# a vs Python Editor App

The clearest difference is review sentiment: a at 78% against Python Editor App's 20%. a also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Python Editor App's advantage is ratings volume (6.5K vs 120). On price, ads, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Python Editor App sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. a asks for nothing beyond the download.

a holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Python Editor App has 6.5K ratings behind it against 120, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of a's written reviews are positive against 20% of Python Editor App's.

a ships an update every 2 weeks, Python Editor App every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | a | Python Editor App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (120 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-shell-mini/id1543537943/reviews)** | [4.1 (6.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/python-editor-app/id1672453872/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 120 | **6.5K** |
| Positive reviews | **77.8% of reviews** | 19.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | #44 | **#17** |
| Size | 373 MB | 403 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nicolas Holzschuch](https://appshunter.io/developer/1450994948) | [Andromeda Corp LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1745089768) |

## What reviewers say

### a

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

**Currently charting:** #44 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


### Python Editor App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/python-editor-app/id1672453872)

**Currently charting:** #17 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #118 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Code and run Python 3 scripts directly on your iOS device with a feature-rich editor. Enjoy syntax highlighting, auto-indentation, code completion, and AI-powered code assistance. Optimize your workflow with multi-window support and background script execution.

**Highlights:** Create, edit, and run Python 3 scripts, Syntax highlighting, auto-indentation, code completion, AI-powered code assistant, Multi-window support, Background script execution, Reusable code snippets

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Code Premium Pro W | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Py Editor Pro | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Code Premium | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💻 Great mobile Python IDE
- 📚 Helpful built-in learning resources
- 👍 Simple and easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Aggressive paywall/subscription model
- 🔒 No free trial or limited functionality
- 🙅‍♀️ Inability to close subscription popup
- 🚫 Unusable without paid subscription

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch for some users
- Typing issues and keyboard problems
- Inability to run certain file types

**Requested features**

- Add support for third-party modules
- Improve cursor control and editing capabilities
- Provide option to disable review prompts


## Frequently asked questions

### Is a free?

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

### Is Python Editor App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, a or Python Editor App?

a is rated higher. a averages 4.6 out of 5 from 120 ratings, while Python Editor App averages 4.1 from 6.5K ratings.

### Do a or Python Editor App have ads?

Neither a nor Python Editor App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, a or Python Editor App?

a ships an update every 2 weeks, and Python Editor App every 5 weeks. Most recently, a was updated on October 14, 2026 and Python Editor App on October 15, 2026.

### Which is more popular, a or Python Editor App?

a currently peaks at #44 in the App Store charts, and Python Editor App at #17. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

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