# iVim vs Ask Ferdy

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ask Ferdy at none against iVim's 5. iVim's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. iVim sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Ask Ferdy asks for nothing beyond the download.

iVim ships an update every 5 weeks, Ask Ferdy every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and May 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iVim | Ask Ferdy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (167 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivim/id1266544660/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **167** | — |
| Positive reviews | 84.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 127 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [文礼 周](https://appshunter.io/developer/497312859) | [Feeda Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/915391253) |

## 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


### Ask Ferdy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ask-ferdy/id6482295113)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iVim free?

iVim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Ask Ferdy free?

Ask Ferdy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do iVim or Ask Ferdy have ads?

Neither iVim nor Ask Ferdy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iVim or Ask Ferdy?

iVim ships an update every 5 weeks, and Ask Ferdy every 5 months. Most recently, iVim was updated on September 21, 2026 and Ask Ferdy on May 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.*