Comparison

Sphero Edu vs Jimu

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Jimu

Build, control, and program robotic creations using interactive 3D assembly guides and a graphical programming interface. Design custom actions, convert code to Swift, and share your robotic designs with a community.

Highlights
  • 3D assembly guides
  • Pre-programmed robot actions
  • Custom action creation
  • Graphical programming interface
  • Code conversion to Swift
  • Robot model design and sharing
Features
Read full description

Build, control and program Jimu Robots with this app. With 3D video guide on how to assemble your Jimu Robot and tons of pre-programmed actions for each robot model, you will be able to start playing with your Jimu Robot from the start. You can create custom actions for each robot model, and learn how to program robots with graphical programming interface. You can even view how the graphically programing code would look like when converted to Swift. Feeling creative? Design and create your own Jimu Robot models and share them with other users. Program custom actions and show off your latest robotic creations in both pictures and videos.

Screenshots

Sphero Edu4 screens
Jimu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sphero Edu at 4.5 against Jimu's 3.7. Sphero Edu also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 37%) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 434). Jimu's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (9.0 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sphero Edu holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 434 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Sphero Edu's written reviews are positive against 37% of Jimu's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sphero Edu ships an update every 5 weeks, Jimu monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Sphero Edu versus Jimu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSphero EduJimu
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better3.7 (434 ratings)
Positive reviews65.3% of reviews — better36.7% of reviews
Number of ratings1.5K — better434
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size194 MB197 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSphero, Inc.UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP

Customer experience

Sphero Edu

All ratings1,532 ratings
Positive86.9%
Neutral3.5%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews274 reviews
Positive65.3%
Neutral7.7%
Negative27.0%

Jimu

All ratings434 ratings
Positive66.1%
Neutral5.3%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive36.7%
Neutral9.5%
Negative53.7%

User reviews

Sphero Edu

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What 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

Jimu

From 434 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app and product
  • 👍 Awesome for kids
  • 👍 Excellent connection and great robots
  • 👍 Awesome experience
  • 👍 Very cool and fun to build

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Poorly laid out for iOS
  • 🐛 App problems and glitches
  • 🐛 Can't register or login issues
  • 🐛 Instructions won't download
  • 🐛 Pieces do not fit or are missing

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

Jimu

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Coding screen doesn't work
  • Can't select different builds
  • App crashes during building
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • More help and guidance in the app
  • Ability to purchase missing parts
  • Improved app stability and reliability

In-app purchases

None

Sphero Edu

No in-app purchases

None

Jimu

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sphero Edu free?
Sphero Edu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Jimu free?
Jimu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Sphero Edu or Jimu?
Sphero Edu is rated higher. Sphero Edu averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Jimu averages 3.7 from 434 ratings.
Do Sphero Edu or Jimu have ads?
Neither Sphero Edu nor Jimu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sphero Edu or Jimu?
Sphero Edu ships an update every 5 weeks, and Jimu monthly. Most recently, Sphero Edu was updated on October 22, 2026 and Jimu on October 21, 2026.

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