# Symbol Keypad for Texting vs Formalize Light

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Symbol Keypad for Texting at 81% against Formalize Light's 17%. Symbol Keypad for Texting also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.3) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 12 months). Formalize Light's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, 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 Keypad for Texting holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Symbol Keypad for Texting has 1.6K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Symbol Keypad for Texting's written reviews are positive against 17% of Formalize Light's.

Symbol Keypad for Texting ships an update fortnightly, Formalize Light every 12 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Symbol Keypad for Texting | Formalize Light |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbol-keypad-for-texting/id975780487/reviews)** | [2.3 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formalize-light/id1467203618/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.6K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **81.3% of reviews** | 16.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 12 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 7 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **10.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [山 钟](https://appshunter.io/developer/842459640) | [Ben Hambrecht](https://appshunter.io/developer/1035136614) |

## What reviewers say

### Symbol Keypad for Texting

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symbol-keypad-for-texting/id975780487)

Easily insert a vast array of Unicode symbols and characters into your text messages and other applications. Explore thousands of symbols to express your information uniquely and enhance your communication.

**Highlights:** Access over 50,000 Unicode characters, Thousands of unique symbols available, Insert symbols into texts and other apps, Express information uniquely, Enhance communication with special characters

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for its niche
- 👍 Convenient and useful
- 👍 Lots of symbols to choose from
- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 👍 Helpful for gaming and messaging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Search and navigation issues
- 🐛 Compatibility problems with new iOS updates
- 🐛 Unintuitive interface
- 🐛 Missing common symbols
- 🔋 Ads can be intrusive

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard not showing up properly on iPad
- Favorites and history not syncing correctly
- Some symbols not displaying correctly after iOS updates

**Requested features**

- Add more symbols, especially common fractions and Egyptian hieroglyphics
- Improve search functionality and navigation
- Add iPad support and optimize the UI for larger screens
- Allow customization of favorite symbols and their placement
- Provide an option to disable the dark mode


### Formalize Light

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formalize-light/id1467203618)

This utility app provides a keyboard extension for typing mathematical formulas on iOS devices. It offers easy access to over 100 symbols and generates professionally typeset equations that can be converted to TeX.

**Highlights:** Mathematical keyboard extension, Over 100 symbols, One-handed access, Professionally typeset formulas, Convert formulas to TeX, Insert formulas into any app

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Symbol Keypad for Texting free?

Symbol Keypad for Texting is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Formalize Light free?

Formalize Light is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Symbol Keypad for Texting or Formalize Light?

Symbol Keypad for Texting is rated higher. Symbol Keypad for Texting averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Formalize Light averages 2.3 from 4 ratings.

### Do Symbol Keypad for Texting or Formalize Light have ads?

Symbol Keypad for Texting shows ads; Formalize Light does not.

### Which is updated more often, Symbol Keypad for Texting or Formalize Light?

Symbol Keypad for Texting ships an update fortnightly, and Formalize Light every 12 months. Most recently, Symbol Keypad for Texting was updated on October 24, 2026 and Formalize Light on October 24, 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.*