# alt Codes vs Symbol Keyboard for Message

The clearest difference is ads: alt Codes at none against Symbol Keyboard for Message's shown. alt Codes also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Symbol Keyboard for Message's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (74 vs 9). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Symbol Keyboard for Message holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Symbol Keyboard for Message has 74 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 82% of alt Codes's written reviews are positive against 76% of Symbol Keyboard for Message's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

alt Codes ships an update fortnightly, Symbol Keyboard for Message monthly. The most recent releases landed on July 17, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | alt Codes | Symbol Keyboard for Message |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alt-codes/id907724786/reviews) | **[4.7 (74 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbol-keyboard-for-message/id1063919603/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **74** |
| Positive reviews | **81.8% of reviews** | 75.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 0 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jared Lipton](https://appshunter.io/developer/778105187) | [山 钟](https://appshunter.io/developer/842459640) |

## What reviewers say

### alt Codes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alt-codes/id907724786)

Discover Windows keyboard shortcuts for typing special characters and symbols not on your keyboard. Quickly copy symbols to your iOS device's clipboard for easy pasting on your Mac via Universal Clipboard.

**Highlights:** Find Windows keyboard shortcuts, Type special characters and symbols, Copy symbols to iOS clipboard, Paste on Mac with Universal Clipboard, Quick symbol lookup

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Symbol Keyboard for Message

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbol-keyboard-for-message/id1063919603)

Add over 10,000 special symbols and characters to your messages and social media profiles. Customize bios, posts, and texts to stand out and impress your friends. Works across all your favorite apps.

**Highlights:** 10000+ cool symbols, Customize social media bios, Use in all apps, Pimp Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Create custom text messages, Personalize contact lists and calendars

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is alt Codes free?

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

### Is Symbol Keyboard for Message free?

Symbol Keyboard for Message is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, alt Codes or Symbol Keyboard for Message?

Symbol Keyboard for Message is rated higher. alt Codes averages 4.4 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Symbol Keyboard for Message averages 4.7 from 74 ratings.

### Do alt Codes or Symbol Keyboard for Message have ads?

Symbol Keyboard for Message shows ads; alt Codes does not.

### Which is updated more often, alt Codes or Symbol Keyboard for Message?

alt Codes ships an update fortnightly, and Symbol Keyboard for Message monthly. Most recently, alt Codes was updated on July 17, 2026 and Symbol Keyboard for Message on September 27, 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.*