# Vim

> Powerful, configurable text editor for command-line and GUI use. (iPhone/iPad app by Applidium.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vim/id492668168 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Applidium](https://appshunter.io/developer/308674223)
- Category: Productivity
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.90/5 from 21 App Store ratings · 117 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 37 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-01-19
- Data updated: 2026-06-09
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vim/id492668168/reviews.md

## What is Vim?

Vim is a text editor first released publicly in 1991. Based on the vi editor common to Unix-like systems, Vim is designed for use both from a command line interface and as a standalone application in a graphical user interface. Vim is free and open source software and is released under a license which includes some charityware clauses, encouraging users who enjoy the software to consider donating to children in Uganda. 
https://vim.sourceforge.io/about.php

## Key features

- Text editing
- Command-line interface support
- Graphical user interface support
- Highly configurable
- Free and open source

## What do users think of Vim?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- ✅ True Vim implementation with authentic commands and features
- ⌨️ Works well with external Bluetooth keyboards
- 🆓 Free application with no cost barrier
- 🔒 Includes encryption functionality for secure editing
- 📝 Supports .vimrc configuration files
- 🎓 Good learning tool for Vim beginners
- ⚡ Native performance when using external keyboards

**Cons**

- 🐛 Escape key mapping to backslash is cumbersome and unintuitive
- 🐛 Space bar and other keys don't work with external keyboards
- 🐛 Font rendering is illegible on Retina displays and newer devices
- 🐛 Severe input lag and keystroke delay issues
- 🐛 Window focus problems in multitasking environments
- ❌ No file import/export functionality beyond iTunes
- ❌ No Dropbox, iCloud, or cloud service integration
- ❌ No copy/paste integration with other iOS apps
- ❌ Limited virtual keyboard without essential keys (Esc, Tab, Ctrl)
- ❌ No plugin support
- ❌ Cannot execute external shell commands
- ⚠️ App appears abandoned with no recent updates
- ⚠️ Incompatible with many external keyboards (Magic Keyboard, Logitech K830)
- ⚠️ Poor performance on older iPad models

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Escape key not recognized on external keyboards
- Space bar non-functional with external keyboards
- Font illegible on Retina and newer displays
- Significant input lag between keystrokes and display
- Window focus not maintained in multitasking
- Keyboard recognition delays
- Graphics scrambled on iPhone 6 and newer
- Character rendering issues (missing 'f' character)
- Command line errors with certain commands (:ls, :echo)
- Syntax highlighting broken
- App crashes on older iOS versions
- 32-bit app incompatibility with iOS 11+
- Slow response to Bluetooth keyboard input

**Most requested features**

- Custom keyboard row with Esc, Tab, Ctrl, and common symbols
- Dropbox and cloud service integration
- iOS copy/paste and clipboard integration
- File browser and file management system
- Better font rendering and scaling options
- Swipe gestures for common operations (Esc, Tab)
- Plugin support
- SSH/FTP connectivity
- Customizable color schemes and themes
- Better Bluetooth keyboard support and detection
- MacVim-style tabs
- iCloud synchronization
- Open source project status
- Support for external shell integration
- Email attachment opening support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 117)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vim/id492668168/reviews.md

### 4/5 — window focus

*2026-04-26, version 1.2.1*

iPad Air M3, with external keyboard & mouse. Using iVim simultaneous with other open windows, is proving to be not possable, because, iVim is not allowing the mouse pointer to focus in another window, when clicking in another window, the pointer focus will not hold, closing iVim down, fixes the problem.

### 3/5 — IVim is better

*2025-12-26, version 1.2.1*

With this it’s just vim, however it’s pretty hard to escape out of insert mode or visual mode bc they don’t put an esc directly on the keyboard. Use iVim instead, it puts the esc on the keyboard so it’s easy to use

### 5/5 — The real Vim

*2025-01-30, version 1.2.1*

Of course you’ll only benefit from this iOS port if using a physical keyboard, but that’s the whole point. It’s a true build of Vim, not a half-baked replica.

### 2/5 — Serious problem in iOS 12

*2020-12-29, version 1.2.1*

When using an external keyboard under iOS 14, there is no way to type the space, 

The same set up, iVim is working fine with all the keys.

### 2/5 — Great idea, but needs work

*2019-12-26, version 1.2.1*

I love the idea of having a VIM on my iPad. As other reviewers have pointed out, the app can be improved by deeper integration with iOS. Critically, my folio keyboard really doesn’t work with the app, with keys periodically becoming non-responsive. Since the development appears to be largely stalled, would the developer consider making the project as an open source? I doubt this will ever be a huge money maker, but could attract a small motivated community of developers.

### 1/5 — Wouldn’t suggest it

*2019-06-27, version 1.2.1*

I wanted to use my magic keyboard with my ipad and use vim, but the space bar wouldn’t work. It’s extremely buggy. Would not suggest it.

### 1/5 — no esc key function

*2018-12-06, version 1.2.0*

When an external keyboard (magic keyboard 2) is connected, the esc key is not recognized. Without esc, vim is useless.

### 1/5 — No Logitech K830 keyboard support?

*2018-05-25, version 1.1.0*

And not enough Gvim in it for people who are intermittent users of Vim, & therefore don’t remember all the complicated mapping’s between char-sequences & functions...

( there is an excellent book, btw, called, iirc Practical Vim, which ups one’s Vimming spectacularly, which is what I wanted a Vim in iOS for: getting good at it, through my little bt keyboard! )

So, this is functionally broken, for me.

IF IT WORKS FOR YOU, enjoy!

It isn’t inherently no-good, it is no-good *for me*.

Namaste!

( :

### 1/5 — Not very usable

*2018-05-18, version 1.1.0*

I use vim on the desktop all the time, but this app is nowhere ready for prime time. You need access to special keys to be productive, including backslash (which is remapped to esc). Check out iVim instead—it has a special row.

### 5/5 — As Described

*2018-01-25, version 1.1.0*

Great for trying out a daily vim tip on the train to work.

Great app, thanks!

## Frequently asked questions about Vim

### What is Vim?

Vim is a highly configurable text editor that originated from the vi editor on Unix-like systems. It is designed to be used efficiently both within a command-line interface and as a standalone application in a graphical user interface.

### What are the main features of Vim?

Vim's core features include powerful text editing capabilities, support for both command-line and GUI environments, and extensive configurability. It is also free and open-source software.

### Is Vim free to use?

Yes, Vim is free and open-source software. Its license encourages users who enjoy the software to consider donating to children in Uganda, but there is no cost to use the editor itself.

### What kind of users is Vim for?

Vim is primarily for programmers, system administrators, and writers who require a robust and customizable text editing tool. Its efficiency makes it popular for those who spend a lot of time writing and editing code or text.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.1 — 2018-12-07

• add external keyboard basic support
• bugfix, layout mostly
• set UTF8 as default encoding
• add antialiasing

### 1.2.0 — 2018-06-15

• Update Vim library to the latest version (8.1.0042)
• Add support to "open in "Vim"", thanks to @au-phiware PR
• Fix layout bug when moving text block

### 1.1.0 — 2017-09-05

• Fix 64bit compatibility
• Add splitscreen support
• Fix StatusBar behavior on iOS8
• Fix retina screen display issue
• Disable keyboard autocorrect

### 1.0.2 — 2014-03-04

iPad: Fixed issue when launched in landscape mode

### 1.0.1 — 2014-02-21

• Optimized for iOS 7
• Bug fixes and performance improvements

## Apps similar to Vim

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| [Vimkey](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vimkey/id1585682577) | 5.0 (5) | Free | Productivity |
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| [Lightweight Text Editor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightweight-text-editor/id1626906348) | 4.1 (15) | Free | Productivity |
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## More apps by Applidium

- [Translation Widget](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translation-widget/id351104911)
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- [Gone - transports lyonnais en temps réel](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gone-transports-lyonnais-en-temps-reel/id1036174518)
- [Shaper - Turn photos into art](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shaper-turn-photos-into-art/id1324092900)

All apps by Applidium: https://appshunter.io/developer/308674223

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*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 2026-06-09.*