Sphero Edu vs MIT App Inventor
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
MIT App Inventor
Learn computational thinking and app development by building your own mobile applications. This educational tool uses a block-based programming language and offers tutorials for workshops. Test and debug your creations directly on your device.
- Block-based programming language
- Design and code mobile apps
- Test and debug projects
- Built-in tutorials
- Over 60 components
- Learn computational thinking
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MIT App Inventor is an educational tool to learn computational thinking and computational action principles through building mobile apps. Used by over one million people worldwide every year, it is one of the premier platforms for computer science education. Use this companion app to test drive projects, debug blocks code, and show your friends and family your creations. Using a blocks based programming language, design and code your own projects, or use one of the many books and curricula to learn about coding. App Inventor also includes built-in tutorials for running student workshops. This version of App Inventor includes over 60 components, from user interface elements such as buttons and switches, to sensors, connectivity and multimedia components so your projects can interact with the world.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sphero Edu at 65% against MIT App Inventor's 20%. Sphero Edu also leads on rating (4.5 vs 2.6) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 18). MIT App Inventor's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Edu has 1.5K ratings behind it against 18, 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 20% of MIT App Inventor's.
Sphero Edu ships an update every 5 weeks, MIT App Inventor every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sphero Edu | MIT App Inventor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better | 2.6 (18 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.3% of reviews — better | 19.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 18 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 3 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 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 194 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sphero, Inc. | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Customer experience
Sphero Edu
MIT App Inventor
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
MIT App Inventor
From 18 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 💡 Great for learning and creating apps
- 👍 Useful for school and coding classes
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔌 Connectivity issues, especially with iOS devices
- 👎 Confusing and outdated user interface
- ⚠️ Unreliable and glitchy performance
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
MIT App Inventor
Reported bugs
3 issues- App frequently crashes or freezes
- Connectivity problems when trying to test apps
- Inconsistent behavior and unexpected errors
Requested features
3 requests- Improved compatibility with modern devices and operating systems
- More intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Better error handling and debugging tools
In-app purchases
Sphero Edu
No in-app purchases
MIT App Inventor
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sphero Edu free?
Is MIT App Inventor free?
Which has better reviews, Sphero Edu or MIT App Inventor?
Do Sphero Edu or MIT App Inventor have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sphero Edu or MIT App Inventor?
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