Comparison

mBlock Blockly-STEM education vs VEXcode IQ

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

Head to head
About

mBlock Blockly-STEM education

This app offers a fun, game-based approach to learning robotic programming for children. Users can learn coding fundamentals through interactive challenges and then apply their new skills to personalize robots. It's designed to foster problem-solving and creative thinking for future innovators.

Highlights
  • Game-based learning for robotics
  • Graphical programming with building blocks
  • Step-by-step curriculum
  • Creative mode for robot personalization
  • Bluetooth robot connection
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

mBlock Blockly, renamed from the mBlock App, is a graphical programming software made by Makeblock for STEAM education. It introduces users to the world of robotic programming. Without any prior knowledge, users can start programming robots by playing through games; then they can personalize their mBots with newly-learnt programming skills. mBlock Blockly opens up new minds for children: by means of programming, mBlock Blockly introduces program solving strategies and ways to design a project. mBlock Blockly nurtures creative thinkers of the future with communications and hands-on projects. Features: * Learn programming at home, 10 minutes a day: have fun with mBot and courses as game levels designed by education professionals. * Easy, straightforward graphical programming: code as easy as playing with building blocks, with the globally-received graphical-programming language customized for the mBot. * Exciting game-based learning: complete challenging tasks, experience the joy of victory in a series of coding games, and fall in love with programming. * Scientific system for step-by-step learning: Learn step-by-step following our well-designed curriculum for robotics and programming. * Bring your mBot to life: turn your mBot into your personal robot with the Creative Mode and your powerful programming & robotic skills. And there's more: * Based on Blockly: the well-received graphical programming language * Mobile Exclusive: Support iPhone and iPad devices * Bluetooth Connection: Connect your robot by simple touching it * Offline Support: Work without Internet connection * Online Updates: Receive new course content automatically when connected to the Internet * Language support: for mBot: English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese, Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Chinese Traditional;for mBot Ranger: English, German, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese, Ukrainian, Simplified Chinese, Chinese Traditional * Professional Content Team: Professional game-based learning team designs and continually updates course content. * Professional Technical Team: Continuous software optimization ensures a stable user experience.

About

VEXcode IQ

This coding environment is designed for students of all ages to learn programming through robotics. Its intuitive interface, consistent across different levels and platforms, allows users to focus on creation rather than navigation. It makes computer science accessible and engaging through hands-on projects and collaborations.

Highlights
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
  • Consistent across Blocks and Text
  • Robot drivetrain control blocks
  • Device manager for robot setup
  • Built-in video tutorials
  • Example projects for learning
  • Multilingual block support
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 IQ 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. 40+ 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.

Screenshots

mBlock Blockly-STEM education4 screens

Verdict

The call

mBlock Blockly-STEM education and VEXcode IQ both sit at 3.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 62% of VEXcode IQ's written reviews are positive against 37% of mBlock Blockly-STEM education's. mBlock Blockly-STEM education's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and ratings volume (125 vs 38). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.7 for mBlock Blockly-STEM education against 3.7 for VEXcode IQ. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 125 and 38 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 37% of mBlock Blockly-STEM education's written reviews are positive against 62% of VEXcode IQ's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and August 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
mBlock Blockly-STEM education versus VEXcode IQ: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermBlock Blockly-STEM educationVEXcode IQ
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (125 ratings)3.7 (38 ratings)
Positive reviews36.5% of reviews61.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings125 — better38
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB892 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMakeblock Co., Ltd.VEX Robotics, Inc.

Customer experience

mBlock Blockly-STEM education

All ratings125 ratings
Positive64.0%
Neutral7.2%
Negative28.8%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive36.5%
Neutral15.4%
Negative48.1%

VEXcode IQ

All ratings38 ratings
Positive65.8%
Neutral2.6%
Negative31.6%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive61.9%
Neutral4.8%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

mBlock Blockly-STEM education

No in-app purchases

None

VEXcode IQ

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is mBlock Blockly-STEM education free?
mBlock Blockly-STEM education is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VEXcode IQ free?
VEXcode IQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, mBlock Blockly-STEM education or VEXcode IQ?
mBlock Blockly-STEM education and VEXcode IQ are both rated 3.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 125 and 38 ratings respectively.
Do mBlock Blockly-STEM education or VEXcode IQ have ads?
Neither mBlock Blockly-STEM education nor VEXcode IQ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, mBlock Blockly-STEM education or VEXcode IQ?
mBlock Blockly-STEM education ships an update every 6 weeks, and VEXcode IQ every 6 weeks. Most recently, mBlock Blockly-STEM education was updated on September 21, 2026 and VEXcode IQ on August 28, 2026.

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