# DraftCode for PHP IDE vs Simple Server

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | DraftCode for PHP IDE | Simple Server |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$3.99** |
| Rating | **[4.5 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/draftcode-for-php-ide/id593757593/reviews)** | [4.3 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-server-http-server/id6443893597/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **88** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | **65.8% of reviews** | 55.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #74 | **#44** |
| Size | 184 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Solesignal Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/402984346) | [Bitsbaker LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1631721150) |

## What reviewers say

### DraftCode for PHP IDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/draftcode-for-php-ide/id593757593)

**Currently charting:** #74 Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PHP 7.2 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 7.3 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 8.2 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 8.1 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 8.0.28 Runtime | Free | one-time |
| PHP 8.5 Runtime | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Full PHP runtime on iOS device
- 👍 Intuitive and simple user interface
- 💻 Ability to run WordPress locally on iPad
- 🔌 Works offline without internet connection
- 📱 Enables mobile web development workflow

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Scrolling snaps back to starting position
- 🐛 Undo function jumps arbitrary steps
- 🐛 Text editor lacks modern features
- ❌ Cannot access served content from Safari
- ❌ No FTP or cloud storage integration

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Search and find/replace functionality
- FTP and Dropbox integration
- Updated PHP versions
- Multiple syntax highlighting themes
- Git/GitHub integration


### Simple Server

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-server-http-server/id6443893597)

**Currently charting:** #44 Top Paid · Developer Tools (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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 #74 in the App Store charts, and Simple Server at #44. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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