Rubyist vs CraftOS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- Lua 5.2+ scripting environment
- 16-color text-based terminal
- Virtual filesystem
- Built-in shell
- Extensive APIs
- Compatibility with ComputerCraft programs
- Exclusive graphics mode
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Rubyist | CraftOS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (93 ratings) | 4.8 (17 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | 88.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 93 — better | 17 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TSUBASA TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY | Jack Bruienne |
Customer experience
Rubyist
CraftOS
In-app purchases
Rubyist
- Small Tip$0.99
- Medium Tip$4.99
- Large Tip$9.99
CraftOS
- Plugin Collection 1$0.99









