Comparison

pocket BASIC vs NCA Memories

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

Head to head
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.

About

NCA Memories

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Unleash a Universe in Your Pocket Dive into the mesmerizing, complex world of cellular automata with NCA Memories! This isn't just another simulator; it's a high-performance digital laboratory powered by Apple's Metal API. We harness the full power of your device, running simulations at full native resolution to reveal a level of detail you've never seen before. Watch intricate patterns emerge, evolve, and react to your touch. Use the intuitive brush interface to paint new life onto the canvas, erase sections to see what happens, or inject chaos with a spray of noise. You are in complete control of your own digital ecosystem. Key Features: Explore Diverse Rules: Go beyond the classics. Experiment with a library of different cellular automata update rules, each creating its own unique patterns, "organisms," and behaviors. Blazing Metal Performance: Our custom Metal shader is designed for one thing: speed. Experience fluid, high-FPS simulations without compromising on resolution. Interactive Brush: Don't just watch - create! Paint, draw, and interact with the simulation in real-time. It's a dynamic canvas for digital life. Total Tunability: You're the one in charge. Update Rate: Slow things down to study every change or crank it up for high-speed evolution. Noise Parameters: Introduce random elements and watch the simulation adapt. Simulation Resolution: Run at glorious native resolution or scale it down for different effects. Target FPS: Manually set your target frame rate to balance performance and battery life. Whether you're an artist looking for a new source of inspiration, a student of complex systems, or just looking for a beautiful, interactive toy, NCA Memories is your sandbox. Download now and start creating worlds! Note: The simulation rules in this app are based on the research paper "Exploring the Landscape of Non-Equilibrium Memories with Neural Cellular Automata" by Ehsan Pajouheshgar, Aditya Bhardwaj, Nathaniel Selub, and Ethan Lake (arXiv:2508.15726). This app is an independent implementation inspired by their work. You can explore their original research and interactive demo at: memorynca.github.io/2D/

Screenshots

pocket BASIC4 screens
NCA Memories4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: NCA Memories at daily against pocket BASIC's monthly. pocket BASIC's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

pocket BASIC ships an update monthly, NCA Memories daily. Both last shipped on September 8, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
pocket BASIC versus NCA Memories: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterpocket BASICNCA Memories
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthlyDaily β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac β€” betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.6 β€” better26.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size2 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeonardo Del NonnoQuinten Preiss

In-app purchases

None

pocket BASIC

No in-app purchases

None

NCA Memories

No in-app purchases

Questions

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

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