Comparison

micro vs EV

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

EV

This educational tool allows users to control a BBC micro:bit via Bluetooth. It offers features for robot movement, robotic arm control, and a general-purpose button. Integrated documentation guides users on how to connect and utilize it with the micro:bit.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth control for BBC micro:bit
  • Robot movement control
  • Robotic arm control
  • General purpose button
  • Integrated documentation
Features
Read full description

EV-micro:bit is a very useful educational tool that used generally to control BBC micro:bit through bluetooth. This version contains three parts: robot movement control, robotic arm control and additional button for general purpose. Also it contains app datasheet(Documentation) to teach you how can integrate it with BBC micro:bit. Enjoy with EV-micro:bit.

Screenshots

micro4 screens
EV4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: micro at 3.3 against EV's 1.7. micro also leads on ratings volume (89 vs 3). 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

micro holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: micro has 89 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
micro versus EV: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermicroEV
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (89 ratings) — better1.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews43.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings89 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 7 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicro:bit Educational FoundationEngineering Village LLC

Customer experience

micro

All ratings89 ratings
Positive57.3%
Neutral2.2%
Negative40.4%
Written reviews112 reviews
Positive43.8%
Neutral9.8%
Negative46.4%

EV

All ratings3 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

EV

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

micro

No in-app purchases

None

EV

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is micro free?
micro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is EV free?
EV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, micro or EV?
micro is rated higher. micro averages 3.3 out of 5 from 89 ratings, while EV averages 1.7 from 3 ratings.
Do micro or EV have ads?
Neither micro nor EV shows ads.

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