Code App vs BASIC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Code App
This app offers a desktop-class code editing experience on iPadOS. It includes built-in runtimes for popular languages like Node.js, Python, and Java, along with advanced features such as autocompletion and Git integration.
- Desktop-class code editor
- Built-in Node.js, Python, C, C++, PHP, Java runtimes
- Autocompletion and language features
- Local file system support
- SSH/FTP remote connection
- Embedded terminal
- Git version control
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Code App is a MIT-licensed desktop-class code editor for iPadOS with built-in Node.js, Python, C, C++, PHP and Java runtime. We built it because there is nothing else on the App Store provides all these features in one app: * A robust, high-performance text editor (Monaco Editor from Visual Studio Code) * Autocomplete, static code analysis and other language features for Python & Java * First class local file system support * Extensive local language support * SSH / FTP remote connection support (Files and terminal) * Embedded emulated terminal * Git Version Control * Package manager support (pip and npm) * Markdown, themes, server-side snippet execution and more Read Code App's documentation: code.thebaselab.com See the project's source code, roadmap, discussion on GitHub: github.com/thebaselab/codeapp Send us an email: support@thebaselab.com Privacy Policy: thebaselab.com/privacypolicies Terms of Use (EULA): www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
BASIC
Create and publish your own applications directly on your iOS device using an extended BASIC programming language. Features include a rich interface, advanced graphics, sound capabilities, and hardware support.
- Create standalone apps for App Store
- Rich user interface elements
- Advanced graphics and animation
- Comprehensive sound and music support
- Hardware sensor integration
- Networking and file management
- Customizable IDE with documentation
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This is "smart BASIC" - an extended version of popular Minimal BASIC programming language. With "smart BASIC" you can create your own programs right on your iOS device. BASIC programs, written in "smart BASIC", can be published in the App Store as standalone applications using the "smart BASIC" SDK for Xcode. The "smart BASIC" programming language has many powerful features. INTERFACE: - buttons, text boxes, sliders, switches, browsers - pages for grouping your interface objects - support for additional TTF fonts - clipboard support - multitouch up to 11 simultaneous touches GRAPHIC: - advanced graphics functions - animated sprites, sprite sheet support MUSIC and SOUND: - play MP3, AIFF, WAV, MIDI, MOV and MP4 files - programmable MIDI synthesizer with 128 built-in instruments - support for additional sound fonts SF2 and DLS - speech synthesizer HARDWARE support: - GPS, compass - accelerometer - photo and video recording and more: - files - networking - integrated mathematics of complex numbers - customizable IDE - built-in documentation - ready-to-use examples of programs Visit the support forum to get assistance and to share your BASIC programs with other users.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Code App at $6.99 against BASIC's $11.99. Code App also leads on ratings volume (301 vs 17) and chart position (#4 vs #114). BASIC's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 4.0) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases 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
Code App costs $6.99 and BASIC $11.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
BASIC holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code App has 301 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Code App's written reviews are positive against 68% of BASIC's.
Code App ships an update monthly, BASIC every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Code App | BASIC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 — better | $11.99 |
| Rating | 4.0 (301 ratings) | 4.2 (17 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.9% of reviews | 68.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 301 — better | 17 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #4 — better | #114 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 963 MB | 135 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | thebaselab Ltd | Nikolay Denislamov |
Customer experience
Code App
BASIC
In-app purchases
Code App
No in-app purchases
BASIC
No in-app purchases








