# iVim vs SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | iVim | SimplePi for Raspberry Pi |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (167 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivim/id1266544660/reviews)** | [3.9 (125 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplepi-for-raspberry-pi/id1524142767/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **167** | 125 |
| Positive reviews | **84.3% of reviews** | 25.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 127 MB | 23 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [文礼 周](https://appshunter.io/developer/497312859) | [Benedikt Hirmer](https://appshunter.io/developer/844106496) |

## What reviewers say

### iVim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivim/id1266544660)

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)

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iVim Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Small Donation | $1.99 | one-time |
| Auto Restore | $3.99 | one-time |
| Plugins Manager | $4.99 | one-time |
| Big Donation | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎯 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)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**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

**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


### SimplePi for Raspberry Pi

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplepi-for-raspberry-pi/id1524142767)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Access (12 months) | $4.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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)

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


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