Touch Lua vs VirtualKim
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
VirtualKim
Experience the 6502 microprocessor, the heart of 1970s home computers. This app emulates the 8-bit processor with an assembler and programming puzzles. Learn to code on a minimalist interface and discover how early computing was done.
- 6502 CPU emulation
- Built-in assembler
- Programming puzzles
- Minimalist UI with LEDs and buttons
- Monitor program for memory editing
- Debug and run applications
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The 6502 microprocessor changed the world. Released in the 1970’s, it was the reason that home computers were within the reach of many hobbyists. This app re-creates the 6502 CPU and some of the hardware that used it. This isn't a game (although games are included), this is an emulation of the 8-bit processor, complete with an assembler and some programming puzzles to solve. Start with the most basic user interface you can imagine - six 7-segment LEDs and some buttons - to enter, debug and run your applications. Then upgrade to a display and keyboard, and use the built-in monitor program to dump memory, makes edits and execute your code. Can you run BASIC? Maybe. FORTH? Perhaps. Assembler? Definitely! Don't think of this as a something "fun" or "enjoyable" in the traditional sense. Think of it as a puzzle: how on earth did those folks in the 1970's manage to do ANYTHING when computers were this basic? Documentation is provided, but to get the most of out of this app you'll need to do your own research. Just like in the 1970s. Features - KIM-1 keypad/LED mode simulator. - KIM-1 serial terminal mode simulator. - Apple 1 serial terminal mode simulator. - Multiple programs including Life, Mastermind, word games, Trek, and more. - Working 6502 Assembler with single-step, memory and register view. - A comprehensive 6502 tutorial system with interactive lessons and reference material. - Shareware! All features are always available without a purchase.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: VirtualKim at 4.8 against Touch Lua's 3.7. VirtualKim also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). Touch Lua's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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
Both are free to download. Touch Lua sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and VirtualKim sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
VirtualKim holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 29 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Touch Lua's written reviews are positive against 85% of VirtualKim's.
Touch Lua ships an update every 2 months, VirtualKim weekly. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Touch Lua | VirtualKim |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (15 ratings) | 4.8 (29 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 82.9% of reviews | 84.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 15 | 29 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 72 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ahmad Hawwash | John Kennedy |
Customer experience
Touch Lua
VirtualKim
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
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- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
VirtualKim
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Touch Lua
- Turtle Library$0.99
- Socket Library$0.99
- Audio Library$1.99
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- Draw Library$4.99
- Nitro Library$5.99
VirtualKim
- Buy Me a Coffee$0.99








