Comparison

Kodex vs JavaScript Challenge

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

JavaScript Challenge

Features
Read full description

Feed your brain. Level up. Learn to write real JavaScript by solving one puzzle at a time, right on your phone. JavaScript Challenge is a single path of original coding problems, from your first function to graphs, dynamic programming and beyond. Every solution runs on-device in real JavaScript and is checked against hidden tests, so passing means it actually works. Free to start: the opening levels are free, then unlock the full path with a single one-time purchase. No subscription, no ads, no account. WRITE REAL CODE • A coder keyboard built for JavaScript: tab, brackets, quotes, snippets, undo • Instant feedback with named tests, expected vs actual output • Some levels enforce rules (no built-in array helpers, recursion required) so you learn the technique, not the shortcut LEARN THE RIGHT WAY • Three-tier hints from Rhino, your smug but surprisingly helpful mentor • Curated solutions after you solve: naive vs optimal, time and space complexity • Topics: strings, arrays, objects, closures, recursion, dynamic programming, sorting, searching, graphs, trees, hashing, bit tricks, grids, greedy strategies, intervals STAY MOTIVATED • One path, no shortcuts: easy → medium → hard, with performance tests on the hardest levels • XP, player levels, daily streaks and badges • Six themes, dark and light PRIVATE BY DESIGN • Works fully offline, no account, no tracking — your progress stays on your device • No ads, ever

Screenshots

Kodex4 screens
JavaScript Challenge4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Kodex at Free against JavaScript Challenge's $2.99. Kodex also leads on chart position (#74 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.0). JavaScript Challenge's advantage is update cadence (weekly 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; JavaScript Challenge costs $2.99 up front. Kodex sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and JavaScript Challenge sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kodex ships an update monthly, JavaScript Challenge weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Kodex versus JavaScript Challenge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKodexJavaScript Challenge
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.2 (207 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings207 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#74 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.4 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBruno Philipe Resende SilvaMUSTAFA GURBUZ

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

JavaScript Challenge

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Kodex

One-time1
  • Tip$4.99
1 purchases

JavaScript Challenge

One-time1
  • Full Path$6.99

Questions

Is Kodex free?
Kodex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is JavaScript Challenge free?
JavaScript Challenge costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do Kodex or JavaScript Challenge have ads?
Neither Kodex nor JavaScript Challenge shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kodex or JavaScript Challenge?
Kodex ships an update monthly, and JavaScript Challenge weekly. Most recently, Kodex was updated on October 12, 2026 and JavaScript Challenge on October 4, 2026.

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