# Pyto IDE vs Runestone Text Editor

The clearest difference is rating: Runestone Text Editor at 4.7 against Pyto IDE's 3.7. Runestone Text Editor also leads on review sentiment (76% vs 35%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pyto IDE sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Runestone Text Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Runestone Text Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 995 and 2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of Pyto IDE's written reviews are positive against 76% of Runestone Text Editor's.

Pyto IDE ships an update every 8 days, Runestone Text Editor every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pyto IDE | Runestone Text Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (995 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pyto-ide/id1436650069/reviews) | **[4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 995 | **2K** |
| Positive reviews | 35.3% of reviews | **76.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #45 | **#41** |
| Size | 922 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Develobile S.p.A.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1212021727) | [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907) |

## What reviewers say

### Pyto IDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pyto-ide/id1436650069)

**Currently charting:** #45 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #49 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app offers a powerful integrated development environment for Python, C, and C++ on iOS devices. It includes a Python interpreter with extensive libraries, a C/C++ compiler, a terminal, and a code editor with advanced features like code completion and debugging.

**Highlights:** Python 3.10 Interpreter, C/C++ Compiler, Code Editor with Completion, Terminal with UNIX Commands, Graphical Interface Builder, Debugging Support, Shortcuts and Picture in Picture

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3-day Trial | Free | one-time |
| Upgrade to Full Version | $6.99 | one-time |
| Lite Version | $7.99 | one-time |
| Full Version | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app for Python development on iOS
- 👍 Supports many Python libraries like Pandas, NumPy
- 💡 Integrates well with Shortcuts and Apple Watch
- 👍 Paid version offers good value

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 👎 Confusing user interface and poor documentation
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription/trial
- 💰 Paid-only access to core functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to run scripts after a few executions
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between apps
- Paywall issues - app asking to repurchase after prior purchase

**Requested features**

- Improved code editor with better keyboard support
- Ability to read/write external files (CSV, TXT, etc.)
- Support for more Python libraries like Selenium, Tensorflow
- Longer trial period for new users


### Runestone Text Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893)

**Currently charting:** #41 Top Free · Developer Tools, #48 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A powerful plain text and code editor for iPhone and iPad. Offers syntax highlighting, line numbers, find and replace, and extensive customization options for developers and writers.

**Highlights:** Syntax highlighting for many languages, Customizable themes and fonts, Advanced find and replace, Line numbers and cursor location, Code formatting with Prettier.js, Multiple windows on iPad

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💎 Excellent text editor
- 🚀 Smooth and responsive
- 🎨 Customizable themes and appearance
- 🔒 Secure file storage and sync
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating files/folders
- 📝 Limited functionality without premium
- 🔌 Performance issues on older devices
- 🔒 Difficulty accessing files in cloud storage

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing files
- Difficulty pasting text
- Scroll position not saved
- Hangs on startup
- Trouble opening large files

**Requested features**

- Markdown preview
- Code folding
- Syntax highlighting for more languages
- Ability to run/execute code
- Multiple file/window support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pyto IDE free?

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

### Is Runestone Text Editor free?

Runestone Text Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pyto IDE or Runestone Text Editor?

Runestone Text Editor is rated higher. Pyto IDE averages 3.7 out of 5 from 995 ratings, while Runestone Text Editor averages 4.7 from 2K ratings.

### Do Pyto IDE or Runestone Text Editor have ads?

Neither Pyto IDE nor Runestone Text Editor shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pyto IDE or Runestone Text Editor?

Pyto IDE ships an update every 8 days, and Runestone Text Editor every 2 weeks. Most recently, Pyto IDE was updated on September 24, 2026 and Runestone Text Editor on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Pyto IDE or Runestone Text Editor?

Pyto IDE currently peaks at #45 in the App Store charts, and Runestone Text Editor at #41. 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.*