# SoundNote vs ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout

The clearest difference is update cadence: SoundNote at every 6 weeks against ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout's every 4 months. SoundNote also leads on review sentiment (70% vs 60%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and price ($3.99 vs $4.99). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

SoundNote costs $4.99 and ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SoundNote holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 29 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of SoundNote's written reviews are positive against 60% of ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout's.

SoundNote ships an update every 6 weeks, ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SoundNote | ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$3.99** |
| Rating | **[3.8 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soundnote/id364789577/reviews)** | [3.6 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abcdef-keyboard-custom-layout/id1465367757/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **29** |
| Positive reviews | **69.7% of reviews** | 60.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 9 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Estes](https://appshunter.io/developer/364789580) | [Philipp Baldauf](https://appshunter.io/developer/613102952) |

## What reviewers say

### SoundNote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soundnote/id364789577)

Record audio while taking notes and drawing. Tap any word or drawing to instantly jump to that moment in the recording. Ideal for students, journalists, and professionals to capture every detail in meetings, lectures, and interviews.

**Highlights:** Synchronized audio recording and note-taking, Tap notes to jump to audio playback, Integrated drawing tools with editing, Zoom and scroll functionality for drawings, Share notes and audio via email, Transfer notes to Mac or PC

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great for recording lectures and meetings
- 👍 Ability to tap notes to jump to that part of the audio
- 📤 Easy to export notes and audio
- 🎨 Drawing capabilities
- 🎥 Good audio quality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔒 Lack of password protection or security features
- 📂 No folder or organization system for notes
- 🖍️ Limited text formatting options (no bold, italic, etc.)
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating and searching through notes

**Reported bugs**

- Typing issues, such as duplicate characters or unresponsive keyboard
- Audio recording cutting out or becoming distorted
- Syncing issues between notes and audio

**Requested features**

- Folders or notebooks to organize notes
- Text formatting options (bold, italic, underline, etc.)
- Pause/rewind/fast-forward controls for audio playback
- Integration with cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
- Ability to insert images or diagrams into notes


### ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abcdef-keyboard-custom-layout/id1465367757)

This keyboard app offers a redesigned layout based on alphabetical order, making typing intuitive and stress-free. It features word suggestions to speed up messaging and ensures 100% privacy by keeping data on your device.

**Highlights:** Alphabetical key layout, Built-in word suggestions, 100% private, no full access needed, Works in all apps, Easy to learn

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SoundNote free?

SoundNote costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout free?

ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SoundNote or ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout?

SoundNote is rated higher. SoundNote averages 3.8 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout averages 3.6 from 29 ratings.

### Do SoundNote or ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout have ads?

Neither SoundNote nor ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SoundNote or ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout?

SoundNote ships an update every 6 weeks, and ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout every 4 months. Most recently, SoundNote was updated on September 20, 2026 and ABCDEF Keyboard Custom layout on September 12, 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.*