# RegEx Lab vs Runlow

The clearest difference is rating: RegEx Lab at 4.8 against Runlow's 1.0. RegEx Lab also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (172 vs 1). Runlow's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs monthly). On review sentiment, ads, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

RegEx Lab costs $0.99 and Runlow $1.99 up front. Runlow sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. RegEx Lab asks for nothing beyond the download.

RegEx Lab holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RegEx Lab has 172 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 95% of RegEx Lab's written reviews are positive against 100% of Runlow's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

RegEx Lab ships an update monthly, Runlow every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | RegEx Lab | Runlow |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $1.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (172 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/regex-lab-regular-expressions/id1252988123/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runlow-ai-usage-meter/id6790868681/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **172** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 95.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#60** | #176 |
| Size | 5 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [sovio](https://appshunter.io/developer/1397333570) | [LEON NELIO FIGUEIRA](https://appshunter.io/developer/6790868683) |

## What reviewers say

### RegEx Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/regex-lab-regular-expressions/id1252988123)

**Currently charting:** #60 Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app allows users to test and experiment with regular expressions. It offers syntax highlighting, customizable match colors, and a detailed results list. Features include a replace function, dark and light themes, and a helpful cheatsheet for quick reference.

**Highlights:** Regex syntax highlighting, Match and capture group highlighting, Customizable highlight colors, Results list view, Replace feature, Dark and light themes, Regular expression cheatsheet

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Beautifully designed UI
- 🚀 Simple and easy to use
- ⚡ Gets regular expression tasks done quickly
- 💡 Useful offline Regex tool
- 🛠️ Essential text tool for devs and writers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Files are hidden and not found in Files app
- 🐛 Export option makes a mess
- 🐛 Mac version has no effort put into it
- 🐛 Takes a long time for load screen to go away
- 🐛 'Select this match' option often doesn't work

**Reported bugs**

- iPad's Files app cannot find the app or Regex files
- Export option creates messy files
- Mac version lacks developer effort
- Slow load screen when creating new expressions
- Select this match option is unreliable

**Requested features**

- Make app and Regex files visible in Files app
- Improve export option for Regex files
- Add a button to clear the text window
- Allow simultaneous viewing of text and replacement text
- Add a button to copy and replace text on the previous screen


### Runlow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runlow-ai-usage-meter/id6790868681)

**Currently charting:** #176 Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Monitor your AI service token limits and spending across multiple providers in real-time. View usage at a glance with live activities, dynamic island integration, and customizable widgets. Stay informed with notifications before hitting limits.

**Highlights:** Real-time AI usage tracking, Live Activities and Dynamic Island integration, Home and Lock Screen widgets, Service status indicators, Customizable meters and notifications, Mac menu bar app, Private by design, no account needed

**Features:** Apple Watch app, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large tip | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RegEx Lab free?

RegEx Lab costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Runlow free?

Runlow costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, RegEx Lab or Runlow?

RegEx Lab is rated higher. RegEx Lab averages 4.8 out of 5 from 172 ratings, while Runlow averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do RegEx Lab or Runlow have ads?

Neither RegEx Lab nor Runlow shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RegEx Lab or Runlow?

RegEx Lab ships an update monthly, and Runlow every 3 days. Most recently, RegEx Lab was updated on October 29, 2026 and Runlow on October 29, 2026.

### Which is more popular, RegEx Lab or Runlow?

RegEx Lab currently peaks at #60 in the App Store charts, and Runlow at #176. 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.*