# Syriac Reader vs ShavKey

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ShavKey at 100% against Syriac Reader's 0%. ShavKey also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months). Syriac Reader's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ShavKey holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Syriac Reader's written reviews are positive against 100% of ShavKey's.

Syriac Reader ships an update every 11 months, ShavKey every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Syriac Reader | ShavKey |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/syriac-reader/id980346488/reviews) | **[4.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shavkey/id6478062450/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **9** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 15 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anteneh Sahledengel](https://appshunter.io/developer/549082184) | [Joshua Lancaster](https://appshunter.io/developer/1514379384) |

## What reviewers say

### Syriac Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/syriac-reader/id980346488)

This app allows users to read Syriac letters on their iPhone and iPad. It includes a Safari extension to display Syriac text on web pages, translating unreadable characters into proper Syriac letters with a single tap. Two Syriac fonts are also provided for installation.

**Highlights:** Read Syriac letters on iPhone and iPad, Safari extension for web reading, Translate unreadable characters, Includes Serto Jerusalem font, Includes Estrangelo Midyat font

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### ShavKey

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shavkey/id6478062450)

This keyboard app provides quick access to all 48 Shavian characters without requiring shifts. It includes an always-on number row that can be configured for Base 12 input.

**Highlights:** All 48 Shavian characters accessible, No shift key required, Always-on number row, Optional Base 12 number input, Optimized for single-stroke input

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Syriac Reader free?

Syriac Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ShavKey free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Syriac Reader or ShavKey?

ShavKey is rated higher. Syriac Reader averages 3.6 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while ShavKey averages 4.6 from 9 ratings.

### Do Syriac Reader or ShavKey have ads?

Neither Syriac Reader nor ShavKey shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Syriac Reader or ShavKey?

Syriac Reader ships an update every 11 months, and ShavKey every 2 months. Most recently, Syriac Reader was updated on October 3, 2026 and ShavKey on October 10, 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.*