# Pastel vs C++ Shell

The clearest difference is monetization model: Pastel at free with in-app purchases against C++ Shell's subscription. Pastel also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (74% vs 58%). C++ Shell's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pastel sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and C++ Shell sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pastel holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pastel has 1.4K ratings behind it against 224, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of Pastel's written reviews are positive against 58% of C++ Shell's.

Pastel ships an update monthly, C++ Shell every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pastel | C++ Shell |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pastel/id413897608/reviews)** | [4.2 (224 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c-plus-plus-shell-c-plus-plus-code-compiler/id6444545478/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.4K** | 224 |
| Positive reviews | **73.9% of reviews** | 57.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#195** | — |
| Size | 11 MB | 153 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Steven Troughton-Smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/286133549) | [Phoenix Lab Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1441899762) |

## What reviewers say

### Pastel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pastel/id413897608)

**Currently charting:** #195 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Easily capture, organize, and use color palettes for your creative projects. Analyze photos to extract dominant colors, or manually select them. Seamlessly sync your library across devices and export colors in various code formats or as pixel bitmaps.

**Highlights:** Capture color palettes from photos, Manual color selection, Drag and drop colors to other apps, iCloud sync across devices, Export colors in code formats (RGB, hex, Swift), Create custom wallpapers

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pastel (One Month) | $1.99 | per month |
| Pastel (One Year) | $9.99 | per year |
| Pastel (Legacy Purchase) | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and clean interface
- 🚀 Efficient color management
- 💡 Ability to import colors from photos
- 🎨 Great for designers and artists
- 📦 Seamless integration with Procreate

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Disappearing custom palettes
- 🔍 Lack of color picker functionality
- 🤔 Confusing widget behavior
- 🔀 Issues with rearranging colors in palettes

**Reported bugs**

- Palettes disappearing after OS updates
- Delays and freezes when using color wheel
- Inconsistent behavior on different devices/OSes

**Requested features**

- Color contrast analysis tools
- CMYK color support
- Easier way to copy/paste color codes
- Improved palette organization and management
- Integration with more design apps


### C++ Shell

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c-plus-plus-shell-c-plus-plus-code-compiler/id6444545478)

Compile and run C++ code directly on your mobile device. This app provides a command-line environment with support for basic Linux commands, Python, and Lua. It features code highlighting, split-screen display, and customizable themes for an enhanced coding experience.

**Highlights:** C++ code compilation and execution, Linux command-line interface, Integrated Python and Lua, Code highlighting, Split-screen display, Customizable themes and fonts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| C++ Shell Advanced Version | $4.49 | per month |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pastel free?

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

### Is C++ Shell free?

C++ Shell is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pastel or C++ Shell?

Pastel is rated higher. Pastel averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.4K ratings, while C++ Shell averages 4.2 from 224 ratings.

### Do Pastel or C++ Shell have ads?

Neither Pastel nor C++ Shell shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pastel or C++ Shell?

Pastel ships an update monthly, and C++ Shell every 3 months. Most recently, Pastel was updated on September 24, 2026 and C++ Shell on September 21, 2026.

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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.*