Comparison

Java Compiler vs Shell Keyboard

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

Head to head
About

Java Compiler

Features
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Designed specifically for students and developers learning Java programming, this mobile compilation tool combines powerful Java code compilation with an intelligent AI study assistant, allowing you to write, compile, and run Java code anytime, anywhere. Core Features Code Compilation & Execution Built-in complete Java compilation environment, supporting direct compilation and execution of Java code on iPhone and iPad. Supports multiple LTS versions including Java 8, Java 11, and Java 17, along with subsequent mainstream versions. Real-time display of compilation output and runtime results, with clear error localization. Supports standard input and command-line arguments to meet the runtime needs of different programs. AI Smart Study Assistant Built-in AI programming assistant to answer Java syntax questions and explain object-oriented concepts. Helps understand complex collection frameworks, multithreading, and exception handling mechanisms. Provides code optimization suggestions, design pattern guidance, and common error analysis. Code explanation feature to quickly understand other people's code logic. Code Editing Experience Syntax highlighting for clear and readable code structure. Intelligent code completion to boost writing efficiency. Multi-file management to simulate real project structures. Built-in common Java code templates for quick onboarding and development. Learning Resources Rich Java programming tutorials and classic case studies. Sample code for common collection classes, multithreading, and network programming. Java interview question bank to assist with job hunting preparation. Code bookmarking and note-taking features to build a personal knowledge base. Target Audience College computer science students learning Java programming courses. Programming beginners mastering Java syntax from scratch. Developers preparing for Java certification exams. Developers looking to quickly verify code snippets and debug logic. Easy to Use Start using immediately without registration. Supports code saving, importing, and exporting. Supports AirDrop and iCloud synchronization for seamless switching across multiple devices. Java is one of the most widely used programming languages. Whether you are preparing for final exams or practicing algorithms, this app will become your pocket programming assistant. Download the Java Compiler & AI Study Tool to start your journey to advanced Java programming! Subscription Statement & Privacy Policy Flexible and diverse subscription plans to meet your every need! We offer multiple subscription periods, allowing you to freely choose the plan that suits you best: 1 Month: Ideal for project-based users 1 Year: Enjoy a lower unit price, long-term peace of mind Lifetime Membership: One-time purchase, permanently enjoy all features Auto-Renewal Terms: Upon purchase confirmation, the fee will be charged directly to your iTunes account. Subscription billing periods offer flexible options including monthly and annual billing. To ensure uninterrupted service, subscriptions will automatically renew within 24 hours before the current period ends (excluding lifetime memberships). Renewal fees will be charged from your account within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, with the amount depending on your chosen plan. You can manage your subscription or turn off auto-renewal at any time in your Apple ID Account Settings. Lifetime Membership Privileges: One-time purchase, permanently unlock all features without renewal or worries! Tip: Subscription Management Path: Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions [Related Agreements] Privacy Policy: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DRFZnV2JkVGVSUWVU User Agreement: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DREdRb0VqQUFETVhq Apple EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ For any questions, feel free to contact us at: hxx_shdt@126.com

About

Shell Keyboard

This custom keyboard provides essential terminal keys like Ctrl, Esc, and arrow keys that are missing from the default iOS keyboard. It offers customizable layouts for iPad and iPhone Duo, ensuring precise control for terminal applications.

Highlights
  • Dedicated terminal layer with Ctrl, Esc, Tab, arrows
  • Ctrl and Alt as proper modifiers
  • Full function-key layer (F1-F12)
  • Customizable arrow key behavior
  • Return/Enter key options
  • Plain QWERTY and symbol layers
  • Seven themes with light/dark modes
  • 60% and 75% layouts for iPad/iPhone Duo
Features
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Shell Keyboard adds the keys a terminal actually needs — the ones iOS's default keyboard leaves out. Working over SSH or in a local shell needs Ctrl, Esc, Tab, arrow keys, and function keys, none of which exist on the standard iOS keyboard. Shell Keyboard is a custom keyboard built specifically for terminal apps like Blink, Termius, Prompt, a-Shell and iSH — it sends the exact ASCII control codes and ANSI/VT escape sequences your terminal expects, the same bytes a physical keyboard would send. NEW: IPHONE DUO Shell Keyboard supports iPhone Duo. Open it, and the keyboard spreads out into the same 60% and 75% layouts as iPad, 75% by default. Close it, and it's the iPhone keyboard again. It switches as you fold and unfold. A REAL KEYBOARD ON IPAD AND IPHONE DUO Choose a 60% or 75% layout, the compact keyboards terminal users already type on. The 75% layout puts Esc, F1–F12, a number row, Caps Lock, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down and inverted-T arrow keys on one screen, and Shift types the symbol printed on each key, just like a physical keyboard. The 60% layout keeps the function keys, navigation and arrows one fn press away. iPad opens in the 75% layout; the original ShellKey layout is one tap away in Settings. WHAT'S INCLUDED • A dedicated terminal layer: Ctrl, Alt, Esc, Tab, arrow keys, Home/End/PgUp/PgDn, and the punctuation a shell prompt uses constantly • Ctrl and Alt as proper modifiers — latch one for a single keypress, or double-tap to lock it on, like a hardware keyboard • A full function-key layer: tap fn and the top row becomes F1 through F12, while every other row stays exactly where it was • Arrow keys that match the app you're in — Normal for shells, Application for vim, tmux, less and htop, or Move the Cursor for ordinary text fields • Return or Enter: long-press the Return key to switch between a carriage return and a line feed • A plain QWERTY layer and a complete symbols layer, for ordinary text — hostnames, paths, commit messages — without leaving the keyboard • Seven themes — Shell, Ember, Glacier, Dusk, Moss, Void (pure black) and High Contrast — each in light and dark, and an Appearance option to keep the keyboard light or dark everywhere • On iPad and an open iPhone Duo, 60% and 75% layouts (75% by default), described above • A searchable reference inside the app, listing every key alongside the exact escape sequence and hex bytes it sends • Every key emits the exact byte sequence a real terminal expects SETTINGS LIVE IN THE KEYBOARD Touch and hold the key with the small gear (or tap the gear key on the 60% and 75% layouts) for Haptic feedback, Theme, Appearance and, on iPad and an open iPhone Duo, Layout. They live in the keyboard itself because, without Full Access, iOS keeps a keyboard and its app apart, and Shell Keyboard never asks for Full Access. BUILT FOR PRIVACY Shell Keyboard never asks for Full Access. It cannot reach the network. It never reads, stores, or transmits anything you type — every key it sends is decided from the key you tapped, and nothing else. No analytics, no crash reporting, no account. GOOD TO KNOW In a terminal or editor running inside a web browser — code-server, Jupyter and the like — the keys that send a multi-character escape sequence don't get through: the arrow keys, F1 through F12, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, Shift+Tab and Alt combinations. Everything that sends a single byte works there normally, including every Ctrl combination, Esc, Tab, Return and ordinary typing. Web pages listen for key press events and iOS only lets a keyboard extension insert text, so this is an iOS limitation that applies to every third-party keyboard, not something an app can work around. WHO IT'S FOR Anyone who SSHes from an iPhone or iPad — sysadmins, developers, and anyone tired of missing Ctrl+C.

Screenshots

Java Compiler3 screens
Shell Keyboard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shell Keyboard at none against Java Compiler's 3. Shell Keyboard also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and chart position (#8 vs unranked). Java Compiler's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $1.99). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Java Compiler costs $0.99 and Shell Keyboard $1.99 up front. Java Compiler sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Shell Keyboard asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Java Compiler ships an update every 3 months, Shell Keyboard every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Java Compiler versus Shell Keyboard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJava CompilerShell Keyboard
Price$0.99 — better$1.99
Rating—4.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Paid
Best chart rank—#8 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer乐祥 胡Nguyen Nguyen

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Java Compiler

Subscriptions2
  • 30天会员$14.991 Month
  • 360天会员$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • 终身会员$79.99
None

Shell Keyboard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Java Compiler free?
Java Compiler costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Shell Keyboard free?
Shell Keyboard costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Java Compiler or Shell Keyboard have ads?
Neither Java Compiler nor Shell Keyboard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Java Compiler or Shell Keyboard?
Java Compiler ships an update every 3 months, and Shell Keyboard every 2 weeks. Most recently, Java Compiler was updated on November 10, 2026 and Shell Keyboard on November 10, 2026.

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