13 Best Coding Apps for iPad for Functional App Development and Learning (2024)

Do you need to code on the go for work or brush up on your coding skills while traveling? Your iPad could significantly help code if you use these best coding apps.

The Apple M2 or M1 Chip makes iPads a powerhouse of computing. These processors pack robust computing capabilities like multi-core GPUs, Apple Neural Engine, high-speed memory bandwidth, and extra RAM chips.

Hence, your iPad is powerful enough to develop applications, run servers for app testing, accelerate neural network operations, and more.

Best Coding Apps for iPad for Professional App Developers

1. GitHub Codespaces

GitHub Codespaces is the web app version for Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Since there is no iPadOS app to run Visual Studio software development kit (SDK) on iPad, you can use this cloud app on Safari or Google Chrome browser.

The app is free for personal use, so there is no need to break the bank for professional coding if you’re a solo developer. It comes with all the usual features of Microsoft Visual Studio Code, like virtual servers, build codes, test codes, setting up complex coding projects, code completion, and many more.

Moreover, this web-based coding SDK lets you sync projects between the Codespaces environment and the Visual Studio Code editor on a desktop PC. Hence, you can work on a coding project during traveling and then pick it up where you left off from the desktop app.

2. Koder Code Editor

Koder is a popular free code editor for iPhone and iPad devices. It includes standard code editor features like snippet manager, syntax highlighting, find and replace code, tabbed editing, remote and local files connections, and so on.

You can also use its built-in drag-and-drop feature to edit code files from a working copy. Furthermore, you can use an external iPad keyboard for fast code editing on this iPad coding app.

The code editor is compatible with 80+ programming languages. For example, developers working on iPads usually use Ada, Actionscript, Java, Perl, PHP, Powershell, SQL, VB, CoffeeScript, and more.

3. Pyto

Pyto is a Python 3.10 integrated development environment (IDE) for iPad and iPhone. You can create and run code directly on your device with or without the internet. Its notable features for app development in Python language are:

• All the standard libraries of Python 3.0
• A coding terminal that accepts UNIX commands
• AI code completion
• Script breakpoints
• Supports Toga and PytoUI for user interface (UI) creation

You can use the 3-day trial offer for free. Then, it would be best to buy any of the paid versions that cost between $6.99 to $14.99 to use the app.

4. Replit

Replit takes coding on iPad to the next stage by offering professional coding project templates. You can use these templates for games, web apps, native apps, etc., to develop your apps. You must edit some of the codes, change the brand logos, choose your own color palettes, etc.

Other exclusive features of this iPad coding app are:

• Collaborative coding online
• Code in any framework and language
• Host apps without any server setup
• Built-in replAuth tool to create login UI and credentials for the users

Moreover, the app is free to download and develop projects on iPad or iPhone.

5. JavaScript Anywhere

You’ll love JavaScript Anywhere if you’re a web developer or designer. You can create, edit, review, and debug HTML, JS, and CSS on the go. Find below its salient features:

• Syntax highlighting
• Code editor configuring and customizing
• Simple Wi-Fi-based server for code testing
• Free project templates in jQuery, p5, Bootstrap, React, and Basic.

Expert developers consider it one of the best coding apps for iPad for the above functionalities. Also, the app is freely available on App Store.

6. Mobile C

Mobile C is a free iPad app that offers an offline compilation of C/C++ codes. Besides C/C++, it also supports the following programming languages:

• Python 3
• Lua
• OpenGL ES 2 GLSL
• LLVM Assembly

You’ll also love this app for the following code editor features:

• A native shell or terminal for coding
• C/C++ autocomplete
• C/C++ jump to the declaration, macro symbol, and header

7. CodeSnack IDE

CodeSnack IDE helps you to develop front-end and back-end apps for public consumption. You can learn programming from easy-to-understand examples, practice programming, and create commercial projects from scratch without using any computer.

Its coding features include the following:

• Write, debug, edit, and run codes like Mac or PC
• Use frameworks like React, React Native, Capacitor, Ionic, etc., to develop real-world apps
• Use any coding language that you love
• 1000+ example projects for free

The app comes with in-app purchases. The items cost between $4.99 to $49.99 for various app subscriptions.

8. Textastic Code Editor

Textastic is another versatile and comprehensive programming script editor for iPad. The app also comes for iPhones. It has a vast library of syntaxes and automatic code completion for 80+ coding languages.

A programmer can work on live servers by connecting the app interface with a functional app database in an FTP, WebDAV, or SFTP server. You need to pay $9.99 to buy the app for lifetime usage.

Best Coding Apps for iPad for Learning

9. Swift Playgrounds

To be a successful developer for iOS and iPadOS domains, you must start learning Swift and SwiftUI with Swift Playgrounds app. Apple developed this app to increase the accessibility of Apple app development learning content.

It offers interactive puzzle games through which you learn coding, app development, UIs, and more. The app is available for free only on compatible iPad devices.

10. Sololearn: Learn to Code Apps

Sololearn is a full-service app for learning to code online. The app is a suitable iPad app for kids, teenagers, college students, and professionals.

It offers learning content, lab projects, practicing interfaces, and final assessments. You also get certificates once you complete coding tests.

The app teaches anyone to code in languages like HTML, CSS, Java, Python, PHP, SQL, Ruby, and more. However, it’s a premium app offering in-app purchases from $6.99 to $69.99.

11. Programming Hub

Are you looking for a gamified programming app? You can try out Programming Hub. It prepares you to code for any device and framework with its vast library of coding lessons, examples, and practices.

You can explore coding projects of your choice from more than 20 programming languages and more than 5,000 projects. Subscriptions for this app come within the range of $1.49 to $31.99.

12. Codecademy Go

If you’re taking coding lessons on Codeacademy, you’ll need to install Codecademy Go on your iPad to practice coding. The app is suitable for acquiring practical experience in the following:

• Data Science
• Web development
• CSS and HTML
• Python
• SQL
• JavaScript

The app is free to download and use. There are no in-app purchases.

13. Design+Code

Design+Code helps you become a UI designer and a coder for web apps, iOS apps, iPadOS apps, and more. Its notable features are as below:

• Use the latest tools while learning design-centric coding
• Save course progress and video lectures
• Download lecture videos for offline consumption
• Get certificates after course completion

You can get its monthly plan for $21.99. Other popular subscriptions are 6-Month ($89.99) and annual($139.99).

Best Coding Apps for iPad: Final Words

Now you know which are the best coding apps for iPad. Give any of the above a try depending on your professional or career requirements.

If we missed any excellent iPad coding apps you use, mention them in the comment box below to let the coding community know.

Next up, online tech skills course sites to develop the trending IT skills.