Comparison

DraftCode vs RootDeck

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

Head to head
About

DraftCode

A free, offline code, text, and Markdown editor for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Offers syntax highlighting for over 60 languages, powerful find and replace, and project management. Ideal for developers and writers seeking a focused editing environment.

Highlights
  • Syntax highlighting for 60+ languages
  • Offline functionality
  • Live Markdown preview
  • Pro-grade find & replace
  • Project file tree management
  • Command Palette for quick access
Features
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DraftCode is a free, private code, text and Markdown editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Open local files or folders, start typing immediately and keep your work in standard file formats. No ads, account, tracking, subscription or in-app purchase. EDIT CODE AND TEXT • Syntax highlighting and language detection for 57 languages • Tabs, split editing, line numbers, minimap, bookmarks and code snippets • Multi-cursor editing and select next or all matching occurrences • Auto-indent, bracket pairing, comments and a scrollable code-key toolbar • Open files and project folders through Apple system pickers LANGUAGES AND THEMES • Built-in engines for Swift, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Rust and more • Import TextMate grammars, language configuration, syntax themes and file-icon themes • Enable, disable, replace or remove packs, with a safe return to built-in defaults SEARCH AND NAVIGATE • Plain text, escaped and regular-expression search • Find and replace across a selected project folder • Command palette, quick open, outline and TODO navigation FORMAT LOCALLY • JSON, JSON5, HTML, CSS, SVG, SQL, YAML, TOML and plist • JavaScript, TypeScript, JSX and TSX format and compress on device • Full file or selection, with undo, error locations and large-file protection REMOTE WORKSPACES • Connect to FTP, explicit FTPS and SFTP servers • Browse folders, download text files on demand and upload saved changes • Keep passwords in Keychain, detect server-side conflicts and reconnect automatically SOURCE CONTROL • Clone Git repositories over HTTPS or SSH into a folder you choose • Stage, commit, branch, merge, fetch, pull and push on this device • Store passwords, tokens and pasted SSH private keys in Keychain; confirm the host fingerprint before saving it. On Mac, authorize local SSH files instead — those private keys are not copied into Keychain OPTIONAL AI EDITING • Off by default. Prefers on-device Apple models; otherwise your HTTPS endpoint receives only the current selection when you invoke it • Failures never change the document MARKDOWN • Local preview with tables, task lists, code, Mermaid and math • Side-by-side editing on supported layouts • HTML export on Apple platforms and PDF export on Mac Local documents are never uploaded automatically. Remote transfers go only to a server you explicitly configure. DraftCode does not collect personal data.

About

RootDeck

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Manage your servers straight from your iPhone and iPad. RootDeck is a fast, secure SSH and SFTP client — a full terminal and file manager in your pocket. Connect directly to your own servers — no RootDeck account, no cloud in between. Built for developers, sysadmins, and DevOps who need their infrastructure on the go. Features: • Interactive SSH terminal • SFTP file browser and transfers • Upload, download, copy, move, rename, and delete remote files • Password and SSH key authentication • Jump host support for reaching servers behind a bastion • Host key verification to protect against MITM attacks • Saved server profiles • Face ID or Touch ID app lock • Server availability monitoring • Support for Linux, macOS, and Windows OpenSSH servers Credentials are stored securely in Apple Keychain. SSH connections, commands, and transferred files go directly between your device and the servers you choose. RootDeck does not collect analytics and does not send your server data to the developer.

Screenshots

DraftCode4 screens
RootDeck4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: RootDeck at Free against DraftCode's $1.99. On update cadence, ads, 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

RootDeck is free to download; DraftCode costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DraftCode ships an update every 6 days, RootDeck weekly. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
DraftCode versus RootDeck: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDraftCodeRootDeck
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer献慧 陈Evgenii Lav

In-app purchases

None

DraftCode

No in-app purchases

None

RootDeck

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DraftCode free?
DraftCode costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RootDeck free?
RootDeck is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DraftCode or RootDeck have ads?
Neither DraftCode nor RootDeck shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DraftCode or RootDeck?
DraftCode ships an update every 6 days, and RootDeck weekly. Most recently, DraftCode was updated on September 30, 2026 and RootDeck on September 30, 2026.

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