Comparison

SQL Code Play vs SQL Programming Guide

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

Head to head
About

SQL Code Play

Learn and practice SQL with a live editor and offline support. This app offers over 70 examples, instant output, and in-depth explanations for beginners and professionals. Prepare for interviews and master SQL concepts on your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Built-in SQL editor with SQLite compiler
  • 70+ real SQL examples
  • Instant query output
  • In-depth explanations
  • Offline SQL learning
  • Save and edit custom queries
  • SQL interview preparation
Features
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Turn a SQL example into something you can explore. SQL Code Play gives you a local query workspace, guided lessons and focused challenges in one app. Read how a statement works, run it against sample tables and change it to see how the answer changes. A workspace for hands-on learning The Code and Output tabs keep the statement and its result close together. Edit your query, tap Run and examine the returned table. Row and column counts provide context, NULL values are marked, and messages distinguish an empty result from a completed statement or a query error. Undo and redo help you work through changes in the editor. You can begin with the supplied database instead of building sample data first. Employee, meeting and room records provide material for filtering, grouping and joining tables. The database list displays table names and record counts. Tapping a table loads a SELECT statement so you can inspect the data and decide what to try next. Restore lets you rebuild the sample database after experiments. Lessons that connect reading with doing Search the tutorial collection or filter it by fundamentals, filtering, analysis and advanced topics. Lesson details explain the purpose of an example, describe its logic and offer practice tips. Send the example to SQL Workspace, modify it and review the output. Local viewed and practiced indicators help you distinguish topics you have read from examples you have tried. Work through selection, conditions, ordering and aliases, then explore joins, aggregate functions and grouped summaries. Examples also cover creating tables, changing records, constraints, subqueries and transactions. When you are ready to go further, investigate common table expressions, window functions, date calculations and JSON operations. You can return to a specific topic whenever you need a reminder. Three ways to practise SQL Lab offers a sequence of query templates that open directly in the workspace. Explore tasks such as ranking salaries, summarising departments, finding duplicates and selecting high-value products. The templates give you a statement to study and adapt. Choose the Best Answer turns SQL syntax into focused multiple-choice questions. Select the missing piece, check your answer and consult a hint or explanation when you need help. Fill in the Blanks asks you to complete queries with the correct tokens, reinforcing the placement of keywords, operators and clauses. Challenge progress is kept locally, and the activities show the levels or missions available to you. Use the learning path that fits your session Begin with a tutorial if a concept is new. Choose a short challenge to review a detail. Open a lab template when you want to spend more time exploring a query. This combination suits students learning databases, people starting SQL and developers revisiting familiar syntax. The core query workspace and bundled lessons run locally without a cloud database account. Online services such as ads, purchases and support links may require connectivity. Practice database changes are for learning; Restore resets the sample data. Select system, light or dark appearance from Settings to match your preferred reading environment. The app contains advertising and offers an optional subscription to remove ads. Build your understanding through a simple cycle: read the explanation, edit the statement, run it and inspect the result. Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

SQL Programming Guide

Features
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Learn SQL Quickly and Easily! SQL Programming is the ultimate learning tool for mastering SQL and core database concepts from the ground up. Designed for beginners, this app provides clear, step-by-step tutorials across four major SQL database systems: • MySQL • PostgreSQL • MSSQL • Oracle Choose your preferred SQL dialect to personalize your learning journey. Whether you're brand new to databases or brushing up on your skills, this app makes SQL simple and accessible. Why Choose SQL Programming app? • Beginner-Friendly – No prior programming or database knowledge required • Multi-Platform Learning – Learn syntax and features unique to MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, and Oracle • Interactive Quizzes – Reinforce concepts and prepare for coding interviews, tests, and exams • Smart Learning Tools – Save favorite topics and use full-text search to find what you need fast • Multilingual Support – Available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish • Regular Updates – New content and quiz questions added with every version Comprehensive Topics Include: • Introduction to Databases • SQL Basics & Data Types • Creating & Modifying Tables • Inserting, Updating & Deleting Data • Querying with SELECT • Filtering & Sorting Data • String & Math Functions • Aggregates & Grouping • SQL Joins & Subqueries • Views, Indexes & Constraints • Transactions & Triggers • Stored Procedures & Window Functions • Cascade Actions Whether you're preparing for a job interview, studying for an exam, or learning SQL for the first time, SQL Programming is your go-to SQL learning companion.

Screenshots

SQL Code Play2 screens
SQL Programming Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SQL Programming Guide at none against SQL Code Play's 3. SQL Programming Guide also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 16 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. SQL Code Play sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. SQL Programming Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SQL Code Play ships an update every 16 months, SQL Programming Guide every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 4 level
SQL Code Play versus SQL Programming Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSQL Code PlaySQL Programming Guide
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMerbin JoeALG Software Lab

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SQL Code Play

Subscriptions3
  • 1 Month Ad-Free$0.991 Month
  • Six Month Ad-Free$2.996 Months
  • 1 Year No Ads Access$4.991 Year
None

SQL Programming Guide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SQL Code Play free?
SQL Code Play is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SQL Programming Guide free?
SQL Programming Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SQL Code Play or SQL Programming Guide have ads?
SQL Code Play shows ads; SQL Programming Guide does not.
Which is updated more often, SQL Code Play or SQL Programming Guide?
SQL Code Play ships an update every 16 months, and SQL Programming Guide every 2 months. Most recently, SQL Code Play was updated on October 15, 2026 and SQL Programming Guide on October 1, 2026.

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