AirType vs Live Read
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AirType
Type messages and text from your computer directly to your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Seamlessly switch between your computer's keyboard and the app's interface for efficient communication across devices.
- Type from computer keyboard
- Send text to iPhone/iPad
- Local Wi-Fi connection
- Multi-platform browser support
- Seamless reconnection
- In-app full-size keyboard
Read full descriptionHide full description
Type on your computer. Receive it on your devices. Keep using the keyboard you know when writing a long message, taking notes, or entering a paragraph on your phone. AirType sends text from your computer browser to the active text field on your devices over the same Wi-Fi network. JUST OPEN A BROWSER No desktop software or account is required. Open the address displayed on the AirType keyboard and enter its six-digit pairing code to connect. USE YOUR FAMILIAR INPUT METHOD Compose text with your computer’s input method, then press Enter or click Send. The browser also offers delete and newline controls, plus a searchable emoji picker for adding emoji to your draft. TYPE LOCALLY, TOO Switch to the built-in English QWERTY keyboard with light and dark appearances, numbers, symbols, and English spelling suggestions. Hold the space bar and drag horizontally to move the cursor. KEEP YOUR UNSENT DRAFT If the connection drops, the browser attempts to reconnect for up to 10 seconds, then offers a manual Reconnect button. Unsent text stays in the current page so you can continue editing. GET STARTED 1. Add AirType in Keyboard settings and enable Allow Full Access. 2. Open AirType and enable its local network connection. Allow Local Network access. 3. Connect your computer and smartphone or tablet to the same Wi-Fi. 4. Open a text field in a supported app, switch to AirType, and keep Web Access visible. 5. Open the keyboard’s address on your computer, enter the pairing code, and type. PLEASE NOTE • Remote typing requires Full Access and Local Network permission. Local typing works without Full Access. • The receiving connection runs only while the Web Access keyboard is visible. • Some apps do not allow third-party keyboards. Secure text fields and certain phone fields use the system keyboard. • Web Access uses unencrypted local HTTP. Use a trusted Wi-Fi network. • No cloud account is needed. AirType does not upload your typing to its own cloud service. Browser drafts remain only in the current page and may be lost if you refresh or close it. Support: info@invivointeractive.com
Live Read
This app uses your device's camera to instantly read printed text aloud. It's designed for individuals with visual impairments, offering an accessible way to read mail, signs, books, and more without internet or setup. Enjoy customizable speech and offline functionality for independent reading.
- Automatic real-time text reading
- Tap and swipe gesture controls
- Customizable natural voice options
- Offline functionality
- Supports over 50 languages
- Private and secure on-device processing
Read full descriptionHide full description
Live Read turns your camera into a personal reading companion. It instantly finds printed text and speaks it aloud, giving people with visual impairments an easy way to read independently. No setup, no clutter. Read anything around you From mail and books to signs, menus, and labels, Live Read makes everyday reading effortless at home or on the go. Designed for accessibility Every part of Live Read is built for ease of use. Just open the app, point the camera, and it starts reading automatically. Tap anywhere to stop or reset, or swipe to move between lines. Turning on VoiceOver will replace the swipe gestures with buttons. Features • Automatic reading: Text is detected and spoken aloud in real time. • Tap or swipe control: Tap to stop or reset. Swipe left to repeat a line or right to skip ahead a line of text. • Customizable speech: Choose from natural Apple voices and adjust speaking speed. • Works offline: Reads instantly without an internet connection. • Multi-language support: Recognizes printed text in 50+ languages. • Private and secure: Live Read never saves or sends anything you scan. All processing happens instantly and entirely on your device. Disclaimer: Live Read is not a medical device. Text recognition results may not always be accurate or complete. Please use your own judgment and verify information when needed. Testimonial "I am using it on my phone now. It works amazing! And I'm reading an Irish bagpipe music book so the words are unusual and the computer is getting it pretty much right on." - Vision Piping
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Live Read at 4.7 against AirType's 3.3. Live Read also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 142 months) and review sentiment (83% vs 71%). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Live Read holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of AirType's written reviews are positive against 83% of Live Read's.
AirType ships an update every 142 months, Live Read every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AirType | Live Read |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (29 ratings) | 4.7 (11 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.0% of reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 29 — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 142 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | invivo | Ryan Anetsberger |
Customer experience
AirType
Live Read
In-app purchases
AirType
No in-app purchases
Live Read
No in-app purchases








