# R Programming Compiler — user reviews

> 102 indexed App Store user reviews of R Programming Compiler by Ketan Appa, rated 3.40/5 from 94 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r-programming-compiler/id1158038782/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r-programming-compiler/id1158038782.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 37 · 4★ 18 · 3★ 12 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 24

## Newest reviews (12 of 102)

### 3/5 — Where’s the manual?

*2024-10-30, version 4.8*

Was trying to save and open new files but nothing works, crashes on command O, command N and command S do nothing?

### 2/5 — Basically Unusable Without Subscription

*2024-10-02, version 4.8*

I’m assuming the implementation of R is good. I’ll never know to any meaningful extent because I can’t stand such intrusive ads. 

Unskippable 45 second videos every couple times you run some code? No thanks.

Subscription only, no purchase? No thanks.

### 4/5 — Needs Syntax Suggestions

*2024-09-06, version 4.7.8*

Decent for an iPad app. It isn’t going to replace rStudio anytime soon, but it works. It’d be nice if there was syntax suggestions to decrease code completion time.

### 4/5 — Actually not too bad.

*2024-01-14*

Takes some time to get use to the app, but not too shabby for an iPad app.   File save feature could be a little more robust and user friendly.

Still couldn’t get ggplot function to work, but honestly not really needed since I can use all the other plotting functions like matplot, scatterplots, etc.  

I’m revising my initial review up from 2 to 4…

**Developer response:** Hello. Ggplot should work. Please send us your codes to info@kappsmart.com so that we may better investigate into the matter.

### 4/5 — Although being useful, it has some pitfalls.

*2023-09-22, version 4.7*

I can't save or open new files on iPad. I don't know how, but the app crashes whenever I try to open a file, o create a new file. Being a "in app purchase" app, I think this has to be mended.

### 2/5 — Falls Short & Losing Functionality

*2023-09-19, version 4.6*

I have some straightforward life tracking scripts that I wrote in R and enjoy being able to monitor on the go. I subscribed to this app to allow me to do this. While I initially was able to get my scripts to function, promised app functionality has never worked properly and successive updates now prevent my script from running at all. 

There is no way to open scripts written elsewhere through Files or Dropbox in this app, which from my vantage is a significant flaw. I want to get code started on my laptop and tweak on my iOS device, but finding a way to do this has become nearly impossible. I will often type up code, transfer it to a note, then copy and paste in this app. But lately that has not been functioning as it did when I first began using the app. So I’m stuck with what I have. 

Then, the most recent update to the app suddenly decided that my scripts were to resource hungry and keeps timing them out before they complete. Even though they worked fine in previous builds. And since the app removes all support for previous versions of R, I can’t even see if I can get this to work that way. 

Overall, I’m grateful to have access to an R compiler on iOS, but for my uses it severely falls short.

### 3/5 — Problemas em algumas bibliotecas

*2023-08-07, version 4.5*

A biblioteca XLSX não funciona no IPad.

Loading required package: xlsx
Error: package or namespace load failed for ‘xlsx’:
 .onLoad failed in loadNamespace() for 'rJava', details:
  call: dyn.load(file, DLLpath = DLLpath, ...)
  error: unable to load shared object '/usr/local/R/4.2.2/lib/R/library/rJava/libs/rJava.so':
  libjvm.so: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
Error in read.xlsx(tmpFile, 8) : could not find function "read.xlsx"
Execution halted

### 3/5 — Upgrade to Premium?

*2022-12-11, version 4.3.2*

How does one upgrade to the premium version? I’ve looked on the free App and cannot find a way to upgrade to the one-year version. Please advise. Thank you.

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, the Settings screen appears to not have an upgrade option.

Please advise.

### 4/5 — Cool App

*2022-10-07, version 4.2*

Will the package tidyverse be a available soon?

### 3/5 — Subscribtion

*2022-03-19, version 3.8*

Great App. But as usual now a days we need to subscribe for all features. One payment would be better.

### 4/5 — Generally good app

*2021-05-09, version 3.4.1*

The app is quite good - I have been able to do Bayesian statistics on an iPad using it, avoiding the need to carry a weighty laptop around.

### 3/5 — Solid, useful, needs more work

*2021-02-20, version 3.3.9*

This is a great way to try out r code and jot down ideas while in the go. The range of included packages is great, and will get you through most tasks. 
What’s this app needs is a console so you could interact with R one line at a time instead of running whole script. For now, the workaround is to select some lines of code and run them, then check a different window for output. Not a great workflow.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — attempted to use for pca

*2026-04-02, version 5.0.1*

cannot open files, add files, use packages, or add packages. terrible experience. will stick to using real R on my computer next time.

### 1/5 — Full of adds

*2025-03-29, version 4.9.1*

Too many adds. After a one minute an add comes

### 1/5 — App changed

*2024-06-03, version 4.7.8*

Used to be better. Do not trust old reviews.

### 1/5 — Ad-free access removed

*2023-06-16*

I am writing to address an issue regarding my access to the R Compiler app, which I have been using and supporting since its initial release on the Apple App Store. I have thoroughly enjoyed the app's functionality and its ability to assist me in my programming needs.

I was an early adopter of R Compiler and, at the time of my purchase, the app provided ad-free access as a one-time payment. I greatly appreciated this feature, as it allowed me to focus on my work without interruptions or distractions. However, I recently noticed that the app's monetization model has transitioned to a subscription-based structure, and as a result, my ad-free access has been revoked.

While I understand that the shift to a subscription model may have been necessary for the sustainability and development of the app, I believe that as a loyal and long-standing customer, I should be entitled to retain the benefits of the original purchase I made. Given that I purchased R Compiler with the expectation of enjoying an ad-free experience indefinitely, I respectfully request that you restore my access to the ad-free version without requiring me to subscribe to the new payment model.

I believe that honoring the commitment made to early adopters like myself would not only be fair but also foster a sense of trust and loyalty between users and the R Compiler team. I genuinely value the app's functionality and its contribution to my programming workflow, which is why I am reaching out to you.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I look forward to your response and resolving this matter amicably.

**Developer response:** Hello,

In this situation, we suggest that you consider requesting a refund from Apple here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204084

We thank you for being a long-standing customer and apologize for the inconveniences caused.

### 1/5 — I already paid for premium, why are you trying to charge me again?

*2023-01-17, version 4.4*

I paid to unlock premium features. Now you want me to pay for a subscription? No thanks.

**Developer response:** Hello, when was your purchase for premium made?

### 1/5 — Fatal error

*2023-01-07*

Worked great but broke after last update

**Developer response:** Hello, kindly delete the app and reinstall it. We apologize for the inconveniences.

### 1/5 — “Program has been terminated “

*2021-10-28, version 3.6*

Program will be terminated because of too much resources.
And How to read rds file?

### 1/5 — Annoying ads and not interactive

*2021-05-10, version 3.4.1*

The joy of R is incremental data exploration. This just runs in batch mode and requires an internet connection so the server can execute your code. This app fails at the design concept level. Avoid.

### 1/5 — Package installer is terrible

*2021-02-25, version 3.3.9*

Takes multiple hours to install a package

### 1/5 — Package easystats Not available

*2020-11-12, version 3.3.5*

Package easystats not available, Thuns useless for me...

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — plotting

*2025-02-21, version 4.9.1*

Suddenly I cannot plot in R for Ipad

### 5/5 — A functioning R environment on your iPhone

*2023-01-16, version 4.4*

This app is awesome. I often find that I need to perform a quick analysis, and this is much faster and easier to play around with than going to get my laptop and firing it up. 

Need to quickly provide a reality check on the significance of a ratio of two priorities during a meeting? This app has you covered. Want to explore generating randomly-generated time series data? Easy to start on your phone. 

It’s no substitute for RStudio and an in-depth analysis, but it works, it’s convenient, and you can trust the math.

### 5/5 — App

*2022-10-06, version 4.2*

Is it possible to use the order 

setwd()

with a file of the iPhone ? 
How to give the right order?
And the same with

getwd()

### 5/5 — Great learning and practice tool

*2021-08-22, version 3.5*

I am pretty amazed that this app exists and impressed with how smoothly it functions. It takes a moment to figure out how to access the file/folder structure. Again, you are using R ON YOUR PHONE, so I would just recommend to have some patience with a different UI experience. It comes with many useful packages installed, and plots generate quite quickly. 

Personally I like to use it to test and practice code snippets with builtin datasets. I am trying to improve my Base R skills, and this is a great way to practice core syntax skills like subsetting and base plotting. Sometimes when you are working on a project you get an idea that you want to sketch out while you are out and about. I imagine this could also be useful for teaching purposes (i.e. casting examples/visuals to a screen) though I don't know why one wouldn't just use a laptop in that case. It's not what I would call convenient for writing amd executing long scripts, but I don't think that's the intended use case here. An imaginative teacher could probably come up with some great class activities with this if students were also to download the app.

### 5/5 — Hands Down the Best iOS R App

*2021-07-25, version 3.4.1*

There really isn’t any other app for running R code on an iOS device in the App Store. There are only three I’d change: ability to install libraries from GitHub, the timeout period, and testing/running R shiny apps. And all of those I’m sure are limitations of using a mobile app and are more nice to haves.

### 5/5 — Library not writable

*2021-02-14, version 3.3.9*

I tried to install from github but following message shows.

'lib = "/usr/local/R/4.0.2/lib/R/library"' is not writable

What should I do?

### 5/5 — Super satisfied, I love it.

*2020-10-02*

I’ve been working with this app for a couple months now, and I can say I am very satisfied with it. I’m able to complete small projects for work on my iPad, the convenience it provides is amazing. Customer service is also provided in a timely, polite fashion. I only have one complaint — since the R 4.0 upgrade, it takes a bit longer for packages to download than before. I used to be able to download packages within minutes (even seconds) but now there’s more of a wait time. So I recommend downloading all the packages you’ll need beforehand. However, even with that said, I still feel as though this deserves a solid 5 stars. It truly is a wonderful app.

**Developer response:** Hello Kiarra,

Please do not worry. If you have purchased the one-time offer, you are not required to subscribe. Simply select ‘Restore Purchases’. 

We have added a subscription option since the release of R 4.0 as it is becoming extremely expensive for us to maintain all the packages for all the versions. 

So in your case, you won’t be charged again at all.

### 5/5 — Cool app

*2020-09-05, version 3.2*

Everything Great. Just one thing: spotify stops playing when I open the app. Can something be done about that please ?

Thanks!

### 5/5 — Excelente

*2020-07-29, version 3.1.5*

La mejor opción en IPad para usar R. Felicidades al desarrollar. Recomendable.

### 5/5 — Great app, great support!

*2020-05-06, version 3.1.4*

This app is ideal for using R in an iPad.

I had one gripe with it - I couldn’t access the files I created within the app using the iOS “Files” app.  I reported this to the developer and within 24 hours this was added and a new release rolled out on the App Store!  Excellent customer service!

I highly recommend this app to anyone looking to use R on their iPad.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-18.*