# Vim vs Vimlike

The clearest difference is rating: Vimlike at 4.7 against Vim's 2.9. Vimlike also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 46%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months). Vim's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.6). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Vimlike holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 21 and 30 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Vim's written reviews are positive against 85% of Vimlike's.

Vim ships an update every 9 months, Vimlike every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Vim | Vimlike |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vim/id492668168/reviews) | **[4.7 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vimlike/id1584519802/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 21 | **30** |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | **84.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 37 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Applidium](https://appshunter.io/developer/308674223) | [Jasmine Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/565086792) |

## What reviewers say

### Vim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vim/id492668168)

A highly configurable text editor with a long history, designed for efficient editing from both command lines and graphical interfaces. It offers extensive customization options for programmers and writers alike.

**Highlights:** Text editing, Command-line interface support, Graphical user interface support, Highly configurable, Free and open source

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ True Vim implementation with authentic commands and features
- ⌨️ Works well with external Bluetooth keyboards
- 🆓 Free application with no cost barrier
- 🔒 Includes encryption functionality for secure editing
- 📝 Supports .vimrc configuration files

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Escape key mapping to backslash is cumbersome and unintuitive
- 🐛 Space bar and other keys don't work with external keyboards
- 🐛 Font rendering is illegible on Retina displays and newer devices
- 🐛 Severe input lag and keystroke delay issues
- 🐛 Window focus problems in multitasking environments

**Reported bugs**

- Escape key not recognized on external keyboards
- Space bar non-functional with external keyboards
- Font illegible on Retina and newer displays
- Significant input lag between keystrokes and display
- Window focus not maintained in multitasking

**Requested features**

- Custom keyboard row with Esc, Tab, Ctrl, and common symbols
- Dropbox and cloud service integration
- iOS copy/paste and clipboard integration
- File browser and file management system
- Better font rendering and scaling options


### Vimlike

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vimlike/id1584519802)

Enhance web browsing with keyboard shortcuts, mimicking a Vim-like editor experience. Navigate pages, manage tabs, and interact with links using customizable key bindings. Offers features like dark mode and reader view for a streamlined workflow.

**Highlights:** Keyboard shortcuts for navigation, Customizable key mappings, Link interaction (open, new tab), Tab management (new, close, switch), Insert and normal modes, Reader view and dark mode

**Features:** Safari Extension

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for Vim addicts
- ✨ Genius author
- 🚀 Fantastic extension for keyboard users
- 💯 Best Vim key implementation
- 🚀 Functionally perfect and polished

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Does not support Colemak layout
- 🐛 Default mode setting does not work
- 🐛 Lacking bookmark/favorite support
- 🐛 Scrolling bug on iPadOS
- 🐛 Link hints inefficient

**Reported bugs**

- Default mode setting does not work
- Scrolling bug on iPadOS
- Cannot use 'f' to press buttons on webpage
- Hitting F again does not cancel navigation
- Extension not working after a while, requires reinstallation

**Requested features**

- Open search result in current tab
- Customized new tab URL
- Support for opening bookmarks/favorites
- Visual mode for highlighting text
- Custom search URL support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Vim free?

Vim is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Vimlike free?

Vimlike is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Vim or Vimlike?

Vimlike is rated higher. Vim averages 2.9 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while Vimlike averages 4.7 from 30 ratings.

### Do Vim or Vimlike have ads?

Neither Vim nor Vimlike shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Vim or Vimlike?

Vim ships an update every 9 months, and Vimlike every 2 months. Most recently, Vim was updated on October 4, 2026 and Vimlike on October 5, 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.*