Hand BASIC vs Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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!
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler
Write and execute VB.NET code on your mobile device. Ideal for learning and testing code snippets with features like syntax highlighting and a custom keyboard. Requires an internet connection for compilation.
- Compile and run VB.NET programs
- View program output and errors
- Custom keyboard for special characters
- Advanced source code editor
- Syntax highlighting and line numbers
- Import, export, and share files
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Write VB.NET code directly on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch! This app is ideal for learning and testing code snippets! Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET) is a multi-paradigm, object-oriented programming language, implemented on the .NET Framework. Microsoft launched VB.NET in 2002 as the successor to its original Visual Basic language. Along with Visual C#, VB.NET is one of the two main languages targeting the .NET framework. Features: - Compile and run your program - View program output or detailed error - Custom keyboard for easy input of frequently used characters - Optimized for connecting with external physical/bluetooth keyboard - Advanced source code editor with syntax highlighting, bracket completion and line numbers - Open, save, import and share VB.NET files. Limitations: - Internet connection is required for compilation - Maximum program running time is 20s - One file can be run at a time - Some file system, network and graphics functions may be limited - This is a batch compiler; interactive programs are not supported. For example, if your program provides an input prompt, enter the input in the Input tab prior to compilation.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hand BASIC at 83% against Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler's 25%. Hand BASIC also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.4) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Hand BASIC sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Hand BASIC holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 45 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Hand BASIC's written reviews are positive against 25% of Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler's.
Hand BASIC ships an update every 5 weeks, Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and August 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hand BASIC | Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (45 ratings) — better | 3.4 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 45 — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ahmad Hawwash | Ketan Appa |
Customer experience
Hand BASIC
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler
Bugs and 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
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- 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
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- 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
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Hand BASIC
- Graphics Extension$9.99
- Graphics Extension for iPad$9.99
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler
- Upgrade$2.99
Questions
Is Hand BASIC free?
Is Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler free?
Which has better reviews, Hand BASIC or Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler?
Do Hand BASIC or Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hand BASIC or Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler?
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