Paper vs Lights Out
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
Lights Out
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Work ends. Your evening begins. Lights Out is an iPhone app blocker built for the end of your workday. Choose your nightly cutoff and morning return. Lights Out uses Apple’s Screen Time controls to shield apps and websites between those times, so your evening has a clear boundary. SET IT ONCE • Choose when work ends and when access returns. • Let protection start and finish automatically. • Get an optional reminder 15 minutes before your cutoff. • See your schedule in widgets and optional Lock Screen status. LEAVE ONE THOUGHT FOR TOMORROW Save a short note about what you want to pick up tomorrow. Find it again in the morning, instead of carrying unfinished work into your evening. A BOUNDARY YOU CAN COMMIT TO Solo sessions have no in-app early-unlock button. Schedule changes that reduce protected time wait at least 24 hours and do not weaken an active overnight session. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No app account, advertising, or analytics SDK. Your schedule and Tomorrow Queue note stay on your device and are shared with Lights Out’s own extensions. Scheduled protection works offline after setup; purchases and restoration use Apple’s services. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED Lights Out Complete is an auto-renewable annual subscription. There is no free tier. Eligible customers can try it free for 7 days. Your local price and trial eligibility appear before purchase. Restore Purchases is available. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation, or when your free trial ends. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel it in Apple Account settings. SCREEN TIME PERMISSION Requires Screen Time permission on a compatible iPhone. The device owner can revoke this permission in Settings. Some system and emergency surfaces remain available according to iOS behavior. Privacy: https://lights-out.ali-ali.workers.dev/privacy/ Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ YOUR WEEK, YOUR BOUNDARY Keep the same boundary every day or choose different times for your weekend evenings. Protection status and repair help keep your schedule ready. Help includes support, subscription management and purchase restoration.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Lights Out at daily against Paper's monthly. Paper's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15 vs 17.0). On price, 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 Lights Out sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $39.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Paper ships an update monthly, Lights Out daily. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Paper | Lights Out |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 71.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.8K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 85 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mihhail Lapushkin | Abdulkadir Ali Ali |
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
Lights Out
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
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- Pro Features$99.991 Year
- Pro Features — Discounted$99.99
- Pro Features$199.99
Lights Out
- Lights Out Complete$39.991 Year









