# Simeji vs HandModel

The clearest difference is rating: Simeji at 4.6 against HandModel's 2.8. Simeji also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 18). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Simeji sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and HandModel sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Simeji holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simeji has 1.2K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Simeji's written reviews are positive against 45% of HandModel's.

Simeji ships an update every 2 weeks, HandModel every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simeji | HandModel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simeji/id899997582/reviews)** | [2.8 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handmodel/id1551114365/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 18 |
| Positive reviews | **64.2% of reviews** | 44.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 193 MB | 82 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Baidu Japan Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/382165332) | [Kosuke Nishioka](https://appshunter.io/developer/1311381476) |

## What reviewers say

### Simeji

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simeji/id899997582)

This keyboard app offers a customizable Japanese input experience with a vast library of emoticons, emoji, and stickers. It features a cloud-based dictionary for up-to-date slang and phrases, along with options to personalize your keyboard's appearance. Advanced users can enjoy VIP features like OCR and unlimited theme customization.

**Highlights:** Skinnable keyboard with custom wallpapers and themes, Extensive emoticon and emoji library with rankings, Cloud-based dictionary with 2M entries, Preset and user-shared phrases, Popular Simeji stickers, VIP exclusive themes and custom parts, OCR function for text conversion

**Features:** Safari Extension, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 月間会員 | $1.99 | per month |
| Simeji月間 VIP | $2.99 | per month |
| Simeji 月間VIP | $2.99 | per month |
| Simeji VIP Lv1 1ヶ月コース（初月半額） | $2.99 | per month |
| 月額会員 | $3.49 | per month |
| プレミアムサービス | $9.99 | per 6 months |
| Simeji VIP | $15.99 | per year |
| 年間会員 | $21.99 | per year |
| Simeji VIP年間会員 | $30.99 | per year |
| Simeji VIP Lv2 年間コース | $199.99 | per year |
| ガーリーうさぎ | $1.99 | one-time |
| クールブルー | $1.99 | one-time |
| ゆめかわユニコーン | $1.99 | one-time |
| ユリ | $1.99 | one-time |
| クラシックピアノ | $1.99 | one-time |
| きらきらジュエリー　シルバー | $1.99 | one-time |
| 白薔薇切り絵 | $1.99 | one-time |
| 有料 まふまふきせかえ | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 No ads for keyboard
- 👍 More keyboards than Facemoji
- 👍 Easy to switch between English and Japanese
- 👍 Includes kaomojis and GIFs
- 👍 Cute/better-looking keyboards

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🌐 Only available in Japanese
- 🤖 Uses AI that is destroying artists' careers

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard keeps asking for full access
- Saved emojis/emoticons disappear
- Intrusive popup ads

**Requested features**

- Add English language support
- Improve QWERTY keyboard layout
- Add auto-capitalization feature
- Introduce simplified and traditional Chinese keyboards


### HandModel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handmodel/id1551114365)

A 3D hand model reference tool for artists. It uses your device's camera to detect and edit hand poses in real-time. Offers adjustable lighting for optimal viewing.

**Highlights:** 3D hand model reference, Camera-based hand tracking, Editable hand poses, Adjustable lighting, In-app purchase for ad removal and recording

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads, Unlock saveslots | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simeji free?

Simeji is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is HandModel free?

HandModel is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Simeji or HandModel?

Simeji is rated higher. Simeji averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while HandModel averages 2.8 from 18 ratings.

### Do Simeji or HandModel have ads?

Both Simeji and HandModel show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Simeji or HandModel?

Simeji ships an update every 2 weeks, and HandModel every 9 months. Most recently, Simeji was updated on October 14, 2026 and HandModel 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.*