Morse vs Forethumb
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Morse
Translate, type, learn, and convert Morse code with this versatile app. It offers features like a flashing light encoder, audio file creation, and real-time microphone decoding. Customize your experience and explore advanced learning and social features.
- Morse code translation and interpretation
- Full-screen flashing light encoder
- Morse code audio file generation
- Real-time microphone decoding
- Morse alphabet and mnemonics
- Customizable display and settings
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Morse-it is an easy-to-use application that lets you translate, interpret, type, learn, convert Morse code, and more. You can run it on your iPhone or iPad and it is compatible with VoiceOver. Note: By getting this app, you'll have access to several useful and fun features related to Morse code (these are the features explained in this description and visible in the screenshots). In addition, you can unlock advanced features in the app if you need them: learning and social features. More information at the end of this description. Type any text and it will be automatically encoded into a full-screen flashing effect of the corresponding Morse code. The flashlight of your device is also used. Your "SOS" messages will be seen quite far away! Some sound will also be played accordingly. In detailed mode, the encoded text will scroll during the decoding process. Tap some Morse code on the screen and the program will translate it into some text. Several input types are supported: Novice, Straight Key, Memory Paddle, Iambic Paddle (A and B), Microphone. Left and right handed modes are supported. Test and improve your skills: are you good enough to be understood? Create Morse code audio files from a given text (or variables). Use these files as you like: listen to them to train your decoding skills or use them as ringtones for your mobile phone. Create beautiful abstract wallpapers for your device (or posters to be printed) by customizing the display of the dashes and dots of the sentence you like. Exclusive feature that allows you to decode in real time the Morse code recorded by the microphone into text (note: the sound must be quite clear/loud and without much noise). Some automatic calibration is performed, allowing adaptation to speed, tone and volume changes. The full Morse alphabet (including prosigns) can also be viewed and the associated Morse code can be played. Tapped and decoded text can be edited and exported to clipboard, in-app email and SMS. A special screen allows textual conversion of Morse code and text. Exchange encrypted messages with your friends. Wikipedia and Visual Mnemonic screens to get information and mnemonics about Morse code. You can also add your own websites for in-app consultation. The whole application is highly configurable (frequency, WPM, tone type, color, Morse code, variables ...) A customizable today view widget can be added to your home screen to display the current date in Morse code. Some custom actions are available in the shortcut app, and some features of the app can be triggered using Siri. You can also become part of the Morse-it Social Club (thanks to a renewable subscription) and unlock the following Social features: Messages, Forums, QSO Bot, Poem of the Day, Quotes of the Day, Games of the Day ... and more. The following Learning features will also be unlocked (but can also be unlocked with a single one-time in-app purchase if you prefer): Koch trainer, Sending trainer, Cards trainer, CWops Academy learning method, Quiz, Macros, Dictionaries: abbreviations, QSOs, mnemonics, timing (Farnsworth) and Morse alphabet/Prosigns personalization, appearance customization ... and more. Some Morse-it features are powered by Icom, a world leader in the amateur radio market. !!! As seen on TV !!! (UK) in Most Haunted Live: Apparently you can use it to communicate with ghosts (no guarantee though :D) Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Forethumb
This keyboard app allows users to input text on their iOS devices using Morse code. It offers single-key or paddle input methods, with options for sound feedback and customizable gap lengths. It supports alphabets, numbers, some symbols, and Japanese characters.
- Morse code input (single key or paddle)
- Sound feedback on input
- Swipe gestures for delete/space
- Customizable gap length
- Supports alphabets, numbers, symbols, Japanese
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Forethumb enables you to input characters on your iOS device with morse code. You can type sentences blindfold, if you memorized morse code for forethumb. [Function] - Character input is possible by single key type or paddle type Morse input. - The sound is played when you input the morse code. - In the case of the single key type, swiping the key to the left will "delete" and swiping to the right will "enter space". - You can change the default gap length. [Functional Limitations] - The characters that you can enter are alphabets, numbers, some symbols, and Japanese. [Attention] - You have to do the additional procedure of Forethumb to use it (Settings -> General -> Keyboard). - Then, you also have to turn on the "Full Access" for Forethumb. * Please don’t worry; The developer does not collect your data at all. [Support] - Please do not hesitate to contact the developer for any defect reports or questions/requests. - The developer will consider any requests about additional function. - The developer may end support for older iOS without notice.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Forethumb at none against Morse's 3. Forethumb also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). Morse's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 64%) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 8). On price, rating, ads and device support 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
Morse costs $0.99 and Forethumb $0.99 up front. Morse sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Forethumb asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Morse against 4.8 for Forethumb. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Morse has 1.1K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 90% of Morse's written reviews are positive against 64% of Forethumb's.
Morse ships an update every 5 weeks, Forethumb every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Morse | Forethumb |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.1K ratings) | 4.8 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 90.3% of reviews — better | 64.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #77 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 71 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Francis Bonnin | Takuto Nakamura |
Customer experience
Morse
Forethumb
In-app purchases
Morse
- Morse-it Social Club1 Month trial$3.991 Month
- Morse-it Social Club$39.991 Year
- Learning features$8.99
Forethumb
No in-app purchases









