Comparison

Hand BASIC vs Periodic Table Watch

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

Periodic Table Watch

Features
Read full description

Two different Periodic Table clocks displays:  The simple clock display shows the Atomic Number and either Atomic Weight or Name. Colors indicate Phase: Solid, Liquid, or Gas. Tap to toggle seconds on or off; long-press to switch between Atomic Weight and Element Name. The Complete clock display shows all available information about each element. There's also a scrollable reference view that shows all of the elements, which can be set up as flashcards to test your knowledge.

Screenshots

Hand BASIC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Hand BASIC at Free against Periodic Table Watch's $0.99. Hand BASIC also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 9 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 26.0). Periodic Table Watch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads 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

Hand BASIC is free to download; Periodic Table Watch costs $0.99 up front. Hand BASIC sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Periodic Table Watch asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hand BASIC ships an update every 5 weeks, Periodic Table Watch every 9 months. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Hand BASIC versus Periodic Table Watch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHand BASICPeriodic Table Watch
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.4 (45 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings45 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS11.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAhmad HawwashJim Haungs

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

Periodic Table Watch

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
None

Periodic Table Watch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hand BASIC free?
Hand BASIC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Periodic Table Watch free?
Periodic Table Watch costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Hand BASIC or Periodic Table Watch have ads?
Neither Hand BASIC nor Periodic Table Watch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hand BASIC or Periodic Table Watch?
Hand BASIC ships an update every 5 weeks, and Periodic Table Watch every 9 months. Most recently, Hand BASIC was updated on September 30, 2026 and Periodic Table Watch on September 30, 2026.

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