Comparison

OkidoKey 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

OkidoKey

This app provides a custom input method keyboard kit for your device. It supports various Chinese input methods and allows for custom installations, offering features like a text editor, auto-copy, and smart punctuation.

Highlights
  • Custom input methods
  • Physical keyboard support
  • Text editor with Clip Pad mode
  • Chinese input methods (Array, Cangjie, Pinyin)
  • Install custom input methods
  • Smart punctuation
  • Chinese lexicon and emojis
Features
Read full description

OkidoKey is a keyboard kit designed to use custom input methods not supported by the system. You can use it with the touchscreen custom keyboard that works seamlessly across the system, or you can use a physical keyboard with the text editor provided by OkidoKey. The OkidoKey editor can be used in Clip Pad mode with Split-View or multitasking windows. Once you've finished a sentence, simply tap the target and paste it. Features - It includes most common and ready-to-use Chinese input methods and keyboards, such as Array, Cangjie, Dayi, Pinyin, and so on. - It supports installing custom input methods using CIN table files. - It allows installing multiple input methods and keyboards. - It has sibling keyboards, and key flicks features. - It offers a composition prompt option. - It includes a navigation keyboard. - In OkidoKey text editor, it supports physical keyboard inputs. - It has an auto-copy feature with Clip Pad mode. - It allows Chinese and English mix-typing triggered by the return key. - It includes a Chinese lexicon and emojis. - It provides smart punctuation. - It offers homophones and phonetics lookup. - It supports both traditional and simplified Chinese output. - It allows personalized radicals, phrases, and snippets. Optimized Input Methods - Fully supports the Array input method and special/shortcode mode. - Zhuyin input method supports the standard, Et26, Et41, Hsu, and IBM keyboard layouts. ** Lexicon-related features are available on a subscription basis. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.creativecrap.com/paper/baker/eula.html#en Privacy Policy: https://www.creativecrap.com/paper/baker/privacy.html#en

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

OkidoKey4 screens
CATS Input Method Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CATS Input Method Pro at none against OkidoKey's 2. OkidoKey's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 24 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Both are free to download. OkidoKey sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. CATS Input Method Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OkidoKey ships an update every 3 months, CATS Input Method Pro every 24 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
OkidoKey versus CATS Input Method Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOkidoKeyCATS Input Method Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews52.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 24 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEthan LiuYIU LEUNG RANDY CHAN

In-app purchases

2 purchases

OkidoKey

Subscriptions2
  • Individual - Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Individual Plan - Annual3 Months trial$29.991 Year
None

CATS Input Method Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is OkidoKey free?
OkidoKey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CATS Input Method Pro free?
CATS Input Method Pro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do OkidoKey or CATS Input Method Pro have ads?
Neither OkidoKey nor CATS Input Method Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OkidoKey or CATS Input Method Pro?
OkidoKey ships an update every 3 months, and CATS Input Method Pro every 24 months. Most recently, OkidoKey was updated on October 9, 2026 and CATS Input Method Pro on September 28, 2026.

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