease, transforming your device into a personal diary. Unlock unlimited entries with a one-time purchase.

Highlights
  • Handwritten journaling
  • Apple Pencil support
  • Digital diary
  • Capture thoughts and ideas
  • Unlimited entries unlock
Read full description

Introducing Minimalist Journal - the ultimate journaling app for the modern day writer. With Minimalist Journal, you can capture your thoughts and ideas in a beautiful way, using the power of Apple Pencil©. Write with the same precision and ease as you would on paper, while also enjoying the convenience of digital journaling. So why type when you can write? Download Minimalist Journal today and start capturing your life's story in a meaningful and authentic way. Try Minimal Journal for free. If you like our concept you can unlock unlimited entries for a one-time fee without subscription or ads.

Screenshots

Paper4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Paper at 4.7 against Minimalist Journal's 4.0. Paper also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (72% vs 58%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Minimalist Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 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 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.8K and 377 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Paper's written reviews are positive against 58% of Minimalist Journal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Paper ships an update monthly, Minimalist Journal every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Paper versus Minimalist Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaperMinimalist Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better4.0 (377 ratings)
Positive reviews71.6% of reviews — better58.4% of reviews
Number of ratings1.8K — better377
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMihhail LapushkinChristian Merk

Customer experience

Paper

All ratings1,729 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral3.4%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews232 reviews
Positive71.6%
Neutral9.5%
Negative19.0%

Minimalist Journal

All ratings227 ratings
Positive80.2%
Neutral6.6%
Negative13.2%
Written reviews113 reviews
Positive58.4%
Neutral15.9%
Negative25.7%

User reviews

Paper

From 1.8K 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

Minimalist Journal

From 377 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Minimalist design
  • 💡 Handwriting support
  • 🔒 Password protection
  • 🚀 Simple and intuitive
  • 📝 Effective for journaling

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy performance
  • 🖌️ Limited drawing/editing tools
  • 💰 Paywall after limited entries
  • 📁 No backup/export options
  • 👨‍💻 Lack of customization

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

Minimalist Journal

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Apple Pencil double-tap not working
  • Keyboard not appearing on screen
  • Jumping between entries while writing
  • Faint/invisible writing lines in dark mode

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to erase entire pages
  • Option to change pen color
  • Landscape mode support
  • Sync with iCloud or other cloud storage
  • Undo/redo functionality

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
1 purchases

Minimalist Journal

One-time1
  • Unlimited entries$8.99

Questions

Is Paper free?
Paper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Minimalist Journal free?
Minimalist Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Paper or Minimalist Journal?
Paper is rated higher. Paper averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Minimalist Journal averages 4.0 from 377 ratings.
Do Paper or Minimalist Journal have ads?
Neither Paper nor Minimalist Journal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Paper or Minimalist Journal?
Paper ships an update monthly, and Minimalist Journal every 3 months. Most recently, Paper was updated on October 25, 2026 and Minimalist Journal on October 25, 2026.

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