CS++ Intro to Java vs Stepwise
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ with what reviewers say about each.
CS++ Intro to Java
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CS++ Intro to Java is a complete first programming course for iPhone and iPad โ 10 units and 31 lessons that take you from your very first println to 2D arrays, fully offline. Lessons embed 60 runnable Java coding challenges, 63 inline multiple-choice checks, and 22 Parsons problems โ all executed on-device by a bundled Java interpreter. No account. No ads. No tracking. No internet required. WHAT'S INCLUDED โข 31 lessons across 10 units โ from your first program to 2D arrays โข 60 runnable coding challenges โ write real Java and run it on-device, no JDK, no compile server โข 63 inline multiple-choice checks โข 22 Parsons problems โ drag code blocks into working order โข Variables, operators, Strings, conditionals, loops, classes, arrays, ArrayLists, and 2D arrays โข Everything works fully offline โ progress stays on your device UNIT 1 IS FREE FOREVER Unit 1 โ Getting Started with Java (3 lessons) is unlocked at install. Write and run real programs, and decide if the rest is worth $9.99. UNLOCK FULL INTRO TO JAVA โ $9.99 ONE-TIME A single in-app purchase unlocks all 10 Intro to Java units (60 coding challenges): Unit 2. Variables & Primitive Types Unit 3. Operators & Expressions Unit 4. Strings & Using Objects Unit 5. Boolean Expressions & Conditionals Unit 6. Loops & Iteration Unit 7. Writing Your Own Classes Unit 8. Arrays Unit 9. ArrayLists Unit 10. 2D Arrays Pay once, keep forever. Restores on any device signed in to the same Apple ID. No subscription. Future content updates included. 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 progress stays on your device. See csplusplus.com/privacy for details. WHO IT'S FOR โข Complete beginners writing their first line of code โข Intro programming students who want practice anywhere, with or without Wi-Fi โข Teachers who want a tablet-friendly tool for in-class practice โข Anyone headed toward AP Computer Science A โ the CS++ AP CSA course picks up right where this one leaves off For the full browser Java IDE, per-unit quizzes, and timed practice exams, visit csplusplus.com.
Stepwise
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Don't watch BFS run. Be BFS. Stepwise is a daily training game for software engineers, built for a phone: tap, drag and swipe. There's no typing on a tiny keyboard. BE THE ALGORITHM Execute real algorithms by hand on freshly generated inputs. Tap nodes in the order breadth-first search visits them, pick which node Dijkstra settles next, sift a value through a heap, probe a sorted array like binary search. Every move is scored, and the puzzles never run out. THE DAILY SET Five challenges, the same for every developer that day. Keep your streak and share a spoiler-free result card. A RATING THAT MEANS SOMETHING Every topic has its own Elo, like chess puzzles. Difficulty adapts to you. MORE GAMES Big-O Blitz, Bug Hunt, Line Up, Output Oracle (Java, Python, SQL), Pick the Structure and Pattern Spotter. There is also an Engineering track: race conditions, SQL traps, index choice. Every answer is checked: generated puzzles take their answer key from the real algorithm, and code snippets are verified by actually running them. Challenge a friend with a link to the exact puzzle you just solved. Your full history is saved, so you can replay anything you missed.
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Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stepwise at none against CS++ Intro to Java's 1. Stepwise also leads on update cadence (daily vs fortnightly). CS++ Intro to Java's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price there is nothing between them.
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
Both are free to download. CS++ Intro to Java sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Stepwise asks for nothing beyond the download.
CS++ Intro to Java ships an update fortnightly, Stepwise daily. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CS++ Intro to Java | Stepwise |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Daily โ better |
| Ads | No โ better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No โ better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod โ better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 โ better | 17.0 |
| Further details โ not scored | ||
| Size | 56 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kevin Hare | Hakob Hakobyan |
In-app purchases
CS++ Intro to Java
- Unlock Full Intro to Java$9.99
Stepwise
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is CS++ Intro to Java free?
Is Stepwise free?
Do CS++ Intro to Java or Stepwise have ads?
Which is updated more often, CS++ Intro to Java or Stepwise?
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