Comparison

Kenbak vs learnFORTH

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

Head to head
About

Kenbak

Features
Read full description

Discover the history of computing with the Kenbak-1 Emulator! This emulator is not just a copy, but a carefully recreated digital version of the Kenbak-1, one of the first personal computers, released in 1971. Key Features: • Full Processor Emulation: Authentic emulation of all original Kenbak-1 instructions. • Interactive Front Panel: Replica of the control panel with working switches and LEDs. • Easy-to-use command input panel: Allows you to choose the specific processor instruction from the command panel and immediately store it in memory. • Memory Dump: Visual display of the contents of each memory location for debugging and analysis. • Save and Load Programs: Create, save, and load your own programs written for the Kenbak-1. • Documentation: Complete set of original Kenbak-1 documentation. • Settings: Option to adjust emulation speed and other parameters. The Kenbak-1 Emulator is the perfect tool for learning the fundamentals of computing, experimenting with machine code, and delving into computer history. It's a great way to understand how the first computers worked and how the foundations of the modern digital revolution were laid.

About

learnFORTH

Learn the compact, stack-based Forth programming language through structured daily lessons and interactive exercises. Explore its history and applications in embedded systems and retro computing.

Highlights
  • 90 structured daily lessons
  • Interactive REPL with syntax highlighting
  • Hands-on exercises with hints
  • Progress tracking and daily streaks
  • Reverse Polish Notation primer
  • Historical notes on Forth dialects
Features
Read full description

It's time to learn Forth, the compact stack-based language that powered navigation computers, embedded systems, and a generation of hands-on hackers - and still runs the boot firmware on some retro Sun and Apple hardware. If you ever saw a Jupiter ACE home computer, now is your change to learn about what made it special. This app teaches you to think in words and stacks with 90 short, structured daily lessons, a live REPL you can experiment in right on your phone or iPad, and hands-on exercises with hints (not answers) so you actually learn the ideas. WHAT'S INSIDE • 90 guided lessons across 7 topics: the data stack, words & variables, control flow, loops & recursion, advanced words, data structures, and advanced topics. • A built-in REPL with syntax highlighting so you can type real FORTH and see the stack respond immediately. • Exercises for every lesson, graded on output, with an optional hint if you get stuck. • Daily streaks and per-category progress tracking to keep you moving. You'll learn, promise! • A plain-English primer on Reverse Polish Notation and stack manipulation (DUP, DROP, SWAP, OVER, ROT) for complete beginners. • Historical notes on FORTH's dialects - fig-FORTH, Forth-79, Forth-83, ANS Forth - and which one this app's interpreter follows. • A tip-of-the-hat to the Jupiter ACE, the British home computer from the 1980s that was based on Forth. • A recommended reading list of classic FORTH books, including Starting FORTH and Thinking Forth by Leo Brodie. • Light, dark, and automatic themes. No prior programming experience required. If you've ever wondered how a language with almost no syntax can still get real work done, learnFORTH will show you, one word at a time. Note: This app is free, with all features always available. If you enjoy it, please use the tip feature to thank the author and encourage future development.

Screenshots

Kenbak3 screens
learnFORTH4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: learnFORTH at every 5 days against Kenbak's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kenbak ships an update every 3 weeks, learnFORTH every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Kenbak versus learnFORTH: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKenbaklearnFORTH
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTakhir ZakirovJohn Kennedy

In-app purchases

None

Kenbak

No in-app purchases

None

learnFORTH

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kenbak free?
Kenbak is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is learnFORTH free?
learnFORTH is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Kenbak or learnFORTH have ads?
Neither Kenbak nor learnFORTH shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kenbak or learnFORTH?
Kenbak ships an update every 3 weeks, and learnFORTH every 5 days. Most recently, Kenbak was updated on September 9, 2026 and learnFORTH on September 21, 2026.

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