Comparison

Textastic Code Editor vs View Source Premier

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Textastic Code Editor

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
Read full description

Textastic is a comprehensive and versatile text and code editor for iPad and iPhone. It supports syntax highlighting for more than 80 programming and markup languages. Connect to SFTP, FTP, and WebDAV servers or to your Dropbox account. Use the built-in SSH terminal to work directly on your server. Features: - Syntax highlighting for more than 80 languages, including HTML, JavaScript, CSS, C++, Swift, Objective-C, Rust, XML, Markdown, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, Lua, YAML, JSON, SQL, shell scripts, and many more (full list available on the website) - Compatible with Sublime Text 3 and TextMate 1 syntax definitions and themes - Code completion for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, C, Objective-C, and PHP - SFTP (SSH), FTP, FTPS (FTP over SSL), WebDAV, and Dropbox clients - SSH terminal connections - Code formatter for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and JSON - Git repositories from the Git client app Working Copy can be opened as external folders in Textastic - Emmet support - JavaScript console - iCloud Drive file synchronization - WebDAV server for easy file transfer between Textastic and your Mac or PC over Wi-Fi - Symbol list for quick navigation within a file - Full support for external keyboards, trackpads, and mice - Configurable keyboard shortcuts - Additional keys above the virtual keyboard for frequently used programming characters - Cursor navigation wheel for easy text selection - Move the cursor using swipe gestures - Split View and Slide Over multitasking on iPad - Open multiple files in tabs - Multiple windows on iPadOS - Dark Mode support - Support for common text encodings such as UTF-8, UTF-16, and ISO-8859-1 - Support for different tab widths and soft tabs (spaces instead of tabs) - Custom fonts - Find and Replace, including regular expression search - Find in multiple files - File information such as character and word counts - Local and remote web preview for HTML and Markdown files Pricing: Textastic requires a monthly or yearly subscription or a one-time purchase. Each subscription includes a 7-day free trial with full access to all features. Privacy Policy: https://www.textasticapp.com/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

View Source Premier

Analyze and view HTML, XML, JavaScript, CSS, JSON, and RSS code with a built-in simulator, error tracking, and request management tools. Easily format code, test JavaScript, and inspect styles and images. Supports multiple devices for enhanced productivity.

Highlights
  • Code viewing and analysis
  • Built-in simulator
  • Error tracking
  • JavaScript terminal testing
  • Style and image inspection
  • Request management
  • Code beautifier
Features
Read full description

A multifunctional tool for analyzing, debugging, and viewing structured data and web code — including HTML, XML, JSON, CSS, JavaScript, RSS, ATOM, and other supported formats. The application is designed for developers and professionals who value precision, control, and efficiency. Key features: • Cross-platform support: iPhone, iPad, and Mac • View code in both structured and plain text formats • Validation and error detection for HTML, XML, and JSON • Built-in web simulator with customizable screen sizes • JavaScript console for interactive code testing • HEX viewer for analyzing binary files • Text search with regular expression support • CSS style inspection for page elements • HTTP request handling with flexible configuration for any scenario • Save, edit, and re-run previous requests • Code formatting with built-in Code Beautifier • HTTP response analysis: headers, cookies, and response data • Advanced copying of code fragments and structured elements • Built-in audio playback for files detected in HTML code or opened within the app • Open and analyze files stored on your device The application provides full control over data analysis and streamlines everyday tasks for developers.

Screenshots

Textastic Code Editor4 screens
View Source Premier4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Textastic Code Editor at Free against View Source Premier's $6.99. Textastic Code Editor also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 27). View Source Premier's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and device support (4 vs 2). On update cadence, ads 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

Textastic Code Editor is free to download; View Source Premier costs $6.99 up front. Textastic Code Editor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. View Source Premier asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Textastic Code Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Textastic Code Editor has 2.5K ratings behind it against 27, 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 47% of View Source Premier's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, View Source Premier every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Textastic Code Editor versus View Source Premier: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTextastic Code EditorView Source Premier
PriceFree — better$6.99
Rating4.7 (2.5K ratings) — better4.1 (27 ratings)
Positive reviews68.9% of reviews — better47.1% of reviews
Number of ratings2.5K — better27
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionPaid — better
Best chart rank#19 — better#82
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander BlachAndrey Uspanov

Customer experience

Textastic Code Editor

All ratings2,510 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews599 reviews
Positive68.9%
Neutral8.7%
Negative22.4%

View Source Premier

All ratings27 ratings
Positive70.4%
Neutral14.8%
Negative14.8%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive47.1%
Neutral23.5%
Negative29.4%

Bugs and requests

Textastic Code Editor

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • 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

4 requests
  • 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

View Source Premier

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Textastic Code Editor

Subscriptions2
  • Textastic Pro (Monthly)7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Textastic Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Textastic Pro (One-Time)$69.99
None

View Source Premier

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Textastic Code Editor free?
Textastic Code Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is View Source Premier free?
View Source Premier costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Textastic Code Editor or View Source Premier?
Textastic Code Editor is rated higher. Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while View Source Premier averages 4.1 from 27 ratings.
Do Textastic Code Editor or View Source Premier have ads?
Neither Textastic Code Editor nor View Source Premier shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Textastic Code Editor or View Source Premier?
Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and View Source Premier every 3 weeks. Most recently, Textastic Code Editor was updated on September 23, 2026 and View Source Premier on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, Textastic Code Editor or View Source Premier?
Textastic Code Editor currently peaks at #19 in the App Store charts, and View Source Premier at #82. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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