Screenplay vs Retrotype
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Screenplay
This app offers a streamlined approach to writing screenplays on Apple devices, featuring automatic industry formatting and powerful navigation tools. It supports seamless syncing across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with optional AI assistance for enhanced writing speed and quality.
- Automatic industry formatting
- Seamless iCloud sync across devices
- Scene and character indexing
- Beat board and index card planning
- Import and export various script formats
- Optional AI writing assistance
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SCREENPLAY – WRITE AND CREATE YOUR SCRIPT ANYWHERE Screenplay has been featured by Apple in the Apps We Love collection on the App Store. Screenplay is the fast, modern way to write screenplays on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Designed for both new writers and working creators, Screenplay gives you automatic industry formatting, powerful navigation tools, and optional AI assistance to help you write better and faster. Whether you’re drafting a short film, pilot, or feature, Screenplay keeps everything simple, clean, and focused on your story. FEATURES • AUTOMATIC FORMATTING that follows real screenplay standards as you type • WRITE ANYWHERE across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with seamless iCloud sync • SCENE INDEX for fast navigation and instant access to any scene • CHARACTER INDEX with appearance attributes and complete dialog view • MINI-MAP VIEW for a full structural overview (iPad and Mac) • BEAT BOARD MANAGER with visual scene images and beat lists • INDEX CARDS for notes, ideas, and planning • SMART IMPORT for FDX, Fountain, TXT, and PDF with automatic PDF conversion • EASY EXPORT to FDX, Fountain, TXT, and PDF AI ASSISTANT (SUBSCRIPTION) • SCRIPT STARTER generates a 1–10 page screenplay draft from a short idea • ELEMENT PROOFING offers optional rewrites for Action and Dialog lines • SCENE PROOFING reviews an entire scene with suggestions you control • AI BEAT BOARDS create a visual collage and beat summary for any scene Perfect for beginners who need guidance and professionals who want a faster scriptwriting workflow. WHY SCREENPLAY A beautifully simple, writer-first screenwriting app designed to reduce clutter and remove friction. Screenplay adapts to your process, not the other way around. SCREENPLAY IS BACK One of the first screenwriting apps on the App Store returns — fully reimagined for today’s writers. Start your screenplay now. SUBSCRIPTIONS SCREENPLAY offers auto-renewal subscription. Please read the following about the auto-renewable nature of subscriptions: • Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews at the end of your current subscription period unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours prior to end of the current period. • You can manage or turn off auto-renewal in your Apple ID Account Settings any time after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. • Privacy policy - https://www.blackmanastudios.com/screenplay-privacy-policy/ • Terms of use - https://www.blackmanastudios.com/screenplay-terms-and-conditions/
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.
- Authentic typewriter models
- Customizable sound packs
- Haptic feedback
- Multiple color palettes and paper themes
- External keyboard support
- Distraction-free writing environment
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Retrotype at none against Screenplay's shown. Retrotype also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 62%) and rating (4.3 vs 4.1). Screenplay's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid) and ratings volume (18 vs 6). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support 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. Screenplay sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Retrotype sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Retrotype holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Screenplay's written reviews are positive against 86% of Retrotype's.
Screenplay ships an update every 2 months, Retrotype every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on August 3, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Screenplay | Retrotype |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (18 ratings) | 4.3 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 61.9% of reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 18 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 98 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Black Mana Studios Group LLC | Good Loop Software LLC |
Customer experience
Screenplay
Retrotype
In-app purchases
Screenplay
- Standard Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- AI Monthly Subscription$12.991 Month
- AI Plus Monthly Subscription$24.991 Month
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- Standard Annual Subscription$29.991 Year
- AI Annual Subscription$129.991 Year
- AI Plus Annual Subscription$249.991 Year
Retrotype
- Unlock Everything$4.99









