Comparison

DraftCode for PHP IDE vs Simple Server

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

Simple Server

Easily share files and folders from your iPhone or iPad to other devices on the same local network. Browse and manage your files through a web browser, with optional username and password protection. Access logs provide detailed request information.

Highlights
  • Share folders and files locally
  • Browse and manage files via web browser
  • Username/password protection
  • Access logs
  • Static HTML preview on iPad
  • iCloud folder sharing
Features
Read full description

Simple Server is a small web server in your pocket. - Share your folders/files from your iPhone/iPad to other devices in the same local network. - Browse your shared folders and files via browsers easily. - Manage your folders/files on your iPhone/iPad via browsers. - Set a username/password for sharing/managing files. - Support Access Logs displaying HTTP method, URL, remote IP address, and access time of requests and responses. - On iPad, you can preview your static HTML files in Safari with Split View while the web server runs on the same iPad. Two steps to share your folder: 1. In the app, tap "Select folder" and select a folder to be shared. You can choose a folder on your device or iCloud. 2. Tap the "Start Server" button. It's done! Then, connect to the address in a browser on any device in the same network. (e.g., A device that uses the same WiFi router.) Also, you can allow remote users can manage folders and files if you want. Caution: - Simple HTTP Server should be running in the foreground. It cannot be run in the background. If you change to another app or turn off the screen, the web server will stop. - On iPad, you can browse files/folders via Safari with running the web server on the same device, thanks to multitasking. - However, if you switch to another app on your iPhone, the web server will stop. The server status will be automatically recovered when you return to the app. On iPhone, browsing files from other devices is only meaningful. - It works only in a local WiFi network or local wired network. You cannot connect to the web server via a cellular network.

Screenshots

DraftCode for PHP IDE4 screens
Simple Server4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Simple Server at none against DraftCode for PHP IDE's 6. Simple Server also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and price ($3.99 vs $4.99). DraftCode for PHP IDE's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (88 vs 11). On ads, chart position and device support 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 Simple Server $3.99 up front. DraftCode for PHP IDE sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Simple Server asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DraftCode for PHP IDE holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DraftCode for PHP IDE has 88 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of DraftCode for PHP IDE's written reviews are positive against 56% of Simple Server's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DraftCode for PHP IDE ships an update every 3 months, Simple Server monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
DraftCode for PHP IDE versus Simple Server: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDraftCode for PHP IDESimple Server
Price$4.99$3.99 — better
Rating4.5 (88 ratings) — better4.3 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews65.8% of reviews — better55.6% of reviews
Number of ratings88 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#76#38 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size184 MB14 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperSolesignal LimitedBitsbaker LLC.

Customer experience

DraftCode for PHP IDE

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

Simple Server

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive55.6%
Neutral16.7%
Negative27.8%

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

Simple Server

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
None

Simple Server

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DraftCode for PHP IDE free?
DraftCode for PHP IDE costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Simple Server free?
Simple Server costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DraftCode for PHP IDE or Simple Server?
DraftCode for PHP IDE is rated higher. DraftCode for PHP IDE averages 4.5 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Simple Server averages 4.3 from 11 ratings.
Do DraftCode for PHP IDE or Simple Server have ads?
Neither DraftCode for PHP IDE nor Simple Server shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DraftCode for PHP IDE or Simple Server?
DraftCode for PHP IDE ships an update every 3 months, and Simple Server monthly. Most recently, DraftCode for PHP IDE was updated on October 12, 2026 and Simple Server on October 8, 2026.
Which is more popular, DraftCode for PHP IDE or Simple Server?
DraftCode for PHP IDE currently peaks at #76 in the App Store charts, and Simple Server at #38. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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