Comparison

SQL 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

SQL Recipes

Access over 150 tested SQL code samples for common queries and commands. This app provides ready-to-use solutions for various SQL tasks, saving you time searching online. It's ideal for learning, exam preparation, or quick developer reference.

Highlights
  • 150+ SQL query and command examples
  • Tested code samples from books and internet
  • Offline access to all examples
  • Quick search by code or topic
  • Print and share code examples
  • Cross-platform iOS and macOS support
Read full description

An everyday SQL reference, from your first SELECT to window functions. Every query comes with an explanation, and most of them run. • 39 sections: filtering, sorting, calculated fields, functions, GROUP BY, window functions, subqueries, JOIN, UNION, INSERT and UPDATE, data types, tables, views. • Run in the app: more than half of the queries execute against a live practice database, and the result table appears below the query. Needs an internet connection. • Changes in new versions: 7 sections from SQL-92 to SQL:2023, showing what each standard added, with the old and the new query side by side. • Dialects compared: MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MS SQL Server, Oracle, Firebird, Access. Where they differ, each one is shown separately. • The practice database is the classic MySQL world sample database: countries, cities, languages. The tables are described in the app. • Edit any query and run it again; one tap brings the original back. • Add your own queries; they stay in the app and are always at hand. • Search by section name or by a fragment of a query. • Everything except running works offline. No account needed. WHAT THE FREE VERSION INCLUDES 12 runs and 12 edits a day; the limit resets every morning. The keyword reference is unlocked, with no limits. Up to 5 queries of your own. The full version unlocks every section, lifts the daily limits and raises the run limit to 80 a day. One purchase, no subscription. Built by a developer for developers. In active development since 2015.

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

SQL Recipes4 screens
SQL Play4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SQL Recipes at 4.9 against SQL Play's 3.4. SQL Recipes also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (91% vs 76%). SQL Play's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. SQL Recipes sells 3 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

SQL Recipes holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 109 and 38 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of SQL Recipes's written reviews are positive against 76% of SQL Play's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SQL Recipes ships an update every 2 months, SQL Play every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SQL Recipes versus SQL Play: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSQL RecipesSQL Play
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (109 ratings) — better3.4 (38 ratings)
Positive reviews91.2% of reviews — better76.5% of reviews
Number of ratings109 — better38
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — 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
Size4 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFedor ObraztsovShivam Kumar

Customer experience

SQL Recipes

All ratings109 ratings
Positive98.2%
Neutral0.9%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive91.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.8%

SQL Play

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

Bugs and requests

SQL 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

3 purchases

SQL Recipes

One-time3
  • Оperations with example$0.99
  • Unlock the paid topics$0.99
  • Pro Version – Unlimited$1.99
1 purchases

SQL Play

One-time1
  • SQL Play Premium$9.99

Questions

Is SQL Recipes free?
SQL 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, SQL Recipes or SQL Play?
SQL Recipes is rated higher. SQL Recipes averages 4.9 out of 5 from 109 ratings, while SQL Play averages 3.4 from 38 ratings.
Do SQL Recipes or SQL Play have ads?
SQL Play shows ads; SQL Recipes does not.
Which is updated more often, SQL Recipes or SQL Play?
SQL Recipes ships an update every 2 months, and SQL Play every 3 months. Most recently, SQL Recipes was updated on October 6, 2026 and SQL Play on October 7, 2026.

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