Comparison

Rubyist vs CraftOS

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

Head to head
About

Rubyist

Execute and automate Ruby scripts directly on your iPhone and iPad. This app utilizes the MRuby VM to run code, integrate with Shortcuts and Siri, and offers a robust editor with syntax highlighting and autocomplete.

Highlights
  • Run Ruby code on device
  • Editor with syntax highlighting
  • Code autocomplete
  • Shortcuts app integration
  • Siri command creation
  • Native alerts and inputs
  • HTTP requests
  • Clipboard access
Read full description

Rubyist allows you to run Ruby code on your iPhone and iPad using the MRuby VM. Run code directly in the app or via the Shortcuts app or Siri commands. Features: - Run Ruby code directly on your device - Built-in documentation viewer - Editor with ruby syntax highlighting - Code Autocomplete - Run Ruby directly in Shortcuts - Build your own Siri commands in Ruby. - Display native alerts and inputs using exclusive APIs - Make http requests from your code. - Write and read your clipboard from code

About

CraftOS

This app emulates a classic text-based computer environment, allowing you to write and run Lua programs. It's perfect for learning to code or exploring existing programs from a popular Minecraft mod, all within a retro terminal interface.

Highlights
  • Lua 5.2+ scripting environment
  • 16-color text-based terminal
  • Virtual filesystem
  • Built-in shell
  • Extensive APIs
  • Compatibility with ComputerCraft programs
  • Exclusive graphics mode
Features
Read full description

CraftOS-PC is a fantasy terminal that allows you to write and run programs inside an ‘80s-style text console. CraftOS-PC emulates the popular Minecraft mod "ComputerCraft", which adds programmable computers to Minecraft using the Lua programming language. CraftOS-PC takes this experience outside Minecraft to allow you to run the same programs anywhere you go. CraftOS-PC provides a set of functions (called APIs) that make it super easy to do simple tasks such as write text to the screen, read files, and more. The simplicity of these functions makes CraftOS-PC great for new programmers, but their power makes it possible to write all sorts of complex programs with less code. If you aren’t ready to write programs yet, there’s already a large number of programs for ComputerCraft that will work in CraftOS-PC, ranging from simple games to whole graphical operating systems. These can be downloaded through the built-in Pastebin and GitHub Gist clients. • Full Lua 5.2+ scripting environment and command-line REPL • 16-color text-based terminal display • Expansive virtual filesystem for program and data storage • Built-in shell with syntax similar to most desktop shells • APIs to easily access terminal, filesystem, Internet, event queue, and more • Built-in programs make it easy to navigate & edit files without a single line of code • Plenty of help documents to assist programmers • Compatibility with thousands of existing ComputerCraft programs • Over 3x faster than Minecraft mod and comparable emulators • Emulation of all peripherals available in ComputerCraft • Easily access configuration from inside CraftOS • Exclusive graphics mode providing up to 256-color, pixel-based screen manipulation • Edit Lua scripts from CraftOS or other code editing apps • Open-source app makes it easy to suggest and contribute changes Documentation on all of the APIs that ComputerCraft provides are available at https://tweaked.cc, and CraftOS-PC’s unique APIs are described at https://www.craftos-pc.cc/docs/. Join the CraftOS-PC community at https://www.craftos-pc.cc/discord!

Screenshots

Rubyist4 screens
CraftOS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: CraftOS at free against Rubyist's free with in-app purchases. CraftOS also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Rubyist's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (93 vs 17). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Rubyist sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and CraftOS sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CraftOS holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rubyist has 93 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Rubyist's written reviews are positive against 88% of CraftOS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rubyist ships an update every 3 weeks, CraftOS every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Rubyist versus CraftOS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRubyistCraftOS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (93 ratings)4.8 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews88.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings93 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTSUBASA TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANYJack Bruienne

Customer experience

Rubyist

All ratings93 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral4.3%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative10.0%

CraftOS

All ratings17 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.8%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Rubyist

One-time3
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99
1 purchases

CraftOS

One-time1
  • Plugin Collection 1$0.99

Questions

Is Rubyist free?
Rubyist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CraftOS free?
CraftOS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Rubyist or CraftOS?
CraftOS is rated higher. Rubyist averages 4.6 out of 5 from 93 ratings, while CraftOS averages 4.8 from 17 ratings.
Do Rubyist or CraftOS have ads?
Neither Rubyist nor CraftOS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rubyist or CraftOS?
Rubyist ships an update every 3 weeks, and CraftOS every 4 months. Most recently, Rubyist was updated on September 20, 2026 and CraftOS on September 18, 2026.

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