# a vs Code Editor

The clearest difference is rating: a at 4.6 against Code Editor's 3.2. a also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Code Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. a asks for nothing beyond the download.

a holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 120 and 43 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of a's written reviews are positive against 54% of Code Editor's.

a ships an update every 2 weeks, Code Editor every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | a | Code Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (120 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-shell-mini/id1543537943/reviews)** | [3.2 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-editor-compiler-and-ide/id1581290510/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **120** | 43 |
| Positive reviews | **77.8% of reviews** | 53.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#62** | #78 |
| Size | 373 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nicolas Holzschuch](https://appshunter.io/developer/1450994948) | [Rhythm Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1581290512) |

## What reviewers say

### a

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-shell-mini/id1543537943)

**Currently charting:** #62 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Run Unix commands locally on your iOS device with a powerful terminal emulator. Supports file transfer, editing, scripting with Python and Lua, and network utilities. Integrates with Shortcuts and supports multiple windows for multitasking.

**Highlights:** Local Unix terminal emulator, SSH client, File transfer (scp, curl), Text editing (vim, ed), Scripting (Python, Lua, JavaScript), Network utilities (nslookup, ping), Shortcuts integration, Multi-window support

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app for shortcuts
- 🚀 Efficient and functional
- 💡 Useful for IT tasks
- ✨ Free and awesome
- 💻 Good for remote server connection

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Font size not adjustable
- 🐛 Keyboard icons too large
- 🐛 App deletes itself
- 🐛 Rotating screen scrambles display
- 🐛 Pasting text shows strange characters

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard icons comically large
- App deletes itself
- Rotating iPhone/iPad scrambles display
- Pasting text results in strange characters
- App only uses half of the screen when editing files

**Requested features**

- Option to use old keyboard buttons
- Add openssl support
- Add libx265 codec for ffmpeg
- Support telnet command
- Add possibility to compile from source


### Code Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-editor-compiler-and-ide/id1581290510)

**Currently charting:** #78 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app is a powerful mobile code editor and compiler designed for programmers. It offers syntax highlighting for numerous languages, code assistance, and the ability to compile and run code directly on your device. Access files from cloud storage and version control systems, with customizable themes and extensive editing features.

**Highlights:** Syntax highlighting for 110+ languages, Online compiler for 30+ languages, Code assist and auto-completion, Multi-tab navigation, Unlimited undo/redo, Cloud file access (FTP, WebDAV, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive), GitHub/GitLab integration

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads (Forever) | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for coding on the go
- 👍 Supports many languages
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 👍 Good for learning and quick edits
- 👍 Minimal ads (for some users)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😠 Unskippable, full-screen ads
- 😠 Ads after every file operation
- 😠 Ads interrupt workflow
- 😠 Frequent and intrusive ads
- 😠 Paid version still has ads

**Reported bugs**

- Uninterruptible ads
- Cannot create new files
- Cannot copy files
- Sidebar cannot be reopened after closing
- Cannot save files

**Requested features**

- SFTP protocol connection
- Add a run button
- Error indicator during typing
- Custom keyboard with coding symbols
- Ability to edit visual styles/syntax coloring


## Frequently asked questions

### Is a free?

a is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Code Editor free?

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

### Which has better reviews, a or Code Editor?

a is rated higher. a averages 4.6 out of 5 from 120 ratings, while Code Editor averages 3.2 from 43 ratings.

### Do a or Code Editor have ads?

Code Editor shows ads; a does not.

### Which is updated more often, a or Code Editor?

a ships an update every 2 weeks, and Code Editor every 5 weeks. Most recently, a was updated on September 29, 2026 and Code Editor on September 28, 2026.

### Which is more popular, a or Code Editor?

a currently peaks at #62 in the App Store charts, and Code Editor at #78. 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.*