Comparison

CraftOS vs CGProto

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

CGProto

This app offers a node-based scripting editor for rapid prototyping and learning computer graphics. It provides a sandbox to easily write shaders and JavaScript for creating impressive CG effects.

Highlights
  • Node-based scripting editor
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Learn computer graphics
  • Shader writing (GLSL, HLSL, Metal, Unity ShaderLab)
  • JavaScript scripting
  • Create CG effects
Features
Read full description

CGProto is a node-based scripting editor aims to help developers rapidly prototype or learn computer graphics. It provides a sandbox that you could easily write shader(GLSL, HLSL, Metal or even Unity ShaderLab) and javascript to make impressive CG effects. Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

CraftOS4 screens
CGProto4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: CGProto at weekly against CraftOS's every 4 months. CGProto also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). CraftOS's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium) and ratings volume (17 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and CGProto sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CGProto holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CraftOS has 17 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CraftOS ships an update every 4 months, CGProto weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
CraftOS versus CGProto: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCraftOSCGProto
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (17 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings17 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJack Bruienne雄龙 许

Customer experience

CraftOS

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

CGProto

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

CraftOS

One-time1
  • Plugin Collection 1$0.99
2 purchases

CGProto

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$1.491 Month
  • Pro Yearly14 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is CraftOS free?
CraftOS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CGProto free?
CGProto is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CraftOS or CGProto?
CGProto is rated higher. CraftOS averages 4.8 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while CGProto averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do CraftOS or CGProto have ads?
Neither CraftOS nor CGProto shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CraftOS or CGProto?
CraftOS ships an update every 4 months, and CGProto weekly. Most recently, CraftOS was updated on October 25, 2026 and CGProto on October 8, 2026.

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