# Unicode Pad Express vs Symbol Keypad for Texting

The clearest difference is ads: Unicode Pad Express at none against Symbol Keypad 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 Keypad for Texting's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (81% 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 4.7 for Symbol Keypad for Texting. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Symbol Keypad for Texting has 1.6K ratings behind it against 121, 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 81% of Symbol Keypad for Texting's.

Unicode Pad Express ships an update every 7 months, Symbol Keypad for Texting fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Unicode Pad Express | Symbol Keypad for Texting |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (121 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unicode-pad-express/id368394740/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbol-keypad-for-texting/id975780487/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 121 | **1.6K** |
| Positive reviews | 62.8% of reviews | **81.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 51 MB | 7 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) | [山 钟](https://appshunter.io/developer/842459640) |

## 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 Keypad for Texting

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbol-keypad-for-texting/id975780487)

Easily insert a vast array of Unicode symbols and characters into your text messages and other applications. Explore thousands of symbols to express your information uniquely and enhance your communication.

**Highlights:** Access over 50,000 Unicode characters, Thousands of unique symbols available, Insert symbols into texts and other apps, Express information uniquely, Enhance communication with special characters

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for its niche
- 👍 Convenient and useful
- 👍 Lots of symbols to choose from
- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 👍 Helpful for gaming and messaging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Search and navigation issues
- 🐛 Compatibility problems with new iOS updates
- 🐛 Unintuitive interface
- 🐛 Missing common symbols
- 🔋 Ads can be intrusive

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard not showing up properly on iPad
- Favorites and history not syncing correctly
- Some symbols not displaying correctly after iOS updates

**Requested features**

- Add more symbols, especially common fractions and Egyptian hieroglyphics
- Improve search functionality and navigation
- Add iPad support and optimize the UI for larger screens
- Allow customization of favorite symbols and their placement
- Provide an option to disable the dark mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Unicode Pad Express free?

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

### Is Symbol Keypad for Texting free?

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

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

Symbol Keypad for Texting is rated higher. Unicode Pad Express averages 4.6 out of 5 from 121 ratings, while Symbol Keypad for Texting averages 4.7 from 1.6K ratings.

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

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

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

Unicode Pad Express ships an update every 7 months, and Symbol Keypad for Texting fortnightly. Most recently, Unicode Pad Express was updated on October 15, 2026 and Symbol Keypad for Texting on October 14, 2026.

---

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