Comparison

Hand BASIC vs BASIC Programming Compiler

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

Head to head
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!

About

BASIC Programming Compiler

Learn and test code snippets in BASIC on your iOS device. This app features a source code editor with syntax highlighting, a custom keyboard for easy input, and the ability to compile and run your programs. It utilizes the FreeBASIC compiler for a powerful coding experience.

Highlights
  • Compile and run BASIC programs
  • View program output and errors
  • Select and run code chunks
  • Custom keyboard for easy input
  • Advanced source code editor
  • Open, save, import, and share files
  • Language reference included
Features
Read full description

Write BASIC code directly on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch! This app is ideal for learning and testing code snippets! BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages whose design philosophy emphasizes ease of use. This app uses the free/open source (GPL) FreeBASIC compiler (https://www.freebasic.net) as backend. FreeBASIC is a high-level programming language supporting procedural, object-orientated and meta-programming paradigms, with a syntax compatible to Microsoft QuickBASIC. Features: - Compile and run your program - View program output or detailed error - Select and run chunk of codes - Custom keyboard for easy input of frequently used characters - Optimized for connecting with external physical/bluetooth keyboard - Advanced source code editor with syntax highlighting and line numbers - Open, save, import and share bas files. - Language reference - Install packages Limitations: - Internet connection is required for compilation - Maximum program running time is 20s - Some file system, network and graphics functions may be limited - Only 1 file can be run at a time - This is a batch compiler; interactive programs are not supported. If your program provides an input prompt, enter the input in the Input tab prior to compilation. See the Reference tab in the app for code examples

Screenshots

Hand BASIC4 screens
BASIC Programming Compiler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hand BASIC at 83% against BASIC Programming Compiler's 0%. Hand BASIC also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.1) 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Hand BASIC sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and BASIC Programming Compiler sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hand BASIC holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hand BASIC has 45 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Hand BASIC's written reviews are positive against 0% of BASIC Programming Compiler's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and August 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Hand BASIC versus BASIC Programming Compiler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHand BASICBASIC Programming Compiler
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (45 ratings) — better3.1 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings45 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 5 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAhmad HawwashKetan Appa

Customer experience

Hand BASIC

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

BASIC Programming Compiler

All ratings7 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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
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

BASIC Programming Compiler

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Hand BASIC

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

BASIC Programming Compiler

One-time1
  • Upgrade$2.99

Questions

Is Hand BASIC free?
Hand BASIC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BASIC Programming Compiler free?
BASIC Programming Compiler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hand BASIC or BASIC Programming Compiler?
Hand BASIC is rated higher. Hand BASIC averages 4.4 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while BASIC Programming Compiler averages 3.1 from 7 ratings.
Do Hand BASIC or BASIC Programming Compiler have ads?
BASIC Programming Compiler shows ads; Hand BASIC does not.
Which is updated more often, Hand BASIC or BASIC Programming Compiler?
Hand BASIC ships an update every 5 weeks, and BASIC Programming Compiler every 5 weeks. Most recently, Hand BASIC was updated on September 8, 2026 and BASIC Programming Compiler on August 16, 2026.

Other comparisons