Comparison

TabletBasic vs CS++ Python IDE

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

Head to head
About

TabletBasic

Learn programming with a retro BASIC environment inspired by classic tools. Write, run, and experiment with code in a focused IDE, explore sample programs, and follow beginner-friendly lessons. It's a modern educational tool for mastering a practical programming language.

Highlights
  • Retro IDE for writing and running BASIC programs
  • Immediate mode for quick command testing
  • 80 built-in sample programs
  • Beginner-friendly lessons
  • Learn core programming concepts
  • Simple graphics drawing capabilities
Features
Read full description

TabletBasic is a retro BASIC learning environment. Inspired by Microsoft QuickBASIC, TabletBasic brings back the fast, friendly learning loop that made classic BASIC such a great way to start programming: type a few lines, run them immediately, see what happens, and try again. Designed for learning: - Write and run BASIC programs in a focused retro IDE. - Try quick commands in immediate mode. - Explore 80 built-in sample programs across 8 categories. - Follow beginner-friendly lessons. - Learn variables, loops, conditions, subroutines, arrays, data, random numbers, and expressions. - Draw simple graphics with SCREEN, LINE, CIRCLE, PSET, and COLOR. TabletBasic includes a native Swift interpreter and a clean interface inspired by classic DOS programming tools. It is not an emulator. It is a modern educational environment for experimenting with a practical, readable programming language. TabletBasic is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft.

About

CS++ Python IDE

Features
Read full description

CS++ Python IDE is a fully offline Python editor for iPhone and iPad, built for students learning to code. Write and run real Python 3 — including turtle graphics and multi-file projects — and work through 75 autograded challenges from the 10-unit Intro to Python catalog, all on-device. No account. No ads. No tracking. No internet required. WHAT'S INCLUDED • Free-form Python playground — write and run any Python code • On-device Python 3 runtime (Skulpt) — no install, no server, no network access • Interactive console with inline input() prompts • Turtle graphics drawn on a dedicated Graphics tab • Multi-file projects — add a helper.py tab and "import helper" just works • 15 starter templates: Hello World, variables & math, if/elif/else, for and while loops, functions, lists, dictionaries, strings, FizzBuzz, turtle graphics, random & math, statistics, CSV data, and more • Format, Abort, auto-saved code, and a run-time cap for infinite-loop protection UNIT 1 IS FREE FOREVER Unit 1 — Getting Started with Python is unlocked at install, and the free-form Playground is free forever too. Try the editor, solve real autograded challenges, and decide if the rest is worth $9.99. UNLOCK FULL INTRO TO PYTHON — $9.99 ONE-TIME A single in-app purchase unlocks all 10 Intro to Python units (75 autograded challenges): Unit 2. Variables & Data Types Unit 3. Operators & Expressions Unit 4. Strings Unit 5. Booleans & Conditionals Unit 6. Loops & Iteration Unit 7. Functions Unit 8. Lists Unit 9. Dictionaries Unit 10. Files, Tuples & a Final Project Pay once, keep forever. Restores on any device signed in to the same Apple ID. No subscription. Future content updates included. PYTHON FEATURES SUPPORTED Core Python 3: numbers, strings and f-strings, if/elif/else, for and while loops with break and continue, functions with default parameters, recursion, lists and list comprehensions, dictionaries and dict comprehensions, slicing, enumerate(), and interactive input(). Bundled modules include turtle, random, math, statistics, csv, and io. OUT OF SCOPE (not in the on-device runtime) No pip installs, no C-extension packages (NumPy, pandas), and no network access. Writes to real files aren't supported — build text in memory with io.StringIO instead. This is a learning IDE, not a deployment environment. PRIVACY Everything runs on your device. The app does not require an account, does not collect personal information, does not include analytics or advertising, and does not track you across apps. Your code stays on your device. See csplusplus.com/privacy for details. WHO IT'S FOR • Students learning Python without a desktop setup • Intro to Python classes that want practice on iPads and iPhones • Teachers who want a tablet-friendly tool for in-class practice • Self-learners working through Python on the go For lessons, Parsons problems, quizzes, flashcards, and the full browser Python IDE, visit csplusplus.com.

Screenshots

TabletBasic4 screens
CS++ Python IDE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TabletBasic at none against CS++ Python IDE's 1. CS++ Python IDE's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. CS++ Python IDE sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TabletBasic asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
TabletBasic versus CS++ Python IDE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTabletBasicCS++ Python IDE
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequency—Weekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndrey SapunovKevin Hare

In-app purchases

None

TabletBasic

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

CS++ Python IDE

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Python Course$9.99

Questions

Is TabletBasic free?
TabletBasic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CS++ Python IDE free?
CS++ Python IDE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TabletBasic or CS++ Python IDE have ads?
Neither TabletBasic nor CS++ Python IDE shows ads.

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