# Runestone Text Editor vs Simple_TextEdit

The clearest difference is ads: Runestone Text Editor at none against Simple_TextEdit's shown. Runestone Text Editor also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 1). Simple_TextEdit's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price 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 Simple_TextEdit sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Simple_TextEdit holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Runestone Text Editor has 2.1K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of Runestone Text Editor's written reviews are positive against 67% of Simple_TextEdit's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Runestone Text Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, Simple_TextEdit every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Runestone Text Editor | Simple_TextEdit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-textedit/id6478072145/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.1K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **76.2% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#31** | — |
| Size | 64 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907) | [Seung-Un Ham](https://appshunter.io/developer/447543367) |

## What reviewers say

### Runestone Text Editor

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

**Currently charting:** #31 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #43 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


### Simple_TextEdit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-textedit/id6478072145)

This app provides a native plain text editing experience for iOS devices. It allows users to open, edit, and save plain text files like .txt, .md, and .json directly from the Files app, offering a streamlined alternative to rich text editors.

**Highlights:** Native plain text editing, Opens and saves .txt, .md, .json, Integrates with Files app, Prettify JSON functionality, Clipboard integration, Supports 39 languages

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Runestone Text Editor free?

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

### Is Simple_TextEdit free?

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

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

Simple_TextEdit is rated higher. Runestone Text Editor averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Simple_TextEdit averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

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

Simple_TextEdit shows ads; Runestone Text Editor does not.

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

Runestone Text Editor ships an update every 2 weeks, and Simple_TextEdit every 2 months. Most recently, Runestone Text Editor was updated on November 11, 2026 and Simple_TextEdit on November 12, 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.*