# Node vs Runestone Text Editor

The clearest difference is price: Runestone Text Editor at Free against Node's $1.99. Runestone Text Editor also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (76% vs 50%). Node's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On ads, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Runestone Text Editor is free to download; Node costs $1.99 up front. Runestone Text Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Node asks for nothing beyond the download.

Runestone Text Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Runestone Text Editor has 2K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Node's written reviews are positive against 76% of Runestone Text Editor's.

Node ships an update every 3 weeks, Runestone Text Editor every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Node | Runestone Text Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/node-pad/id1534470128/reviews) | **[4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **2K** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **76.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #91 | **#42** |
| Size | 223 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Michael Angelo Ruta](https://appshunter.io/developer/468628157) | [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907) |

## What reviewers say

### Node

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/node-pad/id1534470128)

**Currently charting:** #91 Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This tool allows users to connect hardware devices, APIs, and online services through a browser-based editor. It simplifies the creation of custom workflows for various applications by providing a palette of pre-installed nodes.

**Highlights:** Browser-based editor, Connect hardware devices, Integrate APIs and services, Pre-installed nodes, Single-tap deployment, iOS device node

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Runestone Text Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893)

**Currently charting:** #42 Top Free · Developer Tools, #48 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A powerful plain text and code editor for iPhone and iPad. Offers syntax highlighting, line numbers, find and replace, and extensive customization options for developers and writers.

**Highlights:** Syntax highlighting for many languages, Customizable themes and fonts, Advanced find and replace, Line numbers and cursor location, Code formatting with Prettier.js, Multiple windows on iPad

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💎 Excellent text editor
- 🚀 Smooth and responsive
- 🎨 Customizable themes and appearance
- 🔒 Secure file storage and sync
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating files/folders
- 📝 Limited functionality without premium
- 🔌 Performance issues on older devices
- 🔒 Difficulty accessing files in cloud storage

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing files
- Difficulty pasting text
- Scroll position not saved
- Hangs on startup
- Trouble opening large files

**Requested features**

- Markdown preview
- Code folding
- Syntax highlighting for more languages
- Ability to run/execute code
- Multiple file/window support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Node free?

Node costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Runestone Text Editor free?

Runestone Text Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Node or Runestone Text Editor?

Runestone Text Editor is rated higher. Node averages 4.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Runestone Text Editor averages 4.7 from 2K ratings.

### Do Node or Runestone Text Editor have ads?

Neither Node nor Runestone Text Editor shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Node or Runestone Text Editor?

Node ships an update every 3 weeks, and Runestone Text Editor every 2 weeks. Most recently, Node was updated on October 8, 2026 and Runestone Text Editor on October 12, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Node or Runestone Text Editor?

Node currently peaks at #91 in the App Store charts, and Runestone Text Editor at #42. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*