# Processing & p5.js iCompiler vs Shaderly

The clearest difference is rating: Shaderly at 4.4 against Processing & p5.js iCompiler's 3.5. Shaderly also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 58%). Processing & p5.js iCompiler's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (80 vs 8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Processing & p5.js iCompiler sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month and Shaderly sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Shaderly holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Processing & p5.js iCompiler has 80 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Processing & p5.js iCompiler's written reviews are positive against 80% of Shaderly's.

Processing & p5.js iCompiler ships an update every 2 months, Shaderly every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Processing & p5.js iCompiler | Shaderly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (80 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/processing-and-p5js-icompiler/id648955851/reviews) | **[4.4 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shaderly-glsl-shader-editor/id1629234249/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **80** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 58.0% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 13 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 10 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [riedel.wtf apps S.L.](https://appshunter.io/developer/517545753) | [Dmytro Denys](https://appshunter.io/developer/429279016) |

## What reviewers say

### Processing & p5.js iCompiler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/processing-and-p5js-icompiler/id648955851)

Develop and compile Processing and p5.js code directly on your mobile device. Export your creations as standalone apps for offline use. Ideal for students and educators learning creative coding.

**Highlights:** Compose and compile code on mobile, Export projects as home screen apps, Offline app usage, Code highlighting and formatting, 3D sketches and games support, Error highlighting (Pro feature)

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Processing Pro (Monthly) | $3.49 | per month |
| Processing Pro (Annual) | $9.99 | per year |
| Processing for iOS Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Processing Pro Lifetime Unlock | $25.99 | one-time |
| Processing for iOS Tip | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Works offline without internet connection
- 👍 Free app with no mandatory payment
- 🎨 Good for quick creative coding and sketches
- 📱 Portable Processing development on mobile
- ⚡ Relatively fast performance for mobile IDE

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Compiler errors hidden behind paywall
- 🐛 Data loss and code deletion issues
- ❌ No error messages or debugging output
- 📝 Poor syntax highlighting (highlights wrong keywords)
- ⌨️ No auto-indentation or code formatting

**Reported bugs**

- Code reverts to earlier versions after app sleep
- Changes lost when phone falls asleep
- Functions with parameters cause black screen
- StringList data type not recognized
- Boolean highlighting shows 'bool' instead of full word

**Requested features**

- Free basic error messages for all users
- Undo/redo functionality
- Project renaming capability
- Project duplication feature
- Robust auto-save and backup system


### Shaderly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shaderly-glsl-shader-editor/id1629234249)

Edit OpenGL ES 2.0 shaders in real-time for generative art and game development. Shaders created can be directly used in SpriteKit projects. Features include code highlighting, live previews, and sharing options.

**Highlights:** Real-time shader editing, SpriteKit SKShader compatibility, Code highlighting, Live preview (resizable, fullscreen, picture-in-picture), Save and share shader videos/snapshots, Shader thumbnails and previews

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Donate Coffee | $1.99 | one-time |
| Donate Three Coffees | $4.99 | one-time |
| Donate Five Coffees | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Processing & p5.js iCompiler free?

Processing & p5.js iCompiler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Shaderly free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Processing & p5.js iCompiler or Shaderly?

Shaderly is rated higher. Processing & p5.js iCompiler averages 3.5 out of 5 from 80 ratings, while Shaderly averages 4.4 from 8 ratings.

### Do Processing & p5.js iCompiler or Shaderly have ads?

Neither Processing & p5.js iCompiler nor Shaderly shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Processing & p5.js iCompiler or Shaderly?

Processing & p5.js iCompiler ships an update every 2 months, and Shaderly every 13 months. Most recently, Processing & p5.js iCompiler was updated on October 16, 2026 and Shaderly on October 8, 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.*