Comparison

xFormula vs Archimedes Editor

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

Archimedes Editor

This app is a powerful Markdown editor that simplifies mathematical writing with integrated LaTeX support. It offers features like inline LaTeX, autocompletion, live previews, and a math library to help users create beautifully typeset documents.

Highlights
  • Markdown editing with syntax highlighter
  • Inline LaTeX support with autocompletion
  • Magic Type for drawing mathematical symbols
  • Live preview with custom themes and Dark Mode
  • Math library for LaTeX commands
  • iCloud document sync with Mac counterpart
  • Export to PDF and HTML
Read full description

Archimedes is a Markdown editor designed to make mathematical writing easy with inline LaTeX support. MARKDOWN EDITING At its core, Archimedes is a fully-featured plain text and Markdown editor. It includes a fast syntax highlighter and provides convenient keyboard shortcuts for common actions, such as inserting images and links. With complete support for Markdown and the Format Bar floating above the keyboard, Archimedes makes formatting and structuring documents elegant and easy. MATH MODE + AUTOCOMPLETE In Math Mode, Archimedes lets you write mathematics in a subset of LaTeX, making it an approachable LaTeX editor. Just enter $$ to get started. Over 700 intuitive commands, such as \sqrt{a^2 + b^2}, help you produce stunning mathematical output. Archimedes even autocompletes commands and intelligently matches closing braces, brackets, and parenthesis as you type. MAGIC TYPE Just getting started with LaTeX syntax? Don't know the code for the asymptotically equal symbol? Just draw it! Archimedes will recognize the symbol and insert the corresponding code for you. LIVE PREVIEW As you work, a beautifully-typeset live preview of your document is always visible. You can even select a custom theme, and Dark Mode is fully supported. Themes come with various font faces. MATH LIBRARY Browse the math library to see all available LaTeX commands and their previews in one place. NAVIGATOR Working on a long document? Use the Navigator to pull up a table of contents and quickly jump between sections. IMAGES Insert images from your Photos library, via the Document Camera, or by drawing sketches right inside the document. DOCUMENT SYNC Archimedes is the only app of its kind that supports syncing documents via iCloud with its Mac counterpart. SHARING Share your work with the rest of the world via email, iMessage, AirDrop, and more. Export documents to the Files app in PDF or HTML formats. You can even print with AirPrint. SEARCH Use the Find bar to quickly find text in any document. STATISTICS View the character count, word count, and reading time as you work. MATH SNIPPET EDITOR Quickly typeset mathematical expressions and copy the rendered result as a vector image for use in apps like Keynote. KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS Take advantage of Magic Keyboard and keyboard shortcuts to quickly navigate the app.

Screenshots

xFormula4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Archimedes Editor at 4.8 against xFormula's 3.9. Archimedes Editor also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 85%). xFormula's advantage is iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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 and Archimedes Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Archimedes Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 55 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of xFormula's written reviews are positive against 100% of Archimedes Editor's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

xFormula ships an update every 3 weeks, Archimedes Editor every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
xFormula versus Archimedes Editor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterxFormulaArchimedes Editor
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (55 ratings)4.8 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings55 — better26
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS16.1 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer煦 张Furnace Creek Software LLC

Customer experience

xFormula

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

Archimedes Editor

All ratings25 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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
1 purchases

Archimedes Editor

One-time1
  • Pro: One Time Purchase$9.99

Questions

Is xFormula free?
xFormula is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Archimedes Editor free?
Archimedes Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, xFormula or Archimedes Editor?
Archimedes Editor is rated higher. xFormula averages 3.9 out of 5 from 55 ratings, while Archimedes Editor averages 4.8 from 26 ratings.
Do xFormula or Archimedes Editor have ads?
Neither xFormula nor Archimedes Editor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, xFormula or Archimedes Editor?
xFormula ships an update every 3 weeks, and Archimedes Editor every 5 weeks. Most recently, xFormula was updated on September 28, 2026 and Archimedes Editor on September 19, 2026.

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