Comparison

HB Code vs afk

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

Head to head
About

HB Code

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Follow and steer Claude Code and Codex from your iPhone. HB Code connects to HB Code Desktop on your computer. Your desktop runs the coding agent and does the work. Your iPhone shows the same session, live, and sends your next message. What sets HB Code apart: - Two agents, one app. Pick Claude Code or Codex when you create a session. - Every step opens. Tap a command, command output, file read, file change, diff, or tool call and see exactly what the agent ran, read, or changed. Sub-agent threads are included. - Your own desktop does the work. HB Code Desktop runs on Mac and Windows. Claude Code and Codex sessions run on both. Open HB Code Desktop and enable Mobile access. Then add a project, create a session, and send instructions from your iPhone. Continue the same work in either app. What you can do on iPhone: - Pick a project and session on your desktop - Add a project from a folder on the connected desktop - Create a Claude Code or Codex session, or open an existing one - Follow the session live while the agent works - Send a message, or queue a follow-up while the agent is busy - Dictate a message instead of typing it - Pick the model and reasoning settings for supported sessions - Browse project files on your desktop - Open write-ups with diagrams, Markdown, media, and file previews - Play spoken walkthroughs as audio - Review git changes and diffs - Get an alert when the agent finishes, and open the matching session from it - See the reconnect state when your desktop or network changes How it works: 1. Install and open HB Code Desktop from https://www.hbcode.ai/downloads on your Mac or Windows PC. 2. Sign in on desktop and iPhone with the same account and region. On desktop, enable Mobile access. 3. Pick your desktop in the iPhone app. Add or select a project, then create or open a session. 4. Work in either app and continue the same project and session on the other. Your desktop runs the agent and every command. Your files stay on your desktop. Your iPhone sends your requests through the authenticated HB Code relay. It doesn't run a second agent or stream your screen. Codex sessions use your own ChatGPT subscription, through OpenAI's Codex App Server. Claude Code sessions use your own Claude account. HB Code doesn't sell or include Codex or Claude access. Spoken walkthroughs use your own Gemini API key. Requirements: - HB Code Desktop on your Mac or Windows PC - An internet connection for your account and the relay Review generated changes and AI output before you use them. HB Code is an independent app and is not affiliated with Anthropic or OpenAI. Claude Code is a trademark of Anthropic. Codex is a trademark of OpenAI. Terms of Service: https://www.hbcode.ai/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.hbcode.ai/privacy

About

afk

Features
Read full description

Keep coding where you already do. "afk" connects the AI coding agents running in your existing setup โ€” Claude Code, Codex, and more โ€” to your phone. No new IDE. No new workflow. Keep using your editor and terminal as usual, and use "afk" when you step away. - Get notified when your AI finishes, fails, or needs your input. - Approve requests and answer questions from your phone. - Check active sessions and see what your AI is working on. - Send new tasks remotely and review the results. - Stay connected to your computer wherever you are. Your tools and code stay on your computer. "afk" simply gives you a way to stay in control from your phone. Install "afk" on your computer and pair your phone to get started: afkremote.com/install

Screenshots

HB Code4 screens
afk4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: afk at none against HB Code's 3. afk also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. HB Code sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. afk asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HB Code ships an update every 3 weeks, afk fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 4 level
HB Code versus afk: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHB Codeafk
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod โ€” better
Requires iOS18.015.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size77 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerhelpful bits GmbHSu Il Lee

In-app purchases

3 purchases

HB Code

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Annual$49.991 Year
None

afk

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HB Code free?
HB Code is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is afk free?
afk is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HB Code or afk have ads?
Neither HB Code nor afk shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HB Code or afk?
HB Code ships an update every 3 weeks, and afk fortnightly. Most recently, HB Code was updated on October 24, 2026 and afk on October 18, 2026.

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