Comparison

DraftCode for PHP IDE vs Code

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

Head to head
About

DraftCode for PHP IDE

Develop and run PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS locally on your mobile device or Mac without an internet connection. Supports complex applications like WordPress and phpMyAdmin, with flexible workspace options and a comprehensive PHP stack.

Highlights
  • Offline PHP, JS, HTML, CSS execution
  • Run complex apps like WordPress
  • Custom workspace folder support
  • Session Inspector and error display
  • PHP and JS syntax coloring
  • Composer support for dependency management
Features
Read full description

Develop and run PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS locally on your iPad or iPhone (or an Apple Silicon Mac), without requiring an internet connection. Run Apps as complex as WordPress or phpMyAdmin right on your device. Freely choose your workspace location on your device, either inside DraftCode, or in the folder of a Git Client like WorkingCopy, on iCloud or other services that offer selectable folder locations. Access your PHP Web App from other Apps on your iPad while in Split Screen mode, for example Mobile Safari or Brave. DraftCode includes the standard PHP stack including PHP extensions typically available on a server: MySQL, SQLite, PDO, Curl, OpenSSL, FTP, XML, JSON, SOAP, GD and more. DraftCode can run different versions of PHP and you can switch between them: - Includes PHP 7.3, PHP 8.0, PHP 8.1 and PHP 8.2 - Available (via in-App Purchase): PHP 8.5 DraftCode Features: - Execute PHP/JS/HTML/CSS without requiring an internet connection - Run Apps as complex as WordPress on your device for offline development - Support for selecting a custom workspace folder in supported other Apps (like Git clients) or iCloud - Includes a Session Inspector showing state of current session variables - Shows PHP errors - PHP and JavaScript syntax colouring - Internal keyboard support with coding accessory - External keyboard support with additional keyboard shortcuts - Multitasking and split-screen support on iPad - Includes PHP packages: WordPress, phpMyAdmin, Composer and more - File workspace including support to zip, unzip, copy, move or duplicate files or folders - Code import/export from iCloud Drive, other Apps or iTunes file sharing - Kiosk mode that runs you PHP code fullscreen - Script mode to run PHP scripts without a web context or timeout INCLUDED PHP PACKAGES WORDPRESS 6.8 With just one tap you can run WordPress offline (using the included WordPress SQLite plugin) and develop themes and plugins for the popular platform. PHPMYADMIN Connect to EXTERNAL MySQL databases (MySQL is NOT included). PHPLITEADMIN Work with local SQLite databases. COMPOSER Use Composer v.2.1.12 to efficiently manage your dependencies. The package also includes an example project. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions please visit DraftCode's website. (Please follow the "Developer Website" link below.) Please note: - Included packages might not yet support all PHP versions available (check their website) - DraftCode's runtime currently does not support re-write rules - A MySQL database is NOT included. (We recommend using SQLite when working completely offline.) - A phpinfo() output of the current available runtime configurations is available on the DraftCode website, please follow the "Developer Website" link below. - In-App purchase pricing can be reviewed on this App Store page under "Information" by tapping the triangle next to 'In-App Purchases"

About

Code

This app provides a unified environment for coding, compiling, and executing programs directly on your iOS device. It supports numerous programming languages and offers real-time cloud synchronization for seamless workflow across devices. Customize your workspace for a personalized coding experience.

Highlights
  • Unified development environment
  • Supports over 15 programming languages
  • Code, compile, and execute programs
  • Real-time cloud sync
  • Customizable workspace themes and keyboard modes
  • No setup or configuration required
Features
Read full description

A coding experience custom tailored for iOS that is useful for learning, experimenting and fast prototyping. No downloads, no configs, no setups required, just login and you’re ready to start writing code. Supported programming languages C, C++, Clojure, Crystal, C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, Lua, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, Scala, Swift, TypeScript Unified development Environment All-in-one platform that lets you code, compile and execute Customize your setup Make your workspace feel just like home with your desired theme and keyboard mode Real-time Cloud Sync All your files are seamlessly synced across your devices Contact Support -> code+support@techulus.com Privacy and Security Privacy Policy - https://code.techulus.com/privacypolicy/ Terms and Conditions - https://code.techulus.com/terms/ If you have any questions or suggestions about Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at code@techulus.com.

Screenshots

DraftCode for PHP IDE4 screens
Code4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DraftCode for PHP IDE at 4.5 against Code's 3.9. DraftCode for PHP IDE also leads on ratings volume (88 vs 14). Code's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (74% vs 66%). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

DraftCode for PHP IDE costs $4.99 and Code $3.99 up front. DraftCode for PHP IDE sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Code sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DraftCode for PHP IDE holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DraftCode for PHP IDE has 88 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 66% of DraftCode for PHP IDE's written reviews are positive against 74% of Code's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DraftCode for PHP IDE ships an update every 3 months, Code every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
DraftCode for PHP IDE versus Code: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDraftCode for PHP IDECode
Price$4.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.5 (88 ratings) — better3.9 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews65.8% of reviews73.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings88 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#66#21 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.616.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size184 MB24 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperSolesignal LimitedArjun Komath

Customer experience

DraftCode for PHP IDE

All ratings88 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews155 reviews
Positive65.8%
Neutral14.8%
Negative19.4%

Code

All ratings14 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive73.9%
Neutral4.3%
Negative21.7%

Bugs and requests

DraftCode for PHP IDE

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • Scrolling snaps back to original position
  • Undo function deletes arbitrary number of steps
  • App freezes after entering characters
  • Crashes on iOS 9 and older versions
  • JavaScript console viewer always empty
Show 10 more
  • Cannot navigate to specific lines efficiently
  • Scroll position jumps when switching files
  • File deletion is buggy when deleting multiple files
  • Dropbox conflicted copy files created by autosave
  • iCloud file sync not automatic
  • Keyboard layout makes coding difficult
  • App loses work after tapping run
  • Address bar shows 'about:blank' and 'Not Found'
  • Cannot paste projects from Dropbox (helper app error)
  • Syntax highlighting slow on large files

Requested features

20 requests
  • Search and find/replace functionality
  • FTP and Dropbox integration
  • Updated PHP versions
  • Multiple syntax highlighting themes
  • Git/GitHub integration
Show 15 more
  • Ability to access localhost from external browsers
  • Font size adjustment controls
  • Code completion and snippets
  • Multi-project support
  • Drupal and CraftCMS support
  • MySQL full support
  • SSH/SFTP access
  • Swipe gestures throughout UI
  • Light theme option
  • Extended keyboard with more shortcuts
  • Undo/redo improvements
  • Split-screen multitasking support
  • phpMyAdmin updates
  • Manual save option instead of autosave
  • GD library support

Code

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

DraftCode for PHP IDE

One-time6
  • PHP 7.2 RuntimeFree
  • PHP 7.3 RuntimeFree
  • PHP 8.2 RuntimeFree
Show 3 more
  • PHP 8.1 RuntimeFree
  • PHP 8.0.28 RuntimeFree
  • PHP 8.5 Runtime$4.99
3 purchases

Code

One-time3
  • 1,000 Credits$0.99
  • 5,000 Credits$2.99
  • 10,000 Credits$4.99

Questions

Is DraftCode for PHP IDE free?
DraftCode for PHP IDE costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Code free?
Code costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DraftCode for PHP IDE or Code?
DraftCode for PHP IDE is rated higher. DraftCode for PHP IDE averages 4.5 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Code averages 3.9 from 14 ratings.
Do DraftCode for PHP IDE or Code have ads?
Neither DraftCode for PHP IDE nor Code shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DraftCode for PHP IDE or Code?
DraftCode for PHP IDE ships an update every 3 months, and Code every 6 weeks. Most recently, DraftCode for PHP IDE was updated on October 8, 2026 and Code on October 9, 2026.
Which is more popular, DraftCode for PHP IDE or Code?
DraftCode for PHP IDE currently peaks at #66 in the App Store charts, and Code at #21. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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