iA Writer Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for iA Writer. Based on analysis of 14 signals.
Overall score: 72/100
Issues by Category
Poor for long-form writing like books or screenplays
iA Writer is great for short articles and blog posts but disappointing for books or screenplays due to lack of features. Managing chapters becomes cumbersome, and it's hard to differentiate chapters, articles, and notes without a custom tagging system. Best for works under 10,000 words.
Weak library organization - no tree structure
The lack of a library organizer is a common criticism. Users want a more structured/tree-styled library layout. The flat file structure limits the app to short manuscripts. Organizing large projects requires workarounds outside the app.
Less accessible than competitors
Some users find iA Writer less accessible than similar iOS markdown writers. The minimalist design prioritizes aesthetics over accessibility features, which can be frustrating for users with specific accessibility needs.
Limited features compared to Ulysses or Scrivener
Unlike Ulysses, iA Writer can't handle file attachments or merge documents easily. No smart folders, no keywords for filtering, limited export options compared to competitors. You're paying for minimalism, not features.
No true WYSIWYG Markdown preview
Users note the lack of a true WYSIWYG markdown experience. Other apps transform markdown syntax into visual formatting when cursor moves elsewhere, but iA Writer keeps the raw syntax visible. Requires mental parsing of Markdown.
Why is iA Writer so expensive? Separate purchase per platform
iA Writer is sold per platform: $49.99 for Mac, $29.99 for Windows and $19.99 for iPhone/iPad on the App Store (Oct 2026). A Mac + iPhone + Windows user pays about $100 in total, and there is no all-platform bundle or subscription option any more.
No free trial on iPhone and iPad
Mac and Windows get a 7-day trial with no credit card, but the iPhone/iPad version is App Store only with no trial. You pay first and rely on Apple's refund process if it isn't for you.
One-time purchase is not lifetime updates
iA's pricing page states the purchase is one-time, not lifetime: minor updates are free but major updates may cost extra, and the update timeline is uncertain. iA Writer also never goes on sale, including Black Friday.
Dropbox files not updating on iPhone and iPad
Since 2024 Dropbox works on iOS only through the Files app. iA itself documents that some Dropbox versions fail to auto-sync externally edited files, and Dropbox forum users report new files missing and edits causing conflicts until the folder is refreshed in Files.
Google Drive folders can't be added on iPad
On iPhone and iPad you can open individual Google Drive files but users report you can't add a Google Drive folder as a Library location, because the Google Drive file provider doesn't support folder access. iCloud or Dropbox are the practical workarounds.
Images (Content Blocks) don't show in other Markdown apps
iA Writer embeds images with its own Content Block syntax, which other Markdown apps like Marked or Typora don't render. Users moving files between apps report missing images and resort to standard Markdown image links with simple relative paths.
iA Writer not syncing with iCloud
Sync runs entirely through Apple's iCloud Drive, so when iCloud stalls iA Writer cannot fix it itself. iA's own help pages list restarts, date/time settings, VPN/firewall blocks and company-managed devices as common causes of files not appearing on other devices.
Windows version says trial after buying
Since Windows version 2.1 uses iA Account sign-in instead of license keys, signing in with a different email than the purchase email creates a new account and offers a trial. iA documents this as the main cause of 'purchase not recognized' on Windows.
iA Writer for Android discontinued
iA pulled iA Writer for Android from sale in September 2024 after Google revoked its Google Drive access and required a yearly paid security audit (CASA). Existing installs are unsupported, new Google Drive connections are blocked, and Dropbox access via the old SDK stopped working on 1 January 2026.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing iA Writer.
Bought for a book project, realized limitations too late
Writers purchase iA Writer expecting to write a book, then discover the lack of chapter organization and document management. They've already invested in the tool before realizing it's designed for short-form content.
Purchased multiple platforms separately
Users buy Mac version, then realize they need iOS, then Windows. Each platform is a separate $30 purchase. The total cost exceeds what a subscription would have been, and they feel nickel-and-dimed.
Expected visual Markdown like Bear or Craft
Users expecting Markdown to render visually (hiding syntax) discover iA Writer keeps raw syntax visible. The pure text experience isn't what they wanted for daily writing.
Bought the Android app, then it was discontinued
Android buyers were left with an unsupported app after iA pulled it in 2024. Google Drive stopped connecting and Dropbox broke in 2026, forcing a move to another editor.
Assumed one-time meant updates forever
Buyers expect a single purchase to cover all future versions, then read that major updates may cost extra and that each platform needs its own license.
When iA Writer Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where iA Writer fails or underperforms.
Project grows beyond short articles
When a blog turns into a book or project expands to multiple connected documents, iA Writer's flat file structure becomes unmanageable. Writers must switch to Scrivener or Ulysses for organization.
Need to collaborate with others
iA Writer has no collaboration features. Sharing requires exporting files or using shared cloud folders with manual conflict resolution. Teams need to switch to collaborative tools.
Want features beyond pure writing
When users need smart folders, keywords, document linking, or research management, iA Writer's minimalism becomes limiting. The simplicity that attracted them becomes a constraint.
Mixed Dropbox + iPhone workflow
Files edited on a computer don't always refresh in iA Writer on iPhone/iPad when stored in Dropbox, leading to stale versions or conflict copies unless you refresh the folder in the Files app.
Moving files to another Markdown app
Images embedded with iA's Content Block syntax stop rendering in other Markdown apps, so documents with images need rewriting to standard Markdown links.
Switching to an Android phone
There is no supported Android app anymore, so writers who move to Android lose mobile access to their iA Writer workflow.