Comparison

3D Plotter XL vs Hand BASIC

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

Head to head
About

3D Plotter XL

Visualize 2D functions in a 3D space by entering formulas and defining plot ranges. Customize the display with grid toggles and color themes, and control rendering quality. Save your formulas for future use.

Highlights
  • Plot 2D functions in 3D
  • Customizable grid display
  • Multiple color themes
  • Adjustable rendering quality
  • Save formulas for later
Features
Read full description

Plot graphs of 2-dimensional functions in 3D. Enter the formula for the function and the range you want to plot. Features: - toggle grid display - different color themes - contol speed and quality with the number of tiles - save formulas for later use - retina display support

About

Hand BASIC

Learn and program in BASIC language on your mobile device. This app offers a compatible version of Commodore's BASIC, ideal for students, scientists, and productivity workers. It includes a text editor, file management, and optional graphics extensions.

Highlights
  • Commodore 64 BASIC V2 compatible
  • Full-speed execution on device
  • Load/save files with directory creation
  • Full-featured iPhone text editor
  • Optional graphics extension with GML
  • In-app help and sample code
Features
Read full description

Learn and Program BASIC Language on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad! Hand BASIC - CBM Flavor is a compatible version of Commodore's version of Microsoft BASIC 6502 as found on the Commodore 64. Released for Educational purposes. BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a computer language designed so that it can be learned very easily. Hand BASIC users could be students, scientists, or any productivity workers. Type HELP to get started! *** Credits for CBMBASIC go to Michael Steil and James Abbatiello *** Features + Compatible with Commodore 64 BASIC V2 + It is not emulated, it runs with your device full speed + The ability to LOAD/SAVE files (case sensitive file names) + File I/O Support (Read/Write data files) + Full featured iPhone Text Editor to build your programs + The ability to make directories ** NEW ** + Provided with helpful Direct Mode Commands (nonstandard, see support webpage) + Renumber your program, plus other helpful file keeping functionality + Alert Sounds + In App Help (type HELP) + Portrait/Landscape Views + Supplied with Sample code (type FILES to see list). Now available through In-App Purchase: Graphics Extension: Empowers you to create complex graphics from simple graphic objects Features + Draw simple graphic objects: lines, rectangles, circles, text, ... + Draw at the super speed of your device + Make animations + Use Graphics Macro Language (GML) to draw objects + Define your colors with alpha channel (32bit color with transparency) + Select your drawn text font face and size + Interact with user taps + Assistant for typing Graphic Commands + Enables you to run included Graphic Sample Programs(10 samples) To find more details type HELP then select Graphics Extension Reference To open Graphics Extension Purchase Screen: - Type: PURCHASE - Type: ACTION then select Purchase - Or, run a program that uses Graphics Make sure to check out App Blog Page: cbmhandbasic.blogspot.com Please Note: - This is not Commodore 64 emulator. It is “Standalone” BASIC of Commodore 64. - Basic knowledge of Commodore 64 BASIC V2 is needed to use this App or just Read FAQ's. - While BASIC requires all commands to be capitalized (Lock Caps by double taping), commands will be automatically capitalized - Since this is not Commodore emulator, PEEK/POKE does not work. See New Commands for alternatives - Only ASCII characters are supported - iPad has different Graphics Extension than ordinary one (sold separately) Visit "Hawwash-Soft" page on iTunes for more Free App's Have Fun!

Screenshots

Hand BASIC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hand BASIC at 83% against 3D Plotter XL's 0%. Hand BASIC also leads on price (Free vs $1.99) and rating (4.4 vs 1.0). 3D Plotter XL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads 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

Hand BASIC is free to download; 3D Plotter XL costs $1.99 up front. Hand BASIC sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. 3D Plotter XL asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hand BASIC holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hand BASIC has 47 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of 3D Plotter XL's written reviews are positive against 83% of Hand BASIC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3D Plotter XL ships an update every 12 months, Hand BASIC every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
3D Plotter XL versus Hand BASIC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3D Plotter XLHand BASIC
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.4 (47 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings147 — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPiet JonasAhmad Hawwash

Customer experience

3D Plotter XL

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Hand BASIC

All ratings45 ratings
Positive84.4%
Neutral6.7%
Negative8.9%
Written reviews120 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral7.5%
Negative9.2%

Bugs and requests

3D Plotter XL

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Hand BASIC

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Infinite loops freeze the app with no way to stop execution
  • Graphics mode (SCREEN 1) pops up briefly then disappears
  • On-screen keyboard functions dance around screen on iPad with external keyboard
  • Low Power Mode cuts program speed in half on iPhone
  • Program runs original version instead of edited version
Show 6 more
  • Syntax errors on valid BASIC commands
  • Copy/paste of programs doesn't work properly
  • Line editing requires retyping entire lines for corrections
  • Help and FAQ pages no longer accessible
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Graphics extension removed in updates, requiring repurchase

Requested features

16 requests
  • Run/Stop button to break out of infinite loops
  • Bluetooth keyboard support
  • Changeable font options
  • Copy/paste functionality
  • PEEK and POKE command support
Show 11 more
  • Ability to delete programs
  • Print AT function for neater output
  • INPUT command support
  • Web service integration
  • Files app integration
  • PC version of the app
  • Compiler for standalone app creation
  • Import/export .BAS files
  • Full C64 character set support
  • Cursor color customization
  • Function keys and CTRL support

In-app purchases

None

3D Plotter XL

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Hand BASIC

One-time2
  • Graphics Extension$9.99
  • Graphics Extension for iPad$9.99

Questions

Is 3D Plotter XL free?
3D Plotter XL costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hand BASIC free?
Hand BASIC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 3D Plotter XL or Hand BASIC?
Hand BASIC is rated higher. 3D Plotter XL averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Hand BASIC averages 4.4 from 47 ratings.
Do 3D Plotter XL or Hand BASIC have ads?
Neither 3D Plotter XL nor Hand BASIC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 3D Plotter XL or Hand BASIC?
3D Plotter XL ships an update every 12 months, and Hand BASIC every 5 weeks. Most recently, 3D Plotter XL was updated on October 20, 2026 and Hand BASIC on October 23, 2026.

Other comparisons