Comparison

microbitINKY vs pocket BASIC

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

Head to head
About

microbitINKY

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Inky:bit, an electronic paper for micro:bit, is a display that remains on display even when the power is turned off. Therefore, it can be used in a variety of ways, but if you can't master the micro:bit programming, you won't be able to perform to its full potential. Even if you want to display images such as illustrations and handwritten characters, micro:bit alone is not enough. Therefore, we made it possible to transfer the illustrations and characters drawn on the iPhone or iPad as image data with this app. The micro:bit and iPhone communicate via Bluetooth. Before use, you need to pair the iPhone (iPad) and micro:bit via Bluetooth. Usage 1. Pair your micro:bit with your iPhone via Bluetooth. Pairing can be done with the micro:bit app. 2. Launch the microbitINKY app and press the "micro:bit CONNECT" button. When connected, the "UPLOAD" button will be enabled. 3. Draw characters or illustrations and press the "UPLOAD" button. 4. When the transfer is finished, the micro:bit will process it for a while and display it. Once written, the picture will not disappear even if the power is turned off. The "CLEAR" button clears the micro:bit display and screen display. Press "micro:bit DISCONNECT" to end the connection with the micro:bit.

About

pocket BASIC

Features
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Pocket BASIC brings back the simplicity and charm of classic BASIC, reimagined for modern iOS and macOS devices. Write code, perform calculations, and visualize functions instantly β€” all in one lightweight environment. Why Pocket BASIC? - Instant coding - Write and run BASIC programs in seconds β€” no compilation, no friction. - Clean and focused interface - Designed for clarity, with an integrated editor, console, and tools. - Perfect for learning and experimenting - Great for understanding programming fundamentals or building small utilities. - Works offline. No internet connection required. Your programs stay on your device. Features - Full BASIC interpreter inspired by classic systems - Built-in editor with immediate execution - Console, calculator, and simple graphics modes - Powerful scientific calculator for quick calculations and everyday use - Function graphing with interactive visualization - Import/export programs easily - QR code support for sharing code - Integration with iOS Shortcuts (run scripts directly) - Lightweight and fast Who is it for? - Beginners learning programming - Developers who love retro computing - Students - Anyone who wants quick, practical scripts on their device A modern take on a classic Pocket BASIC is not just nostalgia β€” it’s a practical tool for today. From simple calculations to small utilities, it’s like having a tiny programmable assistant in your pocket.

Screenshots

microbitINKY4 screens
pocket BASIC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: pocket BASIC at 15.6 against microbitINKY's 17.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

microbitINKY ships an update every 5 weeks, pocket BASIC monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
microbitINKY versus pocket BASIC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermicrobitINKYpocket BASIC
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac β€” better
Requires iOS17.615.6 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size16 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAtsushi YamadaLeonardo Del Nonno

In-app purchases

None

microbitINKY

No in-app purchases

None

pocket BASIC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is microbitINKY free?
microbitINKY is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is pocket BASIC free?
pocket BASIC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do microbitINKY or pocket BASIC have ads?
Neither microbitINKY nor pocket BASIC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, microbitINKY or pocket BASIC?
microbitINKY ships an update every 5 weeks, and pocket BASIC monthly. Most recently, microbitINKY was updated on September 13, 2026 and pocket BASIC on September 8, 2026.

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