Comparison

Kodex vs Tersa

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

Tersa

Design and analyze analog, digital, and RF circuits directly on your iPhone or iPad. Explore circuit behavior with various simulations and visualize results on clear plots. Supports SPICE model import and local project exploration.

Highlights
  • Schematic building
  • DC operating point analysis
  • AC and transient analyses
  • S-parameter analysis
  • Smith chart visualization
  • SPICE model import
  • Local simulation
Features
Read full description

Tersa is a touch-first workspace for learning, reviewing, and tuning small analog and RF circuits on iPhone and iPad. Build editable schematics, configure DC operating point, DC sweep, AC and transient analyses, and inspect measurements on clear plots. For linear two-port work, review S11, S12, S21 and S22, return and insertion loss, and raw complex data on a Smith chart. Use local sample projects to explore RC and LC filters. Change supported component values with the tuner and run the analysis again without rebuilding the project. Import supported SPICE model cards and subcircuits when a circuit needs them. Simulation runs locally on the device. Results depend on the circuit, models, and numerical settings and must be independently verified before fabrication or safety-related use.

Screenshots

Kodex4 screens
Tersa4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Tersa at 100% against Kodex's 63%. Tersa also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). Kodex's advantage is chart position (#77 vs unranked). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Tersa asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kodex ships an update monthly, Tersa every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Kodex versus Tersa: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKodexTersa
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (208 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings208 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#77 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB122 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBruno Philipe Resende SilvaDenis Kosov

Customer experience

Kodex

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

Tersa

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Tersa

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Kodex

One-time1
  • Tip$4.99
None

Tersa

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kodex free?
Kodex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tersa free?
Tersa is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Kodex or Tersa have ads?
Neither Kodex nor Tersa shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kodex or Tersa?
Kodex ships an update monthly, and Tersa every 2 weeks. Most recently, Kodex was updated on October 22, 2026 and Tersa on October 18, 2026.

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