Comparison

micro vs The Collins Hub

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

The Collins Hub

Access all your assigned books from your teacher on a single platform. Download titles to your device for offline reading, perfect for students and parents. Log in with school-provided credentials to begin your learning journey.

Highlights
  • Access assigned books
  • Offline reading
  • School login integration
  • Downloadable content
  • Parental access
Features
Read full description

The Collins Hub app allows you to access all the books assigned to you by your teacher on the Collins Hub. Log in to the app using the login details provided to you by your school, where you can download books to your device and access them offline. If you are a parent using the Collins Hub app to read with your child, use the login details provided to them by their school.

Screenshots

micro4 screens
The Collins Hub3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: The Collins Hub at 5.0 against micro's 3.3. micro's advantage is ratings volume (90 vs 1) and review sentiment (43% vs 22%). 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

The Collins Hub holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: micro has 90 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of micro's written reviews are positive against 22% of The Collins Hub'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, The Collins Hub every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
micro versus The Collins Hub: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermicroThe Collins Hub
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (90 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.6% of reviews — better22.2% of reviews
Number of ratings90 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size59 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicro:bit Educational FoundationHarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Customer experience

micro

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

The Collins Hub

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive22.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative77.8%

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

The Collins Hub

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

micro

No in-app purchases

None

The Collins Hub

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is micro free?
micro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is The Collins Hub free?
The Collins Hub is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, micro or The Collins Hub?
The Collins Hub is rated higher. micro averages 3.3 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while The Collins Hub averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do micro or The Collins Hub have ads?
Neither micro nor The Collins Hub shows ads.
Which is updated more often, micro or The Collins Hub?
micro ships an update every 7 months, and The Collins Hub every 5 months. Most recently, micro was updated on October 21, 2026 and The Collins Hub on October 24, 2026.

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