SolarWriter vs Mono
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SolarWriter
Transform your e-reader into a portable typewriter for outdoor writing. This app connects your keyboard to your e-reader's screen, allowing you to type comfortably on e-ink displays in bright sunlight. Save and share your work easily.
- E-reader integration
- External keyboard support
- Outdoor writing on e-ink screens
- Text mirroring to e-reader
- File saving and sharing
- Detailed setup instructions
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Traditional screens are fantastic everywhere but outside, especially on a sunny day. E-ink screens work well, but e-readers like the Kindle are difficult to type on and don't support external keyboards. SolarWriter gives you the best of both worlds. SolarWriter runs on your iOS device and acts as a hub between your keyboard and your e-reader. You type on the keyboard, and the text appears on both on the iOS device and on the e-reader's screen (via its web browser). Take advantage of your Kindle's (or other e-reader's) e-ink screen to put your thoughts on paper even outside, with no need to transcribe later. Write at parks, on beaches, in backyards... anywhere you wanted to but couldn't. Save files on your device, or share through email, SMS, and more. Detailed instructions for setup are included inside the app.
Mono
This app offers a minimalist, modular launcher and utility suite for distraction-free productivity. Inspired by E-Ink displays, it provides a clean home screen and unobtrusive tools for focused workflows.
- Minimalist design
- Modular launcher
- Utility suite
- Distraction-free workflows
- E-Ink inspired clarity
- Clutter-free home screen
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Mono is a minimalist, modular app launcher and utility suite designed for focused, distraction-free workflows. Inspired by the clarity and calm of E-Ink displays, Mono provides a quiet, clutter-free home screen and a set of tools that are unobtrusive by design.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SolarWriter at Free against Mono's $0.99. SolarWriter also leads on ratings volume (16 vs 2). Mono's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 3.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
SolarWriter is free to download; Mono costs $0.99 up front. SolarWriter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Mono asks for nothing beyond the download.
Mono holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SolarWriter has 16 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
SolarWriter ships an update every 5 months, Mono every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SolarWriter | Mono |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 3.8 (16 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 16 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 92 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cool S, LLC | Zach Eriksen |
Customer experience
SolarWriter
Mono
In-app purchases
SolarWriter
- SolarWriter Pro$9.99
Mono
No in-app purchases
