It is not often that I come by an app that appeals to me so much that I just had to get it, especially not at the $9.99 price point. Textastic however is one of these apps that is a must-have if you like me are a web designer and developer.
This is the first app that I have seen on the app store that lets me write and edit code files right on my iPad! This is a very important thing because it leaves one less thing that I have to bring my laptop for on shorter trips for example. It also means that wherever I am and have my iPad with me (which is very often), clients can have their sites fixed immediately, should something happen.
File format support
In terms of file formats, Textastic supports a ton of them, from HTML and CSS via PHP to formats like PDF files, if you like to code them yourself. All of these syntax definitions supported by the app have full syntax highlighting enabled, making it easier for you to read the code. Missing however is any type of code auto-completion. Even though that might be asking a lot of the iPad, it would of course be very nice. Don’t worry though, there is a workaround. Textastic supports Text Expander which has a built-in library of both HTML and CSS snippets for you to use to code quicker. It’s something to help, albeit not exactly the same.
It does FTP!
Here is when we get to the feature that truly turns Textastic into a definite and unthreatened five-star application. Not only can you share files to the app via Dropbox (which had in itself been very good). Developers of the app have built in full FTP server support which means that you can go right to your different server accounts and pull and upload files. This is truly editing on the go in a not that bad format.
Interface
Normally on every review penned by me, the interface comes first. For Textastic there is nothing to complain about. You are presented with a very Apple-esque interface using all the default iPad styles. It just looks great and functions the very same. Yes, it also has a beautiful logo!
Verdict
I fell in love with Textastic right when I saw the screenshots on the app store and then the features. Once I bought it and started using it, its greatness became even clearer to me. As far as a recommendation, I would not hesitate to recommend this to the designer or developer who writes code, nor to any person who has to need to do so frequently.
Textastic does come at a certain price point, $9.99, enough to scare many off. Don’t let it do that however. This is an app that has a pleasing interface and a terrific feature-set. Everything about the app makes up its price which I must say is correctly set.
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Thanks for the review, very useful.
Have you come across a wysiwyg editor, say like a basic version of dreamweaver where you could create a gallery, add a few new images to the gallery page, fine tune the look a bit then upload?
The only thing it’s missing is secure FTP. Believe me, it’s trivial to intercept your unencrypted FTP login info. I believe the developer said he’s working on it, though; it’s one of those encryption “export control” issues that’s beyond his control.
I bought this last night after reading a number of reviews, including yours Erik. It was a steal at $10.
The documentation is really good, it works well with TextExpander for snippets, which I have only slightly explored, works with Dropbox and has handled most of the sites I am webmaster of so far.
Once you figure out how to use it, it really is quick and simple to update files. I like the WedDav connection feature also that lets you connect to your Mac and easily delete or add files on the iPad app.
Of course there will always be features it does not have, but the developer is working on those and the documentation in the forum is pretty good, plus you get to vote for new features.
Nice web design/development app for the iPad.
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Hmm it comes up In german on AppStore
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