# Textastic Code Editor vs Simple_TextEdit

The clearest difference is monetization model: Simple_TextEdit at ad-supported against Textastic Code Editor's subscription. Simple_TextEdit also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Textastic Code Editor's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 1). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support 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 Simple_TextEdit sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Simple_TextEdit holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Textastic Code Editor has 2.6K ratings behind it against 1, 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 67% of Simple_TextEdit'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, Simple_TextEdit every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Textastic Code Editor | Simple_TextEdit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-textedit/id6478072145/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **68.8% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#10** | — |
| Size | 26 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Blach](https://appshunter.io/developer/303486870) | [Seung-Un Ham](https://appshunter.io/developer/447543367) |

## What reviewers say

### Textastic Code Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #49 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


### Simple_TextEdit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-textedit/id6478072145)

This app provides a native plain text editing experience for iOS devices. It allows users to open, edit, and save plain text files like .txt, .md, and .json directly from the Files app, offering a streamlined alternative to rich text editors.

**Highlights:** Native plain text editing, Opens and saves .txt, .md, .json, Integrates with Files app, Prettify JSON functionality, Clipboard integration, Supports 39 languages

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Textastic Code Editor free?

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

### Is Simple_TextEdit free?

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

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

Simple_TextEdit is rated higher. Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Simple_TextEdit averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

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

Simple_TextEdit shows ads; Textastic Code Editor does not.

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

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and Simple_TextEdit every 2 months. Most recently, Textastic Code Editor was updated on October 22, 2026 and Simple_TextEdit on October 9, 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.*