# TextEdit vs EML Viewer

The clearest difference is price: TextEdit at Free against EML Viewer's $1.99. TextEdit also leads on rating (3.7 vs 3.0) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). EML Viewer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (49% vs 17%). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

TextEdit is free to download; EML Viewer costs $1.99 up front. TextEdit sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. EML Viewer asks for nothing beyond the download.

TextEdit holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TextEdit has 379 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 17% of TextEdit's written reviews are positive against 49% of EML Viewer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

TextEdit ships an update weekly, EML Viewer every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 18, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TextEdit | EML Viewer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | **[3.7 (379 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textedit-text-editor/id1070883678/reviews)** | [3.0 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eml-viewer/id1232389519/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **379** | 21 |
| Positive reviews | 17.1% of reviews | **49.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 580 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kairoos Solutions SL](https://appshunter.io/developer/978066434) | [Matrix Logic Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/303074412) |

## What reviewers say

### TextEdit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/textedit-text-editor/id1070883678)

A fast and versatile text editor for mobile devices, offering compatibility with various file formats and editors. It provides a distraction-free writing experience with advanced formatting, organization, and sharing features.

**Highlights:** Supports TXT, RTF, Markdown, TeX, and PDF formats, Cross-device and computer syncing via iCloud/Files, Distraction-free writing interface, Customizable keyboard extension for faster typing, Visual rich text formatting and one-tap options, Syntax highlighting for Markdown and TeX, Instant statistics and counters

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| TextEdit+ Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| TextEdit+ Annual | $14.99 | per year |
| TextEdit+ Full Unlock | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📝 Simple and clean text editor
- 🔗 Integrates well with iCloud
- 👍 Useful for basic document editing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Requires subscription for full functionality
- 🔒 Locks users out of previously purchased content
- 🚫 Prevents access to app without subscription
- 🤖 Forced AI integration that users don't want

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when opening certain file types
- Formatting issues when copying/pasting text
- Inconsistent behavior across devices

**Requested features**

- Allow users to choose iCloud directory
- Offer one-time purchase option instead of subscription
- Restore previous paid versions without AI


### EML Viewer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eml-viewer/id1232389519)

Easily view saved emails in EML format directly on your iOS device. Open attachments, share them with other applications, or print them. You can also compose a new email using the content of an EML file.

**Highlights:** View EML files, Access attachments, Share attachments, Print attachments, Compose new emails from EML

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Opens .eml files
- 👍 Works as advertised
- 🚀 Quick updates and support
- ✨ Displays attachments
- 💡 Handles PEC emails

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Unusable due to crashes
- 🐛 Does not read digitally signed emails
- 🐛 Does not open files over 2MB
- 🐛 Low memory errors

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- App is unusable due to crashes
- Does not read digitally signed emails
- Does not open files over 2MB
- Low memory errors

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Option to create folders
- Ability to print messages
- Forwarding function
- Prevent external images from loading by default


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TextEdit free?

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

### Is EML Viewer free?

EML Viewer costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TextEdit or EML Viewer?

TextEdit is rated higher. TextEdit averages 3.7 out of 5 from 379 ratings, while EML Viewer averages 3.0 from 21 ratings.

### Do TextEdit or EML Viewer have ads?

Neither TextEdit nor EML Viewer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TextEdit or EML Viewer?

TextEdit ships an update weekly, and EML Viewer every 2 months. Most recently, TextEdit was updated on October 18, 2026 and EML Viewer on October 18, 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.*