# Runestone Text Editor vs GDevelop

The clearest difference is ads: Runestone Text Editor at none against GDevelop's shown. Runestone Text Editor also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (76% vs 49%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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 GDevelop sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Runestone Text Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2K and 2.3K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Runestone Text Editor's written reviews are positive against 49% of GDevelop's.

Runestone Text Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, GDevelop every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Runestone Text Editor | GDevelop |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893/reviews)** | [4.3 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gdevelop-create-and-play-games/id1663675754/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2K | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **76.1% of reviews** | 49.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #47 | **#32** |
| Size | 64 MB | 376 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907) | [GDEVELOP FRANCE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1014461175) |

## What reviewers say

### Runestone Text Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #47 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #49 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


### GDevelop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gdevelop-create-and-play-games/id1663675754)

**Currently charting:** #32 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #44 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Discover and play a wide variety of indie games created by a global community. This platform also empowers users to design and publish their own 2D and 3D games using a no-code, AI-assisted engine, suitable for all skill levels.

**Highlights:** Unlimited indie game access, Create 2D/3D games, No-code development, AI-assisted game building, Game templates and assets, Publish and share games, Leaderboards and multiplayer

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

**In-app purchases (21)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GDevelop Silver | $6.99 | per month |
| GDevelop Gold | $12.99 | per month |
| GDevelop Pro | $39.99 | per month |
| GDevelop Silver - 1 year | $49.99 | per year |
| GDevelop Gold - 1 year | $95.99 | per year |
| GDevelop Pro - 1 year | $399.99 | per year |
| Sci-Fi Space Village | $3.99 | one-time |
| Sci-Fi Space Characters | $3.99 | one-time |
| Sci-Fi Space Animals | $3.99 | one-time |
| Pixel Dark Fantasy Level 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Pixel Dark Fantasy | $5.99 | one-time |
| Pixel Dark Fantasy Level 2 | $5.99 | one-time |
| 500 Credits | $5.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Credits | $9.99 | one-time |
| Platformer Bundle | $14.99 | one-time |
| GDevelop Mega Bundle | $17.99 | one-time |
| 2000 Credits | $18.99 | one-time |
| From Zero to Creator | $24.99 | one-time |
| From Zero to Creator | $34.99 | one-time |
| 5000 Credits | $44.99 | one-time |
| 10000 Credits | $89.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Powerful game engine
- 🤑 Can make great games
- 🤩 Awesome app
- 🤖 Impressive no-code features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 💰 Subscription model too restrictive
- 🤔 Limited free features
- 🤯 Confusing and complex
- 🤖 Mobile version not as capable as PC

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when changing sprites
- Keyboard issues on mobile
- Saved projects not loading properly
- Frequent crashes and loss of progress
- Importing assets causes issues

**Requested features**

- Sprite editor
- More programming features (e.g. switches, loops)
- Ability to organize code/actions better on mobile
- Reduce subscription limits
- Add daily rewards or free currency


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Runestone Text Editor free?

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

### Is GDevelop free?

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

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

Runestone Text Editor is rated higher. Runestone Text Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while GDevelop averages 4.3 from 2.3K ratings.

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

GDevelop shows ads; Runestone Text Editor does not.

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

Runestone Text Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and GDevelop every 11 days. Most recently, Runestone Text Editor was updated on September 23, 2026 and GDevelop on September 25, 2026.

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

Runestone Text Editor currently peaks at #47 in the App Store charts, and GDevelop at #32. 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.*