We analyzed 40 negative reviews from the top 5 Calligraphy apps on the App Store. Here's what users hate most.
Ranked by frequency — how often each complaint appears in negative reviews.
45% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"This app is appearing to be free with "in-app" purchases. To me that means there are some things you can do for free, however, the only thing that you can click on is the dang guide."
"The trial period is 80 hours continuously. As soon as you start using the app, you have 80 hours until the trial is up regardless of whether you are on the app or not."
25% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"App is not responsive to pressure from the Apple Pencil which is not very useful for learning calligraphy, where pen pressure determines thickness of line."
"I purchased the full version, it doesn't write like a calligraphy pen. I'm using the app with the Apple Pencil, it doesn't write with straight sharp edges."
20% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"This app is not responsive at all, and there is at least a two second delay between when I start writing and the app catches up."
"There is not a steady flow in this app. The "ink" is at least 2 seconds behind my pen stroke."
15% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"I spent the $2.99 and now the app doesn't work at all. Anytime I refresh it says it's restored but just keeps spinning."
"I have to continually delete app and reinstall as it is only loading trial version even though I paid for it."
12% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"I purchased the full version, it doesn't write like a calligraphy pen. I'm using the app with the Apple Pencil, it doesn't write with straight sharp edges. It's like I'm writing with a round marker"
"Disappointing.. it's nice to have something to practice on however I expected it to look more like a calligraphy pen but what I got was more of a marker type look"
10% of negative reviews mention this issue.
"This app is cool for drawing and handwriting, but it glitches out A LOT! I've had drawings that have taken me hours and even days to draw, and the app glitches out and I lose all my work."
Design and usability issues driving negative reviews.
Users cannot exit upgrade prompts and must force-close the app repeatedly
"EVERYthing I select forces me to an upgrade screen option, with no way to escape that screen. Have to repeatedly close the"
App teaches backwards or incorrect stroke order for calligraphy letters
"I tried several different fonts and each one was just as unresponsive and the way it makes you Form the letter is completely incorrect and quite honestly, backwards from how you're actually suppo"
Ads block interface and app forces unrelated crypto app downloads
"As nice as this app is, it contains very annoying ads across the top and bottom. How do I get rid of them?"
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