Comparison

Maktabati vs SyntaxQuest

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

Head to head
About

Maktabati

Read full description

Read real Classical Arabic, one word at a time. Maktabati is a quiet reading room for anyone learning fuṣḥā. Open a classical text, tap any word, and see what it means in that sentence, along with its root, dictionary form and grammar. Save the words you meet, quiz yourself on them, and earn screen time for the reading you do. READ CLASSICAL TEXTS Begin with Qaṣaṣ an-Nabiyyīn, the Stories of the Prophets by Abū al-Ḥasan an-Nadwī: fully voweled, set in clear Arabic type, and divided into short chapters. Choose from three Arabic fonts and the size that suits your eyes, and Maktabati opens on the page where you stopped. Tell us which classical text you'd like next, right from the Library. EVERY WORD EXPLAINED Tap a word to see its meaning in context, its transliteration, and hear it pronounced. Open it further for: • its parts, such as the article al- and the stem • its dictionary form, pattern and part of speech • its meanings in plain English • its plural, feminine and other forms • its root, and other words built from it KEEP THE WORDS YOU MEET Save any word to your flashcards with one tap. Each card shows the word's root and dictionary form, and earns stars as you answer it correctly, moving from new to learning, familiar and mastered. Group words into decks to study them together. QUIZ YOURSELF IN A MINUTE Each question shows a word and seven meanings. Right answers move words toward mastery, and the results show you the words to look at again. EARN YOUR SCREEN TIME Choose the apps that pull you away and give them a balance of minutes. Every minute you read and every quiz answer you get right adds a minute, up to the limit you set. When the balance runs out, Maktabati can block those apps until you've read a little more. Focus uses Apple's Screen Time, and the apps you choose stay private on your device. WATCH YOURSELF GROW Keep a daily streak, see this week's reading at a glance, and follow your words mastered, roots met and quiz accuracy. Eight achievements, each with levels, mark the way. MAKTABATI PREMIUM Maktabati is free to download. The free plan includes reading, the word panel, each word's dictionary form and root, up to 10 saved words, one quiz a day, and Focus. Premium adds full dictionary entries, unlimited words and quizzes, and your own decks. Premium is an auto-renewing weekly or yearly subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless it's cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged for the renewal within 24 hours before that period ends. You can manage or cancel it in your Apple Account settings at any time. Privacy Policy: https://ilmtech.ltd/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

SyntaxQuest

Learn programming, cloud, and cybersecurity through gamified daily challenges. Practice with interactive coding exercises, compete in leagues, and prepare for technical interviews with AI assistance. Progress through 22 courses from beginner to advanced levels.

Highlights
  • Gamified learning with XP and leagues
  • Interactive coding exercises
  • 22 courses across programming, cloud, and security
  • AI tutor for mistake explanations
  • 1v1 coding battles and interview prep
  • Daily streaks and goals
  • Customizable 3D mascot
Features
Read full description

Learn to code by playing, 5 minutes a day. SyntaxQuest turns Python, JavaScript, SQL, cloud and cybersecurity into bite-sized lessons with real code, streaks and a Pulpo who's with you every step of the way. Do courses bore you after 3 days? Here you level up like in a game: earn XP, climb the leagues and keep your streak alive. 22 COURSES, FROM ZERO TO ADVANCED • Programming: Python, Java, JavaScript, Swift, Kotlin, C++, C#, HTML/CSS • Databases: SQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis • Cloud: AWS, Google Cloud, Azure and fundamentals • DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD • Cybersecurity: Ethical Hacking and Network Security LEARN BY DOING • Interactive exercises: complete, reorder, debug and predict code • Playground to write and run real code right on your iPhone • Spaced repetition that reinforces what you're about to forget • 24/7 AI tutor that explains your mistakes • Guided learning: lessons and quizzes tailored to you COMPETE AND GET READY • 1v1 coding battles against bots or people • Weekly leagues to compete with other learners • Technical interview prep with Pulpo the recruiter KEEP THE MOMENTUM • Daily streaks, XP, levels, achievements and chests • Daily goals from just 5 minutes • Personal reminders with your next lesson • Widgets and an Apple Watch app with your streak and reviews MAKE IT YOURS • Customize your 3D Pulpo with costumes, accessories and frames Made for students, self-taught learners, juniors and anyone who wants to break into tech without getting bored along the way. Download for free and finish your first lesson today. Privacy Policy: https://zeytx.github.io/syntaxquest-web/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Maktabati4 screens
SyntaxQuest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Maktabati at none against SyntaxQuest's shown. On price, update cadence, 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. Maktabati sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and SyntaxQuest sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Maktabati ships an update every 6 days, SyntaxQuest every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Maktabati versus SyntaxQuest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMaktabatiSyntaxQuest
PriceFreeFree
Rating—1.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size253 MB57 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperIlmtech LimitedAlvaro Nunez

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Maktabati

Subscriptions3
  • Maktabati Premium (Weekly)$2.997 Days
  • Maktabati Premium (Monthly)$6.991 Month
  • Maktabati Premium (Yearly)$39.991 Year
8 purchases

SyntaxQuest

Subscriptions4
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Pro Max Monthly7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$22.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro Max Annual7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time4
  • 100 Gems$0.99
  • 500 Gems (+10% bonus)$2.99
  • 1200 Gems (+20% bonus)$6.99
Show 1 more
  • 3000 Gems — Best Value$12.99

Questions

Is Maktabati free?
Maktabati is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SyntaxQuest free?
SyntaxQuest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Maktabati or SyntaxQuest have ads?
SyntaxQuest shows ads; Maktabati does not.
Which is updated more often, Maktabati or SyntaxQuest?
Maktabati ships an update every 6 days, and SyntaxQuest every 2 weeks. Most recently, Maktabati was updated on October 26, 2026 and SyntaxQuest on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons