Fountain · easy screenwriting vs Retrotype
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Fountain · easy screenwriting
This app provides a native writing and editing experience for screenplays on Apple devices. It utilizes a simple, natural writing language that handles formatting automatically, allowing users to focus on their story. Export scripts in various formats with ease.
- Native screenplay editor
- Fountain screenwriting language
- Automatic formatting
- Outlining tools
- Script exporting
- Plaintext documents
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Fountain is a fully native screenplay editor purpose-built for iOS, iPadOS and macOS, loaded with deceptively powerful editing, viewing, outlining and exporting tools. It uses the Fountain screenwriting language, a flavor of Markdown which lets you write naturally, without worrying about formatting. FAST · Fully native, from parser to editor. Translation? No slowdowns or hiccups. Just you and your script. FOCUSED · The tools you need to hit your flow without clutter. LEAN · Sips battery life thanks to a custom parser built on the latest macOS, iOS & iPadOS technologies. PORTABLE · Uses standard plaintext documents which you can read from (or write to!) with any text editor. Your data is yours. I'm an indie developer and fellow screenwriter, so your feedback is super important! Reach out to me at fountainappdev@gmail.com anytime with feedback, questions or ideas.
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 rating: Fountain · easy screenwriting at 4.5 against Retrotype's 3.9. Fountain · easy screenwriting also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). Retrotype's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 74%) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.1). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Retrotype sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Fountain · easy screenwriting asks for nothing beyond the download.
Fountain · easy screenwriting holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 35 and 19 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 74% of Fountain · easy screenwriting's written reviews are positive against 86% of Retrotype's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Fountain · easy screenwriting ships an update every 3 weeks, Retrotype every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Fountain · easy screenwriting | Retrotype |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (35 ratings) — better | 3.9 (19 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 73.9% of reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 35 — better | 19 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.1 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alex Walker | Good Loop Software LLC |
Customer experience
Fountain · easy screenwriting
Retrotype
Bugs and requests
Fountain · easy screenwriting
Reported bugs
17 issues- Constantly changes file name back to Untitled
- Stopped saving
- Deleted work when changing document title
- No version history
- Text continues behind the keyboard and is inaccessible
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- Crashes frequently
- App closes unexpectedly while writing
- Loses progress after crashing
- Crashes when adding a period with double-tap space
- Formatting while writing not as pictured
- Boots user off the app
- Lyrics not handled well
- Last line on each page lost on PDF export
- Non-removable 'Made In Fountain' + QR Code watermark on exported PDFs
- No paginated view until PDF export
- Dialogue breaks lines unexpectedly in the middle of words
- Character names break lines unexpectedly
Requested features
13 requests- Autocomplete for commands (e.g., INT.)
- Light mode option
- See page breaks within the app
- Title page creation
- Option to change text size
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- Support for research notes
- Drag and drop for rearranging sections/beats
- Force a Slugline (e.g., with 'Intercut')
- Improve character name recognition
- Dual dialogue support (^)
- Custom default folder option
- Clarification on AI-generated icon
- Icon change
Retrotype
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Fountain · easy screenwriting
No in-app purchases
Retrotype
- Unlock Everything$4.99
Questions
Is Fountain · easy screenwriting free?
Is Retrotype free?
Which has better reviews, Fountain · easy screenwriting or Retrotype?
Do Fountain · easy screenwriting or Retrotype have ads?
Which is updated more often, Fountain · easy screenwriting or Retrotype?
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