# Runestone Text Editor vs Desktop Browser

The clearest difference is update cadence: Runestone Text Editor at every 2 weeks against Desktop Browser's every 5 weeks. Runestone Text Editor also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (76% vs 64%). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Runestone Text Editor sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Desktop Browser sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. 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. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2K and 3.3K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Runestone Text Editor's written reviews are positive against 64% of Desktop Browser's.

Runestone Text Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, Desktop Browser every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Runestone Text Editor | Desktop Browser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893/reviews)** | [4.5 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desktop-browser-zoomable/id1568442831/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2K | **3.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **76.1% of reviews** | 64.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #44 | **#20** |
| Size | 64 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907) | [Actowise LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1563247119) |

## What reviewers say

### Runestone Text Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #44 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #46 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


### Desktop Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/desktop-browser-zoomable/id1568442831)

**Currently charting:** #20 Top Free · Developer Tools, #128 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Experience a full desktop web on your mobile device. This browser simulates a large, resizable screen to display desktop versions of websites, avoiding mobile-optimized layouts. Enjoy features like zoom control, full-screen mode, and privacy-focused data collection.

**Highlights:** Desktop website rendering, Zoomable screen (1x-3x), Full screen mode, Portrait/landscape transitions, Favorites management, UI customization, Multiple tabs (Pro), Theme customization (Pro)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2 Extra Tabs | $2.99 | one-time |
| Pro Lifetime | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pro Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient
- 👍 Intuitive user interface
- 🔍 Effective desktop mode
- 💡 Useful zoom feature
- 🔒 Secure browsing

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and reloads
- 🔍 Inconsistent desktop mode performance
- 📱 Incompatible with some mobile apps
- 💸 Paid version required for full functionality
- 🔌 High battery consumption

**Reported bugs**

- Issues connecting to local IP addresses
- Inability to use Google account login
- Blank pages when resizing or zooming
- Redirects to search engine instead of desired site

**Requested features**

- Add ad-blocking capabilities
- Implement local network access
- Allow setting as default browser
- Introduce a virtual trackpad mode
- Improve bookmark management


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Runestone Text Editor free?

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

### Is Desktop Browser free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Runestone Text Editor or Desktop Browser?

Runestone Text Editor is rated higher. Runestone Text Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while Desktop Browser averages 4.5 from 3.3K ratings.

### Do Runestone Text Editor or Desktop Browser have ads?

Neither Runestone Text Editor nor Desktop Browser shows ads.

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

Runestone Text Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and Desktop Browser every 5 weeks. Most recently, Runestone Text Editor was updated on September 23, 2026 and Desktop Browser on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Runestone Text Editor or Desktop Browser?

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