# xTerminal vs Runestone Text Editor

The clearest difference is ads: Runestone Text Editor at none against xTerminal's shown. Runestone Text Editor also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. xTerminal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Runestone Text Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for xTerminal against 4.7 for Runestone Text Editor. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.9K and 2K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 69% of xTerminal's written reviews are positive against 76% of Runestone Text Editor's.

xTerminal ships an update every 3 weeks, Runestone Text Editor every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | xTerminal | Runestone Text Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xterminal-ssh-terminal-shell/id1544728400/reviews) | [4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.9K | **2K** |
| Positive reviews | 68.6% of reviews | **76.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #44 | **#29** |
| Size | 26 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [婉媚 邵](https://appshunter.io/developer/1297240696) | [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907) |

## What reviewers say

### xTerminal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xterminal-ssh-terminal-shell/id1544728400)

**Currently charting:** #44 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #48 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Manage servers remotely with a fast and secure SSH terminal client. Features include a powerful editor, multi-session management, file transfer, and advanced security options. Ideal for IT professionals and developers needing to control servers from anywhere.

**Highlights:** Interactive SSH terminal, Built-in vi/vim editor, Multi-session management, Command snippets, SFTP file management, Secure port knocking, Batch command execution

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| xTerminal Pro Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| xTerminal Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| xTerminal Pro | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast connections
- 👍 Easy to navigate
- 💡 Useful app
- 👍 Great support team

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Security risks with storing credentials
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Occasional bugs
- 🔒 Lack of secure credential entry

**Reported bugs**

- Blank screen on connection
- Incompatibility with older devices
- Nano text editor issues

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Import key functionality
- Improved ANSI support


### Runestone Text Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893)

**Currently charting:** #29 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #47 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A powerful plain text and code editor for iPhone and iPad. Offers syntax highlighting, line numbers, find and replace, and extensive customization options for developers and writers.

**Highlights:** Syntax highlighting for many languages, Customizable themes and fonts, Advanced find and replace, Line numbers and cursor location, Code formatting with Prettier.js, Multiple windows on iPad

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💎 Excellent text editor
- 🚀 Smooth and responsive
- 🎨 Customizable themes and appearance
- 🔒 Secure file storage and sync
- 👍 Clean and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating files/folders
- 📝 Limited functionality without premium
- 🔌 Performance issues on older devices
- 🔒 Difficulty accessing files in cloud storage

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing files
- Difficulty pasting text
- Scroll position not saved
- Hangs on startup
- Trouble opening large files

**Requested features**

- Markdown preview
- Code folding
- Syntax highlighting for more languages
- Ability to run/execute code
- Multiple file/window support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is xTerminal free?

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

### Is Runestone Text Editor free?

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

### Which has better reviews, xTerminal or Runestone Text Editor?

xTerminal and Runestone Text Editor are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.9K and 2K ratings respectively.

### Do xTerminal or Runestone Text Editor have ads?

xTerminal shows ads; Runestone Text Editor does not.

### Which is updated more often, xTerminal or Runestone Text Editor?

xTerminal ships an update every 3 weeks, and Runestone Text Editor every 2 weeks. Most recently, xTerminal was updated on October 15, 2026 and Runestone Text Editor on October 16, 2026.

### Which is more popular, xTerminal or Runestone Text Editor?

xTerminal currently peaks at #44 in the App Store charts, and Runestone Text Editor at #29. 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.*