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Textastic VS TouchDevelop

Compare Textastic VS TouchDevelop and see what are their differences

Textastic

Textastic is a text, code, and markup editor for iPad and iPhone with support for syntax highlighting, FTP, SFTP, and Dropbox.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
TouchDevelop

Program your devices directly from your devices with TouchDevelop! You do not need a separate PC.

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0 reviews
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CloudGPU.app
GPU rental by the minute plus an OpenAI-compatible AI API, on one prepaid balance. Independent service. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Textastic seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 1 time since March 2021.

social mentions
1 vs 0
Text Editors popularity
83% vs 17%
alternatives listed
118 vs 11

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Textastic
TouchDevelop
Website textasticapp.com touchdevelop.com
Listed in
Text Editors IDE Software Development IDEs And Text Editors +1
Text Editors IDE Software Development Developer Tools +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Textastic 5 features
TouchDevelop 5 features
  • Wide Language Support
    Textastic supports syntax highlighting for more than 80 programming languages including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and PHP, making it versatile for diverse coding needs.
  • iOS Compatibility
    Designed specifically for Apple's ecosystem, Textastic offers a seamless coding experience on iPad and iPhone, providing portability and ease of use on mobile devices.
  • FTP and SFTP Integration
    Textastic allows users to connect to FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV servers, facilitating easy file uploads and downloads directly from within the app.
  • Code Auto-completion
    The app provides auto-completion features for various languages, enhancing productivity by reducing typing time for developers.
  • Customizable Themes
    Textastic allows customization of the editor’s appearance with themes, giving users the ability to create a comfortable visual environment for coding.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to more robust IDEs, Textastic lacks some advanced features such as integrated debugging tools and built-in support for version control systems like Git.
  • No Cross-Platform Availability
    Textastic is only available for iOS and macOS, limiting its use to Apple's platforms and restricting cross-platform workflows.
  • Paid Application
    Unlike some other text editors and IDEs that are free, Textastic requires a purchase, which might not be ideal for users looking for free coding solutions.
  • Learning Curve for Beginners
    While not overly complex, new users or beginner programmers might find it challenging to fully utilize all features due to a lack of in-depth tutorials.
  • Dependency on Apple Ecosystem
    Being a product tailored for Apple's ecosystem, it doesn’t cater to users on other platforms, limiting collaborative and cross-device coding experiences outside Apple devices.
  • Beginner-Friendly
    TouchDevelop provides a simplified programming environment that is accessible to beginners, making it easier for those with little to no coding experience to start developing applications.
  • Cross-Platform Development
    The platform allows users to create applications that can run on multiple operating systems like Windows, iOS, and Android, thus broadening the reach of the applications developed.
  • Cloud Integration
    TouchDevelop seamlessly integrates with cloud services, enabling users to store data and access various web services easily within their applications.
  • Mobile Friendly
    TouchDevelop can be used on mobile devices, allowing users to develop apps directly on their smartphones or tablets, which enhances portability and convenience.
  • Interactive Learning
    The interactive tutorial and help system guide users through the learning process, enhancing their understanding and making it easier to pick up programming concepts.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    For more experienced developers, TouchDevelop lacks some advanced features and flexibility offered by more powerful development environments, limiting its usefulness for complex applications.
  • Discontinued Support
    TouchDevelop is no longer actively maintained by Microsoft, which means users might encounter issues or lack updates and support in the future.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection
    While it offers cloud integration, reliance on internet connectivity for some features can be a drawback in situations where access to the internet is limited or unavailable.
  • Platform-Specific Limitations
    Although it is designed for cross-platform compatibility, TouchDevelop may have some limitations or inconsistencies across different operating systems.
  • Limited Community and Resources
    As a niche tool with a smaller user base, finding community support, third-party tutorials, or comprehensive resources can be more challenging compared to popular platforms.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Textastic
TouchDevelop

No analysis of Textastic yet.

Overall verdict

  • TouchDevelop was a well-designed educational programming tool created by Microsoft Research, but it has been discontinued and is no longer actively maintained or accessible as of 2019, making it not a viable choice for current use despite its historically innovative design.

Why this product is good

  • Pioneered touch-based coding for tablets and phones, letting users write scripts by tapping rather than typing
  • Cloud-based platform allowed scripts to run and sync across web, Windows, and mobile devices
  • Strong educational focus with a simple, structured language ideal for teaching programming fundamentals
  • Included a built-in library for accessing device sensors, media, and social APIs, enabling fun and interactive app creation
  • Backed by Microsoft Research, ensuring quality design and pedagogical thoughtfulness during its active years

Recommended for

  • Historical or academic interest in early mobile/touch-based coding environments
  • Researchers studying the evolution of educational programming tools
  • Not recommended for current coding education or app development due to discontinuation

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Textastic 3 videos + Add
TouchDevelop 1 video + Add

Textastic Mac & iOS Review

More videos

  • - Textastic Review 2
  • - Textastic Code Editor - iPad App Review

TouchDevelop - Create apps ON your phone!

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Textastic
TouchDevelop
83% 83%
Text Editors
17% 17%
71% 71%
Software Development
29% 29%
80% 80%
IDE
20% 20%
100% 100%
IDEs And Text Editors
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Textastic and TouchDevelop. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Textastic 1 mention
TouchDevelop 0 mentions
  • Top 5 text editors for mobile in India 2021
    Textastic is a very popular text editor on IOS devices and it is from Alexander Blach. This text editor is has a lot of features and it supports more than 80 programming and markup languages including C++, C#, JavaScript, PHP, PERL,... - Source: dev.to / almost 5 years ago

Tracking TouchDevelop since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Textastic and TouchDevelop

When comparing Textastic and TouchDevelop, you can also consider the following products.

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