# Programming Hub vs PictoBlox

The clearest difference is rating: Programming Hub at 4.8 against PictoBlox's 3.4. Programming Hub also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (9.8K vs 57). PictoBlox's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Programming Hub sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per year. PictoBlox asks for nothing beyond the download.

Programming Hub holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Programming Hub has 9.8K ratings behind it against 57, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of Programming Hub's written reviews are positive against 48% of PictoBlox's.

Programming Hub ships an update every 2 months, PictoBlox every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Programming Hub | PictoBlox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/programming-hub-learn-coding/id1049691226/reviews)** | [3.4 (57 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pictoblox-coding-robots-and-ai/id1554839634/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.8K** | 57 |
| Positive reviews | **72.4% of reviews** | 48.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 14 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 122 MB | 178 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.3 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rightsol Private Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1635771188) | [STEMpedia](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472734454) |

## What reviewers say

### Programming Hub

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/programming-hub-learn-coding/id1049691226)

Learn to code through interactive, game-like lessons. Access over 5000 code examples and 35+ courses in various programming languages, all within a single app. Practice and build your skills with the world's fastest compiler.

**Highlights:** Interactive coding lessons, 5000+ code examples, 35+ programming courses, Fastest compiler on iOS, Concept-based illustrations, Categorized program view

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PRO for 1 year with discount | $1.49 | per year |
| PRO access for 1 year Display | $1.99 | per month |
| VIP Access | $5.99 | per 3 months |
| 1 Month Coding Pass | $9.99 | per month |
| PRO membership for 3 months | $14.49 | per 3 months |
| Pro access for 1 year | $18.99 | per year |
| PRO access for 1 year + Trial | $29.49 | per year |
| PRO membership 1 year 75% OFF | $31.99 | per year |
| 365 Days of Unlimited Coding | $44.95 | per year |
| Lifetime Upgrade | $19.99 | one-time |
| Unlock PRO: Lifetime Access | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to understand lessons
- 🚀 Bite-sized learning content
- 💡 Wide variety of courses
- 🎓 Provides certificates upon completion
- 👍 Good for beginners

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app with crashes and glitches
- 🔒 Issues with pro access and purchases
- 🤔 Lack of depth in some courses
- 🔍 Unclear free vs. paid content separation
- 🔧 Poor customer support responsiveness

**Reported bugs**

- Courses not loading or crashing
- Certificates not being awarded properly
- Inconsistent behavior with pro access
- Bugs in test/quiz functionality

**Requested features**

- Add more advanced programming courses
- Improve progress tracking and syncing across devices
- Implement a dark mode option
- Allow skipping of lessons and more flexibility in navigation


### PictoBlox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pictoblox-coding-robots-and-ai/id1554839634)

Learn to code with a block-based platform that integrates robotics, AI, and machine learning. Create games, animations, and control hardware using intuitive drag-and-drop Scratch blocks. Ideal for beginners to develop 21st-century skills.

**Highlights:** Block-based coding, Robotics control, AI and Machine Learning, IoT projects, Game and animation creation, Hardware interaction

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for learning AI
- 👍 Good for robotics
- 👍 Intuitive block interface
- 👍 Fun for beginners
- 👍 Good for short projects

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and glitches
- 🐛 Projects not saving
- 🐛 Freezes and crashes
- 🐛 Lagging issues
- 🐛 Difficult to navigate

**Reported bugs**

- Birthday date not appearing during account creation
- Purple screen and reset when saving project
- Microphone activated unexpectedly
- Space instead of left arrow in hat block
- Projects not saving on iPad and laptops

**Requested features**

- Zoom in feature for drawing
- Pixelated text option
- Custom controls (thumbsticks, levers)
- Move variables with finger
- Drag code to other sprites


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Programming Hub free?

Programming Hub is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PictoBlox free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Programming Hub or PictoBlox?

Programming Hub is rated higher. Programming Hub averages 4.8 out of 5 from 9.8K ratings, while PictoBlox averages 3.4 from 57 ratings.

### Do Programming Hub or PictoBlox have ads?

Neither Programming Hub nor PictoBlox shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Programming Hub or PictoBlox?

Programming Hub ships an update every 2 months, and PictoBlox every 14 months. Most recently, Programming Hub was updated on September 24, 2026 and PictoBlox on September 25, 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.*