Comparison

CodeMate vs Ledge Notebook

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

Head to head
About

CodeMate

A mobile code editor and viewer with syntax highlighting, customizable themes, and iCloud sync. It allows for quick edits and sharing of code files on iPhone and iPad. Optimized for readability and portability.

Highlights
  • Syntax highlighting for multiple languages
  • iCloud sync across devices
  • Customizable themes and typography
  • Edit and view code on iPhone/iPad
  • Share and export code files
  • HTML preview with CSS/JS
Features
Read full description

CodeMate is a native code viewer and editor for iPhone and iPad—made for reading source code, learning from real projects, and making quick edits away from your desk. No desktop IDE complexity. Just fast, focused code viewing and editing designed for touch. Open more than 200 file formats with native syntax highlighting, including Swift, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C/C++, Go, Rust, HTML, CSS, JSON, XML, YAML, and Markdown. Access files from iCloud Drive, Dropbox, and other storage providers through the Files app. Key Features: • Native code viewing and editing on iPhone and iPad • Syntax highlighting for 200+ file formats • Multiple tabs and a minimap for navigating long files • Light and dark themes with adjustable fonts, spacing, and margins • Line numbers, current-line highlighting, word wrap, and no-word-wrap modes • Swift symbol list and jump to any line • HTML preview with linked CSS and JavaScript • Custom file extension rules • Share and print source files • Export polished code snapshots as images CodeMate is made for developers, students, and anyone who wants a focused, portable way to read, learn from, and edit code. Terms of Use (EULA) https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Ledge Notebook

Read full description

Ledge is a Markdown notebook that runs the code in your notes. Write the commands for a deploy, a fix or a setup once, with the reasoning beside them, and run each block with a tap. The output appears right under the block. On iPhone and iPad, Ledge opens the notes on your own server: a Linux machine or a Mac running the free Ledge server, reached over SSH. Your notes, shells and commands stay on your machine. RUN ANYTHING • Shell, Python, Node, TypeScript, Ruby, PHP and Redis blocks run with the tools on your server • Add SQL or any other language by naming the command that runs it, such as psql or mysql • Prompt blocks hand a request to an AI agent on your server, such as Claude Code, which can read your notes • Answer a running command's prompts by typing into its output, with ^C, ^D, Esc and arrow keys above the keyboard • Each note keeps its own shell, so a cd or an exported variable carries into the next block • Give a note its own working directory, environment and secrets, kept outside the note • Run a note's blocks on another machine over SSH with one line at the top of the note • Mark a risky block to ask before it runs • A command keeps running on the server after you lock the phone, and its output is waiting when you come back WRITE AND ORGANIZE • Markdown with live preview, tables, checklists and images, including photos from the camera • Link notes to each other, with outline, backlinks and tags panels • Workspaces, folders, favorites and full-text search • Use the same notes from Ledge for Mac and from every phone and iPad you pair PRIVATE AND SECURE • You stay in control of your notes: they live on your own machine, not on our servers or anyone else's • No Ledge account, no sign-up and no third party in between • Sign in with a key made in the Secure Enclave that never leaves the device, or with a password kept in the keychain • Each server's host key is confirmed on the first connection and checked on every one after • Lock sensitive notes with a passphrase • Add a server by scanning the QR code it prints WHAT YOU NEED A Mac or a Linux machine you can reach over SSH, with the Ledge server installed. One command installs it, with no root access, no open port and no background service. The guide in the app walks you through it. Ledge is free and open source.

Screenshots

CodeMate4 screens
Ledge Notebook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ledge Notebook at none against CodeMate's 4. Ledge Notebook also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 5 weeks). On price 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. CodeMate sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Ledge Notebook asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CodeMate ships an update every 5 weeks, Ledge Notebook every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
CodeMate versus Ledge Notebook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodeMateLedge Notebook
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS27.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer光 李Dan Stevens

In-app purchases

4 purchases

CodeMate

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly$0.997 Days
  • Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Annual3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$99.99
None

Ledge Notebook

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CodeMate free?
CodeMate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ledge Notebook free?
Ledge Notebook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CodeMate or Ledge Notebook have ads?
CodeMate shows ads; Ledge Notebook does not.
Which is updated more often, CodeMate or Ledge Notebook?
CodeMate ships an update every 5 weeks, and Ledge Notebook every 4 days. Most recently, CodeMate was updated on October 10, 2026 and Ledge Notebook on October 3, 2026.

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