Comparison

CraftOS vs NFC Developer App

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

NFC Developer App

Features
Read full description

Program NFC tags with the dynamic URL feature. Supported tags: NTAG 424 DNA, NTAG 424 DNA TagTamper

Screenshots

CraftOS4 screens
NFC Developer App3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NFC Developer App at none against CraftOS's 1. NFC Developer App also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). CraftOS's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads 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. NFC Developer App asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CraftOS ships an update every 4 months, NFC Developer App every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 18, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CraftOS versus NFC Developer App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCraftOSNFC Developer App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (17 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings17 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB12 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperJack BruienneArx Research

In-app purchases

1 purchases

CraftOS

One-time1
  • Plugin Collection 1$0.99
None

NFC Developer App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CraftOS free?
CraftOS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NFC Developer App free?
NFC Developer App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CraftOS or NFC Developer App have ads?
Neither CraftOS nor NFC Developer App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CraftOS or NFC Developer App?
CraftOS ships an update every 4 months, and NFC Developer App every 3 weeks. Most recently, CraftOS was updated on September 18, 2026 and NFC Developer App on September 18, 2026.

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