Comparison

Python Recipes vs SQL Play

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Python Recipes

This app provides runnable Python code examples and SQL queries for developers. It offers a quick reference for syntax and common tasks, with an option to edit and run your own code. Everything except running code works offline.

Highlights
  • Runnable Python code examples
  • SQL query reference
  • Code editing and execution
  • Keyword reference
  • Offline functionality (except code execution)
  • Search within code
Features
Read full description

Tap Run and the real output appears right under the code, so you know it works before it goes into your project. No IDE, no setup, no account. 370+ short examples, one task each, with comments on the tricky parts. Over 90% run in the app with one tap. Names follow PEP 8, and the output shows every value. You know what you need, but not the exact syntax: • How do I drop duplicates from a list and keep the order? • How do I add a month to a date? • How do I pull a number out of a string with a regex? Each has a working example here. • 22 sections, including strings, dicts, classes, generators, match statements, exceptions, files, and design patterns. • What changed from Python 3.0 to 3.13, with before-and-after code: dict merging with | and |=, f"{x=}", asyncio.run, except*. • Keyword reference, 200+ entries: tap a word in the code to look it up. • 200+ SQL queries: JOIN, GROUP BY, subqueries, window functions; more than half run on a practice database. • Search looks inside the code: type defaultdict to find every example that uses it. • Edit an example and run your version, or write your own. • Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. • Everything except running code works offline. Free version: 320+ examples and queries, the full keyword reference, and 12 runs, 12 edits and up to 12 reference entries a day opened by tapping a word in the code (Python and SQL runs share one count). Full version: all examples and queries, unlimited edits and examples of your own, and up to 30 Python and 80 SQL runs a day. One-time purchase, no subscription. Built by a developer for developers. Maintained since 2015. WHAT'S NEW • Improved support for foldable phones and large screens.

About

SQL Play

Learn and practice SQL directly on your phone without installing complex software. This app provides built-in tables and over 45 syntaxes with examples to help you master SQL queries. It supports dark mode and allows data export to CSV.

Highlights
  • SQL runner on mobile
  • 10+ inbuilt practice tables
  • 45+ SQL syntaxes with examples
  • DDL, DML, DQL support
  • Dark mode theme
  • Export data to CSV
  • Query history and auto-complete
Features
Read full description

Learning and Practicing SQL couldn't be Easier! Presenting you with a beautiful SQL Runner App for all your devices - SQL Play. Say goodbye to installing heavy software like MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server on your computers, just to get SQL running. You don't have to spend hours figuring out what commands to type: - Just to write a simple SELECT query - How to use the WHERE clause - Group data using HAVING clause - What are the data types to be used - And many more Guess what? You don't even need to make your own tables and insert bunch of data by yourself just to test your queries. We already have 10+ inbuilt tables just for you to get your hands dirty with SQL faster than ever. It includes: Albums, Artists, Customers, Employees, Genres, Invoices and more. You get 45+ syntaxes along with their description and easy-to-follow examples in order of their execution, which will guide you firsthand. You don't have to keep scrolling for the commands, you can simply start typing your command and the desired command with syntax will show up. It covers DDL (Data definition language), DML (Data manipulation language) and DQL (Data query language) If you prefer dark mode we have got you covered, SQL Play theme matches your system theme. So that your eyes get the deserved rest. You are not tied to our app with your data, you can export any of your tables into CSV (Comma separated values) using the Export Data feature. Your data goes with you, whether it be Excel, Google Sheets or any other spreadsheet editor or the database of your choice. /// Go down the memory lane Every time you run your query, it gets saved locally in your device which can be accessed by pressing the Up and Down arrow button. You also get auto-complete from history as you type your query, so that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. TLDR; Saves you a lot of time Popular SQL supported databases: • IBM DB2 • MySQL • Oracle DB • PostgreSQL • SQLite • SQL Server • Sybase • OpenEdge SQL • Snowflake

Screenshots

Python Recipes4 screens
SQL Play4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Python Recipes at 4.7 against SQL Play's 3.4. Python Recipes also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). SQL Play's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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. Python Recipes sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and SQL Play sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Python Recipes holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 83 and 38 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Python Recipes's written reviews are positive against 76% of SQL Play's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Python Recipes ships an update monthly, SQL Play every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Python Recipes versus SQL Play: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPython RecipesSQL Play
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (83 ratings) — better3.4 (38 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better76.5% of reviews
Number of ratings83 — better38
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFedor ObraztsovShivam Kumar

Customer experience

Python Recipes

All ratings83 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral1.2%
Negative4.8%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral3.3%
Negative13.3%

SQL Play

All ratings38 ratings
Positive57.9%
Neutral7.9%
Negative34.2%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive76.5%
Neutral4.4%
Negative19.1%

Bugs and requests

Python Recipes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

SQL Play

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • Items smushed together on download
  • Syntax errors on first launch
  • Query box does not clear
  • Errors near SELECT even with correct query
  • Cannot open pro even after activation
Show 11 more
  • Command window does not accept indentations
  • Learn button absent
  • App cannot be deleted
  • App does not work properly for queries
  • App got stuck with pinwheel of death
  • Not up to date with current version of SQL
  • App doesn't display code output
  • Paywall nag after going unlimited
  • Date input bug (adds up years)
  • Tables displayed not correctly
  • Table won't show if not in typing mode on iPhone 7

Requested features

6 requests
  • Solid update required
  • Hire better iOS developers
  • Show databases function
  • Show tables function
  • Add 'desc' command
Show 1 more
  • Add 'rename' command

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Python Recipes

One-time5
  • Оperations with example$0.99
  • Unlock the paid topics$0.99
  • Python Samples$0.99
Show 2 more
  • SQL queries$0.99
  • Pro Version – Unlimited$2.99
1 purchases

SQL Play

One-time1
  • SQL Play Premium$9.99

Questions

Is Python Recipes free?
Python Recipes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SQL Play free?
SQL Play is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Python Recipes or SQL Play?
Python Recipes is rated higher. Python Recipes averages 4.7 out of 5 from 83 ratings, while SQL Play averages 3.4 from 38 ratings.
Do Python Recipes or SQL Play have ads?
SQL Play shows ads; Python Recipes does not.
Which is updated more often, Python Recipes or SQL Play?
Python Recipes ships an update monthly, and SQL Play every 3 months. Most recently, Python Recipes was updated on November 2, 2026 and SQL Play on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons