Comparison

Braid Code vs Crystl

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

Head to head
About

Braid Code

Features
Read full description

Braid Code is the mobile companion for Braid, the desktop app for running AI coding agents across multiple Git worktrees. Pair your iPhone or iPad with Braid on your Mac, then keep an eye on your coding sessions from anywhere on your local network. See which agents are running, which ones need input, and which tasks have finished. Open a worktree, inspect active terminal sessions, and jump back in when your attention is needed. Use Braid Code to: - Pair securely with your Braid desktop app using a QR code - View connected desktops, projects, worktrees, and agent status - Monitor Claude, Codex, Gemini CLI, and other terminal-based coding agents launched from Braid - Open terminal sessions linked to a worktree - Track recent activity and focus on agents that need input - Receive notifications when an agent finishes, errors, or waits for a response - Check connection diagnostics when your desktop is unreachable - Review usage and rate-limit status from supported providers Braid is built for developers who run several AI coding tasks in parallel. Instead of constantly returning to your Mac to check every terminal, Braid Code gives you a focused mobile view of the work that is active right now. Requirements: - Braid desktop app running on macOS - Your iPhone or iPad and Mac on the same local network for local connections - Camera access to scan the desktop pairing code - Notifications are optional and can be configured in Settings Braid Code does not replace the desktop development environment. It extends it, so you can monitor progress, respond at the right moment, and keep multiple agent sessions moving.

About

Crystl

Features
Read full description

crystl for iPhone is the companion to crystl for Mac, the desktop app that runs your AI coding agents (Claude Code, Codex, Gemini). Pair over your local network to watch shards live, read transcripts, approve tool requests, answer agent questions, and steer sessions from anywhere in the house. Requires crystl running on your Mac.

Screenshots

Braid Code4 screens
Crystl4 screens

Verdict

The call

Braid Code and Crystl are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters โ€” price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them โ€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Braid Code versus Crystl: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBraid CodeCrystl
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyโ€”Every 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.416.1 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size50 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperI Gede Agastya Darma LaksanaChristopher Bolton

In-app purchases

None

Braid Code

No in-app purchases

None

Crystl

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Braid Code free?
Braid Code is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Crystl free?
Crystl is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Braid Code or Crystl have ads?
Neither Braid Code nor Crystl shows ads.

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