Comparison

Textastic Code Editor vs U Game Engine + xLua

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

U Game Engine + xLua

Create and run 2D and 3D games directly on your mobile device. Script gameplay using Lua, import assets, and test instantly. This app provides professional-grade game development tools in a pocket-sized format.

Highlights
  • Build 2D/3D games on iOS
  • Script with Lua
  • Real-time testing
  • Import assets
  • Integrated development environment
  • Lua tutorials
Features
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!!! Limited Free !!! Create and run your own 2D & 3D games — right on your iPhone or iPad! This powerful game maker is built on the same industry-leading engine trusted by professional studios, but redesigned for mobile. You can script your gameplay in Lua, test instantly, and bring your ideas to life without needing a computer. • Build interactive 2D/3D games directly on iOS • Script with Lua: lightweight, fast, and beginner-friendly • Real-time testing and instant feedback • Import assets (textures, sounds, models) and use them right away • Share your creations with friends Whether you’re prototyping game mechanics, learning scripting, or just having fun making your own mobile games, this app gives you professional-grade tools in your pocket. Experience True 2D/3D Engine Game Development on Mobile! "U Game Engine + xLua" is the first all-in-one mobile app integrating the U engine, xLua framework, and a full-featured development environment. Whether you're a game developer, coding learner, or creative enthusiast, now you can write, debug (under development), and preview U 2D/3D games in real-time directly on your iOS device—break free from desktop constraints and bring your ideas to life instantly! Core Features: Integrated Development Environment ▸ Deep integration with U 2D/3D Engine (6000.0.28f1c1) + xLua hotfix framework ▸ Professional code editor (syntax highlighting/auto-complete/error detection) ▸ Terminal access and visual file management system Ready-to-Use Resources ▸ Preloaded open-source xLua game templates for instant learning ▸ Integrated U 2D/3D Engine library source code & API docs (easily accessible references) ▸ Lua debugger for real-time code troubleshooting (in research phase) Mobile-Optimized Workflow ▸ Touch-friendly UI for seamless coding, even with complex projects ▸ Cloud project sync: Start on iPhone, continue on iPad (planned) ▸ Export standard U 2D/3D Game Engine projects for desktop development (planned) Learning Ecosystem ▸ Interactive Lua tutorials (from basics to game development) ▸ Community-curated script library: study and reuse high-quality code ▸ Plugin support: import custom toolkits as needed Perfect For: ◆ U 2D/3D Engine Developers: Rapid prototyping during commutes ◆ Game Design Students: Zero-cost entry to game development ◆ Indie Creators: Transform ideas into playable demos ◆ Tech Enthusiasts: Explore mobile development frontiers Call to Action: "Unleash your creativity—build the next hit game in cafés, on trips, or even while waiting in line! U 2D/3D Engine + xLua redefines mobile productivity. Start your creation journey today!" Privacy Note: All development data stays exclusively on your device. We never access your code or projects. Credits: DuckHunter Original Creator: LQYaphets - https://github.com/LQYaphets/DuckHunt-Xlua My forked repository (with potential modifications): https://github.com/andy380743909/DuckHunt-Xlua xLua Framework: Tencent xLua - https://github.com/Tencent/xLua New to xLua? Explore the official documentation first. U Game Engine: The industry-leading game development platform.

Screenshots

Textastic Code Editor4 screens
U Game Engine + xLua4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Textastic Code Editor at 69% against U Game Engine + xLua's 0%. Textastic Code Editor also leads on price (Free vs $19.99) and ratings volume (2.5K vs 2). U Game Engine + xLua's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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; U Game Engine + xLua costs $19.99 up front. Textastic Code Editor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and U Game Engine + xLua sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

U Game Engine + xLua 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 2.5K ratings behind it against 2, 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 0% of U Game Engine + xLua's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 3 weeks, U Game Engine + xLua fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Textastic Code Editor versus U Game Engine + xLua: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTextastic Code EditorU Game Engine + xLua
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating4.7 (2.5K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2.5K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionPaid — better
Best chart rank#15 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB599 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander Blach盼军 崔

Customer experience

Textastic Code Editor

All ratings2,537 ratings
Positive93.1%
Neutral1.5%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews601 reviews
Positive68.9%
Neutral8.7%
Negative22.5%

U Game Engine + xLua

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

U Game Engine + xLua

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
1 purchases

U Game Engine + xLua

One-time1
  • Buy me a coffee$2.99

Questions

Is Textastic Code Editor free?
Textastic Code Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is U Game Engine + xLua free?
U Game Engine + xLua costs $19.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Textastic Code Editor or U Game Engine + xLua?
U Game Engine + xLua is rated higher. Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while U Game Engine + xLua averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Textastic Code Editor or U Game Engine + xLua have ads?
Neither Textastic Code Editor nor U Game Engine + xLua shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Textastic Code Editor or U Game Engine + xLua?
Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 3 weeks, and U Game Engine + xLua fortnightly. Most recently, Textastic Code Editor was updated on October 10, 2026 and U Game Engine + xLua on October 3, 2026.

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