Comparison

Kodex vs Jayson

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Kodex

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
Read full description

Kodex is an advanced code editor which brings powerful and desktop-class editor features to your iPad or iPhone: * Multi-caret editing, to quickly transform code selections. * Regex search and replace, with template matching and replace-all-matches. * Minimap which allows quick scroll navigation though the document. * Multiple window support * Syntax highlighting for over 150 languages. * Trackpad support with custom gestures to add cursors (ctrl+shift+click). * Auto complete feature (currently only for HTML). * Add as many guide columns as you wish (default 80 and 120 characters). * Configurable tab size (default 4 spaces), or insert spaces when pressing tab. * Draw hints for invisible characters such as new lines, tabs, and spaces. * Customizable key bindings, so you can configure Kodex to use the same key combos you are already used to. * Kodex smartly preserves your open documents so that your work stays as you left it between launches. * Light and Dark modes. Kodex is integrated with the Files app, so you can easily open files from any other app, and from your iCloud documents folder. You can launch Kodex QuickEdit from any file sharing view in any app to edit its contents without launching the main Kodex App (be aware this functionality depends on the host app implementing the sharing activity properly). Included are 10 editor themes, and several monospaced fonts for code editing (you can install your own preferred fonts using system profiles). Font size and line spacing are adjustable, so you can configure Kodex to best fit your preferred screen size, arrangement, and orientation. Kodex is not a compiler, and you can not build or run the code you edit from it. Think of Kodex as a NotePad++ or Sublime Text substitute for iPhone and iPad. Kodex is currently optimized for external keyboards, such as Apple's Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro, or any bluetooth/USB keyboard. More virtual keyboard features will be added in a future version.

About

Jayson

This app allows you to view and edit JSON files directly on your device. It offers features like tabbed browsing, split-screen comparisons, and integration with Siri Shortcuts and the Share Sheet for easy JSON parsing and management.

Highlights
  • Browse JSON files
  • Table or syntax highlighted text view
  • Tabbed interface
  • Multiple splits for comparison
  • Siri Shortcuts integration
  • Share Sheet Actions
  • URL schemes
Features
Read full description

Jayson is a JSON viewer and editor for iPhone and iPad. Browse JSON as a structure, edit values, and save your changes back to the file. Whether you're inspecting an API response, checking a config file, or making a quick fix on the go, Jayson turns raw JSON into something you can actually read and change. BROWSE AND EDIT - Open JSON files stored on your device or in iCloud Drive. - Toggle between a structured table view and syntax highlighted text. - Add new values and keys, and save your changes back to the file. - Parse text or the contents of a URL from your clipboard into JSON. - Highlight a key from a child of an array to get a quick overview of your data. TABS, SPLITS, AND WINDOWS - Switch between files, or different objects in a single file, using tabs. - Compare JSON in a single file or across files using multiple splits. - Open multiple windows on the iPad. WORKS WITH SHORTCUTS Jayson integrates with Shortcuts, which comes in handy for debugging API calls, previewing JSON files, and building workflows around JSON. - Pass a response from Get Contents of URL to Jayson to see how it is structured. - Open JSON as a document you keep working on, or as a temporary preview. - Format JSON and hand the result to the next action, using spaces or tabs. FREE, WITH AN OPTIONAL UPGRADE Jayson's core functionality is free. Browsing, editing, saving, splits, Shortcuts, and working with up to two tabs at a time cost nothing. A one-time in-app purchase enables having more than two tabs open at once, switching between light and dark themes, and personalizing the app icon, accent color and type icons. One purchase, no subscription.

Screenshots

Kodex4 screens
Jayson4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Jayson at 4.5 against Kodex's 4.2. Jayson also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 63%). Kodex's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Kodex sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Jayson sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Jayson holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 207 and 425 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Kodex's written reviews are positive against 81% of Jayson's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kodex ships an update monthly, Jayson every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Kodex versus Jayson: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKodexJayson
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (207 ratings)4.5 (425 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.1% of reviews80.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings207425 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#95#81 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.4 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBruno Philipe Resende SilvaSimon B. Støvring

Customer experience

Kodex

All ratings207 ratings
Positive77.3%
Neutral8.2%
Negative14.5%
Written reviews222 reviews
Positive63.1%
Neutral10.4%
Negative26.6%

Jayson

All ratings425 ratings
Positive85.4%
Neutral6.1%
Negative8.5%
Written reviews83 reviews
Positive80.7%
Neutral7.2%
Negative12.0%

User reviews

Kodex

From 207 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Jayson

From 425 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Elegant and intuitive JSON editing interface
  • 🎯 Perfect for FNF mod development and updates
  • 📱 Excellent iOS implementation with native feel
  • 🔧 Powerful JSON manipulation capabilities
  • ⚡ Great Shortcuts and URL scheme integration

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and instability issues
  • 🔋 High battery consumption and device heating
  • ❌ Missing search functionality
  • 📵 Safari browser support issues
  • 🔒 Limited free features, paywall for advanced options

Bugs and requests

Kodex

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

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

Jayson

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes when opening large JSON files (89MB+)
  • Crashes on regular use despite functionality
  • Device freezing for extended periods
  • Safari compatibility broken in recent updates
  • Navigation back through JSON structure is unreliable
Show 1 more
  • Accidental file exit when attempting to navigate

Requested features

9 requests
  • Search/find functionality within files
  • JSON editing and modification capabilities
  • XML format support
  • Split-view for comparing different arrays
  • Export functionality for edited JSON
Show 4 more
  • Comment recognition in JSON files
  • Plain text editor option
  • Improved file size handling for large documents
  • Better navigation controls on mobile devices

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Kodex

One-time1
  • Tip$4.99
1 purchases

Jayson

One-time1
  • Unlock Everything$4.99

Questions

Is Kodex free?
Kodex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Jayson free?
Jayson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Kodex or Jayson?
Jayson is rated higher. Kodex averages 4.2 out of 5 from 207 ratings, while Jayson averages 4.5 from 425 ratings.
Do Kodex or Jayson have ads?
Neither Kodex nor Jayson shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kodex or Jayson?
Kodex ships an update monthly, and Jayson every 3 weeks. Most recently, Kodex was updated on October 19, 2026 and Jayson on October 17, 2026.
Which is more popular, Kodex or Jayson?
Kodex currently peaks at #95 in the App Store charts, and Jayson at #81. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons