Sphero Edu vs Open Roberta Mobile
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
Open Roberta Mobile
Visually program robots and microcontrollers using a drag-and-drop interface. Wirelessly transfer your creations to compatible hardware like LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 via Bluetooth. Explore a gallery of shared programs and access live coding help.
- Visual programming language (NEPO®)
- Robot and microcontroller control
- Wireless Bluetooth transfer
- Program sharing gallery
- Live coding help
- Multi-language support
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Code and play – welcome to the Open Roberta Lab, where you bring robots and microcontrollers to life. By “dragging and dropping” the visual programming language NEPO® you can quickly and playfully create programs for different systems, e.g. the LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0. The “Open Roberta mobile” app enables you to transfer your NEPO programs to the WeDo 2.0 wirelessly via Bluetooth – no matter whether you are using a smartphone or a tablet. Open Roberta comes with many extras • One programming language for many robots • Gallery for sharing programs • Live help for a quick introduction to coding • Source view • Various languages for users worldwide • And many more
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Sphero Edu at 4.5 against Open Roberta Mobile's 2.5. Sphero Edu also leads on ratings volume (1.5K vs 4). Open Roberta Mobile's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 weeks) and 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 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Edu has 1.5K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Sphero Edu ships an update every 5 weeks, Open Roberta Mobile every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.
| Parameter | Sphero Edu | Open Roberta Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better | 2.5 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 2 days — better |
| 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 | 9.3 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 194 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sphero, Inc. | Fraunhofer |
Customer experience
Sphero Edu
Open Roberta Mobile
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
Open Roberta Mobile
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Sphero Edu
No in-app purchases
Open Roberta Mobile
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sphero Edu free?
Is Open Roberta Mobile free?
Which has better reviews, Sphero Edu or Open Roberta Mobile?
Do Sphero Edu or Open Roberta Mobile have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sphero Edu or Open Roberta Mobile?
Other comparisons
