Unicode Pad Express vs xKeyboard
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Unicode Pad Express
Access and insert a wide range of Unicode characters with this straightforward character map application. It provides a simpler interface for finding and using special symbols and text.
- Extensive character map
- Insert Unicode characters
- Simple interface
- Free version
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It is a simpler, free version of a more fully featured Unicode Pad Pro app.
xKeyboard
Design your own keyboard with custom layouts, keys, symbols, and Unicode characters. This app allows you to create specialized keyboards for various needs, from mathematical equations to phonetic alphabets, and use them across different text editing applications.
- Custom keyboard layouts
- Symbol and Unicode integration
- Specialized keyboards (Math, IPA, Chemistry)
- Template-based creation
- Use in text editing apps
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Using xKeyboard, you can create a custom keyboard that includes layout, keys, symbols, and Unicode. The created custom keyboard can be used in text editing software on iPhone and iPad, such as Word, PPT, Excel, notes, and can also be used in text editing boxes. Built-in Keyboards - Unicode Keyboard - ABC Keyboard - ASCII Keyboard - Digits Keyboard : Binary, Integer, Decimal, Octonary, Hexadecimal - Date & Time Keyboard - Color Keyboard - Collection Keyboard : Symbols, Words, Sentences, Images, Colors - IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) Keyboard : IPA English ( DJ, K.K. ) - Subjects: Math, Chemistry, Music Language - Word Keyboards: English, French, German, Spanish ... - Code-Word Keyboards: Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional ... Culture - Astrology Keyboard: 12 zodiac signs, 10 celestial bodies, full set of aspects, elements, moon phases and auxiliary symbols - I Ching Keyboard - Chess Keyboard: Chess notation keyboard, chess symbols - Chinese Chess Keyboard: Chinese chess notation keyboard - Dice Keyboard - Mahjong Keyboard - Playing Cards Keyboard ---------- Custom - Layout: Custom layouts are better suited for specialized input scenarios. - Environment: Different environments have different rules - Certain keyboards can serve as templates, allowing you to build custom keyboards faster and more easily. ---------- Privacy : We DO NOT COLLECT ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU TYPE using this app. xKeyboard does not require network access, and Allow Full Access is not necessary. If users Allow Full Access, the following functions will be enabled: - Copy, Paste, Cut : these functions will call UIPasteboard APIs. ---------- Tips: 1. If the xKeyboard is not visible in Settings > Keyboards, then reboot the device and reinstall 2. If you could not find xKeyboard when tap globe key : Remove xKeyboard in the system settings, re-add it. ---------- Charging method: Most of the features of this software are paid for, but before purchasing, we hope that users can know if the software has the desired features and if it is possible to customize a keyboard that the user wants. Therefore, the software can be downloaded for free and allows users to try creating a keyboard before paying. Terms of Use : https://www.jianshu.com/p/b2a855c32ffe Privacy Policy : https://www.jianshu.com/p/46e225ffbc59
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Unicode Pad Express at 4.6 against xKeyboard's 3.2. Unicode Pad Express also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (63% vs 39%). xKeyboard's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 7 months). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. xKeyboard sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.29 per month. Unicode Pad Express asks for nothing beyond the download.
Unicode Pad Express holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 121 and 181 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Unicode Pad Express's written reviews are positive against 39% of xKeyboard's.
Unicode Pad Express ships an update every 7 months, xKeyboard monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Unicode Pad Express | xKeyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (121 ratings) — better | 3.2 (181 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 62.8% of reviews — better | 39.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 121 | 181 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 103 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ziga Kranjec | 煦 张 |
Customer experience
Unicode Pad Express
xKeyboard
User reviews
Unicode Pad Express
From 121 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Great variety of symbols
- 👍 Easy to use (for some)
- 👍 Free version available
- 👍 Useful for special characters
- 👍 Good for stylizing posts
Room to improve
- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Some symbols not showing
- 🐛 Emojis mixed with symbols
- 🐛 Not designed well
- 🐛 Paid pro version needed for features
xKeyboard
From 181 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Highly customizable
- 👍 Versatile for various use cases
- 🚀 Powerful keyboard creation capabilities
- 👍 Useful for conlangs and rare scripts
- 👍 Allows creating custom characters
Room to improve
- 🔒 Paywall for core functionality
- 🐛 Crashes when deleting/editing keys
- 👎 Confusing and unintuitive interface
- 👎 Lacks documentation and tutorials
- 👎 Missing basic features like autocorrect
Bugs and requests
Unicode Pad Express
Reported bugs
8 issues- App crashes when clicking too many categories
- Some characters not showing
- Emojis are displayed as symbols
- Black boxes appear instead of symbols
- App not working after iOS updates
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Copy options covered by ads
- Not iOS 8 compatible
- Symbols show as boxes since iOS 7
Requested features
18 requests- Add a search system (by name or code)
- Ability to favorite symbols
- Create custom keyboards
- Rename private use characters
- Make emojis into symbols
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- More characters without font issues
- Include all Unicode blocks
- Add sample pictures for unsupported glyphs
- Make the app a keyboard
- Add new emojis
- Make the app free (instead of paid pro)
- Add bookmarking for characters
- Ability to email bookmarked characters
- Update for lower iPod versions
- Choose text color
- Add keyboard functionality for other apps
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard
xKeyboard
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when trying to delete/edit keys
- Installed keyboards don't show custom layouts
- App crashes on certain script/language changes
Requested features
5 requests- Add ability to export/share custom keyboards
- Improve keyboard customization workflow
- Implement swipe typing and autocorrect
- Add more language/script support
- Allow creating custom characters/symbols
In-app purchases
Unicode Pad Express
No in-app purchases
xKeyboard
- VIP - 1 Month$0.291 Month
- VIP - 1 Year$2.991 Year
- VIP - Lifetime$8.99
Questions
Is Unicode Pad Express free?
Is xKeyboard free?
Which has better reviews, Unicode Pad Express or xKeyboard?
Do Unicode Pad Express or xKeyboard have ads?
Which is updated more often, Unicode Pad Express or xKeyboard?
Other comparisons
