Comparison

Touch Lua vs Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler

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

Head to head
About

Touch Lua

Learn and program using Lua, a powerful yet simple scripting language, directly on your iPhone. Features include a robust editor, multi-program support, and libraries for graphics, audio, and networking. Ideal for learning, prototyping, and advanced calculations.

Highlights
  • Lua programming environment
  • Powerful editor with syntax highlighting
  • Graphics, audio, database, and network support
  • Multi-program and directory management
  • Built-in tutorials and reference
  • In-app purchase for advanced libraries
Features
Read full description

Program with Lua, a simple and modern programming language. Lua’s syntax is simple as BASIC but Lua is faster and more powerful. Which make it just perfect for iPhone platform. *** TouchLua+ (iPad version of TouchLua) is now available at App Store *** Touch Lua Features: + Two modes: program/console (command line) + Multi program and directories support + Export/email programs and results + Powerful editor with Syntax highlighting + Graphics, audio, database and network programming support + Text screen: stylized text printing + Built in help: Tutorials (hands on), Wiki, Reference + Sample programs provided Use Touch Lua: + Learn programming and modern scripting + Apply your programming skills + Rapid prototyping + Use it as advanced calculator + Graphing Tool Now available through In-App Purchase: Nitro Graphics Library: Create 2D & 3D Graphics with the power of your GPU. Draw Library: 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 + Access Gyroscope and Accelerometers + Draw and create images + Enables you to run included Graphic Sample Programs Audio Library : enables to play music and sound effects. Features: - Play one music track at once - Play multiple sound effects synchronously - Create and play your own sounds and save them as files Socket Library: network support Turtle Library: Logo like graphic commands designed to encourage logical thinking Examples are provided for absolute Beginners To start learning Lua choose Console from main menu then select Tutorials (first aid kit icon). Now read & apply and you will learn Lua basic’s in no time! Kindly Note: Touch Lua uses Lua 5.2 standard, so if you hit into undefined function see the alternative for it from the reference. some examples: unpack() now is table.unpack(), loadstring() is now load() Make sure to take a look at other free App’s from Hawwash-Soft

About

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler

Write and execute VB.NET code on your mobile device. Ideal for learning and testing code snippets with features like syntax highlighting and a custom keyboard. Requires an internet connection for compilation.

Highlights
  • Compile and run VB.NET programs
  • View program output and errors
  • Custom keyboard for special characters
  • Advanced source code editor
  • Syntax highlighting and line numbers
  • Import, export, and share files
Features
Read full description

Write VB.NET code directly on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch! This app is ideal for learning and testing code snippets! Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET) is a multi-paradigm, object-oriented programming language, implemented on the .NET Framework. Microsoft launched VB.NET in 2002 as the successor to its original Visual Basic language. Along with Visual C#, VB.NET is one of the two main languages targeting the .NET framework. Features: - Compile and run your program - View program output or detailed error - Custom keyboard for easy input of frequently used characters - Optimized for connecting with external physical/bluetooth keyboard - Advanced source code editor with syntax highlighting, bracket completion and line numbers - Open, save, import and share VB.NET files. Limitations: - Internet connection is required for compilation - Maximum program running time is 20s - One file can be run at a time - Some file system, network and graphics functions may be limited - This is a batch compiler; interactive programs are not supported. For example, if your program provides an input prompt, enter the input in the Input tab prior to compilation.

Screenshots

Touch Lua4 screens
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Touch Lua at 83% against Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler's 25%. Touch Lua also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (3.7 vs 3.4). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Touch Lua sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Visual Basic (VB.NET) 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

Touch Lua holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Touch Lua's written reviews are positive against 25% of Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Touch Lua versus Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTouch LuaVisual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (15 ratings) — better3.4 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews83.0% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS7.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAhmad HawwashKetan Appa

Customer experience

Touch Lua

All ratings15 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews106 reviews
Positive83.0%
Neutral9.4%
Negative7.5%

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler

All ratings11 ratings
Positive54.5%
Neutral9.1%
Negative36.4%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Touch Lua

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App crashes on startup after device transfer
  • White screen when running programs with functions
  • Crashes when saving files on iOS 8
  • Crashes when entering 100+ lines of code
  • Crashes with large inputs or pasted code
Show 10 more
  • File viewer cannot access directories created after app restart
  • Auto-tab fails with inline if statements and arrays
  • Graphics library rendering issues
  • Audio library errors
  • Coroutines don't execute as separate threads
  • App crashes after 1000+ lines of code
  • DONE button missing with external keyboard
  • Return key creates double line breaks
  • Code color coding stops working with large programs
  • Typing becomes slow with programs over 300 lines

Requested features

17 requests
  • Ability to disable auto-indentation
  • Increase code storage limit per script
  • Function collapsing/minimizing for large programs
  • Undo button functionality
  • Copyable console output
Show 12 more
  • Line numbers in editor
  • iPad version with universal app support
  • Pastebin integration
  • Hardware access (camera, gyroscope, accelerometer)
  • Touch input and screen output options
  • Persistent data storage for programs
  • Export to home screen
  • JavaScript version of the app
  • Event listeners for accelerometer and microphone
  • Community sharing platform for programs
  • Loadstring support
  • Fixed-width font option

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Touch Lua

One-time5
  • Turtle Library$0.99
  • Socket Library$0.99
  • Audio Library$1.99
Show 2 more
  • Draw Library$4.99
  • Nitro Library$5.99
1 purchases

Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler

One-time1
  • Upgrade$2.99

Questions

Is Touch Lua free?
Touch Lua is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler free?
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Touch Lua or Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler?
Touch Lua is rated higher. Touch Lua averages 3.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler averages 3.4 from 11 ratings.
Do Touch Lua or Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler have ads?
Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler shows ads; Touch Lua does not.
Which is updated more often, Touch Lua or Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler?
Touch Lua ships an update every 2 months, and Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler every 2 months. Most recently, Touch Lua was updated on October 6, 2026 and Visual Basic (VB.NET) Compiler on September 25, 2026.

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