# SQL Play vs Node.js Lab

The clearest difference is rating: Node.js Lab at 3.9 against SQL Play's 3.4. Node.js Lab also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months) and chart position (#170 vs unranked). SQL Play's advantage is review sentiment (76% vs 63%). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SQL Play sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Node.js Lab sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Node.js Lab holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 24 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of SQL Play's written reviews are positive against 63% of Node.js Lab's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SQL Play ships an update every 3 months, Node.js Lab every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SQL Play | Node.js Lab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (38 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sql-play-learn-sql/id1546888933/reviews) | **[3.9 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nodejs-lab/id1550710789/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **38** | 24 |
| Positive reviews | **76.5% of reviews** | 62.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#170** |
| Size | 38 MB | 154 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shivam Kumar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546888935) | [Firas Moussa](https://appshunter.io/developer/547104847) |

## What reviewers say

### SQL Play

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sql-play-learn-sql/id1546888933)

Learn and practice SQL directly on your phone without installing complex software. This app provides built-in tables and over 45 syntaxes with examples to help you master SQL queries. It supports dark mode and allows data export to CSV.

**Highlights:** SQL runner on mobile, 10+ inbuilt practice tables, 45+ SQL syntaxes with examples, DDL, DML, DQL support, Dark mode theme, Export data to CSV, Query history and auto-complete

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

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

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for learning SQL
- 👍 Helpful for beginners
- 👍 Simple interface
- 👍 Useful for practicing SQL
- 👍 Explains commands step-by-step

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Broken and unusable
- 🐛 Syntax errors on launch
- 🐛 Query box does not clear
- 🐛 Shows errors near SELECT
- 🐛 Tutorial impossible to use

**Reported bugs**

- Items smushed together on download
- Syntax errors on first launch
- Query box does not clear
- Errors near SELECT even with correct query
- Cannot open pro even after activation

**Requested features**

- Solid update required
- Hire better iOS developers
- Show databases function
- Show tables function
- Add 'desc' command


### Node.js Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nodejs-lab/id1550710789)

**Currently charting:** #170 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Develop and run Node.js web applications directly on your iOS device, even offline. This app includes a full Node.js environment with NPM, a script editor, and debugging tools. It also functions as a standalone web application and offers extensive file management capabilities.

**Highlights:** Offline Node.js environment, Integrated Git client, Multi-tabbed script editor, NPM support, Standalone web app functionality, Remote file management, Offline documentation

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock all features | $4.99 | one-time |
| Standalone Web Application | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SQL Play free?

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

### Is Node.js Lab free?

Node.js Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SQL Play or Node.js Lab?

Node.js Lab is rated higher. SQL Play averages 3.4 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Node.js Lab averages 3.9 from 24 ratings.

### Do SQL Play or Node.js Lab have ads?

Both SQL Play and Node.js Lab show ads.

### Which is updated more often, SQL Play or Node.js Lab?

SQL Play ships an update every 3 months, and Node.js Lab every 5 weeks. Most recently, SQL Play was updated on September 24, 2026 and Node.js Lab on September 21, 2026.

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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.*