# iVim — user reviews > 102 indexed App Store user reviews of iVim by 文礼 周, rated 4.60/5 from 167 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivim/id1266544660/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivim/id1266544660.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 140 · 4★ 9 · 3★ 7 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 10 ## What do users think of iVim? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🎯 Excellent Vim port with most keybindings and features working correctly - ⌨️ Innovative custom keyboard with easy access to special characters and Vim keys - 🔌 Great integration with iOS Files app and external keyboards - 🎨 Highly customizable with plugin support and color schemes - 📚 Comprehensive Vim documentation included (:help iOS) - ⚡ Fast and responsive performance with no UI lag - 🔄 Good clipboard integration and file sharing capabilities - 🎓 Excellent for practicing Vim and learning the editor - 📝 Superior for note-taking and text editing on iPad - 🛠️ Python interpreter and scripting capabilities available - 🎭 Dark mode and font customization options - 🔗 URL scheme support for integration with other apps **Cons** - 🐛 Keyboard constantly pops up and obscures content - 🐛 Difficulty hiding keyboard on iPad - ⚠️ App appears abandoned with infrequent updates - 💰 Expensive subscription model for Pro features - 🔐 Requires internet access for basic text editing - 📁 Limited file access and navigation compared to desktop Vim - ⌨️ ESC key access problematic without external keyboard - 🔧 .vimrc configuration doesn't work reliably - 🐛 Memory management issues when app is suspended - 🐛 Focus stealing bug in Split View mode - 🐛 Paste function (Command-V) unreliable - 🐛 netrw breaks after accessing certain folders - 📱 Not optimized for newer iPad Pro models with rounded corners - 🔄 Paste from clipboard only works inconsistently - ⌨️ Key repeat not working for movement keys (h,j,k,l,w,b,x) - 🎯 Cannot create directories through Explore function **Commonly reported bugs** - Keyboard obscures command line and content - Keyboard cannot be hidden or dismissed properly - Paste function unreliable with Command-V - Plus buffer (+) paste not working - App loses all data when iOS suspends it - Focus stealing in Split View mode - netrw breaks after accessing certain folders - relativenumber setting shows zero instead of current line number - First character on first line hidden on iPad Pro with rounded corners - Pinch/zoom feature too sensitive without dead zone - Help mode space and delete keys non-functional - Plugin loading errors (e.g., python-mode) - Cursor position issues with certain keyboard configurations - Key repeat not functioning for Vim movement keys - App crashes or becomes unusable without ESC key access **Most requested features** - .vimrc functionality that actually works - Easier document/file access without multiple clicks - Reading mode to hide keyboard while scrolling - Better keyboard dismissal mechanism - Function keys on the keyboard - Update to Vim 8 or newer version - Core git functionality without paywall - Better plugin installation process - Directory creation capability - Backtick (`) character in keyboard shortcuts - Improved help system with working space/delete keys - File browser integration within the app - Donation/tip option via in-app purchase - Online documentation outside the app - Support for newer iPad Pro display notches - Improved external keyboard support (especially folding keyboards) ## Newest reviews (14 of 102) ### 3/5 — Love the idea, but… *2025-10-11, version 2.55* I’ve been missing my favorite VI text editor, in my retired life, with most time spent on Apple and only a little time on Microsoft devices, but no Unix or Linux platform to play/develop on… I *love* the idea of being able to quickly make changes to text files with my old friend VIM. But I’ll join in with others, in saying there needs to be more adaptation to the iPhone and iPad environment. These days, most often when wanting to edit text, I’d be happy to copy/paste it into this VIM app, but the paste function only works rarely. Command-V *wants* to work, but usually doesn’t, and complains there’s nothing in the + buffer. I also tried the special form of pasting from the buffer named + (using “+p) but that works equally poorly. One would expect Command-V to work after entering Insert mode, like CTRL-V works on Linux in that mode, but that’s a complete bust. When it does work, it’s a seemingly random moment, when I hit Command-V with VIM in command mode and not insert mode. I’d also like to see a better implementation of the :help mode, which it says should accept a space and a keyword, but in fact, the space and the delete keys are not functional there. I’d also love to be able to see what files are available, in my current directory, but I need to switch to the Files app to see that. So… THREE stars for all the features that work, but minus two stars because it’s virtually unusable for me. I also don’t see a way to contact the developer, to provide this same feedback, so here it is in a review instead. ### 3/5 — Bom, mas abandonado *2024-06-23* O Vim é um grande editor, e o iVim é muito bom também, mas ele está abandonado. Não recebe as últimas atualizações. ### 4/5 — Excellent but tragically abandoned *2024-05-13* This is by far the best tool for programming on iOS, and the best version of vim, as terminal emulators are less responsive and work with the screen and file system much more sloppily. Really great ability to customise fonts, auto-restore, browse folders. I’ve paid for a lot of text editors on iPad and this one beats them all. Unfortunately, there are serious bugs with this app stealing focus in Split View, the keyboard jumping around on touch and not being possible to dismiss, netrw breaking after accessing certain folders, etc. Looking on the GitHub page it appears other users have run into these problems and reported them a long time ago, but it appears the developer is no longer active. I really hope iVim gets some updates and fixes, or that another brave developer picks up the mission of a great app Vim on iOS, because this app offers an exciting vision of the viability of iPads as development machines! ### 4/5 — This is my Go-To Text Editor *2023-12-03, version 2.55* I've used this a lot and it's pretty robust. An external hardware keyboard is required for serious use; get the on-screen touch keyboard out of sight as quickly as possible. Ipad's sandboxing and limited file storage/access/sharing is annoying but the OS allows enough access to iVim to make it useful. I'm thankful it's available. ### 4/5 — あと一歩！！ *2023-08-04, version 2.55* 素晴らしいです。 pcのgvimと使い心地がかなり近づいてきてます。 ただ一点、コマンドモードで日本語入力自動でオフにできませんかね？ そこが改善されればiPadだけで作業可能になるので助かります！ ### 5/5 — 한글입력에서 약간 문제가 있어요 *2023-07-27, version 2.55* 원 이라고 입력하는데, 입력 결과가 이상한 문자(ìbì`)로 나와요. 수정해주실 수 있을까요? ### 5/5 — Awesome *2023-03-04, version 2.53* This puts the original port to shame. I have yet to find any limitation. All your plugins are available! A little tricky with getting them installed but once you get the hang of it, 😎. Yhanks for this awesome app!! ### 5/5 — Love the app but hate the subscription model *2023-02-16, version 2.53* I don’t use this app much, but it’s very well done. I want to own it but my usage doesn’t justify the subscription price at all. ### 5/5 — 今のところいい感じです *2022-09-16, version 2.51* jjセットされたい方は起動時に以下セットして、再起動で適用されます。 :e .vimrc imap jj :wq open app again ### 5/5 — a first rate port of vim to ios *2022-05-29, version 2.47* there’s so much to love about this port of vim to ios. if you’re looking for something that will just work with the bare elements to do a little bit of code editing via working copy or loving the Files integration. this is where it’s at. ### 5/5 — Terrific feature-packed port of vim *2022-04-27, version 2.47* Apple's restrictions around what an iOS app that is published on the App Store is allowed to do make it very hard to build a tool like this with full capability. iVim is about as close as you can get and it does a very good job of bridging native iOS capabilities with standard workflows and tooling. Hardware keyboard capabilities are excellent (although there are some flaws and limitations). Clipboard integration is very good. Integration to the iOS filesystem, cloud filesystems, and remote filesystems is great. It can be launched as the default editor from Files.app, which is wonderful. The shell emulation is a bit wonky and limited due to using an out-of-date scaled-down version of the ios_system framework but it's still miles better than everything else I've tried. The Python interpreter works pretty well with pure Python modules. There's a URL scheme for invoking commands from other apps or shortcuts. There are minor issues: the status line is disabled but the space isn't used for a line of text. The git integration is locked behind a subscription payment and is GUI-only. SSH and SCP capabilities are present but a bit limited. Certain key chords can't be mapped. There's an app focus bug that keeps coming back. pip3 sometimes doesn't work without some manual intervention. I'm happy to give iVim a 5-star review in spite of these things because it's head and shoulders above every text editor available on iOS. It's truly the best editor on the App Store by a long shot. I spend half my day in iVim and adore it. The plugin manager and session restoration capabilities are small one time purchases and well worth it. iVim is absolutely the best way to make full use of your iOS device within App Store ### 3/5 — Great app with some bugs *2022-04-27, version 2.47* I'm somehow unable to hide the keyboard. Makes the app unusable for me ### 5/5 — Amazing job. *2022-03-30, version 2.47* The best way to edit on iOS if you love Vim. Make sure you get the plugins extension and use `iexdir` to make any iCloud folders editable. ### 5/5 — Super Texteditor *2022-02-24, version 2.47* Der IVIM steht seinem großen Bruder dem VIM Editor für Linux nichts nach. Im Gegenteil. Die Plugins sind einfacher zu verwalten; (:iplug add ) eingeben und mit ENTER bestätigen. Vor dem installieren die .vimrc Datei mit (:e .vimrc) zum konfigurieren erstellen und wie auf Github beschrieben konfigurieren. Das wars. Die 4,99 € für den sind bestens angelegt. Ich habe: - NERDTree (Datei-Manager) - CtrlP (Dateisuchmaschine) - Ultisnips (zum erstellen von Textbausteinen) - lightline (aufhüpschen der Statuszeile) - gruvbox (colorscheme) - zenburn (colorscheme) - indentline (sichtbar machen der Tabstops) installiert. Ich kann den IVIM jedem der sich mit diesem Editor auskennt oder es in Erwägung zieht ihn zu erlernen uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen . ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Unusable *2024-11-27, version 2.55* The app only creates files. You cannot open or edit existing ones. The files I do try to create have the keyboard constantly popping over everything I am trying to read. ### 1/5 — Very expensive subscription in Brazil *2023-12-08, version 2.55* The subscription is very expensive in Brazil, it costs more than Microsoft office. The editor is good though, but given that it doesn't improve, with little ongoing development costs, a subscription is very difficult to justify. ### 1/5 — Can’t see command line *2023-10-15, version 2.55* The keyboard obscures the command line at the bottom of the screen. When you hide the keyboard, it immediately reappears. Either I’m missing something or the app is somewhat unusable. ### 1/5 — Why does it need to access the internet so I can edit text? *2022-01-05, version 2.45* See title. ### 1/5 — Disappointing! *2021-08-25, version 2.40* Going with an expensive and arbitrary subscription is not good customer care. Extremely disappointed at the developer for this sudden change. There is no point on an ongoing subscription, there is no infrastructure to mantain, etc. The developers for Working Copy did it right. They charge every few months for new functionality. Once you pay, you keep it. If you don’t pay, you don’t get new features. This was a five stars app, now I wish I could give it zero. ### 1/5 — Dont work *2020-11-23, version 2.25* Sorry guys but your app don’t work. Disappointed ### 1/5 — Im Prinzip OK aber durch iPad Einschränkungen im Prinzip unbenutzbar *2019-12-06, version 2.00* Offenbar erlaubt das iPad (auch auf externen Tastaturen) keinen Key Repeat für Buchstabentasten, d.h. Praktisch alle Bewegungen in vim sind ein PITA: h j k l w b x - alles unbenutzbar. Da macht dann der ganze Rest auch keinen Sinn mehr, auch wenn er gut gemacht ist, wie diese App. ### 2/5 — Good, but abandoned *2025-02-23, version 2.55* Vim is a great editor and the iVim too. Sadly the app is abandoned by the developer. It’s years once last update and he doesn’t reply any issue on GitHub. ### 2/5 — You really need a keyboard with an esc key *2024-01-23, version 2.55* I downloaded this and tried it out. I am a very old time vi user, never really got used to any new features in vim. First problem I had on the iPad was after adding a few lines to a text file, I could not escape from insert mode. Had to quit and delete the app. Now I have to try to find out how to map the tap key to the esc key, and have no clue how to do that. I am using the Apple folding folio keyboard with my iPad and it has no esc key. I am sure there is a way to do it, but it is not obvious. ### 3/5 — Font changes aren’t saved *2026-05-07, version 2.55* The default font is extremely small, using the menu to change the font works fine but the change isn’t saved as the default the next time you open it. Editing the .virmc file and manually setting it doesn’t seem to work either and if you’re not careful the app crashes on startup leaving you with no way to undo it. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — awesome, works *2026-05-02, version 2.55* yeah. works perfect. surprising. ### 5/5 — wish I knew about this app sooner *2026-01-03, version 2.55* this app is a really good port of Vim to ios, im not a vim pro but most of the keybindings and features i use on Vim are in this app. I also really like the keyboard, makes coding so much faster. something i wish it had was .vimrc functionality, as i tried to make one but it didn't seem to work (idk if i did something wrong), but i guess that would be hard to implement. i also wish that it was easier to access the documents instead of having to click twice (the menu button and show me the documents). however the app is so good that im still gonna give it 5 stars despite these slight shortcomings. It's free, revolutionizes coding and note taking on phone, and i can't believe the app is not more popular. ### 5/5 — Good *2025-12-26, version 2.55* If you actually want to get work done, don’t use iVim, and don’t program on iOS. Just by a laptop to actually program. I use iVim for practice with vim, and it’s pretty good. I also use iVim for note taking. VERY good for that, you can easily write down stuff, and it feels very natural. ### 5/5 — Good *2025-12-25* If you actually want to get work done, don’t use iVim, and don’t program on iOS. Just by a laptop to actually program. I use iVim for practice with vim, and it’s pretty good. ### 5/5 — Great *2025-09-05, version 2.55* I use it for school with nextcloud ### 5/5 — Best VimEditor for IOS! *2025-02-15, version 2.55* I have tried a lots of vim emulator on iPad, but most of them have various problem. iVim is the best. ### 5/5 — Almost great *2025-01-07, version 2.55* This is an amazing ios port with a lot of power! I would love to make this my only text editor, but viewing documents is sadly very limited. I would love an option to hide the keyboard and scroll through the document quickly. On a touchscreen there is no reason to not allow this, it’s even faster than using some keybindings ### 5/5 — Love the app but hate the subscription model *2024-03-04, version 2.55* I don’t use this app much, but it’s very well done. I want to own it but my usage doesn’t justify the subscription price at all. ### 5/5 — brilliant for offline vim experience *2023-09-04, version 2.55* ideally, i would have a perfect network connection, and I would just use mosh and work remotely on my linux boxes. But there are numerous dead zones along my (3-hour) train routes. So, ivim lets me work on my files locally with all the vim goodness, upon which I rely utterly. simply put, ivim lets me leave my large laptop at home and just take my iPad mini and a lightweight keyboard on my long commute. Easily one of my top 5 favourite apps. A tip: this is not neovim; so the new-fangled lua-plugins don't work. But I have essentially always found classic plugins and vimscript ways to do things. Ultimately, it is immensely slick-- just about indistinguishable from working on my linux workstation. Love it! ### 5/5 — Лучшая клавиатура для смартфона *2023-08-02, version 2.55* Теперь я не могу пользоваться никакими другими клавиатурами в похожих приложениях --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*