Comparison

Nodus vs Custom Keyboard

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

Head to head
About

Nodus

Features
Read full description

Nodus is a minimal Zettelkasten note-taking app for iPhone and iPad. Your notes are plain Markdown files stored in iCloud Drive โ€” no proprietary format, no lock-in, no subscription. Why Nodus? Most note apps are too complex. Nodus focuses on what matters: writing, linking, and thinking. Features - Plain Markdown files in iCloud Drive โ€” open with any Markdown editor on Mac or iOS - Wiki-style links with [[timestamp]] syntax that survive title renames - Fast full-text AND search across filenames and body text - Clean edit / preview toggle with full GFM Markdown rendering - Sort by updated date, created date, title, backlink count, or random - Created and updated timestamps read from the file system โ€” no front matter needed Your files, your way Select any folder in iCloud Drive as your Zettelkasten. Use Nodus alongside your existing notes and desktop editors โ€” everything stays in sync automatically.

About

Custom Keyboard

Features
Read full description

WorkType is a custom keyboard for people who type the same useful things every day. Save routine text once, then use it anywhere you type. WorkType keeps phrases, dates, cleanup tools, calculator input, and Apple Shortcuts buttons close to the text field, so you can move faster without jumping between apps. Use WorkType to: - Insert dates and times in your favorite formats - Save quick replies, signatures, addresses, and snippets - Organize phrases by work, home, school, travel, or any routine - Clean pasted text with trim, case change, sort, bullet, encode, and URL tools - Calculate numbers without leaving the keyboard - Run Apple Shortcuts from custom keyboard buttons WorkType is built for everyday writing: messages, notes, forms, emails, planning, support replies, and any place where repeated typing slows you down. Privacy note: iOS custom keyboards need Full Access for clipboard utilities and Shortcuts handoff. Date, phrase, and calculator features can be used without clipboard access. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Nodus4 screens
Custom Keyboard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Nodus at none against Custom Keyboard's 3. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Custom Keyboard sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Nodus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nodus ships an update every 5 days, Custom Keyboard weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
Nodus versus Custom Keyboard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNodusCustom Keyboard
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 days โ€” betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.6 โ€” better18.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size1 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNakada KyotaBhagya Silva

In-app purchases

None

Nodus

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Custom Keyboard

Subscriptions3
  • WorkType Pro Weekly7 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • WorkType Pro Monthly7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • WorkType Pro Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Nodus free?
Nodus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Custom Keyboard free?
Custom Keyboard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Nodus or Custom Keyboard have ads?
Neither Nodus nor Custom Keyboard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nodus or Custom Keyboard?
Nodus ships an update every 5 days, and Custom Keyboard weekly. Most recently, Nodus was updated on November 9, 2026 and Custom Keyboard on November 5, 2026.

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