# Short Text vs Keystrokes

The clearest difference is rating: Keystrokes at 5.0 against Short Text's 4.8. Short Text's advantage is ratings volume (17 vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Keystrokes holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Short Text has 17 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Short Text | Keystrokes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-text/id1576620423/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keystrokes-slow-messages/id1673166188/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **17** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | Every 5 days |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 4 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.4** | 16.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Denton Kollar](https://appshunter.io/developer/775306928) | [Jenny Kim](https://appshunter.io/developer/1614543716) |

## What reviewers say

### Short Text

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-text/id1576620423)

This app helps you easily shorten or expand text messages. It features intelligent algorithms for fast conversions, a database of abbreviations, and the ability to recognize text from photos. Customize your preferences and share your converted text across various platforms.

**Highlights:** Shorten and expand text, Intelligent algorithms, Database of abbreviations, Text recognition from photos, Customizable settings, Share converted text

**In-app purchases:** none


### Keystrokes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keystrokes-slow-messages/id1673166188)

Send short text messages that appear on your friends' and family's screens throughout the day. This app allows for a unique way to share brief thoughts and updates.

**Highlights:** Send slow messages, Text widgets on screen, Share with friends and family, Persistent message display

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Short Text free?

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

### Is Keystrokes free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Short Text or Keystrokes?

Keystrokes is rated higher. Short Text averages 4.8 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Keystrokes averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Short Text or Keystrokes have ads?

Neither Short Text nor Keystrokes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Short Text or Keystrokes?

Short Text ships an update every 5 days, and Keystrokes every 5 days. Most recently, Short Text was updated on November 3, 2026 and Keystrokes on November 3, 2026.

---

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