Comparison

Kodex vs Spectre VPN

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

Spectre VPN

This app provides secure internet access using Shadowsocks and Trojan protocols. It offers strong encryption to protect your privacy from third parties and features an intuitive design for ease of use. It is available for free.

Highlights
  • Shadowsocks and Trojan protocol support
  • Strong encryption for privacy
  • Lightweight and efficient proxy
  • Intuitive and simple design
  • Free to use
Features
Read full description

A multi-protocol VPN and proxy client for your own servers. Import subscriptions, control traffic with routing rules, and connect from your Home Screen. IMPORT ONCE, KEEP SERVERS TOGETHER Add a server by scanning its QR code, pasting a link, or entering the details yourself. Import subscriptions to manage multiple nodes in one place. Check server latency before choosing a connection. CHOOSE WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR PROXY Use Global mode for proxy routing, or Rule mode to choose which traffic connects directly and which uses your proxy. Edit your own rules or import a rule list from a URL. CONNECT FROM YOUR HOME SCREEN See the active server and connection status in the widget, then use its switch to connect or disconnect. On iOS 18 and later, add Spectre VPN to Control Center for another quick way to control your connection. USE THE PROTOCOL YOUR SERVER NEEDS - Shadowsocks and Trojan - VMess and VLESS - Hysteria2 and TUIC - SOCKS and HTTP For advanced setups, use a complete custom sing-box JSON configuration. The app interface supports 14 languages. BRING YOUR OWN SERVER Spectre does not include VPN servers or sell VPN service subscriptions. A compatible server configuration or subscription link is required.

Screenshots

Kodex4 screens
Spectre VPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Spectre VPN at none against Kodex's 1. Spectre VPN also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). Kodex's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.9) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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. Spectre VPN asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Kodex holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 208 and 251 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of Kodex's written reviews are positive against 68% of Spectre VPN's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kodex ships an update monthly, Spectre VPN every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Kodex versus Spectre VPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKodexSpectre VPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (208 ratings) — better3.9 (251 ratings)
Positive reviews63.1% of reviews68.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings208251 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#93 — better#114
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB136 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBruno Philipe Resende SilvaPassion Only

Customer experience

Kodex

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

Spectre VPN

All ratings248 ratings
Positive72.2%
Neutral4.8%
Negative23.0%
Written reviews216 reviews
Positive68.1%
Neutral5.6%
Negative26.4%

User reviews

Kodex

From 208 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

Spectre VPN

From 251 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Reliable and efficient app
  • 🚀 Smooth and fast performance
  • 🔒 Secure and trustworthy
  • 💡 Lightweight and easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Video loading issues
  • 🐛 Connectivity problems after updates
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and timeouts
  • 🔋 High battery consumption

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

Spectre VPN

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes on iOS 12.5.5 and older
  • Incompatibility with certain devices and OS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Support for more protocols (e.g., VMess, VLESS, SSTP)
  • Server sorting by ping/latency
  • Websocket connection support
  • Manual server configuration
  • Multiple server import from clipboard

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Kodex

One-time1
  • Tip$4.99
None

Spectre VPN

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kodex free?
Kodex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Spectre VPN free?
Spectre VPN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kodex or Spectre VPN?
Kodex is rated higher. Kodex averages 4.2 out of 5 from 208 ratings, while Spectre VPN averages 3.9 from 251 ratings.
Do Kodex or Spectre VPN have ads?
Neither Kodex nor Spectre VPN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kodex or Spectre VPN?
Kodex ships an update monthly, and Spectre VPN every 2 weeks. Most recently, Kodex was updated on November 6, 2026 and Spectre VPN on November 3, 2026.
Which is more popular, Kodex or Spectre VPN?
Kodex currently peaks at #93 in the App Store charts, and Spectre VPN at #114. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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