# Textastic Code Editor vs Jayson

The clearest difference is monetization model: Jayson at free with in-app purchases against Textastic Code Editor's subscription. Jayson also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 69%). Textastic Code Editor's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 425). 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 Jayson sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Textastic Code Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Textastic Code Editor has 2.5K ratings behind it against 425, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of Textastic Code Editor's written reviews are positive against 81% of Jayson's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, Jayson every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Textastic Code Editor | Jayson |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261/reviews)** | [4.5 (425 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jayson/id1447750768/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | 425 |
| Positive reviews | 68.9% of reviews | **80.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#15** | #93 |
| Size | 26 MB | 41 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Blach](https://appshunter.io/developer/303486870) | [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907) |

## What reviewers say

### Textastic Code Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #15 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #54 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


### Jayson

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jayson/id1447750768)

**Currently charting:** #93 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app allows you to view and edit JSON files directly on your device. It offers features like tabbed browsing, split-screen comparisons, and integration with Siri Shortcuts and the Share Sheet for easy JSON parsing and management.

**Highlights:** Browse JSON files, Table or syntax highlighted text view, Tabbed interface, Multiple splits for comparison, Siri Shortcuts integration, Share Sheet Actions, URL schemes

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Everything | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Elegant and intuitive JSON editing interface
- 🎯 Perfect for FNF mod development and updates
- 📱 Excellent iOS implementation with native feel
- 🔧 Powerful JSON manipulation capabilities
- ⚡ Great Shortcuts and URL scheme integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and instability issues
- 🔋 High battery consumption and device heating
- ❌ Missing search functionality
- 📵 Safari browser support issues
- 🔒 Limited free features, paywall for advanced options

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when opening large JSON files (89MB+)
- Crashes on regular use despite functionality
- Device freezing for extended periods
- Safari compatibility broken in recent updates
- Navigation back through JSON structure is unreliable

**Requested features**

- Search/find functionality within files
- JSON editing and modification capabilities
- XML format support
- Split-view for comparing different arrays
- Export functionality for edited JSON


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Textastic Code Editor free?

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

### Is Jayson free?

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

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

Textastic Code Editor is rated higher. Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while Jayson averages 4.5 from 425 ratings.

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

Neither Textastic Code Editor nor Jayson shows ads.

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

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and Jayson every 3 weeks. Most recently, Textastic Code Editor was updated on October 7, 2026 and Jayson on October 9, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Textastic Code Editor or Jayson?

Textastic Code Editor currently peaks at #15 in the App Store charts, and Jayson at #93. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*