Comparison

Sphero Edu vs NWEA Secure Testing

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

Head to head
About

Sphero Edu

Learn coding and STEAM concepts by programming Sphero robots. Offers multiple programming modes from drawing paths to text-based coding, with interactive lessons and progress tracking for learners and educators.

Highlights
  • Multiple programming modes (Draw, Block, Text)
  • STEAM lesson integration
  • Sensor data visualization
  • Classroom management tools
  • Cross-device progress saving
  • Google and 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

NWEA Secure Testing

This application allows K-12 students to take standardized assessments on an iPad. It supports various NWEA tests, including MAP Growth and state summative assessments, ensuring a secure testing environment.

Highlights
  • K-12 assessment delivery
  • iPad compatibility
  • MAP Growth support
  • MAP Growth K-2 support
  • State summative assessments
Features
Read full description

The NWEA™ Secure Testing app provides students the ability to complete our K–12 assessments on an iPad®. The app supports MAP® Growth™, MAP Growth K-2 and NWEA state summative assessments.

Screenshots

Sphero Edu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sphero Edu at 65% against NWEA Secure Testing's 18%. Sphero Edu also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.5) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 8 months). On price, ratings volume, 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 1.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 1.4K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Sphero Edu's written reviews are positive against 18% of NWEA Secure Testing's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sphero Edu ships an update every 5 weeks, NWEA Secure Testing every 8 months. Both last shipped on November 13, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Sphero Edu versus NWEA Secure Testing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSphero EduNWEA Secure Testing
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better1.5 (1.4K ratings)
Positive reviews65.3% of reviews — better18.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1.5K — better1.4K
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size198 MB0 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSphero, Inc.NWEA

Customer experience

Sphero Edu

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

NWEA Secure Testing

All ratings1,350 ratings
Positive11.9%
Neutral1.5%
Negative86.7%
Written reviews241 reviews
Positive18.3%
Neutral4.6%
Negative77.2%

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

NWEA Secure Testing

From 1.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📊 Accurate assessment of student progress
  • ⏱️ Efficient testing experience
  • 💻 Works well on computers

Room to improve

  • 🤯 Overly difficult and stressful questions
  • 🔒 Restrictive app lock feature
  • 🕰️ Inconsistent test duration
  • 🤢 Caused health issues for some users

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

NWEA Secure Testing

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent app crashes and freezes
  • Compatibility issues with certain devices
  • Inconsistent test results

Requested features

3 requests
  • Allow going back to previous questions
  • Provide more detailed feedback on performance
  • Adjust question difficulty to grade level

In-app purchases

None

Sphero Edu

No in-app purchases

None

NWEA Secure Testing

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sphero Edu free?
Sphero Edu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NWEA Secure Testing free?
NWEA Secure Testing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Sphero Edu or NWEA Secure Testing?
Sphero Edu is rated higher. Sphero Edu averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while NWEA Secure Testing averages 1.5 from 1.4K ratings.
Do Sphero Edu or NWEA Secure Testing have ads?
Neither Sphero Edu nor NWEA Secure Testing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sphero Edu or NWEA Secure Testing?
Sphero Edu ships an update every 5 weeks, and NWEA Secure Testing every 8 months. Most recently, Sphero Edu was updated on November 13, 2026 and NWEA Secure Testing on November 13, 2026.

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