Comparison

Madona vs xFormula

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

Head to head
About

Madona

Write and execute MATLAB and Octave code directly on your mobile device. Ideal for learning and testing code snippets with a custom keyboard and advanced editor. Supports plotting and graphing with detailed error output.

Highlights
  • Compile and run MATLAB/Octave code
  • Supports plotting and graphing
  • View program output or detailed error
  • Custom keyboard for easy input
  • Advanced source code editor
  • Open, save, import, and share files
Features
Read full description

Write MATLAB/Octave code directly on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch! This app is ideal for learning and testing code snippets! The Octave language is an interpreted programming language. Its syntax is very similar to Matlab, and careful programming of a script will allow it to run on both Octave and Matlab. The language helps in solving linear and nonlinear problems numerically, and for performing other numerical experiments This app provides a mobile environment that allows you to execute Octave/MATLAB using the GNU Octave compiler. Features: - Compile and run your program - Supports plotting and graphing - View program output or detailed error - Select and run chunk of codes - Custom keyboard for easy input of frequently used characters - Optimized for connecting with external physical/bluetooth keyboard - Advanced source code editor with syntax highlighting and line numbers - Open, save, import and share files. - Language reference Limitations: - Internet connection is required for compilation - Maximum program running time is 20s - One file can be run at a time - Some file system, network and graphics functions may be limited - This is a batch compiler; interactive programs are not supported. For example, if your program provides an input prompt, enter the input in the Input tab prior to compilation.

About

xFormula

Create and edit mathematical equations with a visual interface. Export your work as images, LaTeX, MathML, or UnicodeMath for use in documents and presentations. Features include image recognition, formula libraries, and custom keyboards.

Highlights
  • Visual equation editing
  • Export to image, LaTeX, MathML, UnicodeMath
  • Image recognition for formulas
  • Organized formula libraries
  • Customizable keyboard for symbols
  • Keyboard extension for other apps
Features
Read full description

This is a math equation editor which could export the result as picture, LaTeX, MathML, UnicodeMath(Word). Include variables, binary operators, arrows, relations, brackets, underline, overline, accents, fraction, radical, large operator... Just download and have a try. ----- Functions: 1. Mathematical formula editing. 2. Import & Export - LaTeX (Pages, Keynote) - MathML (Pages, Keynote) - UnicodeMath (Word) - Image - SVG: If the .svg file is exported by xFormula, then it could be imported and edit again. 3. Image recognition - Setup large model API to recognize the math formula in the image. - The recognition of mathematical formulas in large models is getting better and better, but due to the large number of LaTeX commands for mathematical formulas, there may be some situations where the same symbol is different for different commands. xFormula cannot support all LaTeX commands yet, so there may be some exceptions. However, we will continue to optimize and be compatible with more commands in future versions 4. Mathematical formula library: - You can create several formula libraries at the same time, and each formula library can be exported and imported separately; - Under each formula library, there can be many categories, and under each category, there can be many groups. Under each group, formulas can be created and edited - Example 1: High School Mathematics Formula Library > Classification 1: Set, Classification 2: Geometry, Classification 3: Algebra - Example 2: Junior High School Mathematics Formula Library>Classification 1: Rational Numbers, Classification 2: Trigonometric Functions, Classification 3: Geometry 5. Mathematical style: - Due to font limitations, the mathematical formulas currently provided may have some pixel spacing flaws, and each style may also have several mathematical characters that are not supported. Please use them as appropriate. - We will continue to optimize mathematical styles, which is what we are concerned about. 6. Custom keyboard: -The frequency of mathematical symbols used varies at each stage, from elementary school, middle school, high school to university; The frequency of symbols used for sets, limits, matrices, functions, and each knowledge range is also different. So if you use it for a long time or frequently, it is strongly recommended to create a suitable input symbol keyboard for yourself, which is more efficient and saves more time than a universal keyboard. 7. Keyboard Extension - Could be directly used in the form of a keyboard in other text editing software - Due to the system's restrictions on keyboard Extension, there may be some abnormal situations. After installing the keyboard, if it cannot appear in the keyboard list, please restart the device and try again - Although currently compatible with iOS 15, it is recommended to use new devices as old devices may experience loading failures due to memory limitations and other issues 8. Help Document ----- Purchase: 1. This is a paid software and is provided for free download in the hope that users will know what features this software has and whether it is useful before purchasing. 2. As the payment methods for iOS and macOS were not unified when this software was first released, xFormula (iOS) and xFormula (macOS) need to be paid separately. The advantage of separate payment is pricing splitting, which means that if you only have a mobile device and don't have a Mac, you can save on the purchase cost of the Mac. If merged, the pricing will also be the sum of the current two pricing. 3. If you plan to use this software for a long time and consider upgrading more features in the future, it is recommended to purchase the Professional Edition. Terms of Service : https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: http://guizhenjiaoyu.com/xformula/en/privacy.html

Screenshots

Madona4 screens
xFormula4 screens

Verdict

The call

Madona and xFormula both sit at 3.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 85% of xFormula's written reviews are positive against 33% of Madona's. xFormula also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (55 vs 16). Madona's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.1). On price, rating, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Madona sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and xFormula sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

xFormula holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 55 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Madona's written reviews are positive against 85% of xFormula's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Madona ships an update monthly, xFormula every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Madona versus xFormula: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMadonaxFormula
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (16 ratings)3.9 (55 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews84.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1655 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.1
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKetan Appa煦 张

Customer experience

Madona

All ratings16 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative31.3%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral26.7%
Negative40.0%

xFormula

All ratings55 ratings
Positive70.9%
Neutral1.8%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive84.7%
Neutral8.5%
Negative6.8%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Madona

One-time1
  • Upgrade$2.99
4 purchases

xFormula

Subscriptions1
  • Pro 1 Month (Auto-Renewable)$1.991 Month
One-time3
  • Advanced (Lifetime)$9.99
  • Basic (Lifetime)$11.99
  • Pro (Lifetime)$18.99

Questions

Is Madona free?
Madona is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is xFormula free?
xFormula is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Madona or xFormula?
xFormula is rated higher. Madona averages 3.7 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while xFormula averages 3.9 from 55 ratings.
Do Madona or xFormula have ads?
Madona shows ads; xFormula does not.
Which is updated more often, Madona or xFormula?
Madona ships an update monthly, and xFormula every 3 weeks. Most recently, Madona was updated on September 7, 2026 and xFormula on September 24, 2026.

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