VHDL Compiler vs RISC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
VHDL Compiler
Write and test VHDL code on your mobile device. This application is designed for learning and executing VHDL snippets using the GHDL simulator. It offers a code editor with syntax highlighting and a custom keyboard for efficient input.
- Compile and run VHDL programs
- View program output and errors
- Custom keyboard for VHDL characters
- Advanced source code editor
- Syntax highlighting and line numbers
- Import, open, save, and share files
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Write VHDL code directly on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch! This app is ideal for learning and testing code snippets! VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language) is a hardware description language used in electronic design automation to describe digital and mixed-signal systems such as field-programmable gate arrays and integrated circuits. VHDL can also be used as a general purpose parallel programming language. This app uses the open-source GHDL simulator (http://ghdl.free.fr). GHDL is a VHDL compiler that can execute (nearly) any VHDL program. GHDL is not a synthesis tool: you cannot create a netlist with GHDL (yet). Features: - Compile and run your program - View program output or detailed error - Custom keyboard for easy input of frequently used characters - Optimized for connecting with external physical/bluetooth keyboard - Advanced source code editor with syntax highlighting and line numbers - Open, save, import and share VHDL files. Limitations: - Internet connection is required for compilation - Maximum program running time is 20s - One file can be run at a time - All entities should be have the same name as their files.
RISC
Simulate a complete 32-bit mobile system, including CPU units and memory. Write and debug assembly code directly on the simulated hardware to understand its inner workings.
- 32-bit system simulation
- CPU unit simulation
- Memory subsystem simulation
- Native assembly coding
- Built-in debugger
- Hardware analysis
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RISC-V Assembly Simulator is a mobile 32-bit system simulator. The app simulates the entire system, all the way from each individual unit on a CPU to the memory subsystem. Write assembly natively to the CPU, with a built-in debugger so you can analyze your code and see what the hardware is doing. This app is designed to allow you to learn how to write assembly from your mobile device, simulating a real CPU at your devices maximum speed. Visualize how the hardware works if you want to, see all the registers, see your entire memory subsystem for each cycle. Learn the components of this individual CPU. This app currently supports the base Int for RV32 along with the M extension, allowing multiplication and division. Dual core systems are supported with the atomic instructions. This app features a built in assembler to allow you to learn to write code along with descriptive errors. Code along with Apple Intelligence, giving you advice and helping you fix bugs along the way (experimental). Natively integrated with your devices file system, allowing seamless transfer between devices and potentially other sources.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: RISC at 5.0 against VHDL Compiler's 2.7. RISC also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). VHDL Compiler's advantage is ratings volume (7 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). On price, review sentiment and device support 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
Both are free to download. VHDL Compiler sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. RISC asks for nothing beyond the download.
RISC holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VHDL Compiler has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
VHDL Compiler ships an update every 2 months, RISC every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | VHDL Compiler | RISC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (7 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ketan Appa | Matthew Jacobs |
Customer experience
VHDL Compiler
RISC
In-app purchases
VHDL Compiler
- Upgrade$2.99
RISC
No in-app purchases








