Comparison

DroneBlocks vs SAM Root

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

Head to head
About

DroneBlocks

Program drones using a block-based interface. Create custom flight paths, control camera functions, and execute missions with virtual joysticks. Supports various drone models and offers pre-flight checks for compliance.

Highlights
  • Block programming interface
  • Virtual joysticks for control
  • Pre-flight compliance checks
  • Camera and photo blocks
  • Telemetry data display
  • Offline mission storage
  • Support for Tello and DJI drones
Features
Read full description

What's New in 4.1.1 - We've made improvements and fixed bugs for a smoother flight. What's New in 4.1 - Pre-flight checks to ensure your flight commands are compliant with the drone specs. - The validations include: curve range, flight distance ranges, arc radius curve checks - User messages indicate which values are problematic in metric and imperial units. New in DroneBlocks 4.0 - Control your drone with virtual joysticks now included in the app New in DroneBlocks 3.6 - Tries to load blocks from the cache if your device is offline. New in DroneBlocks 3.5 - Bug fix for Tello Talent scrolling text and space characters - Simplify the connection process by setting focus to the SSID field and forcing capitalization New in DroneBlocks 3.4 - Support for Robomaster TT (aka Tello Talent) LED block coding! New in DroneBlocks 3.3 - Watch your blocks highlight as Tello executes its mission New in DroneBlocks 3.0 - Video feed for Tello & Tello EDU - Camera blocks that include "photo" and "photo interval" New in DroneBlocks 2.6 - Telemetry for Tello & Tello EDU (Altitude, ToF, Pitch, Roll, Yaw) New in DroneBlocks 2.5 - Offline storage. Users can access and save missions after logging in, accessing "My Missions", and going offline. New in DroneBlocks 2.4 - Improved Tello connection process - Added better handling of Tello network display - Fixed blank screen issue when switching between DJI and Tello blocks New in DroneBlocks 2.3 - Tello users can now set the default units to metric New in DroneBlocks 2.2.1 - DJI SDK 4.10 with improved support for Spark - Remember Tello blocks selection - Bug fix for switching back to Tello from DJI blocks New in DroneBlocks 2.1.0 - Tello EDU support - Improved command handling - Abort mission New in DroneBlocks 2.0.0 - Curve flight block for Tello New in DroneBlocks 1.2.7 - Bug fix for iPhone X and safe area conflict with menu New in DroneBlocks 1.2.6 - Spark Support!!!! - DJI SDK 4.6.1 New in DroneBlocks 1.2.5 - DJI SDK 4.5 New in DroneBlocks 1.2.4 - Improved Tello connection process New in DroneBlocks 1.2.4 - Fix for navigation mode not open error - Fix to improve the success of subsequent missions while in the air New in DroneBlocks 1.2.2 - Tello support: tap on hambuger icon and then tap "Connect to Tello" - Be sure to follow the Tello connection instructions - Free programming with Tello course at https://learn.droneblocks.io - DJI SDK 4.4.0 - Better land block handling - Don't require map preview for basic blocks like photo, yaw, gimbal New in DroneBlocks 1.2.1 - Fix for Google logins - Ability to switch between Google accounts New in DroneBlocks 1.2.0: - Users can now execute missions in mid air without needing takeoff and land blocks - Added speed to fly forward block - Added speed to yaw block - New photo interval block to take X number of photos at Y interval - New record video duration block DroneBlocks allows users to easily program fun and useful missions using block programming with the DJI Phantom 3, DJI Phantom 4, Mavic Pro and Inspire 1. Users can drag and drop blocks onto the canvas to command their drone to follow a basic flight plan. Coupled with the DroneBlocks curriculum, educators can teach students about all aspects of STEM. For example, lesson plan #2 is a "Dronie" mission that teaches students about geometry and determining the best angle to tilt the camera for the perfect dronie shot. Other lessons include learning how to use loops, fly in a star pattern, shoot a panorama, and much more. You can access our curriculum bundle online for free. Just go here and enroll in the course and you'll get access to eight fun programming lessons: http://learn.droneblocks.io DroneBlocks is currently being used in several classrooms around the country and we're looking forward to see what exciting and interesting missions our users will create!

About

SAM Root

Learn programming through interactive robotics with three progressive coding levels, from graphical blocks to Python 3. Control robots in real-time or test your code with a built-in 3D simulator.

Highlights
  • Three progressive coding levels
  • Graphical blocks to Python 3
  • Real-time robot control
  • Built-in 3D simulator
  • Seamless level switching
  • Bluetooth robot pairing
Read full description

SAM Root makes it easy and fun to learn programming through hands-on robotics! With three progressive coding levels—from graphical blocks to hybrid blocks to Python 3 syntax—you’ll be building real coding skills and controlling robots in no time. MASTER CODING WITH 3 LEARNING LEVELS No coding experience? No problem! SAM Root meets you where you are and grows with your skills: - LEVEL 1: Graphical Blocks – Start with drag-and-drop, graphical blocks to grasp the fundamentals of coding logic—no reading required. - LEVEL 2: Hybrid Blocks – Transition into more advanced coding structure with blocks that blend visuals and coding script. - LEVEL 3: Python Code Blocks – Discover the structure and syntax of professional coding languages with full-text Python 3 code blocks. SEAMLESSLY SWITCH BETWEEN LEVELS Change coding levels anytime with a tap. SAM Root automatically converts your code, so you can match your skill level and learn the professional Python syntax behind each block. CONNECT TO ROOT ROBOTS Pair with a Root coding robot via Bluetooth and bring your programs to life! Control movement, lights, sounds, sensors, and more—while watching your code run in real time. TEST WITH THE BUILT-IN SIMULATOR Use the built-in 3D simulator to test your programs, speed up execution, and try new ideas—all without needing hardware.

Screenshots

DroneBlocks4 screens
SAM Root4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SAM Root at 3.8 against DroneBlocks's 3.4. SAM Root also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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

SAM Root holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 56 and 42 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 49% of DroneBlocks's written reviews are positive against 46% of SAM Root's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DroneBlocks ships an update every 2 months, SAM Root monthly. The most recent releases landed on August 5, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
DroneBlocks versus SAM Root: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDroneBlocksSAM Root
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (56 ratings)3.8 (42 ratings) — better
Positive reviews48.9% of reviews — better46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings56 — better42
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDroneBlocks, LLCSAM Labs

Customer experience

DroneBlocks

All ratings56 ratings
Positive58.9%
Neutral3.6%
Negative37.5%
Written reviews47 reviews
Positive48.9%
Neutral8.5%
Negative42.6%

SAM Root

All ratings42 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral11.9%
Negative23.8%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%

In-app purchases

None

DroneBlocks

No in-app purchases

None

SAM Root

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DroneBlocks free?
DroneBlocks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SAM Root free?
SAM Root is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DroneBlocks or SAM Root?
SAM Root is rated higher. DroneBlocks averages 3.4 out of 5 from 56 ratings, while SAM Root averages 3.8 from 42 ratings.
Do DroneBlocks or SAM Root have ads?
Neither DroneBlocks nor SAM Root shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DroneBlocks or SAM Root?
DroneBlocks ships an update every 2 months, and SAM Root monthly. Most recently, DroneBlocks was updated on August 5, 2026 and SAM Root on September 7, 2026.

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