Code App vs CodeMan
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/
CodeMan
This app provides a powerful integration with VS Code, allowing you to code remotely on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It offers a full desktop experience with keyboard support and optimized touch interfaces for mobile devices.
- Connect to VS Code server instances
- Full desktop mode with chromeless browsing
- Desktop-class keyboard support
- Optimized touch interface for mobile
- Multi-window and Split View support on iPad
- Built-in debug console and real-time logging
- Secure HTTPS connections with optional self-signed certificates
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Powerful VS Code Integration • Connect to any VS Code server instance (or use vscode.dev) • Full desktop mode for complete feature access • Chromeless browsing for distraction-free coding • Self-signed certificate support for local servers Desktop-Class Keyboard Support • All VS Code keyboard shortcuts work perfectly • Command key passthrough to VS Code • System shortcuts for app functions (Cmd+,, Cmd+R, etc.) • External keyboard fully supported on iPad iPhone Features • Optimized touch interface for mobile coding • Quick-access toolbar with essential functions • Portrait and landscape support • Works great with external keyboards iPad Features • Local files support with VSCode extension • Multi-window support - work on multiple projects • Split View and Slide Over compatible • Full keyboard shortcut support • Perfect for iPad + Magic Keyboard setup Mac Features • Native Mac window management • Resizable windows with sensible defaults • Full menu bar integration • All keyboard shortcuts work as expected Developer Tools • Built-in debug console to monitor connections • Real-time logging for troubleshooting • Detailed error messages and suggestions • Export logs for debugging Security & Privacy • Your connections stay secure with HTTPS • Optional support for self-signed certificates • No tracking, no analytics, no data collection • All settings stored locally on your device Perfect for: • Remote development on the go • Code review from your phone • Quick fixes from your iPad • Full development sessions on Mac • Working with self-hosted VS Code servers • Accessing code-server instances • GitHub Codespaces with custom domains Limitations: CodeMan uses WebKit for rendering. Most VS Code features and popular extensions work perfectly. Some extensions requiring advanced browser-specific features (like SharedArrayBuffer) may have limited functionality. Core editing, IntelliSense, terminal, Git, and most popular extensions work without issues.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: CodeMan at every 5 days against Code App's monthly. CodeMan also leads on price ($4.99 vs $6.99). Code App's advantage is ratings volume (301 vs 7) and chart position (#3 vs #192). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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 CodeMan $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for Code App against 3.9 for CodeMan. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Code App has 301 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Code App's written reviews are positive against 71% of CodeMan's.
Code App ships an update monthly, CodeMan every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Code App | CodeMan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 | $4.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.0 (301 ratings) — better | 3.9 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 63.9% of reviews | 71.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 301 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #3 — better | #192 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 963 MB | 40 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | thebaselab Ltd | Michael Frey |
Customer experience
Code App
CodeMan
In-app purchases
Code App
No in-app purchases
CodeMan
No in-app purchases









