# PBS KIDS ScratchJr vs Osmo Squiggle Magic

The clearest difference is update cadence: Osmo Squiggle Magic at every 6 weeks against PBS KIDS ScratchJr's every 12 months. Osmo Squiggle Magic also leads on device support (3 vs 1). PBS KIDS ScratchJr's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (62% vs 41%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for PBS KIDS ScratchJr against 4.0 for Osmo Squiggle Magic. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 289 and 195 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 62% of PBS KIDS ScratchJr's written reviews are positive against 41% of Osmo Squiggle Magic's.

PBS KIDS ScratchJr ships an update every 12 months, Osmo Squiggle Magic every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PBS KIDS ScratchJr | Osmo Squiggle Magic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (289 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-kids-scratchjr/id1047840202/reviews) | [4.0 (195 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/osmo-squiggle-magic/id1460037873/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **289** | 195 |
| Positive reviews | **62.0% of reviews** | 41.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 138 MB | 578 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PBS KIDS](https://appshunter.io/developer/324323339) | [Tangible Play](https://appshunter.io/developer/799157444) |

## What reviewers say

### PBS KIDS ScratchJr

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-kids-scratchjr/id1047840202)

This app allows children ages 5-8 to create their own interactive stories and games using simple programming blocks. Kids can make characters move, jump, and sing, while learning foundational coding concepts and problem-solving skills. It features beloved PBS KIDS characters and offers creative tools like painting and voice recording.

**Highlights:** Create interactive stories and games, Learn basic coding concepts, Use colorful programming blocks, Incorporate PBS KIDS characters, Paint and edit characters/backgrounds, Record voice for projects, Utilize story starters for inspiration

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👨‍👧‍👦 Great for teaching kids to code
- 🎨 Fun creative storytelling and animation features
- 🎭 PBS Kids characters and themed content
- 💰 Free app with no paywall
- 📚 Educational value for young learners

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent bugs and glitches
- ❌ Limited coding blocks compared to original ScratchJr
- 🎭 Character roster hasn't been updated in years
- ⚠️ Drawing/text tools produce poor quality output
- 🔊 Sound and voice recording features broken or missing

**Reported bugs**

- Home button causes character to revert to previous position
- Projects fail to load when creating or opening
- Voice recording feature not working or missing
- How-to tutorial videos don't play
- Drawing tool corrupts custom characters

**Requested features**

- Add more PBS Kids shows (Let's Go Luna, Dinosaur Train, Elinor Wonders Why, Hero Elementary, Wordgirl, Rosie's Rules, Alma's Way)
- Unlimited pages/slides instead of 4-slide limit
- More coding blocks from original Scratch (text-to-speech, etc.)
- Custom character creation on blank canvas
- Level maker and world maker features


### Osmo Squiggle Magic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/osmo-squiggle-magic/id1460037873)

Bring your drawings to life with interactive game pieces. This app fosters creativity, cognitive skills, and pre-drawing abilities through hands-on play. Designed for young children, it offers a fun and engaging learning experience.

**Highlights:** Create with physical sticks and rings, Watch creations come alive on screen, Develop cognitive skills, Foster creativity and pre-drawing skills, Hands-on learning experience

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PBS KIDS ScratchJr free?

PBS KIDS ScratchJr is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Osmo Squiggle Magic free?

Osmo Squiggle Magic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PBS KIDS ScratchJr or Osmo Squiggle Magic?

PBS KIDS ScratchJr and Osmo Squiggle Magic are both rated 4.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 289 and 195 ratings respectively.

### Do PBS KIDS ScratchJr or Osmo Squiggle Magic have ads?

Neither PBS KIDS ScratchJr nor Osmo Squiggle Magic shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PBS KIDS ScratchJr or Osmo Squiggle Magic?

PBS KIDS ScratchJr ships an update every 12 months, and Osmo Squiggle Magic every 6 weeks. Most recently, PBS KIDS ScratchJr was updated on September 23, 2026 and Osmo Squiggle Magic on September 24, 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.*