Comparison

iVim vs SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

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

Head to head
About

iVim

This app brings the powerful Vim text editor to iOS devices. It offers advanced features like custom font import, an extended and customizable keyboard, multistage language input, and seamless integration with other apps through sharing and document pickers. Advanced functionalities like plugin management and version control are available via in-app purchases or a subscription.

Highlights
  • Custom font import with ligature support
  • Extended and customizable keyboard
  • Multistage language input
  • App sharing and document picker integration
  • External hardware keyboard support
  • Integrated scripting languages (Python, Lua)
  • Plugin management (In-App Purchase)
  • Native version control (iVim Pro subscription)
Read full description

iVim is a project that brings the vim editor to the iOS system. It is open source, please visit the App Support URL. Font management Besides some system and embedded monospace fonts, iVim allows users to import and use their own custom fonts. Moreover, iVim supports to render ligatures if your font provides beautiful ones. Extended keyboard By introducing compact buttons, iVim covers as many keys as possible in its extended keyboard, so that you can input symbols without switching among key groups. Moreover, you can customize it to meet your own special needs. Multistage language input iVim adds support to multistage input languages such as Chinese or Japanese. Sharing Through sharing, iVim makes its editing power available to more apps. Via the share extension, iVim can import text or text files from, or export to other apps. Via the document picker, you can also import or edit files or directories in iCloud Drive or documents providers, without leaving iVim. External hardware keyboard iVim supports external hardware keyboards well, just connect your favorite one to the device and start typing. With the native modifier keys mapping option from the system, you can even make the "caps lock" key act both as "ctrl" and "esc" in iOS 13.4 and above. External commands iVim includes some useful external commands that you are familiar with and integrates powerful scripting languages such as Python and Lua. With +terminal feature enabled and a simple shell named "ivish" included, you can run the commands in terminal windows like on a computer. Plugins management (In App Purchase required) iVim provides a plugins manager, "iplug", for you to install and manage plugins easily. Version control (iVim Pro required) iVim has native version control system integrated into its UI and workflow, you get better idea of what is happening to your files, make changes with more confidence, and collaborate in editing more conveniently than ever. iVim Pro iVim provides a monthly subscription (with an introductory 1 week free trial), named "iVim Pro", enabling extra great features: - native version control Subscriptions will be charged to your Apple ID account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscriptions in Account Settings on App Store after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if any, will be forfeited when the user purchase a subscription. Terms of Use: https://github.com/terrychou/docs/blob/master/ivim-terms-of-use.md Privacy Policy: https://github.com/terrychou/docs/blob/master/ivim-privacy-policy.md Type ":help ios" in iVim for more detailed information.

About

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

Manage your Raspberry Pi from your iPhone or iPad. Monitor system activity with graphs, run custom commands, and access a terminal shell. Includes widgets, file browsing, and support for multiple Pis.

Highlights
  • Monitor CPU, Memory, Temperature, Disk Usage
  • Run custom commands with one tap
  • Full terminal shell access
  • Home screen widgets for monitoring and control
  • File browser with export options
  • Manage multiple Raspberry Pi devices
  • Public key authentication
Features
Read full description

SimplePi is the Swiss army knife utility app for monitoring, controlling, and managing your Raspberry Pi using your iPhone and iPad. MONITOR ACTIVITY See what is going on with your Raspberry Pi. CPU, Memory, Temperature, Disk Usage, and Clock activity are shown in beautiful and easily understandable graphs. CONTROL Run commands on your Pi with a single tap. Want to have your own commands? No problem. SimplePi lets you add as many commands as you wish. Additionally, you can manage your commands in groups. TERMINAL SHELL Access your Pi from a shell terminal with colored output and hardware keyboard support. The on-screen keyboard comes with fast access to commonly used special keys like ctrl and arrow keys. WIDGETS Monitor your Pi and run commands right from the Home Screen with various widgets. VIEW COMMAND RESULTS View and export command results and logs automatically. The results history allows you to view the results of previous commands. DETAILED STATS Detailed Stats for CPU and Memory give you an insight on which processes are running, how much memory is active, and much more. FILE BROWSER Browse Files and Folders in a file browser-like experience. View and export files of various formats. MANAGE MULTIPLE PI SimplePi can manage multiple Raspberry Pi. Configure each Raspberry Pi and connect to them simultaneously. KEY AUTHENTICATION Public Key authentication gives you the flexibility to authenticate in your preferred way. Key files can be imported via iTunes or from other apps. ICLOUD SYNC Sync Commands, Hosts, Keys over iCloud APP LOCK Lock the app using FaceID, TouchID, or a custom passcode HOME SCREEN WIDGETS Run commands directly from your Home Screen on iOS 14 Siri Shortcuts Integrate commands into automated worflows using the Shortcuts app (requires iOS14 or later) NOTE: SSH needs to be enabled on your Raspberry Pi for SimplePi to work correctly. SimplePi has been tested with the latest releases of * Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian) * Raspbmc * OpenElec * Xbian * Pidora * Arch Linux SimplePi works on all Raspberry Pi models. NOTE (only for Xbian users): Automatic start of xbian-config needs to be disabled. You can do this when connecting via SSH and selecting Config > Settings > Xbian Config > NO. There are many different configurations out there. If you encounter problems with one of the distributions above or want to have your distribution support, please contact us.

Screenshots

iVim1 screens
SimplePi for Raspberry Pi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iVim at 84% against SimplePi for Raspberry Pi's 26%. iVim also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.9) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). SimplePi for Raspberry Pi's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 5 weeks). 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

Both are free to download. iVim sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and SimplePi for Raspberry Pi sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iVim holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 167 and 125 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of iVim's written reviews are positive against 26% of SimplePi for Raspberry Pi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iVim ships an update every 5 weeks, SimplePi for Raspberry Pi every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iVim versus SimplePi for Raspberry Pi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriVimSimplePi for Raspberry Pi
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (167 ratings) — better3.9 (125 ratings)
Positive reviews84.3% of reviews — better25.7% of reviews
Number of ratings167 — better125
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size127 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer文礼 周Benedikt Hirmer

Customer experience

iVim

All ratings167 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral4.2%
Negative6.6%
Written reviews102 reviews
Positive84.3%
Neutral6.9%
Negative8.8%

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

All ratings125 ratings
Positive71.2%
Neutral2.4%
Negative26.4%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive25.7%
Neutral2.9%
Negative71.4%

User reviews

iVim

From 167 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎯 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)

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

From 125 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Useful tool, does what it says
  • 🚀 Fantastic app, great CLI access
  • 💡 Full Bash and Python support
  • 📈 Provides CPU, GPU, RAM stats
  • 💰 Low annual cost (£4.99/year)

Room to improve

  • ❌ Subscription required to function
  • ❌ Frequent connection issues
  • ❌ Paywall limits functionality
  • ❌ App crashes frequently
  • ❌ Fails to display stats

Bugs and requests

iVim

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • 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
Show 10 more
  • 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

Requested features

16 requests
  • .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
Show 11 more
  • 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)

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • App refuses to connect after closing
  • Opening app redirects to paywall
  • Temporary fix for connection issues: remove host, force close, re-add
  • App crashes several times
  • Fails 50% of the time to display GPU, CPU, and temp settings
Show 8 more
  • Screen disappears when trying to navigate raspi-config
  • Cannot view output of continuously running commands
  • Continuously running commands abort when phone screen locks
  • App rejects credentials that other apps accept
  • Monitoring features do not work
  • App shows one-week free trial but requires subscription immediately
  • App doesn't stay connected, screens close and pop around
  • App rejects identical credentials that other PI apps accept

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow commands to keep running when phone screen locks
  • Ability to view results log for commands
  • Option to remove added commands
  • Improve navigation for raspi-config
  • Store SSH private keys securely using iOS Keychain

In-app purchases

5 purchases

iVim

Subscriptions1
  • iVim Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
One-time4
  • Small Donation$1.99
  • Auto Restore$3.99
  • Plugins Manager$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Big Donation$9.99
1 purchases

SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

Subscriptions1
  • Full Access (12 months)7 Days trial$4.991 Year

Questions

Is iVim free?
iVim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SimplePi for Raspberry Pi free?
SimplePi for Raspberry Pi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iVim or SimplePi for Raspberry Pi?
iVim is rated higher. iVim averages 4.6 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while SimplePi for Raspberry Pi averages 3.9 from 125 ratings.
Do iVim or SimplePi for Raspberry Pi have ads?
Neither iVim nor SimplePi for Raspberry Pi shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iVim or SimplePi for Raspberry Pi?
iVim ships an update every 5 weeks, and SimplePi for Raspberry Pi every 8 days. Most recently, iVim was updated on October 13, 2026 and SimplePi for Raspberry Pi on October 16, 2026.

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