Comparison

uFocus vs Retrotype

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

Head to head
About

uFocus

A distraction-free writing app designed for creative expression. It supports plain text files, offers advanced Markdown and Fountain syntax for various writing needs, and provides tools to enhance focus and productivity.

Highlights
  • Unobtrusive interface
  • Text statistics
  • MultiMarkdown support
  • Fountain screenplay support
  • Highlighting options
  • Typewriter scrolling
  • Customizable themes
Read full description

uFocus is a distraction-free writing environment that supports plain text files and allows you to keep them organized inside libraries. It allows everyone to express their creativity in the most simple way. • Unobtrusive interface: the navigation bar disappears while writing. • Swipe to show the sidebar. Here you can link your favorite libraries and quickly access your documents. • Show text statistics including character and word count and reading time. • MultiMarkdown: easily add headings, quotes, ordered and unordered lists, links, images, italics, bold, footnotes, citations, glossaries and acronyms. You can then export your documents to HTML or PDF. With CriticMarkup and Live Edit Mode you can easily mark removals, additions and substitutions, add highlghts and comments, and accept or reject them. • Fountain: create screenplays with the Markdown-inspired markup syntax and print or export them as PDF with industry-standard formatting. • Highlighting: you can stay even more focused by fading out all the text but the current sentence or paragraph. • Typewriter scrolling: automatically scrolls the text when you get on a new line. • Sound mode: experience the ultimate feeling of a typewriter. • No deletions mode: disable deletions and replacements if your greatest temptation is always to edit your text instead of writing. • Fullscreen: focus on your words and hide everything else. • Choose between three different editor widths, four font sizes and a light, dark, sepia or amber theme, or create your own theme. • Print single files or entire directory hierarchies. If you have any requests, suggestions or bug reports, you're welcome to visit the website through the Support link.

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

uFocus4 screens
Retrotype3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: uFocus at none against Retrotype's 1. uFocus also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, ads 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. Retrotype sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. uFocus asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

uFocus holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: uFocus has 35 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of uFocus's written reviews are positive against 86% of Retrotype's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

uFocus ships an update monthly, Retrotype every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
uFocus versus Retrotype: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteruFocusRetrotype
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (35 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews91.5% of reviews — better85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings35 — better6
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNicolas KickGood Loop Software LLC

Customer experience

uFocus

All ratings35 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews142 reviews
Positive91.5%
Neutral1.4%
Negative7.0%

Retrotype

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

In-app purchases

None

uFocus

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Retrotype

One-time1
  • Unlock Everything$4.99

Questions

Is uFocus free?
uFocus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retrotype free?
Retrotype is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, uFocus or Retrotype?
uFocus is rated higher. uFocus averages 4.7 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while Retrotype averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do uFocus or Retrotype have ads?
Neither uFocus nor Retrotype shows ads.
Which is updated more often, uFocus or Retrotype?
uFocus ships an update monthly, and Retrotype every 3 months. Most recently, uFocus was updated on September 21, 2026 and Retrotype on September 5, 2026.

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