Comparison

Write Only vs Retrotype

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

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

Write Only3 screens
Retrotype3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Retrotype at 86% against Write Only's 33%. Retrotype also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.6). Write Only's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid) and iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 15.1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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 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

Retrotype holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Write Only's written reviews are positive against 86% of Retrotype's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Write Only ships an update every 6 weeks, Retrotype every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Write Only versus Retrotype: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWrite OnlyRetrotype
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (14 ratings)4.3 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings14 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS5.1.1 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer潮激 李Good Loop Software LLC

Customer experience

Write Only

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

Retrotype

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

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

Retrotype

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
1 purchases

Retrotype

One-time1
  • Unlock Everything$4.99

Questions

Is Write Only free?
Write Only 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, Write Only or Retrotype?
Retrotype is rated higher. Write Only averages 3.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Retrotype averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Write Only or Retrotype have ads?
Neither Write Only nor Retrotype shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Write Only or Retrotype?
Write Only ships an update every 6 weeks, and Retrotype every 3 months. Most recently, Write Only was updated on September 29, 2026 and Retrotype on September 20, 2026.

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