Tool profile
Storyist: cost, fit and limits
Storyist is a Mac and iOS writing application made by Storyist Software LLC that handles novels and screenplays in a single project app, sold as one-off purchases for macOS and iOS rather than a subscription.
What to know first
Storyist 4 for macOS costs US$59 and Storyist 4 for iOS costs US$19.00, both one-off, and the two apps are sold separately. The store page shows no free plan or trial terms, and upgrade prices and the Mac App Store price were not shown. No AI feature is named. The privacy page says analytics data through Plausible is hosted in the European Union.
Storyist at a glance
| Maker | Storyist Software LLC, United States |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Entry price | US$59 one-off for Storyist 4 on macOS |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Screenwriting Software in 2026, rank 9 of 13 |
| Website | storyist.com |
Who Storyist is best for
Authors who also write scripts
One app covers novels and screenplays, so a writer who moves between a manuscript and a script does not need to manage two programs.
Subscription-averse buyers
Purchases are one-off in US dollars, US$59 on Mac and US$19.00 on iOS, with no recurring plan listed on the store page.
Writers who want phone and desktop in one family
Mac and iOS versions exist, and the site mentions a cloud storage option without naming a provider, so a writer can draft on both devices.
Storyist plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Storyist 4 for macOS | US$59 (Buy Now) | Mac writing app for novels and screenplays, sold as a one-off purchase on the store page. |
| Storyist 4 for iOS | US$19.00 | iOS app for iPhone and iPad, sold separately from the Mac app as its own one-off purchase. |
| Trial or free version | Not published | No free plan or trial terms were found on the pages read, so the Mac purchase is the first paid step. |
| Upgrade pricing | Not published | Upgrade prices and the Mac App Store price were not shown on the store page. |
Checked November 2026.
What Storyist does
- Novel and screenplay in one app
- The product handles both long prose and script formats, which suits writers who adapt their own books or draft treatments next to scenes in one project.
- Mac and iOS apps
- Separate apps run on the Mac and on iPhone or iPad, bought individually, so the writer chooses whether mobile drafting is worth an extra US$19.00.
- Cloud storage option
- The site says the apps can use cloud storage, without naming a provider, so a writer needs to check which service syncs the project files.
- Dollar-priced store
- The store page lists prices directly in US dollars with a Buy Now option, which is a simpler purchase path than tiered subscriptions with yearly toggles.
- App Store purchases
- The privacy page refers to Apple App Store purchases, which means some buyers purchase through Apple rather than through the vendor's own store, with Apple's terms.
How Storyist handles your data
The website privacy page says the site does not store personal information, and that analytics data via Plausible is hosted in the European Union. It refers to COPPA compliance and to Apple App Store purchases. The separate application privacy policy at /app-privacy/ is linked but was not opened, so what the apps themselves do with project files, cloud storage and retention is unchecked. No AI feature is named, and no certifications are stated on the pages read.
Where Storyist falls short in practice
- No trial terms found. Neither a free plan nor a trial appears on the pages read, so a buyer must pay US$59 on the Mac before testing it unless the App Store offers something else.
- Two separate purchases. Using Storyist on both Mac and iPhone means paying US$59 plus US$19.00, since the apps are sold separately, so the cost for both devices comes to US$78 with no bundle shown.
- App policy unread. The application privacy policy at /app-privacy/ is linked but was not opened, which leaves data handling for manuscripts inside the apps partly unchecked and unconfirmed.
Works with
Alternatives to Storyist
Storyist: common questions
How much does Storyist cost?
The store page lists Storyist 4 for macOS at US$59 and Storyist 4 for iOS at US$19.00, both as one-off purchases. Upgrade prices and the Mac App Store price were not shown, so check the live store before you buy.
Does Storyist work for screenplays?
Yes. The site presents it as one app for novels and screenplays on Mac and iOS. The pages we read did not detail its screenplay format, revision or export features, so test those against your needs in the version you buy.
Is there a free trial for Storyist?
We found no free plan or trial terms on the pages read. The store page shows Buy Now at US$59 for the Mac. If a trial matters to you, ask the vendor or check the Mac App Store listing before paying.
Does Storyist use AI?
No AI feature is mentioned on the pages we read. The product is described as a writing app for novels and screenplays with Mac and iOS versions. Writers who want generation or research help would use a separate tool next to it.
Where does Storyist host its data?
The website privacy page says analytics through Plausible are hosted in the European Union and that the site does not store personal information. Hosting for project files in the apps was not stated, and the application privacy policy was not opened.