Comparison

Forethumb vs azooKey

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

Head to head
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.

About

azooKey

This app offers a highly customizable Japanese keyboard with advanced conversion and typing assistance. It features offline processing, user-defined layouts, and privacy-focused design. Enjoy effortless Japanese typing with personalized shortcuts and smooth cursor control.

Highlights
  • Neural kana-kanji conversion engine
  • Customizable key layouts and tabs
  • Live, real-time text conversion
  • Cursor movement and one-handed mode
  • Clipboard history and user dictionary support
  • Offline processing for privacy
Features
Read full description

—— azooKey - A Fully Customizable Japanese Keyboard —— High-accuracy conversion, deep customization, and live conversion—all in one app for effortless typing. Open-source, completely free, and built with a privacy-first design so you can use it with confidence. ▶ Cutting-Edge Conversion System ・Powered by “Zenzai,” our neural kana-kanji conversion engine ・Smarter, context-aware conversion that runs entirely offline ▶ Customization ・Edit anything from a single key to entire layouts ・Call up symbols, kaomoji, and snippets instantly with Custom Tabs ・Create GODAN or your own layouts with just a few taps ・Personalize the keyboard’s appearance with easy theming ▶ Live Conversion ・macOS-style real-time conversion optimized for iOS ・Our lightweight engine delivers fast, accurate text conversion ▶ Smooth Typing Assistance ・Hold the spacebar to move the cursor; hold Delete for one-stroke delete and undo ・One-handed mode, adjustable height, and text size for comfortable use on large screens ・Enlarge conversion candidates for quick confirmation of complex kanji ・Cursor movement by flick and a convenient Paste button are also supported ▶ Power-User Features ・Clipboard history saved automatically ・Full support for the iOS user dictionary ・Unicode conversion, half-width kana, random conversion, date insertion, and more advanced options ▶ Privacy & Trust ・Completely offline design that never collects your input ・Source code available on GitHub for anyone to inspect and improve ・No ads, no in-app purchases—every feature is free Supported OS: iOS / iPadOS 17.6 or later (latest version recommended) How to use: Download → Enable in the app → Select azooKey from the globe icon Try a typing environment tailored to you with azooKey.

Screenshots

Forethumb4 screens
azooKey4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: azooKey at Free against Forethumb's $0.99. Forethumb's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.2). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

azooKey is free to download; Forethumb costs $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 — 8 and 5 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of Forethumb's written reviews are positive against 71% of azooKey's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Forethumb ships an update every 2 weeks, azooKey every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Forethumb versus azooKey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterForethumbazooKey
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (8 ratings) — better4.2 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews71.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB179 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTakuto NakamuraKeita Miwa

Customer experience

Forethumb

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

azooKey

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive71.2%
Neutral17.3%
Negative11.5%

In-app purchases

None

Forethumb

No in-app purchases

None

azooKey

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Forethumb free?
Forethumb costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is azooKey free?
azooKey is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Forethumb or azooKey?
Forethumb is rated higher. Forethumb averages 4.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while azooKey averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Forethumb or azooKey have ads?
Neither Forethumb nor azooKey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Forethumb or azooKey?
Forethumb ships an update every 2 weeks, and azooKey every 3 weeks. Most recently, Forethumb was updated on November 8, 2026 and azooKey on November 3, 2026.

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