xKeyboard vs Formalize Light
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
xKeyboard
Design your own keyboard with custom layouts, keys, symbols, and Unicode characters. This app allows you to create specialized keyboards for various needs, from mathematical equations to phonetic alphabets, and use them across different text editing applications.
- Custom keyboard layouts
- Symbol and Unicode integration
- Specialized keyboards (Math, IPA, Chemistry)
- Template-based creation
- Use in text editing apps
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Using xKeyboard, you can create a custom keyboard that includes layout, keys, symbols, and Unicode. The created custom keyboard can be used in text editing software on iPhone and iPad, such as Word, PPT, Excel, notes, and can also be used in text editing boxes. Built-in Keyboards - Unicode Keyboard - ABC Keyboard - ASCII Keyboard - Digits Keyboard : Binary, Integer, Decimal, Octonary, Hexadecimal - Date & Time Keyboard - Color Keyboard - Collection Keyboard : Symbols, Words, Sentences, Images, Colors - IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) Keyboard : IPA English ( DJ, K.K. ) - Subjects: Math, Chemistry, Music Language - Word Keyboards: English, French, German, Spanish ... - Code-Word Keyboards: Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional ... Culture - Astrology Keyboard: 12 zodiac signs, 10 celestial bodies, full set of aspects, elements, moon phases and auxiliary symbols - I Ching Keyboard - Chess Keyboard: Chess notation keyboard, chess symbols - Chinese Chess Keyboard: Chinese chess notation keyboard - Dice Keyboard - Mahjong Keyboard - Playing Cards Keyboard ---------- Custom - Layout: Custom layouts are better suited for specialized input scenarios. - Environment: Different environments have different rules - Certain keyboards can serve as templates, allowing you to build custom keyboards faster and more easily. ---------- Privacy : We DO NOT COLLECT ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU TYPE using this app. xKeyboard does not require network access, and Allow Full Access is not necessary. If users Allow Full Access, the following functions will be enabled: - Copy, Paste, Cut : these functions will call UIPasteboard APIs. ---------- Tips: 1. If the xKeyboard is not visible in Settings > Keyboards, then reboot the device and reinstall 2. If you could not find xKeyboard when tap globe key : Remove xKeyboard in the system settings, re-add it. ---------- Charging method: Most of the features of this software are paid for, but before purchasing, we hope that users can know if the software has the desired features and if it is possible to customize a keyboard that the user wants. Therefore, the software can be downloaded for free and allows users to try creating a keyboard before paying. Terms of Use : https://www.jianshu.com/p/b2a855c32ffe Privacy Policy : https://www.jianshu.com/p/46e225ffbc59
Formalize Light
This utility app provides a keyboard extension for typing mathematical formulas on iOS devices. It offers easy access to over 100 symbols and generates professionally typeset equations that can be converted to TeX.
- Mathematical keyboard extension
- Over 100 symbols
- One-handed access
- Professionally typeset formulas
- Convert formulas to TeX
- Insert formulas into any app
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Do you wish you could properly type math on your iPhone or iPad? With Formalize, you can! Formalize is a keyboard extension for mathematical content. It provides intuitive one-handed access to more than 100 symbols and produces professionally typeset formulas. Easily convert your formulas to PNG* or TeX and insert them anywhere, in any app! * Not available in Formalize Light
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: xKeyboard at 3.2 against Formalize Light's 2.3. xKeyboard also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 12 months) and review sentiment (39% vs 17%). Formalize Light's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (10.3 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. xKeyboard sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.29 per month. Formalize Light asks for nothing beyond the download.
xKeyboard holds the better App Store score, 3.2 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: xKeyboard has 181 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of xKeyboard's written reviews are positive against 17% of Formalize Light's.
xKeyboard ships an update monthly, Formalize Light every 12 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | xKeyboard | Formalize Light |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (181 ratings) — better | 2.3 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 39.2% of reviews — better | 16.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 181 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 10.3 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 103 MB | 62 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 煦 张 | Ben Hambrecht |
Customer experience
xKeyboard
Formalize Light
Bugs and requests
xKeyboard
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when trying to delete/edit keys
- Installed keyboards don't show custom layouts
- App crashes on certain script/language changes
Requested features
5 requests- Add ability to export/share custom keyboards
- Improve keyboard customization workflow
- Implement swipe typing and autocorrect
- Add more language/script support
- Allow creating custom characters/symbols
Formalize Light
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
xKeyboard
- VIP - 1 Month$0.291 Month
- VIP - 1 Year$2.991 Year
- VIP - Lifetime$8.99
Formalize Light
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is xKeyboard free?
Is Formalize Light free?
Which has better reviews, xKeyboard or Formalize Light?
Do xKeyboard or Formalize Light have ads?
Which is updated more often, xKeyboard or Formalize Light?
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