# Textastic Code Editor vs U Game Engine + xLua

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Textastic Code Editor | U Game Engine + xLua |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $19.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/u-game-engine-plus-xlua/id6743805852/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.5K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **68.9% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Paid** |
| Best chart rank | **#19** | — |
| Size | 26 MB | 599 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Blach](https://appshunter.io/developer/303486870) | [盼军 崔](https://appshunter.io/developer/567286451) |

## What reviewers say

### Textastic Code Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #19 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #42 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


### U Game Engine + xLua

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/u-game-engine-plus-xlua/id6743805852)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Buy me a coffee | $2.99 | one-time |


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