# PythonIDE vs ShellBox

The clearest difference is price: PythonIDE at Free against ShellBox's $0.99. PythonIDE also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and chart position (#176 vs unranked). ShellBox's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 17). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

PythonIDE is free to download; ShellBox costs $0.99 up front. PythonIDE sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. ShellBox asks for nothing beyond the download.

PythonIDE ships an update weekly, ShellBox every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PythonIDE | ShellBox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pythonide-python-code-editor/id6753987304/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **39** | — |
| Positive reviews | 89.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | **#176** | — |
| Size | 668 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.2** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [文禄 张](https://appshunter.io/developer/1845798016) | [洪卫 潘](https://appshunter.io/developer/467365143) |

## What reviewers say

### PythonIDE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pythonide-python-code-editor/id6753987304)

**Currently charting:** #176 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #186 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This app provides a full development environment on your mobile device, allowing you to run Python and JavaScript code locally. It includes a professional code editor, SSH terminal for server management, and various developer tools. An AI coding assistant is also integrated to help with code generation and debugging.

**Highlights:** Local Python 3.13 and JavaScript execution, Professional code editor with syntax highlighting, SSH terminal with SFTP and server monitoring, AI coding assistant for code generation and review, Built-in developer toolbox utilities, Scene canvas engine for graphics and games

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PythonIDE Pro Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| PythonIDE Pro Yearly | $12.99 | per year |
| Donate · Chicken Leg | $0.99 | one-time |
| Donate · Lollipop | $0.99 | one-time |
| Donate · Bubble Tea | $0.99 | one-time |
| Feed Dev Poop | $0.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium Upgrade | $1.99 | one-time |
| Connect Your Own AI | $1.99 | one-time |
| SSH Server Management | $1.99 | one-time |
| 200次调用包 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium (Upgrade) | $3.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium (Upgrade) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium (Upgrade) | $5.99 | one-time |
| 500 AI Calls Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| PythonIDE Pro Legacy | $7.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $7.99 | one-time |
| PythonIDE Pro Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |


### ShellBox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shellbox/id6762195892)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PythonIDE free?

PythonIDE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ShellBox free?

ShellBox costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do PythonIDE or ShellBox have ads?

Neither PythonIDE nor ShellBox shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PythonIDE or ShellBox?

PythonIDE ships an update weekly, and ShellBox every 4 months. Most recently, PythonIDE was updated on October 10, 2026 and ShellBox on September 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*