Updated review

Update: I’m changing this to a three star review now that the developers have publicly stated they don’t plan to abuse the patent system and threaten competing apps.

I still think the app is overpriced and their attitude isn’t great but at least they aren’t being unreasonable anymore. The syntax highlighting feature is nice but overhyped because it’s not fully context aware. For example, if you type “Why scream?”, it seems to think “scream” is a noun but “Why speak?” has “speak” labeled as a verb.

Other than that, the app is well designed though short on features. I don’t think I would pick this over Ulysses, Marked (combined with a decent editor) or Scrivener but it’s definitely useable. The UI design is excellent, if a little stiff. If you really liked iA Writer, don’t already own one of the competing apps and don’t need some of the more advanced features offered by the other apps I mentioned, it might be a good fit for you.

Hope they keep working on it, they have a really unique design sense. I just wish they would spend a little less time picking fights and pontificating and little more time polishing their products and listening to user feedback.

Original Review:
The app is useable but overpriced/disappointing when the price and competition are considered . The developer’s attitude is appalling. I regret spending money to fund a potential patent troll. I will gladly update this review when the company changes their tune and updates the app but right now, I wish I hadn’t purchased it.

Frustrated User 191 about iA Writer, v1.0