# Author vs Timelapse Ref Calc

The clearest difference is price: Timelapse Ref Calc at $0.49 against Author's $19.99. Timelapse Ref Calc also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). Author's advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Author costs $19.99 and Timelapse Ref Calc $0.49 up front. Author sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Timelapse Ref Calc asks for nothing beyond the download.

Author ships an update every 2 months, Timelapse Ref Calc every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Author | Timelapse Ref Calc |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $19.99 | **$0.49** |
| Rating | **[3.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/author/id951792010/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **5** | — |
| Positive reviews | 71.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 4 MB | 0 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Augmented Text Company LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/459748478) | [Stein Erik Nilsen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1737251651) |

## What reviewers say

### Author

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/author/id951792010)

This app serves as a companion to its macOS counterpart, offering a minimalist and powerful writing experience on iOS devices. It allows users to create and manage their written content seamlessly across platforms.

**Highlights:** Minimalist writing interface, Powerful writing tools, iOS companion app, Syncs with macOS version

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Export & AI | Free | one-time |
| Eng | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Clean, minimalist interface design
- 💡 Innovative concept mapping and mind mapping features
- 📚 Excellent citation and reference management
- ⌨️ Useful keyboard shortcuts and productivity features
- 🎯 Powerful outlining and document folding capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and data loss issues
- 📱 iOS/iPad app severely broken and non-functional
- 🔄 Syncing problems between devices
- 🎨 Limited formatting and customization options
- 📊 Poor image handling capabilities

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently, causing data loss
- iOS app shows blank screen and won't open documents
- iPad app completely non-functional
- Text disappears or becomes greyed out during iCloud saves
- Vision OS app lacks cursor for text input

**Requested features**

- iPad and iOS app that actually works
- Typewriter scrolling mode
- Variable screen width for large displays
- Complete LaTeX export with full file support
- Markdown support


### Timelapse Ref Calc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timelapse-ref-calc/id6482289854)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Author free?

Author costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Timelapse Ref Calc free?

Timelapse Ref Calc costs $0.49, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Author or Timelapse Ref Calc have ads?

Neither Author nor Timelapse Ref Calc shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Author or Timelapse Ref Calc?

Author ships an update every 2 months, and Timelapse Ref Calc every 4 months. Most recently, Author was updated on October 10, 2026 and Timelapse Ref Calc 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.*