# xFormula vs DeTeXt

The clearest difference is rating: DeTeXt at 4.9 against xFormula's 3.9. DeTeXt also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and device support (4 vs 2). xFormula's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (16.1 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. xFormula sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. DeTeXt asks for nothing beyond the download.

DeTeXt holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 55 and 40 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of xFormula's written reviews are positive against 92% of DeTeXt's.

xFormula ships an update every 3 weeks, DeTeXt every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and July 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | xFormula | DeTeXt |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (55 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xformula-equation-editor/id1477136751/reviews) | **[4.9 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detext/id1531906207/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **55** | 40 |
| Positive reviews | 84.7% of reviews | **92.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 56 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.1** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [煦 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/494537607) | [Venkata Subrahmanyan Govindarajan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1161430194) |

## What reviewers say

### xFormula

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xformula-equation-editor/id1477136751)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro 1 Month (Auto-Renewable) | $1.99 | per month |
| Advanced (Lifetime) | $9.99 | one-time |
| Basic (Lifetime) | $11.99 | one-time |
| Pro (Lifetime) | $18.99 | one-time |


### DeTeXt

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/detext/id1531906207)

Easily find LaTeX commands for symbols by drawing them or searching a comprehensive database. Get the exact command you need for your documents without memorization.

**Highlights:** Draw symbols to find LaTeX commands, Neural image classification for symbol recognition, Searchable database of 1098 symbols, Supports Apple Pencil on iPad, Copy commands, symbols, or Unicode codepoints, Offline symbol database

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is xFormula free?

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

### Is DeTeXt free?

DeTeXt is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, xFormula or DeTeXt?

DeTeXt is rated higher. xFormula averages 3.9 out of 5 from 55 ratings, while DeTeXt averages 4.9 from 40 ratings.

### Do xFormula or DeTeXt have ads?

Neither xFormula nor DeTeXt shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, xFormula or DeTeXt?

xFormula ships an update every 3 weeks, and DeTeXt every 2 months. Most recently, xFormula was updated on September 24, 2026 and DeTeXt on July 3, 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.*