Comparison

Kodex vs U Game Engine + xLua

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

U Game Engine + xLua

Create and run 2D and 3D games directly on your mobile device. Script gameplay using Lua, import assets, and test instantly. This app provides professional-grade game development tools in a pocket-sized format.

Highlights
  • Build 2D/3D games on iOS
  • Script with Lua
  • Real-time testing
  • Import assets
  • Integrated development environment
  • Lua tutorials
Features
Read full description

!!! Limited Free !!! Create and run your own 2D & 3D games — right on your iPhone or iPad! This powerful game maker is built on the same industry-leading engine trusted by professional studios, but redesigned for mobile. You can script your gameplay in Lua, test instantly, and bring your ideas to life without needing a computer. • Build interactive 2D/3D games directly on iOS • Script with Lua: lightweight, fast, and beginner-friendly • Real-time testing and instant feedback • Import assets (textures, sounds, models) and use them right away • Share your creations with friends Whether you’re prototyping game mechanics, learning scripting, or just having fun making your own mobile games, this app gives you professional-grade tools in your pocket. Experience True 2D/3D Engine Game Development on Mobile! "U Game Engine + xLua" is the first all-in-one mobile app integrating the U engine, xLua framework, and a full-featured development environment. Whether you're a game developer, coding learner, or creative enthusiast, now you can write, debug (under development), and preview U 2D/3D games in real-time directly on your iOS device—break free from desktop constraints and bring your ideas to life instantly! Core Features: Integrated Development Environment ▸ Deep integration with U 2D/3D Engine (6000.0.28f1c1) + xLua hotfix framework ▸ Professional code editor (syntax highlighting/auto-complete/error detection) ▸ Terminal access and visual file management system Ready-to-Use Resources ▸ Preloaded open-source xLua game templates for instant learning ▸ Integrated U 2D/3D Engine library source code & API docs (easily accessible references) ▸ Lua debugger for real-time code troubleshooting (in research phase) Mobile-Optimized Workflow ▸ Touch-friendly UI for seamless coding, even with complex projects ▸ Cloud project sync: Start on iPhone, continue on iPad (planned) ▸ Export standard U 2D/3D Game Engine projects for desktop development (planned) Learning Ecosystem ▸ Interactive Lua tutorials (from basics to game development) ▸ Community-curated script library: study and reuse high-quality code ▸ Plugin support: import custom toolkits as needed Perfect For: ◆ U 2D/3D Engine Developers: Rapid prototyping during commutes ◆ Game Design Students: Zero-cost entry to game development ◆ Indie Creators: Transform ideas into playable demos ◆ Tech Enthusiasts: Explore mobile development frontiers Call to Action: "Unleash your creativity—build the next hit game in cafés, on trips, or even while waiting in line! U 2D/3D Engine + xLua redefines mobile productivity. Start your creation journey today!" Privacy Note: All development data stays exclusively on your device. We never access your code or projects. Credits: DuckHunter Original Creator: LQYaphets - https://github.com/LQYaphets/DuckHunt-Xlua My forked repository (with potential modifications): https://github.com/andy380743909/DuckHunt-Xlua xLua Framework: Tencent xLua - https://github.com/Tencent/xLua New to xLua? Explore the official documentation first. U Game Engine: The industry-leading game development platform.

Screenshots

Kodex4 screens
U Game Engine + xLua4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Kodex at 63% against U Game Engine + xLua's 0%. Kodex also leads on price (Free vs $19.99) and ratings volume (207 vs 2). U Game Engine + xLua's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.2) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Kodex is free to download; U Game Engine + xLua costs $19.99 up front. Kodex sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and U Game Engine + xLua 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

U Game Engine + xLua holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kodex has 207 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of Kodex's written reviews are positive against 0% of U Game Engine + xLua'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, U Game Engine + xLua fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Kodex versus U Game Engine + xLua: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKodexU Game Engine + xLua
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating4.2 (207 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.1% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings207 — better2
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#70 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.4 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB599 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBruno Philipe Resende Silva盼军 崔

Customer experience

Kodex

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

U Game Engine + xLua

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

U Game Engine + xLua

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Kodex

One-time1
  • Tip$4.99
1 purchases

U Game Engine + xLua

One-time1
  • Buy me a coffee$2.99

Questions

Is Kodex free?
Kodex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is U Game Engine + xLua free?
U Game Engine + xLua costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kodex or U Game Engine + xLua?
U Game Engine + xLua is rated higher. Kodex averages 4.2 out of 5 from 207 ratings, while U Game Engine + xLua averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Kodex or U Game Engine + xLua have ads?
Neither Kodex nor U Game Engine + xLua shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kodex or U Game Engine + xLua?
Kodex ships an update monthly, and U Game Engine + xLua fortnightly. Most recently, Kodex was updated on October 9, 2026 and U Game Engine + xLua on October 3, 2026.

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