# Handwriting Keyboard vs Selvy PenScript

The clearest difference is price: Selvy PenScript at Free against Handwriting Keyboard's $3.99. Selvy PenScript also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.6). Handwriting Keyboard's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.6). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Selvy PenScript is free to download; Handwriting Keyboard costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Handwriting Keyboard holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 96 and 120 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 64% of Handwriting Keyboard's written reviews are positive against 66% of Selvy PenScript's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Handwriting Keyboard ships an update every 3 weeks, Selvy PenScript monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Handwriting Keyboard | Selvy PenScript |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.0 (96 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handwriting-keyboard/id926102392/reviews)** | [3.6 (120 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/selvy-penscript/id1027637212/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 96 | **120** |
| Positive reviews | 63.8% of reviews | **65.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 77 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.6 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Catalystwo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1651079501) | [SELVAS AI Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/333244716) |

## What reviewers say

### Handwriting Keyboard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handwriting-keyboard/id926102392)

Effortlessly convert your handwritten notes into typed text across any application. This keyboard works offline, supports Apple Pencil, and offers customizable input settings for a seamless user experience.

**Highlights:** Handwriting to text conversion, Works in any app, Offline functionality, Apple Pencil support, Customizable input settings, Supports English and Japanese

**In-app purchases:** none


### Selvy PenScript

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/selvy-penscript/id1027637212)

Transform your handwritten notes into digital text with advanced AI recognition. Supports over 40 languages and various handwriting styles, offering a smooth and customizable input experience.

**Highlights:** Handwriting recognition, Supports over 40 languages, Cursive handwriting support, Specialized ink for beautification, Six ink color options, Smooth, continuous input

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✍️ Excellent handwriting recognition accuracy
- 🚀 Fast and responsive performance
- 💰 Free app with no ads
- 🌍 Supports multiple languages
- ⚙️ Adjustable recognition delay settings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- ⚠️ Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🔒 Requires full keyboard access (privacy concerns)
- 📱 Poor performance on iPad Mini and iPad Pro
- 🪟 Floating keyboard mode has missing UI elements

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Keyboard not appearing or switching properly
- Floating keyboard missing buttons (backspace, enter, keyboard switcher)
- Language selection not working (only Japanese shows despite settings)
- Incompatible with iOS 15.1.1 and later

**Requested features**

- Dark mode support
- Larger writing area for iPad Pro
- Apple Pencil-only input mode (disable palm detection)
- Better punctuation and special character recognition
- Improved undo/redo functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Handwriting Keyboard free?

Handwriting Keyboard costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Selvy PenScript free?

Selvy PenScript is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Handwriting Keyboard or Selvy PenScript?

Handwriting Keyboard is rated higher. Handwriting Keyboard averages 4.0 out of 5 from 96 ratings, while Selvy PenScript averages 3.6 from 120 ratings.

### Do Handwriting Keyboard or Selvy PenScript have ads?

Neither Handwriting Keyboard nor Selvy PenScript shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Handwriting Keyboard or Selvy PenScript?

Handwriting Keyboard ships an update every 3 weeks, and Selvy PenScript monthly. Most recently, Handwriting Keyboard was updated on October 24, 2026 and Selvy PenScript on October 22, 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.*