# Textastic Code Editor vs Swifty Compiler

The clearest difference is monetization model: Swifty Compiler at freemium against Textastic Code Editor's subscription. Swifty Compiler also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 69%). Textastic Code Editor's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 203). 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 Swifty Compiler sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. 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 2.6K ratings behind it against 203, 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 84% of Swifty Compiler'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, Swifty Compiler fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Textastic Code Editor | Swifty Compiler |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261/reviews)** | [4.5 (203 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swifty-compiler-swift-ide/id1544749600/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 203 |
| Positive reviews | 68.8% of reviews | **84.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#12** | #54 |
| Size | 26 MB | 70 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Blach](https://appshunter.io/developer/303486870) | [Hassan Taleb](https://appshunter.io/developer/955305566) |

## What reviewers say

### Textastic Code Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #12 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #55 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


### Swifty Compiler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swifty-compiler-swift-ide/id1544749600)

**Currently charting:** #54 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #108 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Write, run, and experiment with Swift code on your mobile device. This app functions as a personal playground for testing algorithms, prototyping ideas, and enhancing coding skills with a variety of editing tools.

**Highlights:** Write and run Swift code, Import Swift and Playground files, Code completion and error highlighting, Code formatting and syntax correction, Code snapshots (PNG, JPEG, PDF), Dark and light mode support, Unlimited credits (Premium)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly Subscription | $12.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly Subscription | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Lifetime | $99.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast code execution
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💡 Great for on-the-go coding
- ✨ Good for learning Swift
- ✅ Useful for testing logic

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 High cost for features
- ⚠️ Limited free usage
- 💸 Subscription model criticized
- 🚫 No offline mode
- 🤔 Unreasonable charging logic

**Reported bugs**

- Refund screenshots are not correct
- Kept loading without doing anything
- Issues related to JSON parsing
- Cannot save projects without paying
- Cannot use Date or Calendar as types

**Requested features**

- Support for newer Swift versions
- Ability to import projects online
- Cache 'premium' pop-up
- Support multithreading (GCD)
- Fix console printing bug


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Textastic Code Editor free?

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

### Is Swifty Compiler free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Textastic Code Editor or Swifty Compiler?

Textastic Code Editor is rated higher. Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Swifty Compiler averages 4.5 from 203 ratings.

### Do Textastic Code Editor or Swifty Compiler have ads?

Neither Textastic Code Editor nor Swifty Compiler shows ads.

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

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and Swifty Compiler fortnightly. Most recently, Textastic Code Editor was updated on October 26, 2026 and Swifty Compiler on October 28, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Textastic Code Editor or Swifty Compiler?

Textastic Code Editor currently peaks at #12 in the App Store charts, and Swifty Compiler at #54. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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