Comparison

Processing & p5.js iCompiler vs TrashBox

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

Head to head
About

Processing & p5.js iCompiler

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
Read full description

Compose and compile your Processing & p5.js projects right on your phone or iPad, wherever your are! Export your Processing projects as App on your home screen: 1. Select an App icon for your Processing project. 2. Add it to your home screen. You can now use the app offline, just like any other app! This app is already being used in high schools and universities to teach and learn Processing & p5.js. Your code is highlighted and formatted for excellent reading-comfort. Processing Pro allows you to see which parts of your code are causing problems. 3D sketches and games are supported. This is not an official app by processing.org or p5.js Available subscription: Processing Pro, offers additional functionalities, such as exporting your sketches as apps. Trailer Music: Circle of Alchemists Privacy and Terms: http://processing-app.org/terms/

About

TrashBox

Features
Read full description

Welcome to TrashBox-80 - the microcomputer nobody asked for, from Radio Smack! Step back into the golden age of home computing with a lovingly recreated TRS-80 Model I-style experience built for retro-computing fans, BASIC programmers, and anyone who misses the days when a blinking cursor was an invitation to explore. TrashBox-80 recreates the feel of a classic 48K microcomputer, complete with a green-screen display, block cursor, virtual keyboard, and Level II BASIC-style programming environment. POWER UP. GET A PROMPT. START TYPING. No accounts. No complicated setup. Just a computer, a cursor, and BASIC. PROGRAM IN BASIC Write, edit, run, save, and load BASIC programs directly inside TrashBox-80. Experiment with classic commands, create your own programs, learn old-school programming, or see just how much you can accomplish with a few lines of BASIC. Whether you remember typing programs from magazines or you are discovering classic BASIC for the first time, TrashBox-80 gives you a hands-on way to explore the roots of personal computing. BUILT-IN ARCADE Don't feel like programming? Head over to the Arcade. TrashBox-80 includes a collection of retro-inspired games designed to capture the simple, addictive fun of early home computers. Play Blockdrop, blast through space in Astro Blaster, test your luck at Blackjack and Acey-Ducey, play Hangman, explore text adventures, and more. The intentionally old-school graphics and gameplay are part of the experience. CLASSIC COMPUTER EXPERIENCE * TRS-80 Model I-inspired interface * 48K-era computing experience * Level II BASIC-style programming * Authentic green-screen presentation * Blinking block cursor * Built-in translucent virtual keyboard * External keyboard support * BREAK key support * Write and run your own BASIC programs * Save and load programs locally * Built-in retro Arcade * Quick Guide included * Works without requiring an account * Designed for newcomers and longtime retro-computing fans LEARN. CODE. PLAY. TrashBox-80 isn't just a simulation of an old computer screen. It's an interactive tribute to an era when turning on a computer meant you were immediately ready to program it. Type a BASIC program. RUN it. Break it. Fix it. Save it. Then waste the next hour playing Blockdrop. Just like nature intended. RADIO SMACK TRASHBOX-80 MICRO COMPUTER SYSTEM Modern computers have millions of times more processing power. TrashBox-80 has a blinking green cursor. We know which one is cooler. Ready?

Screenshots

Processing & p5.js iCompiler4 screens
TrashBox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Processing & p5.js iCompiler at Free against TrashBox's $2.99. Processing & p5.js iCompiler also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). TrashBox's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). On ads 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

Processing & p5.js iCompiler is free to download; TrashBox costs $2.99 up front. Processing & p5.js iCompiler sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. TrashBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Processing & p5.js iCompiler ships an update every 2 months, TrashBox every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Processing & p5.js iCompiler versus TrashBox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProcessing & p5.js iCompilerTrashBox
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating3.6 (85 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews58.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings85 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerriedel.wtf apps S.L.Nathan Baughman

Bugs and requests

Processing & p5.js iCompiler

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • 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
Show 15 more
  • Else statements break code formatting
  • Try/catch blocks don't work properly
  • Cursor position jumps unexpectedly while typing
  • Screen scrolls to bottom when typing mid-file
  • Swipe-to-go-back gesture interferes with drawing
  • mouseClicked() event fires multiple times per click
  • Import folder feature doesn't work
  • Cannot use numbers/underscores in project names
  • blendMode() and other complex functions fail
  • Silent failures with blank screen output
  • Inconsistent error highlighting
  • Typing lag with large projects (700+ lines)
  • Example project code disappeared after updates
  • Dialog boxes appear in German
  • About and new project buttons invisible in light mode

Requested features

20 requests
  • Free basic error messages for all users
  • Undo/redo functionality
  • Project renaming capability
  • Project duplication feature
  • Robust auto-save and backup system
Show 15 more
  • GIF animation support for sprites
  • Library import and management system
  • Landscape mode support
  • Find and replace functionality
  • Console output for debugging
  • Settings/preferences menu
  • File organization with folders
  • Project thumbnails
  • Built-in documentation/reference
  • Processing to p5.js conversion tool
  • Ability to import entire project folders
  • Font size customization
  • Fullscreen mode for screenshots
  • PVector class support
  • Pixel density optimization for Retina displays

TrashBox

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Processing & p5.js iCompiler

Subscriptions2
  • Processing Pro (Monthly)$3.491 Month
  • Processing Pro (Annual)$9.991 Year
One-time3
  • Processing for iOS Tip$4.99
  • Processing Pro Lifetime Unlock$25.99
  • Processing for iOS Tip$99.99
None

TrashBox

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Processing & p5.js iCompiler free?
Processing & p5.js iCompiler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TrashBox free?
TrashBox costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Processing & p5.js iCompiler or TrashBox have ads?
Neither Processing & p5.js iCompiler nor TrashBox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Processing & p5.js iCompiler or TrashBox?
Processing & p5.js iCompiler ships an update every 2 months, and TrashBox every 5 days. Most recently, Processing & p5.js iCompiler was updated on November 6, 2026 and TrashBox on October 31, 2026.

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