# iA Writer vs Retrotype

The clearest difference is price: Retrotype at Free against iA Writer's $19.99. Retrotype also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 73%). iA Writer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On ads, monetization model, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Retrotype is free to download; iA Writer costs $19.99 up front. Retrotype sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. iA Writer asks for nothing beyond the download.

iA Writer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iA Writer has 1.5K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of iA Writer'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.

iA Writer ships an update fortnightly, Retrotype every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iA Writer | Retrotype |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.6 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ia-writer/id775737172/reviews)** | [4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrotype/id6752917326/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 73.1% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#37** | — |
| Size | 65 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Information Architects AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/775737175) | [Good Loop Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1852855355) |

## What reviewers say

### iA Writer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ia-writer/id775737172)

**Currently charting:** #37 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

A distraction-free writing environment designed to help you focus on your words. It offers features like Focus Mode, plain text writing with HTML preview, and robust organization tools. Customize your writing experience and export to various formats.

**Highlights:** Distraction-free writing environment, Focus Mode for enhanced concentration, Plain text writing with HTML preview, Document organization and search, Customizable keyboard layout, Export to various formats (Word, PDF, HTML, WordPress, Medium)

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Distraction-free writing experience
- 👍 Elegant and minimalist design
- 💡 Helpful syntax highlighting and formatting tools
- 🚀 Seamless sync across devices
- 👍 Reliable and stable performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and sync issues
- 🔒 Limited cloud storage integration options
- 👎 Lack of advanced organization and navigation features
- 👎 Subpar text selection and cursor control
- 👎 Dated app icon and visual design

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when opening certain files
- Sync issues leading to data loss
- Formatting problems when exporting to other formats

**Requested features**

- Improved cloud storage integration (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
- Enhanced file management and organization tools
- Better text selection and cursor control
- More customization options for appearance and layout
- Integrated outline/table of contents view


### Retrotype

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrotype/id6752917326)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Everything | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iA Writer free?

iA Writer costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Retrotype free?

Retrotype is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, iA Writer or Retrotype?

iA Writer is rated higher. iA Writer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Retrotype averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.

### Do iA Writer or Retrotype have ads?

Neither iA Writer nor Retrotype shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iA Writer or Retrotype?

iA Writer ships an update fortnightly, and Retrotype every 3 months. Most recently, iA Writer was updated on October 21, 2026 and Retrotype on October 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*