# Unicode Pad Express vs Symbol Keyboard for Texting

The clearest difference is ads: Unicode Pad Express at none against Symbol Keyboard for Texting's shown. Unicode Pad Express also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 15.0). Symbol Keyboard for Texting's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (88% vs 63%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Unicode Pad Express against 4.6 for Symbol Keyboard for Texting. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Symbol Keyboard for Texting has 3K ratings behind it against 130, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 63% of Unicode Pad Express's written reviews are positive against 88% of Symbol Keyboard for Texting's.

Unicode Pad Express ships an update every 7 months, Symbol Keyboard for Texting every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Unicode Pad Express | Symbol Keyboard for Texting |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (130 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unicode-pad-express/id368394740/reviews) | **[4.6 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbol-keyboard-for-texting/id811850284/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 130 | **3K** |
| Positive reviews | 62.8% of reviews | **87.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 51 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.4** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ziga Kranjec](https://appshunter.io/developer/368394743) | [ShuMei Liang](https://appshunter.io/developer/811743316) |

## What reviewers say

### Unicode Pad Express

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unicode-pad-express/id368394740)

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.

**Highlights:** Extensive character map, Insert Unicode characters, Simple interface, Free version

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great variety of symbols
- 👍 Easy to use (for some)
- 👍 Free version available
- 👍 Useful for special characters
- 👍 Good for stylizing posts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Some symbols not showing
- 🐛 Emojis mixed with symbols
- 🐛 Not designed well
- 🐛 Paid pro version needed for features

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Add a search system (by name or code)
- Ability to favorite symbols
- Create custom keyboards
- Rename private use characters
- Make emojis into symbols


### Symbol Keyboard for Texting

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbol-keyboard-for-texting/id811850284)

Enhance your mobile conversations with a vast library of over 50,000 unique Unicode characters and symbols. Easily integrate these special characters into your messages to make your chats more engaging and visually interesting.

**Highlights:** Over 50,000 characters, Unicode symbols, Special characters, Enhanced mobile chatting, Texting customization

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great source for uncommon and common fonts
- 👍 Comprehensive collection of symbols and languages
- 👍 Useful for organization and labeling
- 👍 Easy to integrate with iOS keyboard

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App now just takes you to ads
- 🐛 Loads ads instead of showing symbols
- 🐛 Requires full access to see anything typed
- 🔋 High battery consumption

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't work, need help
- iOS keeps removing keyboard access
- Recently used symbols list gets cleared

**Requested features**

- Add preview of each font before selection
- Organize symbols into categories or folders
- Add more font options, especially for English
- Include astrological and zodiac symbols


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Unicode Pad Express free?

Unicode Pad Express is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Symbol Keyboard for Texting free?

Symbol Keyboard for Texting is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Unicode Pad Express or Symbol Keyboard for Texting?

Symbol Keyboard for Texting is rated higher. Unicode Pad Express averages 4.6 out of 5 from 130 ratings, while Symbol Keyboard for Texting averages 4.6 from 3K ratings.

### Do Unicode Pad Express or Symbol Keyboard for Texting have ads?

Symbol Keyboard for Texting shows ads; Unicode Pad Express does not.

### Which is updated more often, Unicode Pad Express or Symbol Keyboard for Texting?

Unicode Pad Express ships an update every 7 months, and Symbol Keyboard for Texting every 3 weeks. Most recently, Unicode Pad Express was updated on October 22, 2026 and Symbol Keyboard for Texting on October 23, 2026.

---

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