Comparison

HoldUP vs Type

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

Head to head
About

HoldUP

This minimalist app allows you to display custom visual messages in public or private spaces without speaking. It's ideal for setting boundaries or communicating when verbal interaction is difficult. The app offers fullscreen message display, customizable text and backgrounds, and optional text-to-speech in multiple languages.

Highlights
  • Fullscreen message display
  • Customizable messages
  • Optional text-to-speech
  • Customizable background/text colors
  • No ads or distractions
Features
Read full description

Hold up your phone and say it big. HoldUP turns your iPhone & iPad into a bright scrolling LED banner. Cheer at concerts and games, greet someone at the airport, or prop it on your door so nobody barges in while you're busy. LED BANNER • Type a message and show it full screen in landscape at max brightness • Scroll left, scroll right or keep it still • Any text or background color, adjustable speed and size • Screen lock so a bump doesn't stop your sign • Recent signs in History; keep your favorites in My Signs CONCERTS & EVENTS • Big, bright signs the artist can actually read from the stage • No poster-size limits or confiscated signs — it's just your phone • Lightstick mode: a glowing full-screen color to wave with the crowd SPEAK IT OUT LOUD • Tap the speaker on any sign and your phone reads it out loud • Natural voices, all free • Quick phrases for loud bars, travel and moments you can't talk

About

Type

Features
Read full description

Type-Cat brings AI-powered writing directly into your keyboard - no app switching, no copy-pasting.. Wherever you type on iPhone, Type-Cat is there. Select your text or start typing, and let AI fix your grammar, adjust your tone, or translate - all without leaving the app you're in. FEATURES • Fix Grammar - Automatically detects and corrects grammar, spelling, punctuation, and verb agreement errors while preserving your original meaning. • Rewrite Tone - Instantly rewrite your text as Casual, Concise, Formal, Gen Z, Singlish. • Translate - Translate your text into English, Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, French, German, or Spanish. • Quick Fix Bar - Spelling corrections appear inline above the keyboard so you can apply them with a single tap. BRING YOUR OWN KEY Type-Cat works with your own API key - you choose your AI provider: • OpenAI (GPT) • Google Gemini • xAI Grok • Anthropic Claude Your API key is stored securely in the iOS Keychain and never shared with anyone. Text is sent directly from your device to your chosen provider - the developer never sees it. PRIVACY FIRST • No account required • No data collection • No tracking or analytics • Spelling checks run entirely on-device HOW TO GET STARTED 1. Install Type-Cat 2. Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard → Type-Cat 3. Tap Type-Cat and enable Allow Full Access 4. Open Type-Cat and add your API key 5. Start typing anywhere — tap the cat icon to open the assistant

Screenshots

HoldUP4 screens
Type3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Type at none against HoldUP's 2. HoldUP's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. HoldUP sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Type asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HoldUP ships an update weekly, Type fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
HoldUP versus Type: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHoldUPType
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer曦月 张Ooi Way Min

In-app purchases

2 purchases

HoldUP

Subscriptions1
  • HoldUP Pro Weekly$0.997 Days
One-time1
  • HoldUP Pro$9.99
None

Type

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HoldUP free?
HoldUP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Type free?
Type is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HoldUP or Type have ads?
Neither HoldUP nor Type shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HoldUP or Type?
HoldUP ships an update weekly, and Type fortnightly. Most recently, HoldUP was updated on October 24, 2026 and Type on October 6, 2026.

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