# MCXi Basic vs CPU8

The clearest difference is review sentiment: CPU8 at 67% against MCXi Basic's 0%. CPU8 also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and rating (4.7 vs 2.0). MCXi Basic's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 months). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

CPU8 is free to download; MCXi Basic costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

CPU8 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 14 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of MCXi Basic's written reviews are positive against 67% of CPU8's.

MCXi Basic ships an update every 9 days, CPU8 every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MCXi Basic | CPU8 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mcxi-basic/id1059217962/reviews) | **[4.7 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cpu8/id1448776028/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **14** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 6 MB | 163 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aleksei Neronov](https://appshunter.io/developer/551009381) | [Cordova Bay Entertainment Group, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1448776027) |

## What reviewers say

### MCXi Basic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mcxi-basic/id1059217962)

This application provides a development environment for a dialect of the BASIC programming language, designed to be flexible and expandable. It features a command-line interface similar to Dartmouth BASIC, where program lines require numbering.

**Highlights:** BASIC programming language dialect, GW-BASIC compatibility, Flexible and expandable design, Command-line IDE, Numbered program lines, Direct mode commands

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### CPU8

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cpu8/id1448776028)

Explore the inner workings of an 8-bit computer through simulation. Write, assemble, and run programs to understand computer instructions and their relationships with hardware components. Includes an assembler, sample programs, and educational resources.

**Highlights:** 8-bit computer simulator, Built-in assembler with manual, Control clock speed and single-step execution, 16 instructions and 3 pseudo-instructions, 7 sample assembler programs, Links to Ben Eater videos, History of computing content

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MCXi Basic free?

MCXi Basic costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CPU8 free?

CPU8 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MCXi Basic or CPU8?

CPU8 is rated higher. MCXi Basic averages 2.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while CPU8 averages 4.7 from 14 ratings.

### Do MCXi Basic or CPU8 have ads?

Neither MCXi Basic nor CPU8 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MCXi Basic or CPU8?

MCXi Basic ships an update every 9 days, and CPU8 every 3 months. Most recently, MCXi Basic was updated on October 15, 2026 and CPU8 on October 11, 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.*