# Textastic Code Editor vs BASIC

The clearest difference is price: Textastic Code Editor at Free against BASIC's $11.99. Textastic Code Editor also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 17). BASIC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Textastic Code Editor is free to download; BASIC costs $11.99 up front. Textastic Code Editor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. BASIC asks for nothing beyond the download.

Textastic Code Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Textastic Code Editor has 2.5K ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 69% and 68% positive.

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, BASIC every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Textastic Code Editor | BASIC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $11.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261/reviews)** | [4.2 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/basic-programming-language/id1540244170/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | 17 |
| Positive reviews | **68.9% of reviews** | 68.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Paid** |
| Best chart rank | **#11** | #104 |
| Size | 26 MB | 135 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Blach](https://appshunter.io/developer/303486870) | [Nikolay Denislamov](https://appshunter.io/developer/505796639) |

## What reviewers say

### Textastic Code Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #11 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


### BASIC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/basic-programming-language/id1540244170)

**Currently charting:** #104 Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Create and publish your own applications directly on your iOS device using an extended BASIC programming language. Features include a rich interface, advanced graphics, sound capabilities, and hardware support.

**Highlights:** Create standalone apps for App Store, Rich user interface elements, Advanced graphics and animation, Comprehensive sound and music support, Hardware sensor integration, Networking and file management, Customizable IDE with documentation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Textastic Code Editor free?

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

### Is BASIC free?

BASIC costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

Textastic Code Editor is rated higher. Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while BASIC averages 4.2 from 17 ratings.

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

Neither Textastic Code Editor nor BASIC shows ads.

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

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and BASIC every 2 months. Most recently, Textastic Code Editor was updated on October 7, 2026 and BASIC on October 6, 2026.

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

Textastic Code Editor currently peaks at #11 in the App Store charts, and BASIC at #104. 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.*