# Textastic Code Editor vs Tracer

The clearest difference is rating: Textastic Code Editor at 4.7 against Tracer's 4.0. Textastic Code Editor also leads on ratings volume (2.6K vs 1) and chart position (#17 vs #158). Tracer's advantage is monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and review sentiment (100% vs 69%). On price, ads, 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 Tracer sells 3 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 4.0. 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 100% of Tracer'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, Tracer daily. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Textastic Code Editor | Tracer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textastic-code-editor/id1049254261/reviews)** | [4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracer-inspect-https-traffic/id6788840279/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 68.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Daily** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#17** | #158 |
| Size | 26 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alexander Blach](https://appshunter.io/developer/303486870) | [Ryan Kotzebue](https://appshunter.io/developer/832112887) |

## What reviewers say

### Textastic Code Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #17 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


### Tracer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracer-inspect-https-traffic/id6788840279)

**Currently charting:** #158 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Monitor all network requests your iPhone makes in real-time, locally on your device. Identify third-party services, inspect request details, and understand where your data is going without it ever leaving your phone.

**Highlights:** Real-time network request monitoring, Inspect headers, bodies, and timing, Identify third-party services, Visualize server locations on a globe, Local data processing for privacy, No account required

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro access | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro access | $199.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Textastic Code Editor free?

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

### Is Tracer free?

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

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

Textastic Code Editor is rated higher. Textastic Code Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Tracer averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.

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

Neither Textastic Code Editor nor Tracer shows ads.

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

Textastic Code Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and Tracer daily. Most recently, Textastic Code Editor was updated on October 29, 2026 and Tracer on October 28, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Textastic Code Editor or Tracer?

Textastic Code Editor currently peaks at #17 in the App Store charts, and Tracer at #158. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*