# Kodex vs Textastic Code Editor

The clearest difference is monetization model: Kodex at free with in-app purchases against Textastic Code Editor's subscription. Kodex also leads on iOS requirement (13.4 vs 16.0). Textastic Code Editor's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 207). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Kodex sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Textastic Code Editor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Textastic Code Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Textastic Code Editor has 2.5K ratings behind it against 207, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Kodex's written reviews are positive against 69% of Textastic Code Editor's.

Kodex ships an update monthly, Textastic Code Editor every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Kodex | Textastic Code Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (207 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kodex/id1038574481/reviews) | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 207 | **2.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 63.1% of reviews | **68.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #87 | **#16** |
| Size | 14 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.4** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bruno Philipe Resende Silva](https://appshunter.io/developer/605892017) | [Alexander Blach](https://appshunter.io/developer/303486870) |

## What reviewers say

### Kodex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kodex/id1038574481)

**Currently charting:** #87 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

An advanced code editor for iOS devices, offering desktop-class features like multi-caret editing, regex search, and syntax highlighting for over 150 languages. It integrates with the Files app and supports external keyboards for a seamless coding experience.

**Highlights:** Multi-caret editing, Regex search and replace, Minimap for navigation, Syntax highlighting (150+ languages), External keyboard support, Files app integration, Customizable themes and fonts

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful code editor
- 👍 Well-integrated with iPad features
- 🎨 Excellent syntax highlighting and theming
- 📁 Broad file format support
- 💡 Useful QuickEdit mode

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🔍 Lack of search and replace functionality
- 🔀 Difficulty navigating between files
- 🚫 No option to run/compile code
- 📏 Forced word wrapping with no toggle

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when opening certain file types
- Loses data after copy/paste and undo/redo
- Compatibility issues with latest iOS versions
- Overlapping UI elements in search/replace

**Requested features**

- Add search and replace feature
- Implement code execution/compilation
- Improve file management and navigation
- Provide option to disable word wrapping
- Introduce more keyboard shortcuts


### Textastic Code Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261)

**Currently charting:** #16 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #43 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A powerful text and code editor for mobile devices, offering syntax highlighting for over 80 languages, code completion, and formatting tools. It allows connection to various servers and cloud storage for seamless file management and editing.

**Highlights:** Syntax highlighting for 80+ languages, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, and Dropbox client, Built-in SSH terminal, Code completion and formatting, External keyboard and trackpad support, Split View and Slide Over multitasking

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Textastic Pro (Monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Textastic Pro (Yearly) | $19.99 | per year |
| Textastic Pro (One-Time) | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Highly performant
- 👍 Versatile and feature-rich
- 💡 Excellent integration with other apps (e.g. Working Copy)
- 👍 Customizable and intuitive UI
- 👍 Reliable and stable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🔒 Restrictive paywall for basic functionality
- 👎 Confusing file management and upload/download workflow
- 👎 Lack of modern code editing features (e.g. auto-indent, code folding)

**Reported bugs**

- Issues with SSH/SFTP connectivity and authentication
- Problems with handling large files or files with certain extensions
- Inconsistent text selection and editing behavior

**Requested features**

- Add support for more cloud storage providers (e.g. Google Drive, OneDrive)
- Implement a more seamless remote file editing and syncing workflow
- Improve code editing features like code folding, multi-cursor support, and code beautification
- Add a built-in terminal or ability to run code directly within the app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Kodex free?

Kodex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Textastic Code Editor free?

Textastic Code Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Kodex or Textastic Code Editor?

Textastic Code Editor is rated higher. Kodex averages 4.2 out of 5 from 207 ratings, while Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 from 2.5K ratings.

### Do Kodex or Textastic Code Editor have ads?

Neither Kodex nor Textastic Code Editor shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Kodex or Textastic Code Editor?

Kodex ships an update monthly, and Textastic Code Editor every 2 weeks. Most recently, Kodex was updated on September 21, 2026 and Textastic Code Editor on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Kodex or Textastic Code Editor?

Kodex currently peaks at #87 in the App Store charts, and Textastic Code Editor at #16. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*