Sphero Edu vs DroneBlocks
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sphero Edu
This app allows users to learn and create with programmable robots. It offers multiple coding methods, from drawing paths to advanced text-based programming. Educators can manage classes and track student progress, making learning fun and interactive.
- Multiple programming modes (Draw, Block, Text)
- Access sensor data via graphs
- Pre-made STEAM lessons
- Robot driving mode
- Assignment creation for educators
- Google/Clever account integration
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Sphero Edu is your hub to create, contribute, and learn with Sphero robots. Go beyond code by incorporating unique STEAM lessons to complete with your bot. Designed for learner progression, Sphero Edu beginners can give robots commands by drawing a path in the app for their robot to follow. Intermediate coders can use Scratch blocks to learn more advanced logic, while pros can use text programming and write their own JavaScript or Python code. Sphero Edu is built for makers, learners, educators, and parents. The interactive platform allows you to keep track of your class or group from one easy place. Anyone can save their progress, jump from device to device, and continue the discovery from anywhere. Preparing for the future has never been so fun. SPHERO EDU FEATURES PROGRAMS: Program your bots in 3 ways with Draw, Block, and Text modes. Start with the basics and grow. SENSOR DATA: See location, accelerometer, gyroscope, velocity, and distance sensor data through visual graphs. LESSONS: Program a painting. Navigate a maze. Mimic the solar system. The only limit is your imagination. TAKE A DRIVE: Need a brain break? Set LED colors on your robot and zoom around in Drive mode. ASSIGNMENTS: Are you a teacher? Monitor progress by creating lessons and assigning them to your students. INTEGRATIONS: Simplify classroom use by signing in and syncing classrooms with Google and Clever accounts. COMPATIBILITY Supported Robots: Sphero BOLT+, Sphero BOLT, Sphero RVR/RVR+, Sphero SPRK+, Sphero SPRK Edition, Sphero 2.0, Sphero Mini, Ollie, BB-8, BB-9E, R2-D2, R2-Q5 Unsupported Robots: Sphero Original, Force Band, Lightning McQueen, Spider-Man, indi
DroneBlocks
Program drones using a block-based interface. Create custom flight paths, control camera functions, and execute missions with virtual joysticks. Supports various drone models and offers pre-flight checks for compliance.
- Block programming interface
- Virtual joysticks for control
- Pre-flight compliance checks
- Camera and photo blocks
- Telemetry data display
- Offline mission storage
- Support for Tello and DJI drones
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What's New in 4.1.1 - We've made improvements and fixed bugs for a smoother flight. What's New in 4.1 - Pre-flight checks to ensure your flight commands are compliant with the drone specs. - The validations include: curve range, flight distance ranges, arc radius curve checks - User messages indicate which values are problematic in metric and imperial units. New in DroneBlocks 4.0 - Control your drone with virtual joysticks now included in the app New in DroneBlocks 3.6 - Tries to load blocks from the cache if your device is offline. New in DroneBlocks 3.5 - Bug fix for Tello Talent scrolling text and space characters - Simplify the connection process by setting focus to the SSID field and forcing capitalization New in DroneBlocks 3.4 - Support for Robomaster TT (aka Tello Talent) LED block coding! New in DroneBlocks 3.3 - Watch your blocks highlight as Tello executes its mission New in DroneBlocks 3.0 - Video feed for Tello & Tello EDU - Camera blocks that include "photo" and "photo interval" New in DroneBlocks 2.6 - Telemetry for Tello & Tello EDU (Altitude, ToF, Pitch, Roll, Yaw) New in DroneBlocks 2.5 - Offline storage. Users can access and save missions after logging in, accessing "My Missions", and going offline. New in DroneBlocks 2.4 - Improved Tello connection process - Added better handling of Tello network display - Fixed blank screen issue when switching between DJI and Tello blocks New in DroneBlocks 2.3 - Tello users can now set the default units to metric New in DroneBlocks 2.2.1 - DJI SDK 4.10 with improved support for Spark - Remember Tello blocks selection - Bug fix for switching back to Tello from DJI blocks New in DroneBlocks 2.1.0 - Tello EDU support - Improved command handling - Abort mission New in DroneBlocks 2.0.0 - Curve flight block for Tello New in DroneBlocks 1.2.7 - Bug fix for iPhone X and safe area conflict with menu New in DroneBlocks 1.2.6 - Spark Support!!!! - DJI SDK 4.6.1 New in DroneBlocks 1.2.5 - DJI SDK 4.5 New in DroneBlocks 1.2.4 - Improved Tello connection process New in DroneBlocks 1.2.4 - Fix for navigation mode not open error - Fix to improve the success of subsequent missions while in the air New in DroneBlocks 1.2.2 - Tello support: tap on hambuger icon and then tap "Connect to Tello" - Be sure to follow the Tello connection instructions - Free programming with Tello course at https://learn.droneblocks.io - DJI SDK 4.4.0 - Better land block handling - Don't require map preview for basic blocks like photo, yaw, gimbal New in DroneBlocks 1.2.1 - Fix for Google logins - Ability to switch between Google accounts New in DroneBlocks 1.2.0: - Users can now execute missions in mid air without needing takeoff and land blocks - Added speed to fly forward block - Added speed to yaw block - New photo interval block to take X number of photos at Y interval - New record video duration block DroneBlocks allows users to easily program fun and useful missions using block programming with the DJI Phantom 3, DJI Phantom 4, Mavic Pro and Inspire 1. Users can drag and drop blocks onto the canvas to command their drone to follow a basic flight plan. Coupled with the DroneBlocks curriculum, educators can teach students about all aspects of STEM. For example, lesson plan #2 is a "Dronie" mission that teaches students about geometry and determining the best angle to tilt the camera for the perfect dronie shot. Other lessons include learning how to use loops, fly in a star pattern, shoot a panorama, and much more. You can access our curriculum bundle online for free. Just go here and enroll in the course and you'll get access to eight fun programming lessons: http://learn.droneblocks.io DroneBlocks is currently being used in several classrooms around the country and we're looking forward to see what exciting and interesting missions our users will create!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Sphero Edu at 4.5 against DroneBlocks's 3.4. Sphero Edu also leads on ratings volume (1.5K vs 56) and review sentiment (65% vs 49%). DroneBlocks's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sphero Edu holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Edu has 1.5K ratings behind it against 56, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Sphero Edu's written reviews are positive against 49% of DroneBlocks's.
Sphero Edu ships an update every 5 weeks, DroneBlocks every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sphero Edu | DroneBlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better | 3.4 (56 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.3% of reviews — better | 48.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 56 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 194 MB | 85 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sphero, Inc. | DroneBlocks, LLC |
Customer experience
Sphero Edu
DroneBlocks
User reviews
Sphero Edu
From 1.5K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Excellent for learning to code
- 🚀 Fun and engaging to use
- 👍 Great for kids and adults
- 👍 Supports various Sphero models
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent connection issues
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs after updates
- 🔋 Battery life problems
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with older devices
- 🐛 Unreliable performance
DroneBlocks
From 56 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to code drone
- 👍 Great for educators
- 👍 Fun and engaging learning
- 👍 Potential for STEM programs
- 👍 Good for basic programming understanding
Room to improve
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections
- 🐛 Difficult to save/change missions
- 🐛 UI issues on small phones
- 🐛 App crashes frequently
Bugs and requests
Sphero Edu
Reported bugs
4 issues- Programs not saving properly
- Firmware update issues
- Inability to connect to certain Sphero models
- Sign-in and registration problems
Requested features
5 requests- Add more coding blocks and functionality
- Improve community features and sharing
- Restore legacy app features (e.g., free drive mode)
- Provide better documentation and tutorials
- Allow custom sound and light effects
DroneBlocks
Reported bugs
16 issues- App keeps crashing
- App breaks when trying to flip
- Drone blew up and smashed window
- App doesn't execute code
- App crashes after app crash
Show 11 moreShow fewer
- UI mushes together on small phones
- Screen remains completely blank
- App is blank
- Doesn't size screen properly on iPhone SE
- App hangs after connecting
- Camera and 'Land at Home' features inactive
- Internal error when connecting to Tello
- App glitches so much
- Barely connects
- Move blocks don't work
- UI unstable, sometimes shows nothing connected
Requested features
7 requests- Add camera controls for Tello
- Allow local saving of missions
- Improve UI for smaller phones
- Add more login options for Chinese users
- Support for metric units
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Longer distance control
- iPhone support
In-app purchases
Sphero Edu
No in-app purchases
DroneBlocks
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sphero Edu free?
Is DroneBlocks free?
Which has better reviews, Sphero Edu or DroneBlocks?
Do Sphero Edu or DroneBlocks have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sphero Edu or DroneBlocks?
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