BASIC vs Classic BASIC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BASIC
Create and publish your own applications directly on your iOS device using an extended BASIC programming language. Features include a rich interface, advanced graphics, sound capabilities, and hardware support.
- Create standalone apps for App Store
- Rich user interface elements
- Advanced graphics and animation
- Comprehensive sound and music support
- Hardware sensor integration
- Networking and file management
- Customizable IDE with documentation
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This is "smart BASIC" - an extended version of popular Minimal BASIC programming language. With "smart BASIC" you can create your own programs right on your iOS device. BASIC programs, written in "smart BASIC", can be published in the App Store as standalone applications using the "smart BASIC" SDK for Xcode. The "smart BASIC" programming language has many powerful features. INTERFACE: - buttons, text boxes, sliders, switches, browsers - pages for grouping your interface objects - support for additional TTF fonts - clipboard support - multitouch up to 11 simultaneous touches GRAPHIC: - advanced graphics functions - animated sprites, sprite sheet support MUSIC and SOUND: - play MP3, AIFF, WAV, MIDI, MOV and MP4 files - programmable MIDI synthesizer with 128 built-in instruments - support for additional sound fonts SF2 and DLS - speech synthesizer HARDWARE support: - GPS, compass - accelerometer - photo and video recording and more: - files - networking - integrated mathematics of complex numbers - customizable IDE - built-in documentation - ready-to-use examples of programs Visit the support forum to get assistance and to share your BASIC programs with other users.
Classic BASIC
A retro-inspired BASIC programming environment for modern devices. Write, run, and save line-numbered programs with classic commands and graphics. Includes built-in examples, games, and a programming guide for an approachable learning experience.
- Line-numbered BASIC programming
- Built-in program catalog
- Classic BASIC commands
- Graphics commands
- Built-in games
- Programming guidebook
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Classic BASIC is a retro-inspired BASIC programming environment designed for modern devices. Write line-numbered BASIC programs, run them instantly, save your work, load built-in examples, explore graphics commands, and learn programming with the included guidebook. Classic BASIC preserves the familiar feel of classic home computers while providing a clean, touch-friendly experience for today's users. Features include: • Traditional line-numbered BASIC programming • Built-in program catalog • Classic commands such as LIST, RUN, SAVE, LOAD, NEW, and CATALOG • Graphics commands for drawing lines, circles, boxes, and screen output • Built-in games including Block Drop and Astro Blaster • Touch game keyboard support for interactive games • External keyboard support with ESC and CTRL+C break commands • Display modes including Green, Amber, and DOS-style color • Built-in programming guide • File support for saving and loading your own programs Classic BASIC is designed for beginners, hobbyists, retro-computing enthusiasts, students, and anyone who wants a simple programming environment that feels immediate, approachable, and fun. Type a line. Run it. Change it. Learn by doing.
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Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Classic BASIC at $2.99 against BASIC's $11.99. Classic BASIC also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). BASIC's advantage is ratings volume (17 vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
BASIC costs $11.99 and Classic BASIC $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Classic BASIC holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BASIC has 17 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
BASIC ships an update every 2 months, Classic BASIC weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BASIC | Classic BASIC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $11.99 | $2.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (17 ratings) | 4.5 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 68.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 17 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #113 | #32 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 135 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nikolay Denislamov | Nathan Baughman |
Customer experience
BASIC
Classic BASIC
In-app purchases
BASIC
No in-app purchases
Classic BASIC
No in-app purchases
