# mBlockly for mBot vs VEXcode 123

The clearest difference is update cadence: mBlockly for mBot at every 2 months against VEXcode 123's every 4 months. mBlockly for mBot also leads on iOS requirement (7.1 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

mBlockly for mBot ships an update every 2 months, VEXcode 123 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | mBlockly for mBot | VEXcode 123 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.5 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mblockly-for-mbot/id1041863919/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **6** | — |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 10 MB | 408 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Makeblock Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1002364464) | [VEX Robotics, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1162973741) |

## What reviewers say

### mBlockly for mBot

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mblockly-for-mbot/id1041863919)

Learn programming by controlling a robot with graphical building blocks. This app allows your robot to sense its environment, move, and react to commands, turning your tablet into a controller for interactive learning experiences.

**Highlights:** Block-based programming interface, Robot sensor integration (ultrasonic, line-tracking, lightness), Bluetooth robot control, Tablet gyroscope control, Interactive learning

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### VEXcode 123

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vexcode-123/id1501755917)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is mBlockly for mBot free?

mBlockly for mBot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is VEXcode 123 free?

VEXcode 123 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do mBlockly for mBot or VEXcode 123 have ads?

Neither mBlockly for mBot nor VEXcode 123 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, mBlockly for mBot or VEXcode 123?

mBlockly for mBot ships an update every 2 months, and VEXcode 123 every 4 months. Most recently, mBlockly for mBot was updated on October 14, 2026 and VEXcode 123 on October 13, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*