# HTML Editor vs Subtext

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Subtext at 83% against HTML Editor's 22%. Subtext also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). HTML Editor's advantage is ratings volume (819 vs 79). On price, ads, chart position and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HTML Editor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Subtext asks for nothing beyond the download.

Subtext holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HTML Editor has 819 ratings behind it against 79, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of HTML Editor's written reviews are positive against 83% of Subtext's.

HTML Editor ships an update every 3 months, Subtext every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HTML Editor | Subtext |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (819 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/html-editor/id1580431405/reviews) | **[4.5 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subtext/id1606625287/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **819** | 79 |
| Positive reviews | 22.0% of reviews | **83.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#41** | #89 |
| Size | 29 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Intrepid](https://appshunter.io/developer/1544804826) | [Charcoal Design](https://appshunter.io/developer/325046949) |

## What reviewers say

### HTML Editor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/html-editor/id1580431405)

**Currently charting:** #41 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #104 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A lightweight HTML editor offering syntax highlighting, code completion, and a live preview. Easily open, edit, and export HTML documents from your device or iCloud. Features dynamic commenting and tag insertion for efficient web development.

**Highlights:** Syntax highlighting, Code completion suggestions, Live preview panel, Open local and iCloud documents, Quick tag insertion, Dynamic code commenting, Export and share HTML documents

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Html Pro | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| HTML Pro | $3.99 | per 7 days |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great for online coding
- 👍 Simple and intuitive UI
- 💡 Helpful syntax highlighting

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Requires subscription to use
- 💰 Expensive weekly subscription
- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 👎 Obtrusive subscription popup

**Reported bugs**

- Preview doesn't always match actual HTML output
- Unable to dismiss subscription popup
- Corrupts or deletes existing HTML files

**Requested features**

- Add ability to open and edit multiple files
- Implement full-screen preview mode
- Provide option to purchase app outright instead of subscription


### Subtext

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subtext/id1606625287)

**Currently charting:** #89 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A straightforward text editor for iPhone and iPad, allowing direct creation and editing of files within iCloud. It offers advanced controls for line endings and character encoding, ideal for on-the-go code or data file modifications.

**Highlights:** Direct iCloud file editing, No import/export required, Line ending control, Character set encoding control, Quick edits for code and data

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and efficient
- 🚀 Fast and lightweight
- 🆓 Free and no ads
- ✨ Clean and intuitive UI
- 📂 Seamless Files app integration

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Fails on network drives
- 🐛 Data corruption risk
- 🐛 Difficulty unselecting text
- 🐛 Buggy Chinese input method
- 🐛 Random capitalization issues

**Reported bugs**

- Fails to save work
- Jumps to top of document on blank lines
- Poor network behavior leading to data corruption
- Cannot open or create new text files
- Error when saving to network drive

**Requested features**

- Add 'Unselect all' option
- Add 'Replace all' function
- Add font size settings
- Add tab key
- Allow editing of non-text files


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HTML Editor free?

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

### Is Subtext free?

Subtext is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HTML Editor or Subtext?

Subtext is rated higher. HTML Editor averages 4.2 out of 5 from 819 ratings, while Subtext averages 4.5 from 79 ratings.

### Do HTML Editor or Subtext have ads?

Neither HTML Editor nor Subtext shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HTML Editor or Subtext?

HTML Editor ships an update every 3 months, and Subtext every 3 weeks. Most recently, HTML Editor was updated on September 24, 2026 and Subtext on September 22, 2026.

### Which is more popular, HTML Editor or Subtext?

HTML Editor currently peaks at #41 in the App Store charts, and Subtext at #89. 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.*