# Textastic Code Editor vs JSBox

The clearest difference is rating: Textastic Code Editor at 4.7 against JSBox's 4.0. Textastic Code Editor also leads on review sentiment (69% vs 50%) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 85). JSBox's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Textastic Code Editor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and JSBox sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Textastic Code Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Textastic Code Editor has 2.5K ratings behind it against 85, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Textastic Code Editor's written reviews are positive against 50% of JSBox's.

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, JSBox fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Textastic Code Editor | JSBox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261/reviews)** | [4.0 (85 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jsbox-learn-to-code/id1312014438/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | 85 |
| Positive reviews | **68.9% of reviews** | 49.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#17** | — |
| Size | 26 MB | 178 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Blach](https://appshunter.io/developer/303486870) | [颖 钟](https://appshunter.io/developer/928924733) |

## What reviewers say

### Textastic Code Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261)

**Currently charting:** #17 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #43 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A powerful text and code editor for mobile devices, offering syntax highlighting for over 80 languages, code completion, and formatting tools. It allows connection to various servers and cloud storage for seamless file management and editing.

**Highlights:** Syntax highlighting for 80+ languages, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, and Dropbox client, Built-in SSH terminal, Code completion and formatting, External keyboard and trackpad support, Split View and Slide Over multitasking

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Textastic Pro (Monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Textastic Pro (Yearly) | $19.99 | per year |
| Textastic Pro (One-Time) | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Highly performant
- 👍 Versatile and feature-rich
- 💡 Excellent integration with other apps (e.g. Working Copy)
- 👍 Customizable and intuitive UI
- 👍 Reliable and stable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🔒 Restrictive paywall for basic functionality
- 👎 Confusing file management and upload/download workflow
- 👎 Lack of modern code editing features (e.g. auto-indent, code folding)

**Reported bugs**

- Issues with SSH/SFTP connectivity and authentication
- Problems with handling large files or files with certain extensions
- Inconsistent text selection and editing behavior

**Requested features**

- Add support for more cloud storage providers (e.g. Google Drive, OneDrive)
- Implement a more seamless remote file editing and syncing workflow
- Improve code editing features like code folding, multi-cursor support, and code beautification
- Add a built-in terminal or ability to run code directly within the app


### JSBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jsbox-learn-to-code/id1312014438)

This app is a mobile JavaScript IDE that allows users to learn and write JavaScript code. It provides tools to create native iOS utilities, widgets, extensions, and more, catering to both beginners and experienced developers.

**Highlights:** Mobile JavaScript IDE, Create native iOS utilities, Design widgets and keyboards, Siri/Shortcuts integration, Beautiful code editor, Advanced development tools, iOS extension support

**Features:** Safari Extension

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| JSBox Pro | $7.99 | per year |
| JSBox Pro - Discount | $7.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Textastic Code Editor free?

Textastic Code Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is JSBox free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Textastic Code Editor or JSBox?

Textastic Code Editor is rated higher. Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while JSBox averages 4.0 from 85 ratings.

### Do Textastic Code Editor or JSBox have ads?

Neither Textastic Code Editor nor JSBox shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Textastic Code Editor or JSBox?

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and JSBox fortnightly. Most recently, Textastic Code Editor was updated on September 23, 2026 and JSBox on September 24, 2026.

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