Comparison

micro vs Halo AR

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

Head to head
About

micro

This app is the essential companion for the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized programmable computer. It allows you to wirelessly beam programs to your micro:bit via Bluetooth and includes access to a block-based programming editor. Monitor sensor data and control your micro:bit in real-time.

Highlights
  • Wireless flashing of micro:bit hex files
  • Access to Microsoft MakeCode editor
  • Bluetooth beaming of programs
  • Real-time sensor data monitoring
  • Control micro:bit buttons and pins
  • Debug running program code
  • Store and manage HEX files
Features
Read full description

The micro:bit app is the essential companion to the BBC micro:bit, the pocket sized programmable computer. The app allows you to flash any micro:bit hex file to your device, as well as including online access to the Microsoft MakeCode editor for simple block-based programming. When your program is ready, the app beams it to the micro:bit via Bluetooth wirelessly. Easy-to-follow screens lead you through the process of pairing your iPad (or iPhone) to the micro:bit and then transferring your program code. Compared with previous versions, the micro:bit app Version 3.1 contains these additional features: • A simpler pairing and micro:bit discovery flow • The micro:bit V2 can be put into pairing mode by triple-tapping the reset button • Retrieval of the micro:bit data log files from off your micro:bit • Pair with any number of micro:bits • Choose which micro:bit is currently connected • Store HEX files in the app • Choose a HEX file for flashing • Export and delete HEX files • Import stored HEX files directly into JavaScript Blocks editor • Rapid download from JavaScript Blocks editor • Monitor data detected by micro:bit sensors • Use the range of micro:bit Bluetooth services in real time • Display messages on the micro:bit LEDs • Send control commands to the micro:bit buttons and pins • De-bug your program code while it is running in the micro:bit • Use a simulated gamepad to send commands to the micro:bit • View camera images ready for taking photos or video As well as providing more flexible handling of your program scripts and HEX files, a major addition in Version 3 is the Monitor and Control page. This lets you observe real-time data from the micro:bit sensors, send messages directly to the LEDs and control the micro:bit buttons and pins from your iPad or iPhone. Monitor is ideal for exploiting Bluetooth services in real time, and for de-bugging your program code while it is running in the micro:bit. The MakeCode code editor now requires iOS 13 or later.

About

Halo AR

Easily create and share interactive 3D augmented reality experiences without coding. Bring your ideas to life by scanning objects, uploading content, and attaching AR to real-world locations or images. Ideal for educators, artists, and businesses.

Highlights
  • Instant AR creation
  • No coding required
  • 3D object and image recognition
  • Attach AR to real-world objects/locations
  • Easy sharing and collaboration
  • Immersive AR lessons
Read full description

Create & Share Augmented Reality in Seconds! Halo AR makes it easy to bring the world to life with interactive 3D experiences. Whether you're an educator, artist, content creator, or business professional, our powerful yet intuitive tools let you design, scan, and share augmented reality with just a few taps. Why Choose Halo AR? * Instant AR Creation – No coding required! Simply scan, upload, and bring your ideas to life. * 3D Object & Image Recognition – Attach AR content to real-world objects, images, or locations. * Education & Learning – Engage students with immersive AR lessons, museum exhibits, and interactive books. * Creative & Business Applications – Enhance storytelling, marketing, and design with dynamic AR experiences. * Easy Sharing & Collaboration – Publish and share your AR projects with anyone, anywhere. Join thousands of creators using Halo AR to make learning, storytelling, and exploration more engaging than ever! Download now and start creating.

Screenshots

micro4 screens
Halo AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Halo AR at 4.6 against micro's 3.3. Halo AR also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (70% vs 43%). micro's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads and device support 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. Halo AR sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. micro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Halo AR holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 90 and 364 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of micro's written reviews are positive against 70% of Halo AR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

micro ships an update every 7 months, Halo AR fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
micro versus Halo AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermicroHalo AR
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (90 ratings)4.6 (364 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.6% of reviews70.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings90364 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB272 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicro:bit Educational FoundationLightUp

Customer experience

micro

All ratings90 ratings
Positive57.8%
Neutral2.2%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews129 reviews
Positive42.6%
Neutral10.9%
Negative46.5%

Halo AR

All ratings364 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral4.4%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral3.3%
Negative26.7%

User reviews

micro

From 90 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use and quick to set up
  • 💻 Allows coding on mobile devices
  • 🎓 Great for learning and education
  • ⚡ Fast download and installation
  • 🔧 Works well once properly configured

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent Bluetooth pairing failures
  • 🐛 App crashes during code flashing
  • 🐛 Connection drops after flashing
  • 📱 Poor optimization for phone screens
  • 🔌 Requires frequent device reconnection

Halo AR

From 364 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to create AR experiences
  • 👍 Simple for others to view
  • 💡 Great for educational purposes
  • 👍 Free version has good features
  • 💡 Innovative mixed reality features coming

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App won't open after update
  • 🐛 App won't open
  • 🐛 Download takes 6 hours
  • 🐛 Useless download
  • 🐛 Cannot rescan anything

Bugs and requests

micro

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Bluetooth pairing fails or shows false success
  • App crashes when flashing code to micro:bit
  • Connection lost after code flashing
  • White screen display issue
  • Login fails with Google accounts
Show 9 more
  • Text strings display with extra characters
  • Arrow keys non-functional on iPad with Bluetooth
  • Pairing pattern entry buggy and unclear
  • Safari crashes on iPad 2
  • Keyboard blocks code naming on iPhone
  • App crashes when sending feedback
  • Screen freezes during use
  • Recent update broke existing micro:bit connections
  • Flashing takes excessive time (1+ minute)

Requested features

11 requests
  • Offline mode for iOS
  • Integrated IDE in app instead of Safari redirect
  • Support for multiple languages
  • Persistent Bluetooth connection after flashing
  • Mute audio functionality
Show 6 more
  • Better pairing instructions
  • USB cable connection alternative to Bluetooth
  • Improved project save/storage duration
  • WebKit Safari view controller integration
  • Support for actual MicroPython instead of MakeCode Python
  • Device statements for camera operations

Halo AR

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App won't open
  • App won't open after update
  • Cannot rescan anything
  • Overheats phone
  • Requires following users to see results
Show 5 more
  • Results only work in some cases
  • Crashes on Apple iPhone 7
  • Crashes on launch
  • Doesn't work appropriately
  • Blocked at school, no developer response

Requested features

5 requests
  • Evolving the app further
  • Clearer instructions for educational use
  • Ability to download own images from Google
  • Ability to create own images
  • Integrating Sketchfab models more easily

In-app purchases

None

micro

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Halo AR

Subscriptions2
  • Creator Pro Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Creator Pro (Annual)7 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is micro free?
micro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Halo AR free?
Halo AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, micro or Halo AR?
Halo AR is rated higher. micro averages 3.3 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while Halo AR averages 4.6 from 364 ratings.
Do micro or Halo AR have ads?
Neither micro nor Halo AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, micro or Halo AR?
micro ships an update every 7 months, and Halo AR fortnightly. Most recently, micro was updated on October 13, 2026 and Halo AR on October 7, 2026.

Other comparisons