# Typewise Custom Keyboard vs VimKey

The clearest difference is update cadence: VimKey at every 3 days against Typewise Custom Keyboard's every 2 months. VimKey also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 42%). Typewise Custom Keyboard's advantage is rating (3.8 vs 3.4) and ratings volume (846 vs 5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Typewise Custom Keyboard sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and VimKey sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Typewise Custom Keyboard holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Typewise Custom Keyboard has 846 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 42% of Typewise Custom Keyboard's written reviews are positive against 67% of VimKey's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Typewise Custom Keyboard ships an update every 2 months, VimKey every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Typewise Custom Keyboard | VimKey |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.8 (846 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/typewise-custom-keyboard/id1470215025/reviews)** | [3.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vimkey-arrow/id6757208954/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **846** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 42.5% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 76 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Typewise AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/1074311275) | [chuncheng su](https://appshunter.io/developer/1865334918) |

## What reviewers say

### Typewise Custom Keyboard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/typewise-custom-keyboard/id1470215025)

This keyboard app is designed for smartphones, featuring a unique hexagonal layout for larger keys and fewer typos. It offers AI-powered editing tools, intuitive gestures, and robust privacy features, ensuring your typing data stays on your device.

**Highlights:** Hexagonal layout for larger keys, AI-powered text editing (translate, proofread, adjust tone), Intuitive swipe gestures for editing, Smart autocorrect that learns user habits, 100% privacy, no cloud data transmission, Support for 40+ languages simultaneously

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Typewise PRO (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| Typewise PRO (Annual) | $3.99 | per year |
| Typewise PRO (Annual) | $6.99 | per year |
| Typewise PRO (Annual) | $7.99 | per year |
| Typewise PRO (Annual) | $9.49 | per year |
| Typewise PRO (Annual) | $9.49 | per year |
| Typewise PRO (Annual) | $9.99 | per year |
| Typewise PRO (Annual) | $9.99 | per year |
| Typewise PRO (Annual) | $10.99 | per year |
| Typewise PRO (Annual) | $12.49 | per year |
| Typewise PRO (Lifetime) | $10.99 | one-time |
| Typewise PRO (Lifetime) | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Unique hexagon keyboard layout
- 👍 Larger keys for easier typing
- ✨ Customizable themes and vibration
- 🔒 Privacy-focused, offline operation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy, crashes frequently
- 🤯 Steep learning curve for new layout
- 💰 Subscription model, features locked behind paywall
- 🤖 Unreliable autocorrect and word prediction

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard disappearing or not showing up in apps
- Cursor control and backspace issues
- Inconsistent behavior across iOS versions
- Incorrect capitalization and punctuation

**Requested features**

- Swipe-to-type functionality
- Customizable key layouts
- Improved autocorrect and word suggestions
- Support for more languages and scripts


### VimKey

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vimkey-arrow/id6757208954)

Enhance your mobile editing experience with Vim-style navigation and dedicated arrow keys. This app offers precise cursor control for developers and power users on iOS devices, bringing desktop-level efficiency to your fingertips.

**Highlights:** Vim-style HJKL navigation, Dedicated directional arrow keys, Dual layout switching, Privacy-focused data handling, Haptic feedback and click sounds

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| qwert Layout | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Typewise Custom Keyboard free?

Typewise Custom Keyboard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is VimKey free?

VimKey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Typewise Custom Keyboard or VimKey?

Typewise Custom Keyboard is rated higher. Typewise Custom Keyboard averages 3.8 out of 5 from 846 ratings, while VimKey averages 3.4 from 5 ratings.

### Do Typewise Custom Keyboard or VimKey have ads?

Neither Typewise Custom Keyboard nor VimKey shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Typewise Custom Keyboard or VimKey?

Typewise Custom Keyboard ships an update every 2 months, and VimKey every 3 days. Most recently, Typewise Custom Keyboard was updated on October 17, 2026 and VimKey on October 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*