pocket BASIC vs Stone of Life
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
pocket BASIC
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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 itβs a practical tool for today. From simple calculations to small utilities, itβs like having a tiny programmable assistant in your pocket.
Stone of Life
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Stone of Life is a version of Conway's Game of Life, the popular cellular automaton invented by John Conway in 1970. Explore the many different fascinating patterns and evolutions such as "guns", oscillators, and spaceships - create your own or import patterns from friends and websites. Comes with a collection of popular example patterns to get you started! Stone of Life has many beautiful background animations and useful features such as: * Import/export RLE, Plaintext and Macrocell text * Save and open RLE or Macrocell files * Variable speed * Stepwise evolution (also backwards!) * Run many simulations at the same time * A mini Life lexicon * Support for changing the accent colour of the app * Cell transition and glow effects * Support for other cellular automaton rules than B3/S23(Life) * HashLife jumps * And more!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Stone of Life at every 5 days against pocket BASIC's monthly. pocket BASIC's advantage is device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.1). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
pocket BASIC ships an update monthly, Stone of Life every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | pocket BASIC | Stone of Life |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 5 days β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac β better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 β better | 18.1 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Leonardo Del Nonno | Rasmus Hemming Sten |
In-app purchases
pocket BASIC
No in-app purchases
Stone of Life
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is pocket BASIC free?
Is Stone of Life free?
Do pocket BASIC or Stone of Life have ads?
Which is updated more often, pocket BASIC or Stone of Life?
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