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Pythonista
What it is
Pythonista is a paid iPhone and iPad development environment for writing and running Python scripts. Pythonista 3 costs $9.99, paid once, with no in-app purchases. Its editor includes syntax highlighting, code completion, an outline, multiple tabs, and a Python-focused keyboard. An interactive prompt runs snippets and calculations and can display images and plots. The integrated debugger supports breakpoints, line-by-line stepping, call-stack inspection, and variable values, while an integrated test runner is also listed. Pythonista includes libraries for 2D graphics, multitouch, sound effects, and accelerometer access. Scripts can use iOS data and features including the clipboard, contacts, reminders, photos, motion sensors, and location. NumPy and matplotlib support scientific computation and visualization. An integrated UI Editor creates script interfaces without writing interface code. Documentation is available offline inside the app, and extensions launch scripts from the share sheet, Shortcuts automations, or a system-wide keyboard. Pythonista supports Python 3.10; Python 3.13 support is in development. The App Store listing says it is not designed for installing additional modules with compiled C or C++ dependencies.
For and against
For
- Full Python editor with code completion
- Integrated debugger and test runner
- NumPy and matplotlib included
- Offline Python documentation
- Access to iOS features and data
Against
- Available only on iOS
- Cannot install modules with C/C++ dependencies
- Python 3.13 support is still in development
- One-time purchase costs $9.99
The verdict
Pythonista packs Python development, debugging, testing, graphics, scientific tools, and iOS integrations into one iPhone and iPad app. Its module restriction and iOS-only availability matter for projects requiring compiled dependencies or other platforms.
Who it suits
Pythonista suits iPhone and iPad users who want to write, run, debug, and test Python scripts locally. It also fits users needing iOS data access, scientific libraries, graphics, or shortcut-based script launching.
Plans and prices
Pythonista 3
iPhone and iPad app · cannot install additional modules with C/C++ dependencies
Read 8 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
On the record
- Debugger
- The integrated debugger supports breakpoints, line-by-line stepping, call-stack inspection, and variable values.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Python documentation is available to read inside the app without an internet connection.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Editor
- Its code editor includes syntax highlighting, code completion, an outline view, multiple tabs, and a Python-specific on-screen keyboard.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- It includes libraries for 2D graphics, multitouch, sound effects, and accelerometer access.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- App extensions let users run scripts from the iOS share sheet, Shortcuts automations, and a system-wide keyboard.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Interactive prompt
- The interactive prompt can run code snippets, perform calculations, and display images and plots.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- iOS access
- Scripts can access iOS features and data including the clipboard, contacts, reminders, photos, motion sensors, and location data.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Module limit
- The App Store listing says Pythonista is not designed to install or download additional modules with compiled-language dependencies such as C or C++.apps.apple.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The product page links to a privacy policy.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Pythonista is a development environment for writing and running Python scripts on iPhone and iPad.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Python version
- The product page says Pythonista supports Python 3.10 and that Python 3.13 support is in development.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Scientific tools
- Pythonista includes NumPy and matplotlib for scientific computation and data visualization.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The product page links to a community forum, documentation, release notes, and a bug tracker.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- UI editor
- The integrated UI Editor lets users create interfaces for scripts without writing code.omz-software.com · read 8 Oct 2026
