Comparison

Expo Go vs Kodex

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

Head to head
About

Expo Go

Build mobile applications using web technologies like JavaScript and React. This tool allows you to develop interactive experiences with gestures and graphics directly from your iOS device and computer. Some programming experience is recommended for optimal use.

Highlights
  • Build apps with web technologies
  • Interactive gesture and graphics development
  • JavaScript and React support
  • iOS device and computer integration
  • React Native 0.81.1 support
Features
Read full description

Start learning to build projects using web technologies with just your iOS device. Expo Go is an educational developer tool for learning to create experiences with interactive gestures and graphics using JavaScript and React. Note: some basic programming experience is recommended. Technical specs: this version of Expo uses React Native 0.86

About

Kodex

An advanced code editor for iOS devices, offering desktop-class features like multi-caret editing, regex search, and syntax highlighting for over 150 languages. It integrates with the Files app and supports external keyboards for a seamless coding experience.

Highlights
  • Multi-caret editing
  • Regex search and replace
  • Minimap for navigation
  • Syntax highlighting (150+ languages)
  • External keyboard support
  • Files app integration
  • Customizable themes and fonts
Features
Read full description

Kodex is an advanced code editor which brings powerful and desktop-class editor features to your iPad or iPhone: * Multi-caret editing, to quickly transform code selections. * Regex search and replace, with template matching and replace-all-matches. * Minimap which allows quick scroll navigation though the document. * Multiple window support * Syntax highlighting for over 150 languages. * Trackpad support with custom gestures to add cursors (ctrl+shift+click). * Auto complete feature (currently only for HTML). * Add as many guide columns as you wish (default 80 and 120 characters). * Configurable tab size (default 4 spaces), or insert spaces when pressing tab. * Draw hints for invisible characters such as new lines, tabs, and spaces. * Customizable key bindings, so you can configure Kodex to use the same key combos you are already used to. * Kodex smartly preserves your open documents so that your work stays as you left it between launches. * Light and Dark modes. Kodex is integrated with the Files app, so you can easily open files from any other app, and from your iCloud documents folder. You can launch Kodex QuickEdit from any file sharing view in any app to edit its contents without launching the main Kodex App (be aware this functionality depends on the host app implementing the sharing activity properly). Included are 10 editor themes, and several monospaced fonts for code editing (you can install your own preferred fonts using system profiles). Font size and line spacing are adjustable, so you can configure Kodex to best fit your preferred screen size, arrangement, and orientation. Kodex is not a compiler, and you can not build or run the code you edit from it. Think of Kodex as a NotePad++ or Sublime Text substitute for iPhone and iPad. Kodex is currently optimized for external keyboards, such as Apple's Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro, or any bluetooth/USB keyboard. More virtual keyboard features will be added in a future version.

Screenshots

Expo Go4 screens
Kodex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Expo Go at 4.8 against Kodex's 4.2. Expo Go also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (7.7K vs 208). Kodex's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 16.4). On price, review sentiment 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. Kodex sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Expo Go asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Expo Go holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Expo Go has 7.7K ratings behind it against 208, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of Expo Go's written reviews are positive against 63% of Kodex's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Expo Go ships an update fortnightly, Kodex monthly. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Expo Go versus Kodex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExpo GoKodex
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (7.7K ratings) — better4.2 (208 ratings)
Positive reviews55.5% of reviews63.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7.7K — better208
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#8 — better#101
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.413.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNametagBruno Philipe Resende Silva

Customer experience

Expo Go

All ratings7,715 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.0%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews1,025 reviews
Positive55.5%
Neutral8.5%
Negative36.0%

Kodex

All ratings207 ratings
Positive77.3%
Neutral8.2%
Negative14.5%
Written reviews222 reviews
Positive63.1%
Neutral10.4%
Negative26.6%

User reviews

Expo Go

From 7.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth and fast development
  • 👍 Great for testing apps on real devices
  • 💡 Helpful for beginners and experts
  • 🚀 Efficient development process
  • 👍 Convenient and easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs after updates
  • 🔒 Compatibility issues with older versions
  • 🐛 Inability to open projects or scan QR codes
  • 🐛 Persistent login and account issues

Kodex

From 208 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful code editor
  • 👍 Well-integrated with iPad features
  • 🎨 Excellent syntax highlighting and theming
  • 📁 Broad file format support
  • 💡 Useful QuickEdit mode

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • 🔍 Lack of search and replace functionality
  • 🔀 Difficulty navigating between files
  • 🚫 No option to run/compile code
  • 📏 Forced word wrapping with no toggle

Bugs and requests

Expo Go

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes on startup
  • Unable to connect to development server
  • Persistent white screen issues
  • Inability to delete or manage accounts

Requested features

4 requests
  • Bring back QR code scanning functionality
  • Improve SDK compatibility and backward support
  • Add more customization and configuration options
  • Enhance debugging and error reporting tools

Kodex

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes when opening certain file types
  • Loses data after copy/paste and undo/redo
  • Compatibility issues with latest iOS versions
  • Overlapping UI elements in search/replace

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add search and replace feature
  • Implement code execution/compilation
  • Improve file management and navigation
  • Provide option to disable word wrapping
  • Introduce more keyboard shortcuts

In-app purchases

None

Expo Go

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Kodex

One-time1
  • Tip$4.99

Questions

Is Expo Go free?
Expo Go is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Kodex free?
Kodex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Expo Go or Kodex?
Expo Go is rated higher. Expo Go averages 4.8 out of 5 from 7.7K ratings, while Kodex averages 4.2 from 208 ratings.
Do Expo Go or Kodex have ads?
Expo Go shows ads; Kodex does not.
Which is updated more often, Expo Go or Kodex?
Expo Go ships an update fortnightly, and Kodex monthly. Most recently, Expo Go was updated on October 26, 2026 and Kodex on October 26, 2026.
Which is more popular, Expo Go or Kodex?
Expo Go currently peaks at #8 in the App Store charts, and Kodex at #101. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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