Forethumb vs Meshtastic
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Morse code input (single key or paddle)
- Sound feedback on input
- Swipe gestures for delete/space
- Customizable gap length
- Supports alphabets, numbers, symbols, Japanese
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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.
Meshtastic
This app enables off-grid, decentralized communication via a low-power mesh network. Send text messages in areas lacking cellular or WiFi service.
- Off-grid communication
- Decentralized mesh network
- Low-power LoRa radio support
- Text messaging
- No cellular/WiFi required
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Meshtastic® is an open source, off-grid, decentralized, mesh network built to run on low-power Lora radios letting you send text messages in areas without reliable cellular or WiFi service.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Meshtastic at Free against Forethumb's $0.99. Meshtastic also leads on ratings volume (824 vs 8) and device support (4 vs 2). Forethumb's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (64% vs 44%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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
Meshtastic is free to download; Forethumb costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Forethumb holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Meshtastic has 824 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Forethumb's written reviews are positive against 44% of Meshtastic's.
Forethumb ships an update every 2 weeks, Meshtastic every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Forethumb | Meshtastic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (8 ratings) — better | 4.1 (824 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 64.3% of reviews — better | 44.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 824 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 — better | 17.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 71 MB | 95 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Takuto Nakamura | Meshtastic LLC |
Customer experience
Forethumb
Meshtastic
Bugs and requests
Forethumb
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Meshtastic
Reported bugs
4 issues- Canned messages configuration issues
- Location sharing and traceroute functions not working
- Settings screen bugs and crashes
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between devices
Requested features
5 requests- Offline maps support
- Ability to customize notifications
- More sorting and filtering options for nodes
- Apple Watch and Shortcuts integration
- Improved documentation and user guidance
In-app purchases
Forethumb
No in-app purchases
Meshtastic
No in-app purchases
