Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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.

About

CATS Input Method Pro

Features
Read full description

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

Frankie by Creativecrap4 screens
CATS Input Method Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Frankie by Creativecrap versus CATS Input Method Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFrankie by CreativecrapCATS Input Method Pro
Price$399.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews44.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 24 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEthan LiuYIU LEUNG RANDY CHAN

In-app purchases

None

Frankie by Creativecrap

No in-app purchases

None

CATS Input Method Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Frankie by Creativecrap free?
Frankie by Creativecrap costs $399.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is CATS Input Method Pro free?
CATS Input Method Pro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Frankie by Creativecrap or CATS Input Method Pro have ads?
Neither Frankie by Creativecrap nor CATS Input Method Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Frankie by Creativecrap or CATS Input Method Pro?
Frankie by Creativecrap ships an update every 3 weeks, and CATS Input Method Pro every 24 months. Most recently, Frankie by Creativecrap was updated on October 19, 2026 and CATS Input Method Pro on October 13, 2026.

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