Comparison

Write Only vs Storyist 4

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

Head to head
About

Write Only

This app offers a distraction-free writing experience, mimicking a typewriter to help users focus on generating ideas. All content is saved permanently as a PDF, preserving formatting and layout. It features a fixed cursor for reduced errors and an extended keybar for easier access to common symbols.

Highlights
  • Typewriter-like writing experience
  • Permanent PDF saving
  • Fixed cursor for accuracy
  • Extended keybar
  • Focus on idea generation
  • Customizable fonts
Features
Read full description

Write Only allows you to use your iPad/iPhone in the exact same way as a good old typewriter. It is a special app designed for people who just want to focus on writing. By separating writing from editing, it helps you focus more on getting your ideas out. Using it is like sitting in front of a typewriter and letting words flow out of your finger tips. Everything you put down on the page is permanent. All the typing is saved as a PDF file, including the positions, the font size, and the colors that the texts come out with. No matter where and when you are going to view these pages, they will be kept exactly same as the time you typed them. Fixed cursor sits right above the keyboard, therefore your eyes will be close both to the text you're typing and the fingers, and that can help to reduce typing errors. You can start typing on the page at any place by tapping on that location and use any margin you want by moving the page. It is very easy to type aligned texts. An extension keybar includes frequently used keys like ' or ; that are difficult to access in iOS' default keyboard. Write Only is good for writing the first version of any work, especially diary or journal. When you come back to your writings years later, the shapes of the text and the errors you made will help you remember the moments of the writing. Tips: - To delete a page, slider your finger from right to left over the page you want to remove; - To send one or more pages, long press on the page you want to send, after the toolbar shows up, you can select more than one pages. More pages means more time to prepare. Sending multiple pages will combine pages into one single PDF document first. - To select a different font, go to Settings app -> Write Only, choose your favorite font, then return back to Write Only, start a new page or simply restart.

About

Storyist 4

This app provides a robust writing environment for authors and screenwriters. It allows for detailed story outlining, manuscript creation with rich text editing, and seamless revision on any device. Organize all your writing projects in one place for easy access and collaboration.

Highlights
  • Rich text editor with comments and images
  • Index card outlining and story sheets
  • Manuscript and screenplay formatting
  • Cloud storage and collaboration support
  • Import/export text and images
  • Support for various file formats
Read full description

Storyist is a powerful writing environment that lets you create, review, and revise your work wherever inspiration strikes. “If I could have only one screenwriting app on my iPad, Storyist would be it.” – Taz Goldstein, Hand Held Hollywood. “I'm currently traveling in Europe and am just now putting the finishing touches on the book that will be published in September. I'm using the Storyist app for my iPad Mini and it's sensational... a real godsend.” – Michael Brandman, Bestselling Author. With Storyist, you can: • Produce submission-ready manuscripts and screenplays. Storyist provides a rich text editor with support for comments, images, headers, footers, and style sheets so you can create properly formatted manuscripts and screenplays. And Storyist comes with manuscript and screenplay templates so you can focus on the writing, not the formatting. • Work with your story at a high level. Storyist lets you sketch out a story using index cards and then refine it with customizable plot, character, and setting sheets. When you're ready to put words on the page, Storyist can even display your index cards next to your manuscript as you write. • Review and revise on the go. Have a few minutes? Open Storyist and jot down a note, rewrite a few paragraphs, or annotate your manuscript with ideas for future changes. • Keep all your writing organized and accessible. Storyist organizes your novel manuscripts, screenplays, notes, and other project-related writing so you can access them with just a few taps. And the Files app support lets you store your projects where you want and edit them in place. Features at a Glance • Rich text editor with support for fonts, colors, comments, images, headers, footers, and style sheets. • Files interface with the ability to collaborate with other writers, browse version history, and sync with your favorite cloud storage service. • Automatic manuscript and screenplay formatting with familiar tab and return key shortcuts. • Color-coded index cards. • Customizable story sheets. • Easy import and export of text and images. • Support for Storyist for Mac, RTF, Plain Text, Fountain, and Final Draft FDX files. • Ability to export text files as PDF. • Wireless printing with AirPrint. • Courier Prime font for screenplays. Try Storyist 4 for free for 14 days. After the trial period ends, you can purchase Storyist 4 to continue using the editing features or use the app in reader mode for free. Upgrade pricing is available for customers who purchased Storyist 3 for iOS. No subscription required.

Screenshots

Write Only3 screens
Storyist 44 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Storyist 4 at 4.3 against Write Only's 3.6. Storyist 4 also leads on ratings volume (384 vs 14) and review sentiment (44% vs 33%). Write Only's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Write Only sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Storyist 4 sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Storyist 4 holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Storyist 4 has 384 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Write Only's written reviews are positive against 44% of Storyist 4's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Write Only ships an update every 6 weeks, Storyist 4 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Write Only versus Storyist 4: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWrite OnlyStoryist 4
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (14 ratings)4.3 (384 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews44.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14384 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS5.1.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer潮激 李Storyist Software

Customer experience

Write Only

All ratings14 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral6.5%
Negative60.2%

Storyist 4

All ratings384 ratings
Positive82.8%
Neutral3.9%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews70 reviews
Positive44.3%
Neutral10.0%
Negative45.7%

User reviews

Write Only

From 14 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Retro aesthetic
  • ✍️ Focused writing experience
  • 😌 Peaceful typing
  • 💡 Simple and beautiful UI
  • 💡 Accurate typewriter simulation

Room to improve

  • ❌ Cannot delete words
  • ❌ Cannot delete pages
  • ❌ No save/export option
  • ❌ Limited free pages
  • ❌ Ads are distracting

Storyist 4

From 384 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Clean, intuitive user interface
  • 🚀 Fast iCloud synchronization across devices
  • 💰 One-time purchase with no subscription fees
  • 📝 Excellent for organizing long-form writing projects
  • 🔄 Seamless Mac-iPad-iPhone sync

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Data loss and file deletion issues
  • 💔 Upgrade from v3 to v4 requires full repurchase
  • 😤 Misleading free trial presentation
  • 🔧 Clunky navigation requiring multiple taps
  • ⚠️ Significant bugs in version 4 compared to v3

Bugs and requests

Write Only

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Cannot backspace to remove words
  • Cannot delete pages or erase
  • Cannot save or export
  • App crashes and deletes work
  • Crashes with each delete
Show 8 more
  • Doesn't work on iOS8
  • UI and accessibility issues
  • App freezes and crashes
  • Cannot delete old pages
  • Space bar bug (types adjacent letter)
  • Text moves and becomes jumbled
  • Kicks user off at inconvenient times
  • Upgrade prompts reappear after purchase

Requested features

10 requests
  • Add copy/paste functionality
  • Add export to text option
  • Add PDF conversion
  • Add Russian language support
  • Add Korean keyboard
Show 5 more
  • Add typewriter key sound
  • Add dark mode
  • Add print option
  • Add email functionality
  • Make it free without upgrade limitations

Storyist 4

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Files and projects mysteriously disappear
  • App crashes when opening manuscripts
  • Freezing during typing sessions
  • Auto-capitalization in middle of sentences
  • Spell-check suggestions showing duplicate words
Show 8 more
  • Index cards losing color after updates
  • Styles vanishing when edited on iOS
  • Text disappearing from documents while outline remains
  • Dropbox connection failures and blank file displays
  • Split-screen zoom focusing on wrong area
  • Font selection list not loading
  • Restore Purchases prompt appearing repeatedly
  • Export formatting issues with dark theme

Requested features

11 requests
  • Footnotes and endnotes support
  • Word and Pages format export compatibility
  • Better backup system with cloud storage
  • Folder tree navigation on mobile
  • Non-fiction templates with query tracking
Show 6 more
  • Improved dark mode customization
  • Cursor support for iPad
  • Section-level export functionality
  • German language localization
  • Extended keyboard shortcuts preservation
  • Better page number formatting options

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Write Only

One-time2
  • Unlimited Fonts$0.99
  • Unlimited New Pages$1.99
3 purchases

Storyist 4

One-time3
  • Free TrialFree
  • Storyist 4 Upgrade$9.99
  • Storyist 4$19.99

Questions

Is Write Only free?
Write Only is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Storyist 4 free?
Storyist 4 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Write Only or Storyist 4?
Storyist 4 is rated higher. Write Only averages 3.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Storyist 4 averages 4.3 from 384 ratings.
Do Write Only or Storyist 4 have ads?
Neither Write Only nor Storyist 4 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Write Only or Storyist 4?
Write Only ships an update every 6 weeks, and Storyist 4 every 4 months. Most recently, Write Only was updated on October 12, 2026 and Storyist 4 on October 11, 2026.

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