# Kodex vs Runestone Text Editor

The clearest difference is rating: Runestone Text Editor at 4.7 against Kodex's 4.2. Runestone Text Editor also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly) and review sentiment (76% vs 63%). Kodex's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Kodex sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Runestone Text Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Runestone Text Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Runestone Text Editor has 2K 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 76% of Runestone Text Editor's.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Kodex | Runestone Text Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (207 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kodex/id1038574481/reviews) | **[4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 207 | **2K** |
| Positive reviews | 63.1% of reviews | **76.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #84 | **#43** |
| Size | 14 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.4** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bruno Philipe Resende Silva](https://appshunter.io/developer/605892017) | [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907) |

## What reviewers say

### Kodex

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

**Currently charting:** #84 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


### Runestone Text Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893)

**Currently charting:** #43 Top Free · Developer Tools, #54 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A powerful plain text and code editor for iPhone and iPad. Offers syntax highlighting, line numbers, find and replace, and extensive customization options for developers and writers.

**Highlights:** Syntax highlighting for many languages, Customizable themes and fonts, Advanced find and replace, Line numbers and cursor location, Code formatting with Prettier.js, Multiple windows on iPad

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💎 Excellent text editor
- 🚀 Smooth and responsive
- 🎨 Customizable themes and appearance
- 🔒 Secure file storage and sync
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating files/folders
- 📝 Limited functionality without premium
- 🔌 Performance issues on older devices
- 🔒 Difficulty accessing files in cloud storage

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing files
- Difficulty pasting text
- Scroll position not saved
- Hangs on startup
- Trouble opening large files

**Requested features**

- Markdown preview
- Code folding
- Syntax highlighting for more languages
- Ability to run/execute code
- Multiple file/window support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Kodex free?

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

### Is Runestone Text Editor free?

Runestone Text Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Kodex or Runestone Text Editor?

Runestone Text Editor is rated higher. Kodex averages 4.2 out of 5 from 207 ratings, while Runestone Text Editor averages 4.7 from 2K ratings.

### Do Kodex or Runestone Text Editor have ads?

Neither Kodex nor Runestone Text Editor shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Kodex or Runestone Text Editor?

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

### Which is more popular, Kodex or Runestone Text Editor?

Kodex currently peaks at #84 in the App Store charts, and Runestone Text Editor at #43. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*