Comparison

Textastic Code Editor vs HTML Runner

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

HTML Runner

Instantly edit and run HTML, CSS, and JavaScript projects directly on your mobile device. Generate code with AI tools, paste it in, and preview your webpages in real-time without needing a desktop or server setup. Ideal for testing, demos, and learning web development.

Highlights
  • Live HTML Preview
  • Project Workspace
  • HTML, CSS & JavaScript Support
  • Code Formatting
  • Import Local Files
  • Offline Ready
  • AI Code Integration
Read full description

HTML Runner lets you instantly open, edit and run HTML projects directly on your iPhone and iPad. Built for the new AI coding workflow. Generate webpages with AI tools, paste the code into a project, and preview it instantly inside the app. No server setup. No desktop required. No complicated IDE. Just paste your code and run. Perfect for: • AI-generated websites • HTML/CSS/JS testing • Webpage preview • Frontend demos • Learning web development • Offline HTML viewing Key Features Live HTML Preview Run webpages instantly with the built-in browser. Project Workspace Organize files with folders and multi-file project support. HTML, CSS & JavaScript Support Create and edit complete web projects directly on mobile. Code Formatting Automatically format and clean up your code. Import Local Files Open and manage HTML-related files easily. Offline Ready Preview local webpages without deployment or internet access. Made for Beginners Simple and lightweight workflow for users who want to run AI-generated code. Whether you're previewing AI-generated websites, testing frontend ideas, or learning web development, HTML Runner gives you the fastest way to run web projects on mobile. Subscription Info: Subscriptions auto-renew unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Renewal fees will be charged within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel subscriptions in your App Store account settings. Support & Feedback: Email: longlong13578@icloud.com User Agreement https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy https://outgoing-cheese-e3b.notion.site/Keyword-Highlighter-2b2b209c98f980e7b250c3bc0e6b6546Subscription Info: Subscriptions auto-renew unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Renewal fees will be charged within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel subscriptions in your App Store account settings. Support & Feedback: Email: longlong13578@icloud.com User Agreement https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy https://outgoing-cheese-e3b.notion.site/Html-Studio-36cb209c98f9808aad51db25979e06da

Screenshots

Textastic Code Editor4 screens
HTML Runner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: HTML Runner at free with in-app purchases against Textastic Code Editor's subscription. HTML Runner also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 69%). Textastic Code Editor's advantage is ratings volume (2.5K vs 5) and chart position (#19 vs #80). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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

Both are free to download. Textastic Code Editor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and HTML Runner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Textastic Code Editor against 4.8 for HTML Runner. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Textastic Code Editor has 2.5K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 69% of Textastic Code Editor's written reviews are positive against 100% of HTML Runner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, HTML Runner fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Textastic Code Editor versus HTML Runner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTextastic Code EditorHTML Runner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (2.5K ratings)4.8 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.5K — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#19 — better#80
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander Blach家贺 万

Customer experience

Textastic Code Editor

All ratings2,510 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews599 reviews
Positive68.9%
Neutral8.7%
Negative22.4%

HTML Runner

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

HTML Runner

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
3 purchases

HTML Runner

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$3.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$5.99

Questions

Is Textastic Code Editor free?
Textastic Code Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HTML Runner free?
HTML Runner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Textastic Code Editor or HTML Runner?
HTML Runner is rated higher. Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.5K ratings, while HTML Runner averages 4.8 from 5 ratings.
Do Textastic Code Editor or HTML Runner have ads?
Neither Textastic Code Editor nor HTML Runner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Textastic Code Editor or HTML Runner?
Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and HTML Runner fortnightly. Most recently, Textastic Code Editor was updated on September 23, 2026 and HTML Runner on September 18, 2026.
Which is more popular, Textastic Code Editor or HTML Runner?
Textastic Code Editor currently peaks at #19 in the App Store charts, and HTML Runner at #80. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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