Comparison

btkbd vs VimKey

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

btkbd

Transform your phone into a full-sized Bluetooth keyboard for various devices like laptops, tablets, and smart TVs. Easily type emails, messages, and more without needing extra hardware. Ideal for on-the-go use or when you need a convenient typing solution.

Highlights
  • Turns phone into a full-sized keyboard
  • Connects via Bluetooth
  • Supports laptops, tablets, TVs, and consoles
  • Easy setup and pairing
  • Convenient for travel and remote use
  • Type emails, messages, and notes
Features
Read full description

Imagine turning your phone into a trusty, full-sized keyboard whenever you need it. That’s exactly what this app does. No fuss, no fancy tricks—just a straightforward way to type on all kinds of devices, from your laptop and tablet to your TV box, gaming console, or even a smart fridge that supports a Bluetooth keyboard. With a few quick taps, you’ll be typing away, crafting emails, notes, and all sorts of messages as if you were using a regular keyboard. It’s great for those moments when you’re on the go and don’t want to lug around extra gear. The setup is easy—just open the app, pair it via Bluetooth, and you’re good to go. Type comfortably and confidently, whether you’re writing that big project proposal, chatting with friends, playing a game that needs precise input, or simply searching for your next movie to watch. You’ll have all the keys you need right there on your phone’s screen. Want to lean back on the couch while typing on your smart TV? No problem. Need something lighter to carry than a full keyboard while traveling? This app has you covered. It’s a handy companion that’s always with you, making everyday tasks a little smoother and more enjoyable. Give it a try, and discover how easy it can be to transform your phone into your personal keyboard assistant.

About

VimKey

Enhance your mobile editing experience with Vim-style navigation and dedicated arrow keys. This app offers precise cursor control for developers and power users on iOS devices, bringing desktop-level efficiency to your fingertips.

Highlights
  • Vim-style HJKL navigation
  • Dedicated directional arrow keys
  • Dual layout switching
  • Privacy-focused data handling
  • Haptic feedback and click sounds
Features
Read full description

【Master Your Cursor on iOS】 As a developer, I was frustrated with editing code and managing SSH sessions on my iPhone. The native "magnifying glass" cursor is slow, and my fingers often blocked the text I was trying to select. I built VimKey to scratch my own itch. It brings the precision of desktop editing to your mobile device. Key Features: * Vim-Style Navigation: Use the legendary HJKL (←↓↑→) keys to move the cursor. Keep your hands on the keyboard and fly through text. * Dedicated Arrow Keys: Includes a standard directional pad for precise control without blocking the screen. * Dual Layouts: Seamlessly switch between the navigation layout and a standard QWERTY keyboard (Unlock QWERTY for 30 minutes by watching a short ad, or unlock forever with a one-time purchase). * Privacy First: We respect your data. "Full Access" is requested ONLY to provide haptic feedback and click sounds. We strictly do NOT collect, store, or transmit your keystrokes. Important Note: * Due to browser limitations on iOS, special keys (Esc, Tab, Ctrl) and arrow keys do NOT work in browser-based WebSSH clients. For the best experience, please use a native Terminal app. Contact: I'm actively improving this app based on user feedback. Email: mozhenbear@zodic.dev

Screenshots

btkbd3 screens
VimKey3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: VimKey at 5.0 against btkbd's 4.0. VimKey also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 71%). btkbd's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (13 vs 3). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. btkbd sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and VimKey sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VimKey holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of btkbd's written reviews are positive against 100% of VimKey's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

btkbd ships an update fortnightly, VimKey every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
btkbd versus VimKey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterbtkbdVimKey
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (13 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better3
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIaroslav Mironovchuncheng su

Customer experience

btkbd

All ratings13 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral4.8%
Negative23.8%

VimKey

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

btkbd

One-time1
  • btkbd.pro$3.99
1 purchases

VimKey

One-time1
  • qwert Layout$2.99

Questions

Is btkbd free?
btkbd is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VimKey free?
VimKey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, btkbd or VimKey?
VimKey is rated higher. btkbd averages 4.0 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while VimKey averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do btkbd or VimKey have ads?
Neither btkbd nor VimKey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, btkbd or VimKey?
btkbd ships an update fortnightly, and VimKey every 10 days. Most recently, btkbd was updated on October 6, 2026 and VimKey on September 30, 2026.

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