Comparison

Code App vs Blink Shell, Build & Code

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

Blink Shell, Build & Code

Transform your iOS device into a powerful terminal for coding and development. Leverage Mosh and SSH for stable, fast connections. Integrate with VS Code and manage your entire development workflow from your pocket.

Highlights
  • Mosh and SSH connections
  • VS Code integration (Blink Code)
  • Remote runtime creation (Blink Build)
  • Full SSH toolset
  • Hardware keyboard support
  • External display support
  • SFTP transfers
Features
Read full description

Do Blink! Transform your iOS device into a pro-grade terminal. Blink is the first professional, desktop-grade terminal for iOS that leverages the support of Mosh and SSH. Thus, we can guarantee stable connections, crazy-fast speeds, and full configurations. It can and should be your all-day-long tool.  **Start your 14-day free trial now!** But, Blink is much more. Now with Blink Code and Blink Build**, your entire development workflow fits in your pocket. What the Blink community is saying: “In some ways, I prefer my iPad / Blink / Digital Ocean setup to coding on my Mac“ - TheVerge "I have tried a number of terminals on iOS and this is really The One." - Twit.tv “Connections still come up when I get back to a client project after a weekend off.“ - The Sweet Setup “The way to use VS Code on the iPad” - programminglife.io What our users love the most from Blink Shell: - Mosh connections that even survive a device reboot. - Most complete SSH implementation on iOS. - Code command for VS Code integration. - Blazingly fast terminal and SFTP transfers. - Includes Pragmata Pro with ligatures. Blink Shell has a fully loaded SSH toolset: - SSH with PKI support: DSA, RSA, ECDSA & ED25519 keys. - Support for Secure Enclave Keys and Certificates. - Port forwarding with local, remote & dynamic tunnel support. - SOCKS5 proxy for a private VPN. - Agent Forwarding. - Complete SSH Config file support. - ControlMaster and pooled connections. - Files.app integration for SFTP remote hosts. - SFTP with copy-on-change. Blink has been the leading developer tool in the AppStore for +5 years, so there is a lot more: - External Display support. - Legendary Hardware Keyboard support, even remap shortcuts and keyboard codes. - Local & iCloud Blink Shell folders for Files.app access across devices. - Host sync over iCloud. - Link-files from other applications and work with them in Blink. - Cool themes and fonts, and install your own! - Smart Keys on SW Keyboard to navigate with touch. - FaceCam command to create tutorials and streams. - Bell notifications. - Supports multiple windows and multiple tabs. - Network & UNIX CLI tools, check our docs for more information. Blink Code integrates with VS Code: - Code on local projects, or seamlessly on remote machines. - Fully-loaded code editor. - A coding experience fitted to your device, that connects to VS Code for web, GitHub Codespaces, GitPod or your own VS Code server. Blink Build (Requires a $7.99/month subscription) Creates remote runtimes that can be accessed on all your devices. You can use Build in your day-to-day workflows whether you need to do development, DevOps or just play around with new tooling. Participate in our community, and don’t forget to leave us your feedback and your feature(s) requests. Enjoy! http://blink.sh http://twitter.com/blinkshell http://GitHub.com/blinksh Terms of Use: https://blink.sh/blink-gpl Privacy Policy: https://blink.sh/pp * Blink Code is not affiliated nor endorsed by Microsoft. ** Blink Build requires a separate subscription to make use of our Virtual Machines.

Screenshots

Code App2 screens
Blink Shell, Build & Code4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Blink Shell, Build & Code at Free against Code App's $6.99. Blink Shell, Build & Code also leads on chart position (#9 vs #31). Code App's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). On ratings volume, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Blink Shell, Build & Code is free to download; Code App costs $6.99 up front. Blink Shell, Build & Code sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Code App asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Code App holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 301 and 418 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Code App's written reviews are positive against 37% of Blink Shell, Build & Code's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Code App ships an update monthly, Blink Shell, Build & Code every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Code App versus Blink Shell, Build & Code: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCode AppBlink Shell, Build & Code
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (301 ratings) — better3.1 (418 ratings)
Positive reviews63.9% of reviews — better36.8% of reviews
Number of ratings301418 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#31#9 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size963 MB211 MB
Age rating4+17+
Developerthebaselab LtdBlink Shell, Inc

Customer experience

Code App

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

Blink Shell, Build & Code

All ratings418 ratings
Positive51.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative45.7%
Written reviews345 reviews
Positive36.8%
Neutral2.3%
Negative60.9%

In-app purchases

None

Code App

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Blink Shell, Build & Code

Subscriptions4
  • Build Basic - 50 credits/month1 Month trial$7.991 Month
  • Blink+Build Basic7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Blink Plus$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Blink+14 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Blink Shell ClassicFree

Questions

Is Code App free?
Code App costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Blink Shell, Build & Code free?
Blink Shell, Build & Code is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Code App or Blink Shell, Build & Code?
Code App is rated higher. Code App averages 4.0 out of 5 from 301 ratings, while Blink Shell, Build & Code averages 3.1 from 418 ratings.
Do Code App or Blink Shell, Build & Code have ads?
Neither Code App nor Blink Shell, Build & Code shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Code App or Blink Shell, Build & Code?
Code App ships an update monthly, and Blink Shell, Build & Code every 3 weeks. Most recently, Code App was updated on October 11, 2026 and Blink Shell, Build & Code on October 10, 2026.
Which is more popular, Code App or Blink Shell, Build & Code?
Code App currently peaks at #31 in the App Store charts, and Blink Shell, Build & Code at #9. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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