Comparison

micro vs Hachette Learning eBooks

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

Hachette Learning eBooks

This app offers interactive and personalized eBooks for flexible learning. Features include search, zoom, note-taking, flashcards for revision, text-to-speech, translation, and offline access.

Highlights
  • Personalized navigation with search and zoom
  • Note-taking, bookmarks, and highlights
  • Flashcard creation for revision
  • Text-to-speech for accessibility
  • In-app translation to six languages
  • Offline eBook access
Read full description

Hachette Learning eBooks are interactive, accessible and flexible. Our personalised eBooks allow you to take control of your learning – anytime, anywhere.  - Personalise: easily navigate the eBooks with search, zoom and an image gallery. Make it your own with notes, bookmarks and highlights.  - Revise: select key facts and definitions in the text and save them as flashcards for revision.  - Listen: use text-to-speech to make the content more accessible to students and improve comprehension and pronunciation.  - Switch: seamlessly move between the printed view and the interactive view.  - Translate: highlight sections of the eBook text and translate into six available languages, including Spanish, Arabic and French.   - Download: access the eBook offline on any device – in school, at home or on the move.  We’d love to hear what you think of our eBooks app. Leave a comment below or get in touch with us at  www.hachettelearning.com/contact-us

Screenshots

micro4 screens
Hachette Learning eBooks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Hachette Learning eBooks at 3.7 against micro's 3.3. micro's advantage is review sentiment (43% vs 25%) and ratings volume (90 vs 6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Hachette Learning eBooks holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: micro has 90 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of micro's written reviews are positive against 25% of Hachette Learning eBooks's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

micro ships an update every 7 months, Hachette Learning eBooks every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
micro versus Hachette Learning eBooks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermicroHachette Learning eBooks
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (90 ratings)3.7 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.6% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings90 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB212 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicro:bit Educational FoundationHachette UK (Holdings)Limited

Customer experience

micro

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

Hachette Learning eBooks

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral33.3%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral15.0%
Negative60.0%

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

Hachette Learning eBooks

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

micro

No in-app purchases

None

Hachette Learning eBooks

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is micro free?
micro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hachette Learning eBooks free?
Hachette Learning eBooks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, micro or Hachette Learning eBooks?
Hachette Learning eBooks is rated higher. micro averages 3.3 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while Hachette Learning eBooks averages 3.7 from 6 ratings.
Do micro or Hachette Learning eBooks have ads?
Neither micro nor Hachette Learning eBooks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, micro or Hachette Learning eBooks?
micro ships an update every 7 months, and Hachette Learning eBooks every 3 months. Most recently, micro was updated on October 21, 2026 and Hachette Learning eBooks on October 21, 2026.

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