Comparison

a vs GDevelop

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

Head to head
About

a

Run a full Unix-like terminal environment on your iOS device. Execute a wide range of commands, edit files, and even program using included interpreters and compilers. Supports multitasking and integration with Shortcuts.

Highlights
  • Local Unix terminal emulator
  • SSH client
  • File transfer (scp, curl)
  • Text editing (vim, ed)
  • Scripting languages (Python, Lua, Perl, JS)
  • C/C++ compiler
  • TeX distribution
Features
Read full description

a-Shell is a complete local terminal emulator, allowing to run most Unix commands on your iOS device. You can transfer files using scp and curl, edit them with vim and ed, process them using grep, awk and sed. You can work with git repositories using lg2.  Most commands are compiled for iOS native Arm64 format, making them fast and well integrated with the BSD Unix that powers iOS/iPadOS. a-Shell includes Python, Lua, Perl, JavaScript, C, C++ for programming and TeX (texlive 2025, with Tikz and LuaTeX) for text processing. There are also multiple network utilities: nslookup, ping, whois, ifconfig... Type help for help, help -l to get the full list of commands. a-Shell can be controlled from Shortcuts: run commands in order, process files in a-Shell, get the results as text or files, transfer files to other apps... a-shell uses iOS 13+ “multiple windows” ability, so you can run multiple shells at the same time, with different commands, in different directories. You can edit a file in one window with vim and process it in the other with python. Compile your C or C++ programs to webAssembly using clang or clang++, and execute the resulting binary. A complete webAssembly SDK is included (WASI-libc). a-Shell is the complete version. If you need a smaller app, and you don't need a C compiler, a TeX engine, or numpy and matplotlib, there is a-Shell mini.

About

GDevelop

Discover and play a wide variety of indie games created by a global community. This platform also empowers users to design and publish their own 2D and 3D games using a no-code, AI-assisted engine, suitable for all skill levels.

Highlights
  • Unlimited indie game access
  • Create 2D/3D games
  • No-code development
  • AI-assisted game building
  • Game templates and assets
  • Publish and share games
  • Leaderboards and multiplayer
Features
Read full description

Play a growing world of quirky, joyful indie games. Discover, play and support games made by independent creators from around the world... and create your own! Play and help shape the next indie gem: - Unlimited indie games instantly in-app, no install needed - Sharing feedback with creators - Explore new games every week, from around the world Every game in the app was built with GDevelop: the no-code and AI powered, open-source game engine used by thousands of creators, artists, and independent developers. Start exploring. Play something small. Or weird. Or wonderful. Create your own games. Or play any game you're dreaming of! It's fast, easy, and no technical knowledge is required to get started. Try it, or get a GDevelop subscription to unlock every feature! - Explore dozens of game templates or start from scratch. - Use AI to help you build your game step by step. - Use your own characters, or choose from a library of pre-made objects such as characters, animations, sounds, and music. - Quickly add pre-made logic to your game objects with GDevelop's Behaviors. - Write game logic with GDevelop's innovative event system based on "if / then" actions and conditions. - Publish your game in a few seconds and share it with your friends, colleagues, or customers. - Allow players to submit their scores with ready-to-use leaderboards or make online multiplayer games. Dozens of thousands of games are made every month with GDevelop. Unleash your creativity, and create all kinds of games: platformers, shoot’em up, strategy, 8-bit, or hyper-casual games... the sky is the limit. GDevelop is a powerful game engine that will transform you into a game designer: - Add explosions and effects with particles. - Use visual effects ("shaders"). - Pathfinding and advanced movements (bounce, elliptic movement, screen wrap, projectiles...). - Advanced rendering engine that can handle pixel-art games, modern 2D games, 2.5D isometric games and 3D games. - Text objects for scores, dialogues, with optional typewriter effects. - Transitions and smooth movement for objects. - Leaderboards and Real-time Multiplayer. - Platformer engine. - Realistic 2D and 3D physics engine. - Sound effects and music handling. - Ready-to-use objects for your game interface: text input, buttons, joysticks, progress bars... - Complete documentation available for each feature. - Dozens of extensions that give new behaviors, new actions, and new conditions: checkpoints, object shaking, 3D flip effects... GDevelop makes game development easy, even for those with no prior experience. Download the app and join a community of 400k+ monthly creators: gamers, hobbyists, teachers, and professionals. GDevelop's unique design makes game creation fast and fun! Our Terms & Conditions: https://gdevelop.io/page/terms-and-conditions Our Privacy Policy: https://gdevelop.io/page/privacy-policy

Screenshots

a4 screens
GDevelop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: a at none against GDevelop's 21. a also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (78% vs 50%). GDevelop's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly) and ratings volume (2.4K vs 553). On price, chart position, device support and iOS requirement 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. GDevelop sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. a asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

a holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 553 and 2.4K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of a's written reviews are positive against 50% of GDevelop's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

a ships an update monthly, GDevelop every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
a versus GDevelop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteraGDevelop
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (553 ratings) — better4.3 (2.4K ratings)
Positive reviews78.3% of reviews — better49.7% of reviews
Number of ratings5532.4K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#18 — better#23
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.9 GB383 MB
Age rating17+9+
DeveloperNicolas HolzschuchGDEVELOP FRANCE

Customer experience

a

All ratings553 ratings
Positive88.1%
Neutral4.5%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews387 reviews
Positive78.3%
Neutral9.6%
Negative12.1%

GDevelop

All ratings2,400 ratings
Positive82.5%
Neutral5.9%
Negative11.6%
Written reviews356 reviews
Positive49.7%
Neutral9.0%
Negative41.3%

User reviews

a

From 553 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful terminal with Linux commands
  • 👍 Useful for programming and development
  • 🔒 Secure and reliable
  • 💡 Impressive capabilities for an iOS app
  • 👍 Helpful documentation and developer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🔍 Limited customization options
  • 🔍 Missing some basic terminal features
  • 🔍 Compatibility issues with certain packages

GDevelop

From 2.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Powerful game engine
  • 🤑 Can make great games
  • 🤩 Awesome app
  • 🤖 Impressive no-code features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 💰 Subscription model too restrictive
  • 🤔 Limited free features
  • 🤯 Confusing and complex
  • 🤖 Mobile version not as capable as PC

Bugs and requests

a

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Toolbar buttons not accessible in portrait mode on some devices
  • Pasting from clipboard can insert unexpected characters
  • Sourcing certain script files causes crashes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for package managers like Homebrew or APT
  • Implement more advanced shell features like job control and better tab completion
  • Integrate Git for version control
  • Allow installing additional packages and libraries
  • Improve clipboard and file management integration

GDevelop

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes when changing sprites
  • Keyboard issues on mobile
  • Saved projects not loading properly
  • Frequent crashes and loss of progress
  • Importing assets causes issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Sprite editor
  • More programming features (e.g. switches, loops)
  • Ability to organize code/actions better on mobile
  • Reduce subscription limits
  • Add daily rewards or free currency

In-app purchases

None

a

No in-app purchases

21 purchases

GDevelop

Subscriptions6
  • GDevelop Silver3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • GDevelop Gold3 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • GDevelop Pro3 Days trial$39.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • GDevelop Silver - 1 year$49.991 Year
  • GDevelop Gold - 1 year3 Days trial$95.991 Year
  • GDevelop Pro - 1 year3 Days trial$399.991 Year
One-time15
  • Sci-Fi Space Village$3.99
  • Sci-Fi Space Characters$3.99
  • Sci-Fi Space Animals$3.99
Show 12 more
  • Pixel Dark Fantasy Level 3$4.99
  • Pixel Dark Fantasy$5.99
  • Pixel Dark Fantasy Level 2$5.99
  • 500 Credits$5.99
  • 1000 Credits$9.99
  • Platformer Bundle$14.99
  • GDevelop Mega Bundle$17.99
  • 2000 Credits$18.99
  • From Zero to Creator$24.99
  • From Zero to Creator$34.99
  • 5000 Credits$44.99
  • 10000 Credits$89.99

Questions

Is a free?
a is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GDevelop free?
GDevelop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, a or GDevelop?
a is rated higher. a averages 4.6 out of 5 from 553 ratings, while GDevelop averages 4.3 from 2.4K ratings.
Do a or GDevelop have ads?
GDevelop shows ads; a does not.
Which is updated more often, a or GDevelop?
a ships an update monthly, and GDevelop every 2 weeks. Most recently, a was updated on October 12, 2026 and GDevelop on October 11, 2026.
Which is more popular, a or GDevelop?
a currently peaks at #18 in the App Store charts, and GDevelop at #23. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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