# iRime输入法 vs 五笔输入法

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iRime输入法 at 76% against 五笔输入法's 29%. iRime输入法 also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). 五笔输入法's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 11.0). On in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

iRime输入法 costs $0.99 and 五笔输入法 $1.99 up front. iRime输入法 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and 五笔输入法 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

五笔输入法 holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iRime输入法 has 153 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of iRime输入法's written reviews are positive against 29% of 五笔输入法's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

iRime输入法 ships an update every 3 weeks, 五笔输入法 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iRime输入法 | 五笔输入法 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [4.0 (153 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/irime/id1142623977/reviews) | **[4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8698/id1522850307/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **153** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **76.2% of reviews** | 28.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 161 MB | 101 MB |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [伟雄 辜](https://appshunter.io/developer/967689409) | [维 罗](https://appshunter.io/developer/990121194) |

## What reviewers say

### iRime输入法

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/irime/id1142623977)

This app is a powerful input method engine supporting a vast array of input schemes, including phonetic, shape-based, and dialectal languages. It offers a flexible framework for various typing needs, from standard Pinyin and Wubi to specialized codes and historical pronunciations.

**Highlights:** Extensive input scheme support, Phonetic and shape-based input, Dialectal language input, Cross-platform compatibility, Customizable input framework, Supports traditional and simplified characters

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 专业设置PRO | $1.99 | one-time |
| 文件编辑器 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Highly customizable input schemes and configurations
- 🎯 Supports multiple input methods (Pinyin, Cantonese, Wubi, Zhuyin, etc.)
- 🔒 Open-source and privacy-focused (no data collection)
- ⚡ Smooth performance with proper configuration
- 🎨 Customizable keyboard layouts and themes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and app instability
- ❌ Poor documentation for setup and configuration
- 😕 Steep learning curve for average users
- ⚠️ Configuration issues with custom schemas
- 🔌 Keyboard responsiveness and typing lag

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 18.4.1 and other recent versions
- Cannot install custom YAML schema files
- Simplified/Traditional Chinese conversion not working properly
- Candidate words disappear during input
- Auxiliary code (辅助码) cannot be mounted in Shuangpin

**Requested features**

- Stroke/Brush input method support
- Easier custom schema installation without technical knowledge
- Built-in Xiaohejinyin (小鹤音形) support
- One-tap keyboard switching to system input methods
- Delete custom words functionality


### 五笔输入法

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8698/id1522850307)

This app is a comprehensive Chinese input method that supports both Wubi 86 and 98 typing methods. It offers typing practice for single characters, words, and articles, with detailed stroke diagrams to aid learning.

**Highlights:** Supports 86 and 98 Wubi typing, Mixed Wubi and Pinyin input, Handwriting input, Wubi character root practice, Typing practice for words and articles, Detailed stroke diagrams

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 无广告与弹窗 | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iRime输入法 free?

iRime输入法 costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is 五笔输入法 free?

五笔输入法 costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iRime输入法 or 五笔输入法?

五笔输入法 is rated higher. iRime输入法 averages 4.0 out of 5 from 153 ratings, while 五笔输入法 averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do iRime输入法 or 五笔输入法 have ads?

五笔输入法 shows ads; iRime输入法 does not.

### Which is updated more often, iRime输入法 or 五笔输入法?

iRime输入法 ships an update every 3 weeks, and 五笔输入法 every 4 months. Most recently, iRime输入法 was updated on October 13, 2026 and 五笔输入法 on October 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*