Comparison

CW Keyboard vs Forethumb

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

CW Keyboard

Type messages using Morse code on your iOS device. This app provides a reference guide to help you learn and practice sending Morse code efficiently. It's ideal for amateur radio operators looking to improve their CW mode skills.

Highlights
  • Morse code input
  • Morse code reference guide
  • Practice Morse code sending
  • Amateur radio CW mode training
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

CW Keyboard turns your iPhone's keyboard into a Morse code input pad. Instead of a standard QWERTY layout, you type using taps and holds — a quick tap for a dot, a longer hold for a dash — just like sending Morse code (CW) on a radio key. FEATURES - Custom system-wide keyboard — use it in Messages, Notes, Mail, and any app that accepts text input - Built-in Morse Code reference chart covering the full alphabet, numbers, and common punctuation - Simple setup guide to get the keyboard enabled in a few taps - Shift, backspace, space, and return controls alongside the Morse input pad - Full support for Light and Dark Mode WHO IT'S FOR CW Keyboard is great for amateur radio operators practicing their Morse code sending skills, Morse enthusiasts, and anyone curious about learning CW. Get comfortable with dot-dash timing in a low-pressure way, right from the keyboard you already use every day. HOW IT WORKS Tap quickly for a dot, hold a bit longer for a dash. Pause briefly between letters, and the keyboard automatically decodes your taps into text and types it for you.

About

Forethumb

This keyboard app allows users to input text on their iOS devices using Morse code. It offers single-key or paddle input methods, with options for sound feedback and customizable gap lengths. It supports alphabets, numbers, some symbols, and Japanese characters.

Highlights
  • Morse code input (single key or paddle)
  • Sound feedback on input
  • Swipe gestures for delete/space
  • Customizable gap length
  • Supports alphabets, numbers, symbols, Japanese
Features
Read full description

Forethumb enables you to input characters on your iOS device with morse code. You can type sentences blindfold, if you memorized morse code for forethumb. [Function] - Character input is possible by single key type or paddle type Morse input. - The sound is played when you input the morse code. - In the case of the single key type, swiping the key to the left will "delete" and swiping to the right will "enter space". - You can change the default gap length. [Functional Limitations] - The characters that you can enter are alphabets, numbers, some symbols, and Japanese. [Attention] - You have to do the additional procedure of Forethumb to use it (Settings -> General -> Keyboard). - Then, you also have to turn on the "Full Access" for Forethumb. * Please don’t worry; The developer does not collect your data at all. [Support] - Please do not hesitate to contact the developer for any defect reports or questions/requests. - The developer will consider any requests about additional function. - The developer may end support for older iOS without notice.

Screenshots

CW Keyboard4 screens
Forethumb4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Forethumb at 4.8 against CW Keyboard's 4.2. Forethumb also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 119 months). CW Keyboard's advantage is monetization model (free vs paid) and review sentiment (80% vs 64%). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

CW Keyboard costs $0.99 and Forethumb $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Forethumb holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 8 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of CW Keyboard's written reviews are positive against 64% of Forethumb's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CW Keyboard ships an update every 119 months, Forethumb every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
CW Keyboard versus Forethumb: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCW KeyboardForethumb
Price$0.99$0.99
Rating4.2 (6 ratings)4.8 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better64.3% of reviews
Number of ratings68 — better
Update frequencyEvery 119 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#199 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB71 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPulsely ConsultingTakuto Nakamura

Customer experience

CW Keyboard

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Forethumb

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral7.1%
Negative28.6%

In-app purchases

None

CW Keyboard

No in-app purchases

None

Forethumb

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CW Keyboard free?
CW Keyboard costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Forethumb free?
Forethumb costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CW Keyboard or Forethumb?
Forethumb is rated higher. CW Keyboard averages 4.2 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Forethumb averages 4.8 from 8 ratings.
Do CW Keyboard or Forethumb have ads?
Neither CW Keyboard nor Forethumb shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CW Keyboard or Forethumb?
CW Keyboard ships an update every 119 months, and Forethumb every 2 weeks. Most recently, CW Keyboard was updated on September 18, 2026 and Forethumb on September 17, 2026.

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