Comparison

Code App vs BASIC

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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/

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Code App2 screens
BASIC4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Code App costs $6.99 and BASIC $11.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Code App ships an update monthly, BASIC every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Code App versus BASIC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCode AppBASIC
Price$6.99 — better$11.99
Rating4.0 (301 ratings)4.2 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.9% of reviews68.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings301 — better17
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#4 — better#114
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size963 MB135 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerthebaselab LtdNikolay Denislamov

Customer experience

Code App

All ratings301 ratings
Positive73.4%
Neutral8.3%
Negative18.3%
Written reviews349 reviews
Positive63.9%
Neutral12.3%
Negative23.8%

BASIC

All ratings17 ratings
Positive76.5%
Neutral5.9%
Negative17.6%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive68.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative28.0%

In-app purchases

None

Code App

No in-app purchases

None

BASIC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Code App free?
Code App costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is BASIC free?
BASIC costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Code App or BASIC?
BASIC is rated higher. Code App averages 4.0 out of 5 from 301 ratings, while BASIC averages 4.2 from 17 ratings.
Do Code App or BASIC have ads?
Neither Code App nor BASIC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Code App or BASIC?
Code App ships an update monthly, and BASIC every 2 months. Most recently, Code App was updated on October 3, 2026 and BASIC on October 2, 2026.
Which is more popular, Code App or BASIC?
Code App currently peaks at #4 in the App Store charts, and BASIC at #114. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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