What it does
Essayist is a specialized word processor built for academic writing on iOS. It aims to be an all-in-one tool for students and researchers, combining a clean writing interface with powerful, integrated tools for managing references and formatting citations. The core job it solves is reducing the friction of writing properly sourced and formatted academic papers.
Where it shines
Essayist's biggest strength is its seamless integration of research and writing. The built-in Reference Manager (01:20) is a standout, allowing users to search Google Scholar and other databases for books and articles without ever leaving the app. This eliminates the tedious process of switching between a browser and a text editor. The app also excels in its granular document controls. In settings (03:10), users can fine-tune everything from paper size (A4 vs. US Letter) to margin units (inches vs. cm), demonstrating a keen understanding of strict academic submission guidelines.
UX highlights
- Native File Management: The app's home screen is the native iOS Files interface (04:11), which makes file management instantly familiar and intuitive.
- Upfront Style Selection: When creating a new document, the user is immediately prompted to choose a citation style (00:35), embedding a crucial step right at the start of the workflow.
- Distraction-Free Editor: The main writing view is clean and minimal, keeping the focus squarely on the content. The toolbar provides quick access to formatting and citation tools without cluttering the screen.
- Clear Information Modals: The app uses simple pop-ups to convey important information, such as how documents are saved locally (00:41) or to remind users to double-check references (01:33).
Monetization & growth
The monetization strategy is direct and appears early. After a single onboarding question, the user is presented with a soft paywall (00:08) that gates access to the app's core functionality. It offers two subscription plans, Yearly and Monthly, with a "Save 33%" tag on the annual option to encourage a longer commitment. The offer includes a 3-day free trial, which lowers the barrier to entry and allows users to experience the full feature set before paying.
Who it’s for
This app is clearly designed for high school, university, and postgraduate students, as well as academics and researchers. Anyone who regularly writes papers that require citations, references, and strict formatting will find value here. It's for users who are tired of juggling multiple apps and browser tabs to complete a single writing assignment and want a streamlined, mobile-first solution.
Notes & opportunities
While the integrated workflow is excellent, the immediate paywall could be a point of friction for users wanting to try the editor's feel before committing, even to a trial. A limited free mode, perhaps allowing one document or a limited number of references, could improve initial adoption. Additionally, while the reference finder is powerful, a more robust editor that automatically pulls more metadata for different source types could further reduce manual data entry.