# SolarWriter vs Mono

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | SolarWriter | Mono |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | [3.8 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solarwriter/id997410577/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mono-an-e-ink-inspired-app/id6747273380/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **16** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 92 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cool S, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/997410576) | [Zach Eriksen](https://appshunter.io/developer/851997363) |

## What reviewers say

### SolarWriter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solarwriter/id997410577)

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.

**Highlights:** E-reader integration, External keyboard support, Outdoor writing on e-ink screens, Text mirroring to e-reader, File saving and sharing, Detailed setup instructions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SolarWriter Pro | $9.99 | one-time |


### Mono

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mono-an-e-ink-inspired-app/id6747273380)

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.

**Highlights:** Minimalist design, Modular launcher, Utility suite, Distraction-free workflows, E-Ink inspired clarity, Clutter-free home screen

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SolarWriter free?

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

### Is Mono free?

Mono costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SolarWriter or Mono?

Mono is rated higher. SolarWriter averages 3.8 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Mono averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do SolarWriter or Mono have ads?

Neither SolarWriter nor Mono shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SolarWriter or Mono?

SolarWriter ships an update every 5 months, and Mono every 2 months. Most recently, SolarWriter was updated on November 1, 2026 and Mono on October 30, 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.*