# Swifty Compiler vs Runestone Text Editor

The clearest difference is rating: Runestone Text Editor at 4.7 against Swifty Compiler's 4.5. Runestone Text Editor also leads on ratings volume (2.1K vs 203) and device support (4 vs 2). Swifty Compiler's advantage is review sentiment (84% vs 76%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Swifty Compiler sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Runestone Text Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Runestone Text Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Runestone Text Editor has 2.1K ratings behind it against 203, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 84% of Swifty Compiler's written reviews are positive against 76% of Runestone Text Editor's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Swifty Compiler ships an update fortnightly, Runestone Text Editor every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Swifty Compiler | Runestone Text Editor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (203 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swifty-compiler-swift-ide/id1544749600/reviews) | **[4.7 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 203 | **2.1K** |
| Positive reviews | **84.3% of reviews** | 76.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #63 | **#20** |
| Size | 70 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hassan Taleb](https://appshunter.io/developer/955305566) | [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907) |

## What reviewers say

### Swifty Compiler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swifty-compiler-swift-ide/id1544749600)

**Currently charting:** #63 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #86 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Write, run, and experiment with Swift code on your mobile device. This app functions as a personal playground for testing algorithms, prototyping ideas, and enhancing coding skills with a variety of editing tools.

**Highlights:** Write and run Swift code, Import Swift and Playground files, Code completion and error highlighting, Code formatting and syntax correction, Code snapshots (PNG, JPEG, PDF), Dark and light mode support, Unlimited credits (Premium)

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly Subscription | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly Subscription | $12.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly Subscription | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Lifetime | $99.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast code execution
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💡 Great for on-the-go coding
- ✨ Good for learning Swift
- ✅ Useful for testing logic

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 High cost for features
- ⚠️ Limited free usage
- 💸 Subscription model criticized
- 🚫 No offline mode
- 🤔 Unreasonable charging logic

**Reported bugs**

- Refund screenshots are not correct
- Kept loading without doing anything
- Issues related to JSON parsing
- Cannot save projects without paying
- Cannot use Date or Calendar as types

**Requested features**

- Support for newer Swift versions
- Ability to import projects online
- Cache 'premium' pop-up
- Support multithreading (GCD)
- Fix console printing bug


### Runestone Text Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #20 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #40 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 Swifty Compiler free?

Swifty Compiler 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, Swifty Compiler or Runestone Text Editor?

Runestone Text Editor is rated higher. Swifty Compiler averages 4.5 out of 5 from 203 ratings, while Runestone Text Editor averages 4.7 from 2.1K ratings.

### Do Swifty Compiler or Runestone Text Editor have ads?

Neither Swifty Compiler nor Runestone Text Editor shows ads.

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

Swifty Compiler ships an update fortnightly, and Runestone Text Editor every 2 weeks. Most recently, Swifty Compiler was updated on October 25, 2026 and Runestone Text Editor on October 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Swifty Compiler or Runestone Text Editor?

Swifty Compiler currently peaks at #63 in the App Store charts, and Runestone Text Editor at #20. 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.*