# マカロン vs Forethumb いろは

The clearest difference is update cadence: マカロン at every 3 months against Forethumb いろは's every 31 months. マカロン also leads on review sentiment (70% vs 58%). Forethumb いろは's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $3.99). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

マカロン costs $3.99 and Forethumb いろは $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

マカロン ships an update every 3 months, Forethumb いろは every 31 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | マカロン | Forethumb いろは |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **$0.99** |
| Positive reviews | **70.0% of reviews** | 58.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 31 months |
| Monetization | — | Paid |
| Size | 109 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TAWASHI KAMEMUSHI](https://appshunter.io/developer/435733426) | [Takuto Nakamura](https://appshunter.io/developer/1203150472) |

## What reviewers say

### マカロン

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id999791259)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Forethumb いろは

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/forethumb/id1351876497)

This app enables Japanese Morse code input on your iOS device. Once you memorize the codes, you can type even with your eyes closed. It supports single-key or paddle input with audible feedback and customizable spacing.

**Highlights:** Japanese Morse code input, Single-key or paddle input, Audible Morse feedback, Customizable space intervals, Swipe gestures for delete/space

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is マカロン free?

マカロン costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Forethumb いろは free?

Forethumb いろは costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do マカロン or Forethumb いろは have ads?

Neither マカロン nor Forethumb いろは shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, マカロン or Forethumb いろは?

マカロン ships an update every 3 months, and Forethumb いろは every 31 months. Most recently, マカロン was updated on October 20, 2026 and Forethumb いろは on October 29, 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.*