Comparison

Karel1981 vs C Compiler

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

Head to head
About

Karel1981

Learn programming with a beginner-friendly language inspired by a robot. This educational tool introduces fundamental coding concepts through interactive exercises, making it ideal for those new to computer science.

Highlights
  • Beginner-friendly programming language
  • Introduces fundamental coding concepts
  • Interactive learning exercises
  • Based on Karel The Robot book
  • Ideal for computer science novices
Features
Read full description

Karel is an educational programming language for beginners, created by Richard E.Pattis in his book Karel The Robot: A Gentle Introduction to the Art of Programming. Pattis used the language in his courses at Stanford University, California. The language is named after Karel Čapek, a Czech writer who introduced the word robot.

About

C Compiler

This application provides an integrated development environment for C programming, complete with an offline tutorial and sample programs. It features syntax recognition and auto-formatting to aid users in writing and running complex C code.

Highlights
  • Run complex C programs
  • Offline C tutorial
  • Sample C programs
  • Syntax recognition IDE
  • Auto text formatting IDE
  • File opening and saving
Features
Read full description

C COMPILER & C++ IDE — LEARN, PRACTICE, RUN A complete C/C++ learning and coding companion: guided courses, hundreds of practice programs, an on-device AI tutor, and a real IDE that compiles and runs your code right on your phone — no internet required to code. Whether you're just starting out or brushing up before an interview, C Compiler gives you a structured path through the language plus a genuine playground to write and test real programs. Before leaving a negative rating, give us a chance to help — send complaints, suggestions, or issues to support@ilabbs.com. We reply. Main Features • Real C and C++ interpreters — write and run code on-device • Guided courses from fundamentals to advanced topics • Hundreds of practice programs, organized by topic and difficulty • On-device AI tutor — ask questions, get help debugging, all private • Interview prep — real questions across core CS topics • Syntax highlighting and smart code editing • Open and save your own files • Daily streaks and progress tracking Courses Include • C Fundamentals & Basics • Data Types & Operators • Control Flow & Loops • Functions • Arrays, Pointers & Strings • Structures & File Handling • C++ OOP, Templates & STL Terms of Use (EULA): https://ilabbs.com/PrivacyPolicy/ccompilerLegal/iOS/terms_of_use.html Privacy Policy: https://ilabbs.com/PrivacyPolicy/ccompilerLegal/iOS/privacy.html

Screenshots

Karel19813 screens
C Compiler4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Karel1981 at none against C Compiler's 4. Karel1981 also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.5 vs 4.3). C Compiler's advantage is ratings volume (112 vs 2). On price, update cadence 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. C Compiler sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Karel1981 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Karel1981 holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: C Compiler has 112 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Karel1981's written reviews are positive against 59% of C Compiler's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Karel1981 ships an update every 5 months, C Compiler every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Karel1981 versus C Compiler: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKarel1981C Compiler
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better4.3 (112 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better58.6% of reviews
Number of ratings2112 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIHPCI.org, z.s.sutheesh sukumaran

Customer experience

Karel1981

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

C Compiler

All ratings112 ratings
Positive80.4%
Neutral3.6%
Negative16.1%
Written reviews29 reviews
Positive58.6%
Neutral10.3%
Negative31.0%

In-app purchases

None

Karel1981

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

C Compiler

Subscriptions2
  • C Compiler Premium — Monthly$2.991 Month
  • C Compilar Premium — Yearly$24.991 Year
One-time2
  • Remove Ads$49.99
  • LifeTime$49.99

Questions

Is Karel1981 free?
Karel1981 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is C Compiler free?
C Compiler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Karel1981 or C Compiler?
Karel1981 is rated higher. Karel1981 averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while C Compiler averages 4.3 from 112 ratings.
Do Karel1981 or C Compiler have ads?
C Compiler shows ads; Karel1981 does not.
Which is updated more often, Karel1981 or C Compiler?
Karel1981 ships an update every 5 months, and C Compiler every 4 months. Most recently, Karel1981 was updated on October 2, 2026 and C Compiler on October 6, 2026.

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