Comparison

CraftOS vs SwiftTermApp

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

CraftOS

This app emulates a classic text-based computer environment, allowing you to write and run Lua programs. It's perfect for learning to code or exploring existing programs from a popular Minecraft mod, all within a retro terminal interface.

Highlights
  • Lua 5.2+ scripting environment
  • 16-color text-based terminal
  • Virtual filesystem
  • Built-in shell
  • Extensive APIs
  • Compatibility with ComputerCraft programs
  • Exclusive graphics mode
Features
Read full description

CraftOS-PC is a fantasy terminal that allows you to write and run programs inside an ‘80s-style text console. CraftOS-PC emulates the popular Minecraft mod "ComputerCraft", which adds programmable computers to Minecraft using the Lua programming language. CraftOS-PC takes this experience outside Minecraft to allow you to run the same programs anywhere you go. CraftOS-PC provides a set of functions (called APIs) that make it super easy to do simple tasks such as write text to the screen, read files, and more. The simplicity of these functions makes CraftOS-PC great for new programmers, but their power makes it possible to write all sorts of complex programs with less code. If you aren’t ready to write programs yet, there’s already a large number of programs for ComputerCraft that will work in CraftOS-PC, ranging from simple games to whole graphical operating systems. These can be downloaded through the built-in Pastebin and GitHub Gist clients. • Full Lua 5.2+ scripting environment and command-line REPL • 16-color text-based terminal display • Expansive virtual filesystem for program and data storage • Built-in shell with syntax similar to most desktop shells • APIs to easily access terminal, filesystem, Internet, event queue, and more • Built-in programs make it easy to navigate & edit files without a single line of code • Plenty of help documents to assist programmers • Compatibility with thousands of existing ComputerCraft programs • Over 3x faster than Minecraft mod and comparable emulators • Emulation of all peripherals available in ComputerCraft • Easily access configuration from inside CraftOS • Exclusive graphics mode providing up to 256-color, pixel-based screen manipulation • Edit Lua scripts from CraftOS or other code editing apps • Open-source app makes it easy to suggest and contribute changes Documentation on all of the APIs that ComputerCraft provides are available at https://tweaked.cc, and CraftOS-PC’s unique APIs are described at https://www.craftos-pc.cc/docs/. Join the CraftOS-PC community at https://www.craftos-pc.cc/discord!

About

SwiftTermApp

This app provides a high-fidelity terminal emulator with advanced Unicode support. It allows secure SSH connections using keys stored in the device's secure enclave and features animated backgrounds.

Highlights
  • Xterm/DEC VT terminal emulation
  • Unicode and international character support
  • Secure SSH key generation and storage
  • Animated background shaders
  • Remote system login
Features
Read full description

SwiftTerm is a comprehensive Xterm/DEC VT terminal emulator blending both high fidelity terminal emulation capabilities with the Unicode and international needs of modern users. SwiftTerm supports creating SSH keys that are stored on the secure enclave and can be used to log into remote systems securely from your phone. Additionally, Metal shaders provide for fun animated backgrounds for all your terminal needs.

Screenshots

CraftOS4 screens
SwiftTermApp2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SwiftTermApp at none against CraftOS's 1. SwiftTermApp also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and review sentiment (100% vs 88%). CraftOS's advantage is chart position (#192 vs unranked) and ratings volume (17 vs 4). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. CraftOS sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SwiftTermApp asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SwiftTermApp holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of CraftOS's written reviews are positive against 100% of SwiftTermApp's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
CraftOS versus SwiftTermApp: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCraftOSSwiftTermApp
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (17 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings17 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 4 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#192 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJack BruienneMIguel de Icaza

Customer experience

CraftOS

All ratings17 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.8%

SwiftTermApp

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

CraftOS

One-time1
  • Plugin Collection 1$0.99
None

SwiftTermApp

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CraftOS free?
CraftOS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SwiftTermApp free?
SwiftTermApp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CraftOS or SwiftTermApp?
SwiftTermApp is rated higher. CraftOS averages 4.8 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while SwiftTermApp averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do CraftOS or SwiftTermApp have ads?
Neither CraftOS nor SwiftTermApp shows ads.

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