TapCoding Reviews

by The Swanson Guarantee

The developer is not responsive. People have been complaining about the lack of a progress tracker within lessons for a long time. You would think an app that teaches you how to make apps would be better maintained. Especially for the price of further lessons.

The free content is extremely limited. It’s about 40 minutes to work through material that could be learned in under 10 minutes of reading. The exercises are not valuable, they are hoops to jump through that just provide filler, which is hugely disappointing.

There are 9 free lessons, the other 25 are $10. This material, plus much more, is readily available online for free. The depth of the course does not justify the price tag at all.

by Daverobeson

Update, 1 year later: I did end up paying the $10, and the developer stopped updating it a couple of weeks later. Seems abandoned now, so not worth the money in retrospect.

————

I like it overall and would like to support it by paying the full $10. But I need to see a couple of changes first:

1) Stop rating my typing accuracy; the iPad's keyboard is terrible for coding.
2) Because of the above, a custom coding keyboard is practically a must. Or allow us to opt out of the typing exercises because they're frustrating without a good keyboard.

I haven't used it on an iPhone yet, but agree with other reviewers that progress should sync across devices. The typos would only be concerning if they affect the accuracy of the information being presented, but they are kind of distracting.

by Dasheronimous

The language is mostly clear and the lessons offer a good level of difficulty for a first-time coder. Three faults keep this from being a GREAT app (and I would have made this suggestion in TapCoding , but the flag/feedback system is more suited to individual pages than TapCoding as a whole... so maybe four faults);

1. Everyone says it and it's true -- there needs to be a way to save progress in the middle of a lesson, when you don't have a full 15-20 minutes.

2. Navigation is limited to single-step-forward. I need a way to go back and look something up without starting each section over (and doing each exercise until I reach the page I need).

3. The tap function is a great idea -- really makes TapCoding work on a phone or tablet. However, the typing function doesn't make sense. I get that there's a memory component to typing... but I think that only works with touch-typing on a keyboard. Hunt-and-peck (with just your thumbs, no less) doesn't provide the same memory-improving haptic connection. The virtual keyboard of touch devices requires too much attention to spaces, shifts, and navigating the letter/number/symbol keypad.

Plus, it's hell on the thumbs.

Some great ideas and a good lesson plan (I bought the full package) but these three issues hamstring the learning process.

by AJays1993

Lessons take several minutes to complete and progress cannot be saved within each lesson. I've had to run through the same steps on a lesson multiple times just because I didn't have the time to complete it on my last attempt. Let's get some auto saving progress!!

Also, TapCoding introduces Xcode and playgrounds but doesn't give a good step by step guide of how to use them. Show me how to make a calculator/game app on Xcode or something please?

by #takes Too Long

Read bottom after this
I started with unity, but I was just following instructions, I never learned anything, I didn't know what int or var meant, and got frustrated, and rage quit. But with TapCoding, it gives you instructions, tips, and places to turn to. No in app purchases, no premium, just free help. This is my first day, and I've already learned a lot. 6 stars.

Nvm, I got further in, and then you have to pay 6 bucks for the rest of the lessons. 4 stars. Only the first 9 lessons are free. Sorry for the wrong info.

by Maryjv74

I've been taking my time going through the lessons. I like the smaller lesson sizes. It makes things a little easier to learn for me. I do wish, however, there was a "bookmark" way to continue where you left off if you have to stop a lesson and also for me, I think the option for use in landscape mode would make the typing portions much easier and quicker to complete.

by TmariaT

I’ve only just begun working with TapCoding but so far I am loving it. It is clear, concise and easily understood, even for someone who has never coded before and wants to learn something new or just wants to understand “how it works”. Highly recommend.....

by BMBilich

I'm two days deep into the curriculum and I really love it, so far. I am fairly computer savvy but I'm new to coding. Other similar apps- however- aren't challenging enough at first. But TapCoding starts at the right level of difficulty ... challenging enough to keep my attention yet not too intimidating.

by Lonzia

I really like how well paced TapCoding is. It introduces new concepts only once previous ones have been thoroughly explained and tested. I've tried 3 other apps and online courses and this has by far, been the most effective. 5 stars!

by 875368880

I like it so far! A nice tool to stay on track and not forget the basics when it’s very hard for you to focus for a long time. Using TapCoding in addition to learning Swift with a book, hope for no ridiculously priced paywall later in TapCoding .

by CarolynBikerGirl

I am greatly impressed with and grateful for TapCoding. The method is consistent, clear and methodical. It is also helping me to gain the habit of taking time each day to learn as opposed to going full on one day and then nothing for two weeks and losing much of what I've learned. I've been able to retain all of what I've learned this way and feel I will be better off when I get to the point where I start the actual programming. In the time after each lesson, I think about what apps I'd like to develop. I have one set of apps in mind and now I will begin to lay out a more specific plan on TapCoding , modules for TapCoding , pricing for the modules, etc. Each day a little toward the goal. Thank you!!

by Kim_Diesel

I loved TapCoding and it’s clear and concise teaching. I finished all the courses but now that I’m ready for more advanced topics I’m sad this developer doesn’t have a follow-up course. TapCoding works offline so it’s great for forcing yourself to be productive when you lose signal!

by Al4jax

I have tried other coding apps in the past. But this one is the easiest to learn and keep track of what you are learning. Very Glad I found it. Makes learning easy. I look foreword to my lessons every day.

by LearningHowToCode

Good way to learn swift on your iPhone. I don’t why people cry about spending money. A lot of hours were put in making TapCoding. The developer needs to make money to. You learning swift to make apps. Would you just give those away for free after putting in a lot hours making it?

by WesKnights

I have started and stopped with learning Swift several times. TapCoding has finally got me all in on learning. TapCoding is great I just don’t think the typing portion is that great or just needs to be a larger font. Also, dark mode or themes would be great cause the constant white background is straining.

by New2Sonos

I mostly wanted to rate and thank the developers for TapCoding . It has kept my interest and kept me motivated and learning Swift.

Also wanted to note one issue that I think should be corrected (or explained if I am wrong). In the second Optionals lesson, there is a variable pollResponse typed as String? I am certain this should be a Bool? based on the exercise.

Otherwise, fantastic!!

by Gonzo-the-Great

First of all, it’s free. You can buy early access to lessons or you can go at the recommended pace and the lessons will unlock as you go.

Second, coding is very sensitive to typos. Most of the concepts are clearly written but I’ve found a few typos. There’s a mechanism to report them.

Third, it utilizes a creative way of using the iOS GUI to learn the basics of Swift. Very cool.

by YoooKc

I've never actually learned coding before, and have only played with basic HTML as a kid. I got TapCoding because I had an idea for creating an app but wanted to know how impossible it might be to learn the coding language. So far, I've only completed the basics available, but learning the language as someone with no coding background no longer seems impossible thanks to TapCoding. One key element that I truly value is that it breaks down lingo into real world examples that anyone can understand. Thanks !

by SentientHuman

I've now worked my way through all the available modules and units in this app (including those you have to pay for). It's been a great experience, and I'm happy I used TapCoding. I feel like a got a good basic overview of Swift, with a solid number of examples.

Reaching the end, sadly, felt a little abrupt. I wish TapCoding had given information on whether more modules are planned, or suggestions for where to go to learn more.

That said, I do recommend this app. Now I'm off to find more ways to play with Swift! :D

by Keillorkjstudio

I am around a week in and I have already started to use TapCoding more than all of my other programming apps combined. TapCoding is convenient easy to use and most of all fun.
This is a must download for a wannabe coder or beginner. I am there now and I am enjoyable!, Highly recommend TapCoding!, good work guys.

by Kgeigvcxehjrtjffhg

Dasheronimous made some excellent suggestions for TapCoding 3 years ago, but I notice that these suggestions have not been adopted. I would strongly urge the developer to adopt these suggestions if they want to take TapCoding to the next level. Having said that, I have enjoyed using TapCoding in conjunction with a book. This makes it so much easier for a novice like me, because the book can sometimes be difficult to follow.

by Sgiwiz

I've checked out a few of these coding tutorial apps, this is the first one I found that explains WHY to do things, not just WHAT to type. So, top rating for that.

But... Not being able to put lessons on pause without loosing progress is crazy. So, one point off for that.