# Pastel vs Code Runner App Compiler & IDE

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Pastel at 74% against Code Runner App Compiler & IDE's 24%. Pastel also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and ads (none vs shown). Code Runner App Compiler & IDE's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pastel sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Code Runner App Compiler & IDE sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Pastel holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pastel has 1.4K ratings behind it against 100, 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 24% of Code Runner App Compiler & IDE's.

Pastel ships an update monthly, Code Runner App Compiler & IDE every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pastel | Code Runner App Compiler & IDE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pastel/id413897608/reviews)** | [4.0 (100 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-runner-app-compiler-and-ide/id6450535928/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.4K** | 100 |
| Positive reviews | **73.9% of reviews** | 23.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #177 | **#137** |
| Size | 11 MB | 83 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Steven Troughton-Smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/286133549) | [Cloudbit d.o.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1387318660) |

## What reviewers say

### Pastel

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

**Currently charting:** #177 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


### Code Runner App Compiler & IDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-runner-app-compiler-and-ide/id6450535928)

**Currently charting:** #137 Top Free · Developer Tools, #163 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app is a mobile coding editor and compiler supporting over 30 programming languages. It offers features like syntax highlighting, code completion, an AI assistant for refactoring and bug checking, and GitHub integration for managing repositories. It's designed for learning, practicing, and working on programming projects anywhere.

**Highlights:** Supports 30+ programming languages, Full programming code syntax highlighting, Code completion and editor actions, AI Assistant for refactoring and bug checking, GitHub integration for repositories, Compile and execute code, Instant coding feedback

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Developer Upgrade | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Monthly Plan | $6.99 | per month |
| Developer Montlhy Plan | $11.99 | per month |
| Developer Yearly Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Pro Yearly Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Developer Lite Upgrade | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pastel free?

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

### Is Code Runner App Compiler & IDE free?

Code Runner App Compiler & IDE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pastel or Code Runner App Compiler & IDE?

Pastel is rated higher. Pastel averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.4K ratings, while Code Runner App Compiler & IDE averages 4.0 from 100 ratings.

### Do Pastel or Code Runner App Compiler & IDE have ads?

Code Runner App Compiler & IDE shows ads; Pastel does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pastel or Code Runner App Compiler & IDE?

Pastel ships an update monthly, and Code Runner App Compiler & IDE every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pastel was updated on September 24, 2026 and Code Runner App Compiler & IDE on September 20, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Pastel or Code Runner App Compiler & IDE?

Pastel currently peaks at #177 in the App Store charts, and Code Runner App Compiler & IDE at #137. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*