Sphero Edu vs Glider Guide
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
Glider Guide
Explore five real-world terrains in the US and learn about various land and water features. Test your knowledge with in-game assessments after each flight. Offers both first-person and top-down perspectives for immersive learning.
- Explore real-world US terrains
- Learn about 11 land/water features
- First-person and top-down views
- In-game knowledge assessments
- Educational simulation
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Soar above five real world terrains in the United States while learning about different types of land and water features. Observe eleven different land and water features including: mountains, plains, lakes, oceans, and mesas. View terrain maps from first-person and top-down view. Test your knowledge of land and water features after every flight with an in-game assessment.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Glider Guide at 5.0 against Sphero Edu's 4.5. Glider Guide also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). Sphero Edu's advantage is ratings volume (1.5K vs 3). 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.
Glider Guide holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Edu has 1.5K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Sphero Edu ships an update every 5 weeks, Glider Guide every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sphero Edu | Glider Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.5K ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 65.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.5K — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 2 weeks — 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 | 7.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 194 MB | 534 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sphero, Inc. | Smithsonian Institution |
Customer experience
Sphero Edu
Glider Guide
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
Glider Guide
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Sphero Edu
No in-app purchases
Glider Guide
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sphero Edu free?
Is Glider Guide free?
Which has better reviews, Sphero Edu or Glider Guide?
Do Sphero Edu or Glider Guide have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sphero Edu or Glider Guide?
Other comparisons
