Comparison

Write Only vs JotterPad

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

JotterPad

This app is a powerful writing tool designed for authors, screenwriters, and bloggers. It simplifies the writing and formatting process using Markdown and Fountain syntax, offering numerous templates and seamless cloud syncing. Easily export your work in various formats and integrate images.

Highlights
  • WYSIWYG Markdown and Fountain editor
  • Over 50+ templates for various writing formats
  • Industry-standard screenwriting formats
  • Seamless cloud syncing (iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox)
  • LaTex/TeX equation support
  • Export to multiple formats (Word, PDF, FDX, etc.)
  • Version control for automatic backups
Features
Read full description

From reed and papyrus, pen to keyboard, and now to our smartphones; the way we write has evolved. JotterPad strives to be the ultimate writing tool for writers, screenplay enthusiasts, screenwriters, book writers, authors, bloggers and storytellers of all kinds. Jotterpad is a WYSIWYG Markdown and Fountain editor that aids with planning, writing, formatting and publishing your work, ridding you of the hassles and fuss of traditional word processors. Use Markdown and Fountain syntax to write to your heart’s content, and leave the technical know-how’s of formatting to us. No more fussing over the layout and structure of your writing, and shape your thoughts into words with ease. Have beautifully structured documents at your fingertips. ## Over 50+ Templates For You To Choose From Choose from a wide variety of templates to guide you with the formatting of your work. Use the templates as a guide for your creativity, and let your ideas & words flow unhindered. Because all that's left for you to do is focus on your content. Once you're done, convert your writing into novels, books, articles, reports and even presentation slides. # Meet Industry-Standard Screenwriting Formats Without Fuss Have your pick from a range of Fountain screenwriting templates, such as Broadway Musical, Podcasts, Radio Sitcom, BBC Stage Play, Dramatists Guild Musical, and many more to make your next story come alive. Let your creativity take the forefront, and the formatting to your writing tool, JotterPad. ## Sync Your Work To The Cloud Seamlessly JotterPad offers automatic sync and offline-functioning capacities. Sync your files on iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox. Continue to work even offline. And fret not, as JotterPad syncs your work to the cloud services once you are back online. ## Supports Mathematical Language Adding and formatting mathematical equations will not be cumbersome anymore. Effortlessly add intricate mathematical expressions and formulae with LaTex or TeX equations and have them perfectly rendered in your document. ## Share Your Ideas With Anyone Export your written work into multiple formats; Word, PDF, HTML, Final Draft (.fdx), Fountain and Markdown without complications. Publish your work to Tumblr, Ghost, or Wordpress for anyone to enjoy. ## Spruce Up your Work with Images Access millions of high-resolution, editorial images on Unsplash, or your very own images from your gallery and weave them into your writings. ## Never Panic Again The in-built Version Control automatically backs up your work as you write. Put your mind at ease, and write with confidence. Write, review and edit to your heart's content without worrying about losing even a single word from previous draft versions. JotterPad also offers many features such as: - In-app file manager - Dictionary & Thesaurus - Rhyming Dictionary - Light/dark theme Redefine your writing process now. Join over two million users and download JotterPad today. ## JotterPad: Pro Cloud JotterPad "Pro Cloud" is an auto-renewing subscription. Pricing: US$6.99/monthly or US$29.99/year. Price may vary by location. Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your iTunes Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://jotterpad.app/policy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://jotterpad.app/terms/ ------ For technical assistance or other inquiries, talk to us at https://help.jotterpad.app.

Screenshots

Write Only3 screens
JotterPad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: JotterPad at every 9 days against Write Only's every 6 weeks. JotterPad also leads on rating (3.8 vs 3.6) and review sentiment (46% vs 33%). Write Only's advantage is iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 17.0). 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. Write Only sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and JotterPad sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

JotterPad holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 39 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Write Only's written reviews are positive against 46% of JotterPad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Write Only ships an update every 6 weeks, JotterPad every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Write Only versus JotterPad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWrite OnlyJotterPad
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (14 ratings)3.8 (39 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews46.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1439 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS5.1.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer潮激 李Two App Studio Pte. Ltd.

Customer experience

Write Only

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

JotterPad

All ratings39 ratings
Positive71.8%
Neutral2.6%
Negative25.6%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive46.4%
Neutral11.9%
Negative41.7%

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

JotterPad

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Write Only

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

JotterPad

Subscriptions4
  • Pro Cloud (Monthly)$6.991 Month
  • Pro Cloud (Annual)$29.991 Year
  • Pro Cloud (Annual)1 Year trial$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro Cloud (Annual)3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro$24.99
  • Pro$49.99

Questions

Is Write Only free?
Write Only is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is JotterPad free?
JotterPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Write Only or JotterPad?
JotterPad is rated higher. Write Only averages 3.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while JotterPad averages 3.8 from 39 ratings.
Do Write Only or JotterPad have ads?
Neither Write Only nor JotterPad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Write Only or JotterPad?
Write Only ships an update every 6 weeks, and JotterPad every 9 days. Most recently, Write Only was updated on October 12, 2026 and JotterPad on October 21, 2026.

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