Comparison

Project Lead The Way vs VEXcode EXP

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

Head to head
About

Project Lead The Way

Manage your experience at Project Lead The Way events and conferences. This app allows you to view event details, create a personalized agenda, and update your profile for the specific event you are attending. Access all necessary event information conveniently.

Highlights
  • View event details
  • Create personalized agenda
  • Update event profile
  • Access event information
Features
Read full description

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides transformative learning experiences for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S. The PLTW mobile app allows for the management of individual attendee experiences for PLTW-hosted events and conferences. Sign in with the credentials provided to you by PLTW to make the most of your PLTW event experience! Features: - View event details - Create your own personalized agenda - Update your profile for the specific event you will attend - Access to all the event information you need

About

VEXcode EXP

This coding environment helps students of all ages learn to program robots through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It offers a consistent experience across different VEX robot platforms and age groups, making computer science accessible and engaging.

Highlights
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
  • Consistent across VEX robot platforms
  • Supports multiple programming languages (Blocks/Text)
  • Built-in video tutorials
  • Extensive example projects
  • Device manager for robot setup
Features
Read full description

From elementary school through college, VEXcode is a coding environment that meets students at their level. The intuitive layout of VEXcode allows students to get started quickly and easily. VEXcode is consistent across Blocks and Text, across VEX 123, VEX GO, VEX IQ, VEX EXP, and VEX V5. As students progress from elementary, middle, and high school, they never have to learn a different blocks, code, or toolbar interface. As a result, students can focus on creating with technology, not trying to navigate a new layout. Drive Forward is the new Hello World We all know that robots attract kids to learn. VEX Robotics and VEXcode are providing opportunities for students of all ages to participate in learning the code that makes these robots work. VEX makes computer science come to life through collaborations, hands-on projects, and engaging experiences. From classrooms to competitions, VEXcode helps to create the next generation of innovators. Drag. Drop. Drive. VEXcode Blocks is the perfect platform for those new to coding. Students use the simple drag and drop interface to create functioning programs. Each block's purpose can easily be identified using the visual cues like its shape, color, and label. We've designed VEXcode Blocks to allow those who are new to robotics to get their robot up and running faster. Now, students can focus on being creative and learning computer science concepts, not stuck trying to figure out the interface. More accessible than ever VEXcode even helps across language barriers, allowing student to read blocks and comment programs in their native language. Drag & Drop. Powered by Scratch Blocks. Students and Teachers will feel instantly at home with this familiar environment. Video Tutorials. Grasp concepts faster. Built-in tutorials cover every aspect needed to get up to speed fast. And more tutorials are coming. Help is always there. Getting information on blocks is fast and easy. These resources were written by educators, in a form both teachers and students will grasp quickly. Drivetrain Blocks. A breakthrough in simplicity. From driving forward, making precise turns, setting speed, and stopping precisely, VEXcode makes it easier than ever to control a robot. Setup your VEX robot. Fast. VEXcode's device manager is simple, flexible, and powerful. In no time at all you can setup your robot's drivetrain, controller features, motors, and sensors. 60+ Example projects to choose from. Jumpstart your learning by starting with an existing project, covering every aspect of coding, controlling robots, and learning to use sensors. VEXcode Privacy Policy: https://www.vexrobotics.com/software-privacy-policy

Screenshots

Project Lead The Way3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: VEXcode EXP at 100% against Project Lead The Way's 4%. VEXcode EXP also leads on rating (3.0 vs 1.8) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 12 months). Project Lead The Way's advantage is ratings volume (76 vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

VEXcode EXP holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Project Lead The Way has 76 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 4% of Project Lead The Way's written reviews are positive against 100% of VEXcode EXP's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Project Lead The Way ships an update every 12 months, VEXcode EXP every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Project Lead The Way versus VEXcode EXP: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProject Lead The WayVEXcode EXP
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (76 ratings)3.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews3.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings76 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB531 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperProject Lead The WayVEX Robotics, Inc.

Customer experience

Project Lead The Way

All ratings75 ratings
Positive16.0%
Neutral5.3%
Negative78.7%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive3.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative85.2%

VEXcode EXP

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Project Lead The Way

No in-app purchases

None

VEXcode EXP

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Project Lead The Way free?
Project Lead The Way is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VEXcode EXP free?
VEXcode EXP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Project Lead The Way or VEXcode EXP?
VEXcode EXP is rated higher. Project Lead The Way averages 1.8 out of 5 from 76 ratings, while VEXcode EXP averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Project Lead The Way or VEXcode EXP have ads?
Neither Project Lead The Way nor VEXcode EXP shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Project Lead The Way or VEXcode EXP?
Project Lead The Way ships an update every 12 months, and VEXcode EXP every 6 weeks. Most recently, Project Lead The Way was updated on October 15, 2026 and VEXcode EXP on October 15, 2026.

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