Frankie by Creativecrap vs CATS Input Method Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Frankie by Creativecrap
This keyboard app offers a plain text editor and system-wide keyboard extension with multiple input methods. It includes features like emoji support, spellcheck, predictive text, and intelligent punctuation for efficient typing. It also supports various Chinese input methods and custom input options.
- System-wide keyboard extension
- Plain text editor
- Multiple input methods
- Emoji support
- Spellcheck and predictive text
- Chinese input methods (Array, Cangjie, Pinyin)
- Custom input method support
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Frankie is about to retire, so please use OkidoKey instead. Frankie is about to retire, so please use OkidoKey instead. Frankie is about to retire, so please use OkidoKey instead. Frankie (formerly OkidoKey) offers an in-app keyboard that includes a plain text editor and a keyboard extension for system-wide usage. Additionally, the Clip Pad editor mode automatically copies text, enabling typing without the need to create or open a document. A single keyboard extension offers multiple input methods, enabling seamless English typing without the need to switch to another keyboard. It incorporates features such as emoji support, a lexicon, spellcheck, predictive text, and intelligent punctuation, collectively enhancing the efficiency of typing. - Includes most common and ready-to-use Chinese input methods and keyboards, i.e. Array, Cangjie, Dayi, Pinyin, etc. - Capable of using custom input methods. - Capable of using multiple input methods and keyboards. - Sibling Keyboard and Key Flicks for Half/Full-Width symbols (iPad). - Composition prompt option. - Navigation Keyboard. - Bluetooth keyboard supports (in-app text editor only). - Auto-copy content feature in Clip Pad editor mode. - Chinese and English mix-typing (triggered by return key). - Chinese lexicon and Emoji. - Smart punctuation. - Homophones and Phonetics Lookup. - Traditional and Simplified Chinese output. Input Methods - Optimized for Array input method and fully supports special and shortcode mode. - Zhuyin input method supports the standard, Et26, Et41, Hsu, and IBM keyboard layouts. - To install custom input methods like Boshiamy, select the CIN table file from the file browser and choose install. External Keyboard External keyboards are not supported by keyboard extensions; however, you can use Clip Pad in split-view as a bridge for inputs, with auto-copy content feature in Clip Pad editor mode. All you need is switching to the next app, then tapping the paste icon or cmd-v to paste the content.
CATS Input Method Pro
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Writing Chinese is a breeze if you use the Chinese Alphabet Teaching System. You can also input the same way as you write Chinese. It is the fastest way of inputting Chinese, and even better, by using it, you also learn how to write Chinese characters better. It is the ideal way of implementing the EasyChinese method of learning Chinese. CATS Input Method Pro is a system-wide iOS keyboard: enable it once in Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards, then write Chinese by strokes in any app. Version 2.0 is an all-new keyboard, rebuilt with a native iOS look in light and dark mode, with both the learning and standard key layouts, word association, and the professional vocabulary. Your settings carry over from earlier versions.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: CATS Input Method Pro at Free against Frankie by Creativecrap's $399.99. Frankie by Creativecrap's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 24 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
CATS Input Method Pro is free to download; Frankie by Creativecrap costs $399.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Frankie by Creativecrap ships an update every 3 weeks, CATS Input Method Pro every 24 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Frankie by Creativecrap | CATS Input Method Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 44.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 24 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ethan Liu | YIU LEUNG RANDY CHAN |
In-app purchases
Frankie by Creativecrap
No in-app purchases
CATS Input Method Pro
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Frankie by Creativecrap free?
Is CATS Input Method Pro free?
Do Frankie by Creativecrap or CATS Input Method Pro have ads?
Which is updated more often, Frankie by Creativecrap or CATS Input Method Pro?
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