Comparison

Narrative vs Retrotype

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Narrative

This app provides a distraction-free writing environment with a sleek interface and advanced editing tools. It offers seamless project synchronization across devices and robust security features. Goal-setting and customizable options enhance the creative process for writers of all levels.

Highlights
  • Distraction-free writing environment
  • Seamless project synchronization
  • Precision editing tools
  • Word count goals and progress tracking
  • Import/export in multiple formats
  • Customizable fonts
  • Flexible notes system
Features
Read full description

How do you like to write? Do you curl up on your sofa with your iPad, sit at a proper desk with a laptop and coffee, or draft on the go with your iPhone? You never know when you might have a great idea! Narrative gives you a calm, focused space to write, wherever you are. • Sync across your devices Your work saves as you type, and syncs to the cloud in real time. It works offline too, syncing again once you're back on a network. • A focused writing environment A clean, minimalist interface with focus mode, dark mode, and customizable fonts. No pop-ups, no productivity pressure — just room to think. • Proofreading that respects your voice Grammar, spelling, and style checks across multiple languages. It highlights issues and makes suggestions — but you decide what to use and what to ignore. Bend the rules however you like. • Word count goals and progress tracking Set goals and watch your progress build, one word at a time. Small, steady motivation for finishing what you start. • Notes alongside your writing Attach notes to your whole project or individual chapters, right next to the page you're working on. • Private, even on a shared device Sign out, and your writing is removed from the device. Sign back in on any device, and it's downloaded fresh from the cloud. Handy if it's not just your eyes that get access to your phone. • Import and export freely Bring existing work in from DOCX or TXT. Export in DOCX, TXT, or EPUB whenever you're ready to share. • Real help, from a real person Need a hand — or just fancy a chat? Our in-app help is a person, not a bot. Start with a free 14-day trial, then keep writing on a free plan or subscribe for unlimited access. Whether you're deep in a novel, shaping short stories, or just getting started — Narrative was made with you in mind. • Contact Us: We love feedback! Please feel free to get in touch using the in-app help chatbox, or email: hello@gonarrative.app • Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ • Privacy policy https://gonarrative.app/privacy.html

About

Retrotype

Experience the satisfying feel of a classic typewriter on your device. Choose from multiple vintage models, customize sounds and visuals, and enjoy distraction-free writing with authentic haptic and audio feedback.

Highlights
  • Authentic typewriter models
  • Customizable sound packs
  • Haptic feedback
  • Multiple color palettes and paper themes
  • External keyboard support
  • Distraction-free writing environment
Features
Read full description

Rediscover the joy of writing without distractions. Retrotype transforms your device into a beautiful, tactile typewriter — complete with the sounds, rhythm, and charm of the classics. CHOOSE YOUR MACHINE Four meticulously crafted typewriter models, each with a distinct personality: - Clean, timeless design. The one that started it all. - Vintage European style with warm, earthy tones. - Mid-century curves in playful pastel palettes. - Bold industrial form with exposed ribbon cartridges. MAKE IT YOURS 22+ hand-picked color palettes. 12 paper themes. 5 authentic sound packs — from the sharp snap of a classic to the soft press of a modern electric. Dial in your haptics, adjust your margins, and set your bell. FEEL EVERY KEYSTROKE Authentic sound and haptic feedback bring every key press to life. Carriage returns, margin bells, and the steady rhythm of typing pull you into a focused flow. WRITE ANYWHERE Designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac with seamless external keyboard support. Your documents are always ready. ONE PRICE. EVERYTHING INCLUDED. Retrotype Premium is a single purchase — no subscriptions, no recurring fees. Every model, palette, sound pack, and future update is yours forever. Retrotype is a place to slow down, find your flow, and let words unfold one keystroke at a time.

Screenshots

Narrative4 screens
Retrotype3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Narrative at 4.4 against Retrotype's 3.9. Narrative also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months) and monetization model (freemium vs paid). Retrotype's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 56%). On price, ratings volume, 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. Narrative sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Retrotype 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

Narrative holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 51 and 20 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of Narrative's written reviews are positive against 86% of Retrotype's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Narrative ships an update every 9 days, Retrotype every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Narrative versus Retrotype: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNarrativeRetrotype
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (51 ratings) — better3.9 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews56.3% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings51 — better20
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMark MuhlederGood Loop Software LLC

Customer experience

Narrative

All ratings51 ratings
Positive86.3%
Neutral2.0%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive56.3%
Neutral12.5%
Negative31.3%

Retrotype

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Narrative

Subscriptions3
  • Narrative Monthly14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Narrative Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Narrative Annual$47.991 Year
1 purchases

Retrotype

One-time1
  • Unlock Everything$4.99

Questions

Is Narrative free?
Narrative is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Retrotype free?
Retrotype is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Narrative or Retrotype?
Narrative is rated higher. Narrative averages 4.4 out of 5 from 51 ratings, while Retrotype averages 3.9 from 20 ratings.
Do Narrative or Retrotype have ads?
Neither Narrative nor Retrotype shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Narrative or Retrotype?
Narrative ships an update every 9 days, and Retrotype every 3 months. Most recently, Narrative was updated on October 29, 2026 and Retrotype on October 30, 2026.

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