Hew Playground vs Swift Code Runner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Hew Playground
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Hew is a programming language built around actors -- lightweight, isolated processes that communicate through messages. If you've ever wondered what safe concurrency looks like without locks, mutexes, or data races, Hew is your answer. Hew Playground puts the full language on your iPhone or iPad. Write real programs in a proper code editor with syntax highlighting, auto-indent, brace matching, and a keyboard accessory bar for quick symbol access. The Hew compiler runs on-device via WebAssembly, so you get live error and warning underlines as you type -- no internet required. Long-press any identifier to see its type. When your code is ready, tap Run to execute it on the Hew server and see output instantly. LEARN FROM SCRATCH OR DIVE DEEP Whether you're new to programming or exploring actor-based concurrency for the first time, Hew Playground meets you where you are. - 12 interactive tutorials guide you from Hello World through actors, state machines, closures, and async/await - 13 built-in examples show real patterns: spawning actors, handling errors, matching enums, and more - 19 quick reference cards explain every syntax construct, each with a "Try It" button that loads the snippet into the editor - Full documentation from hew.sh is available in-app, with offline fallback A REAL DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT - Context-aware autocomplete powered by the compiler - Save, rename, and organise programs across sessions - Import and export .hew files through the native file picker - Share code as text, as a hew.run link, or via the system share sheet - Cancel long-running programs with the Stop button - Unsaved changes protection and auto-save when backgrounded DESIGNED FOR EVERY DEVICE Hew Playground is optimised for iPad with a side-by-side editor and output pane connected by a resizable divider. It supports Dynamic Type, VoiceOver labels on all controls, and full keyboard navigation. Available in 11 languages. Hew is an actor-based programming language designed for safe, concurrent systems. Learn more at https://hew.sh
Swift Code Runner
This app provides a focused environment for writing, testing, and organizing Swift code. It features syntax highlighting, code completion, and a secure runner to test snippets and review output. Ideal for learners and developers needing a lightweight scratchpad for quick experiments and practice.
- Swift playground and code editor
- Syntax highlighting and line numbers
- Code snippets and local completions
- Secure runner for testing code
- Console output and AST viewer
- File management (create, rename, import, export)
- Autosave functionality
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SwiftMate is a focused Swift playground and code editor for learning, testing snippets, and keeping small code files organized. Write Swift with syntax highlighting, line numbers, search, smart pairs, indentation, snippets, and local completions. Create files, autosave your work, rename, duplicate, import, export, and share code when you need to move it elsewhere. When you are ready to test an idea, run Swift code through the configured secure runner and review console output, compiler diagnostics, and the AST viewer. Your files stay local until you choose to run or inspect code. SwiftMate is built for students, learners, and developers who want a lightweight Swift scratchpad for examples, algorithms, interview practice, and quick experiments. - Privacy Policy: https://lykovstudio.io/privacy - Terms of Use: https://lykovstudio.io/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hew Playground at none against Swift Code Runner's 3. Swift Code Runner's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Swift Code Runner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Hew Playground asks for nothing beyond the download.
Hew Playground ships an update every 2 months, Swift Code Runner daily. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hew Playground | Swift Code Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 1.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Stephen Olesen | LYKOV STUDIO LTD |
In-app purchases
Hew Playground
No in-app purchases
Swift Code Runner
- premium3 Days trial$5.997 Days
- premium$29.991 Year
- premium$49.99





