# Lua IDE vs CodeMaster

The clearest difference is rating: CodeMaster at 4.6 against Lua IDE's 3.5. CodeMaster also leads on ratings volume (140 vs 11) and chart position (#198 vs unranked). Lua IDE's advantage is monetization model (freemium vs subscription) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lua IDE sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and CodeMaster sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CodeMaster holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CodeMaster has 140 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Lua IDE's written reviews are positive against 44% of CodeMaster's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Lua IDE ships an update every 6 weeks, CodeMaster monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lua IDE | CodeMaster |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lua-ide-learn-lua-coding/id638219114/reviews) | **[4.6 (140 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codemaster-mobile-coding-ide/id1514942957/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **140** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 44.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#198** |
| Size | 95 MB | 1.5 GB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [盼军 崔](https://appshunter.io/developer/567286451) | [Shanghai Dazhuo Information Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1470341377) |

## What reviewers say

### Lua IDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lua-ide-learn-lua-coding/id638219114)

This app provides a comprehensive environment for learning and coding in Lua. It features a code editor, file manager, and an integrated interpreter for testing and running scripts.

**Highlights:** Standalone Lua interpreter, Feature-rich code editor, Intuitive file manager, Interactive learning environment, Multi-file project support, Terminal integration, ANSI escape code support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Buy me a coffee | $2.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Pro | $14.99 | one-time |


### CodeMaster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/codemaster-mobile-coding-ide/id1514942957)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

A professional mobile code editor and development tool for iOS. It offers comprehensive code browsing, editing, and management features, along with integrated tools for remote connections, database design, and GitHub integration.

**Highlights:** File management and browser, VS Code core Monaco editor, GitHub integration, Code snippet management, Database design tool, SSH client and SFTP

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Membership | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $20.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lua IDE free?

Lua IDE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is CodeMaster free?

CodeMaster is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Lua IDE or CodeMaster?

CodeMaster is rated higher. Lua IDE averages 3.5 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while CodeMaster averages 4.6 from 140 ratings.

### Do Lua IDE or CodeMaster have ads?

Neither Lua IDE nor CodeMaster shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Lua IDE or CodeMaster?

Lua IDE ships an update every 6 weeks, and CodeMaster monthly. Most recently, Lua IDE was updated on October 3, 2026 and CodeMaster on October 10, 2026.

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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.*