# Vim vs CodeBrew

The clearest difference is rating: CodeBrew at 3.8 against Vim's 2.9. CodeBrew also leads on review sentiment (69% vs 46%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). Vim's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CodeBrew sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Vim asks for nothing beyond the download.

CodeBrew holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 21 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Vim's written reviews are positive against 69% of CodeBrew's.

Vim ships an update every 9 months, CodeBrew every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Vim | CodeBrew |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.9 (21 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vim/id492668168/reviews) | **[3.8 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codebrew-ide-for-java/id6475267297/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **21** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | **68.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 37 MB | 379 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Applidium](https://appshunter.io/developer/308674223) | [Julius Naeumann](https://appshunter.io/developer/1402019766) |

## What reviewers say

### Vim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vim/id492668168)

A highly configurable text editor with a long history, designed for efficient editing from both command lines and graphical interfaces. It offers extensive customization options for programmers and writers alike.

**Highlights:** Text editing, Command-line interface support, Graphical user interface support, Highly configurable, Free and open source

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ True Vim implementation with authentic commands and features
- ⌨️ Works well with external Bluetooth keyboards
- 🆓 Free application with no cost barrier
- 🔒 Includes encryption functionality for secure editing
- 📝 Supports .vimrc configuration files

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Escape key mapping to backslash is cumbersome and unintuitive
- 🐛 Space bar and other keys don't work with external keyboards
- 🐛 Font rendering is illegible on Retina displays and newer devices
- 🐛 Severe input lag and keystroke delay issues
- 🐛 Window focus problems in multitasking environments

**Reported bugs**

- Escape key not recognized on external keyboards
- Space bar non-functional with external keyboards
- Font illegible on Retina and newer displays
- Significant input lag between keystrokes and display
- Window focus not maintained in multitasking

**Requested features**

- Custom keyboard row with Esc, Tab, Ctrl, and common symbols
- Dropbox and cloud service integration
- iOS copy/paste and clipboard integration
- File browser and file management system
- Better font rendering and scaling options


### CodeBrew

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codebrew-ide-for-java/id6475267297)

This mobile application provides a full Java Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for iOS devices. It features intelligent code completion, live issue highlighting, and includes the Java 21 JDK for offline use. Users can also explore game development with a custom graphics framework and learn from example projects.

**Highlights:** Java 21 JDK included, Offline coding support, Intelligent code completion, Live issue highlighting, Custom graphics framework for games, Example projects library

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CodeBrew Pro | $17.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Vim free?

Vim is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CodeBrew free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Vim or CodeBrew?

CodeBrew is rated higher. Vim averages 2.9 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while CodeBrew averages 3.8 from 9 ratings.

### Do Vim or CodeBrew have ads?

Neither Vim nor CodeBrew shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Vim or CodeBrew?

Vim ships an update every 9 months, and CodeBrew every 3 months. Most recently, Vim was updated on October 12, 2026 and CodeBrew on October 1, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*