Learn BASIC Programming vs VirtualKim
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Learn BASIC Programming
Learn to write and run computer programs on your iPhone or iPad. This app offers a beginner-friendly introduction to BASIC programming, complete with a debugger and sample code to get you started quickly. Share your creations with friends and build your first game within an hour.
- Beginner-friendly BASIC
- Write and run programs on iOS
- Built-in debugger
- Advanced code editor
- Sample code included
- Share code via AirDrop/Email
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Learn BASIC is a beginner-friendly version of BASIC. Everyone can within an hour, write a computer program, and run it on an iPhone/iPad. Why not write a small computer game, and share it with your friends. Learning programming, requires practice. The build in debugger, make it easy to test run and find problems in the code. - Advanced code editor with syntax colors. - Debugger with step function and breakpoints. - Network access is not required. - Share code using AirDrop or Email. - Sample code. - Download more samples from the Internet. - The help sections learns you quickly, to write code. - Free to use.
VirtualKim
Experience the 6502 microprocessor, the heart of 1970s home computers. This app emulates the 8-bit processor with an assembler and programming puzzles. Learn to code on a minimalist interface and discover how early computing was done.
- 6502 CPU emulation
- Built-in assembler
- Programming puzzles
- Minimalist UI with LEDs and buttons
- Monitor program for memory editing
- Debug and run applications
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The 6502 microprocessor changed the world. Released in the 1970’s, it was the reason that home computers were within the reach of many hobbyists. This app re-creates the 6502 CPU and some of the hardware that used it. This isn't a game (although games are included), this is an emulation of the 8-bit processor, complete with an assembler and some programming puzzles to solve. Start with the most basic user interface you can imagine - six 7-segment LEDs and some buttons - to enter, debug and run your applications. Then upgrade to a display and keyboard, and use the built-in monitor program to dump memory, makes edits and execute your code. Can you run BASIC? Maybe. FORTH? Perhaps. Assembler? Definitely! Don't think of this as a something "fun" or "enjoyable" in the traditional sense. Think of it as a puzzle: how on earth did those folks in the 1970's manage to do ANYTHING when computers were this basic? Documentation is provided, but to get the most of out of this app you'll need to do your own research. Just like in the 1970s. Features - KIM-1 keypad/LED mode simulator. - KIM-1 serial terminal mode simulator. - Apple 1 serial terminal mode simulator. - Multiple programs including Life, Mastermind, word games, Trek, and more. - Working 6502 Assembler with single-step, memory and register view. - A comprehensive 6502 tutorial system with interactive lessons and reference material. - Shareware! All features are always available without a purchase.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: VirtualKim at 4.8 against Learn BASIC Programming's 3.6. VirtualKim also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (85% vs 57%). Learn BASIC Programming's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. VirtualKim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Learn BASIC Programming asks for nothing beyond the download.
VirtualKim holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 21 and 29 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Learn BASIC Programming's written reviews are positive against 85% of VirtualKim's.
Learn BASIC Programming ships an update every 2 months, VirtualKim weekly. The most recent releases landed on August 19, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Learn BASIC Programming | VirtualKim |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.6 (21 ratings) | 4.8 (29 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | 84.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 21 | 29 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 72 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MochaSoft | John Kennedy |
Customer experience
Learn BASIC Programming
VirtualKim
In-app purchases
Learn BASIC Programming
No in-app purchases
VirtualKim
- Buy Me a Coffee$0.99
Questions
Is Learn BASIC Programming free?
Is VirtualKim free?
Which has better reviews, Learn BASIC Programming or VirtualKim?
Do Learn BASIC Programming or VirtualKim have ads?
Which is updated more often, Learn BASIC Programming or VirtualKim?
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