Forethumb vs ShavKey
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.
ShavKey
This keyboard app provides quick access to all 48 Shavian characters without requiring shifts. It includes an always-on number row that can be configured for Base 12 input.
- All 48 Shavian characters accessible
- No shift key required
- Always-on number row
- Optional Base 12 number input
- Optimized for single-stroke input
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The Shavian Keyboard for iOS. It features all 48 characters without needing to shift, in keeping with the idea that each character can be written with one stroke, we don't think it should take more than one key press. There is also an always on number row along the top which can be set to use Base 12 if you are so inclined.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: ShavKey at Free against Forethumb's $0.99. ShavKey also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 64%). Forethumb's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On rating, 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
ShavKey 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 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 10 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of Forethumb's written reviews are positive against 100% of ShavKey's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Forethumb ships an update every 2 weeks, ShavKey every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Forethumb | ShavKey |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (8 ratings) — better | 4.6 (10 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 64.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 10 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 71 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Takuto Nakamura | Joshua Lancaster |
Customer experience
Forethumb
ShavKey
In-app purchases
Forethumb
No in-app purchases
ShavKey
No in-app purchases
