Comparison

Paper vs Ellipsus

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

Ellipsus

This creative writing tool facilitates seamless collaboration for authors, editors, and co-writers. It offers real-time co-authoring, robust draft management with version control, and distraction-free writing environments. Easily share and export your work in various formats.

Highlights
  • Unlimited documents, drafts, folders, and collaborators
  • Real-time collaboration with commenting and chat
  • Version history and version control for drafts
  • Built-in writing sprints and timers
  • Import from Markdown, export to PDF/AO3
  • Distraction-free minimalist design
  • Privacy-focused with no generative AI or tracking
Features
Read full description

Writing together is hard. We think it should be easier. Ellipsus is a creative writing tool built by writers, for writers—whether you’re flying solo, working with betas and editors, or co-authoring something epic. In Ellipsus, you'll find: Creativity without limits: Create unlimited documents, drafts, folders, and collaborators. Real-time collaboration: Comment, chat, manage permissions, and keep track of every change with version history and version control. Draft management with version control: Experiment freely, and merge drafts when you're ready. Collaborators can suggest edits without changing your main document, Writing sprints and timers: Stay focused and creative with built-in sprint timers. Easy sharing and exports: Import from Markdown. Export to PDF or AO3. Share highlights with our Snippets feature. Distraction-free writing—anywhere: Minimalist design and themed workspaces keep you inspired. Write seamlessly on any device. Privacy-first, always: No generative AI. No creepy tracking. Your words stay yours.

Screenshots

Paper4 screens
Ellipsus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Ellipsus at every 3 days against Paper's monthly. Ellipsus also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 72%) and chart position (#101 vs unranked). Paper's advantage is ratings volume (1.8K vs 173). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Paper sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month and Ellipsus 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Paper against 4.8 for Ellipsus. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Paper has 1.8K ratings behind it against 173, 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 85% of Ellipsus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Paper ships an update monthly, Ellipsus every 3 days. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Paper versus Ellipsus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaperEllipsus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.8K ratings)4.8 (173 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.6% of reviews84.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.8K — better173
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#101 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1515.0
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB36 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMihhail LapushkinEllipsus

Customer experience

Paper

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

Ellipsus

All ratings173 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral2.3%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive84.7%
Neutral8.5%
Negative6.8%

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

Ellipsus

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
1 purchases

Ellipsus

One-time1
  • Ellipsus Lifetime$99.00

Questions

Is Paper free?
Paper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ellipsus free?
Ellipsus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Paper or Ellipsus?
Ellipsus is rated higher. Paper averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Ellipsus averages 4.8 from 173 ratings.
Do Paper or Ellipsus have ads?
Neither Paper nor Ellipsus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Paper or Ellipsus?
Paper ships an update monthly, and Ellipsus every 3 days. Most recently, Paper was updated on November 13, 2026 and Ellipsus on November 13, 2026.

Other comparisons