Comparison

xFormula vs CLRS.Helper[Lite]

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

Head to head
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

About

CLRS.Helper[Lite]

Features
Read full description

Refer to The third edition of the book, covering content [need full version]: 2. Getting Started: Insertion sort, Merge sort; 4. Divide-and-Conquer: Maximum-subarray, Matrix Multiplication[normal, recursive, Strassen’s algorithm]; 6. Heapsort: Heapsort[max-heap, min-heap]; 7. Quicksort: Quicksort; 8. Sorting in Linear Time: Counting sort; 12. Binary Search Trees: Binary search tree[Inorder Walk, Search Recursive, Search Iterative, Minimum Iterative, Maximum Iterative, Successor, Predecessor, Insert, Delete]; 13. Red-Black Trees: Red Black Tree[Insert, Delete]; 15. Dynamic Programming: Rod cutting[Recursive, Top_down, Bottom_up, Print],Longest common subsequence; 16. Greedy Algorithms: Acitivity selection[Recursive, Iterative],Huffman codes; 22. Elementary Graph: Breadth-first search, Depth-first search, Topological sort, Strongly connected components; 23. Minimum Spanning Trees: Minimum spanning tree[Kruskal’s algorithm,Prim’s algorithm]; 24. Single-Source Shortest Paths: The Bellman-Ford algorithm,DAG algorithm,Dijkstra’s algorithm; 25. All-pairs Shortest Paths: All-pairs Shortest paths algorithms[Slow,Faster,The Floyd-Warshall algorithm]; 26. Maximum Flow: The Ford-Fulkerson algorithm; Addition: Tower of Hanoi,N Queens Problem,Comparison of sorting algorithms; The primary features: You can run the pseudo-code single step or continuous, observe the change of parameters and data structures,it can help you to understand the design thought of the algorithm; You can set breakpoints in program and ovserve the status of breakpoint, it can help you to understand why this algorithm is corrcet by using loop invariants; With running-time function stacks and the returning positions,you can track the running process of recursive functions easily, and understand the operation mechanism of computer programs; By recording the performed times of the pseudo-codes can help you to understand the running time of algorithms; I wish this app can be helpful to you;

Screenshots

xFormula4 screens
CLRS.Helper[Lite]3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CLRS.Helper[Lite] at none against xFormula's 4. xFormula's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. xFormula sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. CLRS.Helper[Lite] asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

xFormula ships an update every 3 weeks, CLRS.Helper[Lite] every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
xFormula versus CLRS.Helper[Lite]: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterxFormulaCLRS.Helper[Lite]
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (55 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews84.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings55 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer煦 张巍 顾

In-app purchases

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
None

CLRS.Helper[Lite]

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is xFormula free?
xFormula is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CLRS.Helper[Lite] free?
CLRS.Helper[Lite] is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do xFormula or CLRS.Helper[Lite] have ads?
Neither xFormula nor CLRS.Helper[Lite] shows ads.
Which is updated more often, xFormula or CLRS.Helper[Lite]?
xFormula ships an update every 3 weeks, and CLRS.Helper[Lite] every 3 months. Most recently, xFormula was updated on September 24, 2026 and CLRS.Helper[Lite] on June 11, 2026.

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