Code App vs VSCoW
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/
VSCoW
This app provides a streamlined interface for accessing and editing code servers, offering enhanced keyboard shortcut support and a custom keybar with cursor control. It's designed for developers who need efficient remote code management on their devices.
- Access to all keyboard shortcuts
- Extra key-bar with onscreen shortcuts
- Virtual cursor control stick
- Quick switch between code-server instances
- Optimized trackpad support
- Multi-instance and window support
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„The Ultimate Code Wrapper“ is a special version of „UCoW - Ultimate Code Wrapper“ for use with https://vscode.dev. It supports „Liveshare“ and „Tunnel“ urls and works seamless with the UCoW App by switching over and sharing remotes. It supports all UCoW editing features. That means you can use all defined and global shortcuts without the limitation of a browser. It also adds a custom Keybar, including an innovative new "cursor control stick" to the virtual keyboard. Short features overview: • Access to all keyboard shortcuts (physical keyboard required) • Extra Key-bar with many onscreen shortcuts (including a virtual stick to move the cursor without a trackpad/mouse) • Best possible performance on iPad devices • Quick switch between multiple code-server instances • Optimized Trackpad support • Multi instance and window support • Editor scale/zoom support For self-hosted Code-server, OpenVSCode Server, gitpod, github codespaces, github1s, jupyter notebooks, jetbrains projector and stackblitz and other services check out the Basic App: „UCoW - The Ultimate Code Wrapper“ An external keyboard is recommended to use the app since selection with the touch cursor is not supported in VSCode at this moment. This is a wrapper app only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft Corporation.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Code App at 4.0 against VSCoW's 3.0. Code App also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 25%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 9 months). VSCoW's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $6.99) and iOS requirement (14.5 vs 16.0). On 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 VSCoW $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Code App holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code App has 301 ratings behind it against 2, 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 25% of VSCoW's.
Code App ships an update monthly, VSCoW every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Code App | VSCoW |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 | $2.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.0 (301 ratings) — better | 3.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 63.6% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 301 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #4 — better | #172 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 14.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 963 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | thebaselab Ltd | Christoph Gogolin |
Customer experience
Code App
VSCoW
In-app purchases
Code App
No in-app purchases
VSCoW
No in-app purchases









