Comparison

Encode vs SideMe

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

Head to head
About

Encode

Learn to code with interactive, bite-sized lessons designed for busy schedules. Master popular languages like Python, JavaScript, and SQL through hands-on exercises and challenges. Ideal for beginners, this app makes coding accessible and fun, offering certificates upon completion.

Highlights
  • Bite-sized interactive lessons
  • Hands-on coding exercises
  • Learn Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL
  • Built-in code playground
  • Daily motivation streaks and hearts
  • Certificates of completion
Features
Read full description

Start coding today with short, interactive lessons! Learn Python, SQL, HTML/CSS, JavaScript (and more) at your own pace. Encode makes learning to code easy! Bite-Sized Learning: Fit coding into your busy life with effective lessons you can complete in just 15 minutes daily. Hands-On Coding: Write REAL code from lesson one! Our interactive quizzes, coding exercises, and challenges build practical, real-world skills. Master In-Demand Languages: Learn Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, & SQL. Plus, explore mini-courses in R, Swift, Java, & the Command Line. Practice Anywhere: Our built-in playground for coding means no setup headaches. Experiment, test, and write code on the go. Learning Made Fun: Daily streaks and hearts keep you motivated. Coding feels like a game, not a chore! Perfect for Absolute Beginners: No coding experience needed! Encode guides you step-by-step, demystifying complex concepts. Build Real-World Skills: Prepare to build websites, automate tasks, analyze data, or launch your tech career. Earn Your Certificate: Showcase your new coding skills with a personalized certificate of completion. Join thousands learning to code with Encode. Visit https://upskew.com/privacy for our Privacy Policy and https://upskew.com/tos for our Terms of Use. Illustrations by Ouch (https://icons8.com/ouch). Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you at support@upskew.com.

About

SideMe

Learn coding through a fun, gamified experience. Master Python and other programming topics with interactive lessons, bug-fixing challenges, and project-based learning. Earn rewards and unlock content as you progress.

Highlights
  • Gamified learning path
  • Interactive lesson levels
  • Bug detection and fixing
  • Project creation
  • XP and reward system
  • Short, efficient sessions
Read full description

SideMe is the most fun and accessible way to learn coding. Master Python and explore other programming topics through an engaging, gamified experience. Whether you are starting your coding journey or refreshing your skills, SideMe makes learning to code enjoyable and effective. Progress through an interactive learning path, designed like a game: • Lesson Levels – learn how to use coding concepts step by step • Bug Levels – detect and fix errors like a real developer • Project Levels – create complete projects from start to finish SideMe keeps you motivated with an experience that feels alive. Throughout your journey, you’re guided by a friendly mascot who reacts to your answers in real time, making each interaction dynamic and fun. Learning happens through action. Instead of just reading, you’ll solve challenges by reordering code lines, completing programs, debugging errors, and writing real code. Every step feels like a small victory. To keep you engaged, SideMe rewards your progress. You’ll earn XP, unlock chests, and collect rewards as you advance. With short, well-designed sessions, you can learn effectively even during idle moments, while retaining everything you practice. Why Choose SideMe? • Ideal for beginners, those who want to relearn, or refresh their coding memory • Lessons designed for maximum retention in short, efficient sessions • A dynamic, interactive experience that makes coding enjoyable • Covering Python and more programming topics to boost your skills If you like SideMe, try Super SideMe free for 7 days! Learn faster with unlimited energy and enjoy an uninterrupted experience without waiting between sessions. If you decide to subscribe to Super SideMe, a payment of $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year will be charged to your App Store account. The subscription renews automatically 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can cancel automatic renewal at any time in your App Store account settings. Any unused portion of the free trial will be forfeited once you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy : https://sideme.ai/privacy-policy Terms of Use : https://sideme.ai/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Encode4 screens
SideMe4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SideMe at none against Encode's shown. Encode's advantage is review sentiment (89% vs 67%) and ratings volume (6.4K vs 270). On price, update cadence, 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. Encode sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and SideMe sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Encode holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Encode has 6.4K ratings behind it against 270, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Encode's written reviews are positive against 67% of SideMe's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Encode ships an update every 2 weeks, SideMe fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Encode versus SideMe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEncodeSideMe
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6.4K ratings) — better4.6 (270 ratings)
Positive reviews88.7% of reviews — better67.5% of reviews
Number of ratings6.4K — better270
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size86 MB145 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUpskew Pty. Ltd.JASON TIM TRISTAN PRADEAU

Customer experience

Encode

All ratings6,372 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral2.8%
Negative1.5%
Written reviews248 reviews
Positive88.7%
Neutral4.8%
Negative6.5%

SideMe

All ratings270 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.8%
Written reviews83 reviews
Positive67.5%
Neutral8.4%
Negative24.1%

Bugs and requests

Encode

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Incorrect grammar/spelling in some lessons
  • Inability to input answers in certain lessons
  • Lesson content not always matching what's asked

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more coding languages like C++, C#, and Lua
  • Implement progress sync across devices
  • Provide more interactive coding exercises
  • Include audio/voice guidance for lessons

SideMe

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Encode

Subscriptions2
  • Encode Plus (Monthly)$9.991 Month
  • Encode Plus (Annual)$39.991 Year
9 purchases

SideMe

Subscriptions4
  • Super SideMe (monthly)$9.991 Month
  • Super SideMe (monthly)7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Super SideMe (yearly)$59.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Super SideMe (yearly)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time5
  • Easy Starter Gems Pack$0.99
  • Gems chest (200)$0.99
  • Gems chest (450)$1.99
Show 2 more
  • Gems chest (950)$3.99
  • Boost Starter Gems Pack$5.99

Questions

Is Encode free?
Encode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SideMe free?
SideMe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Encode or SideMe?
Encode is rated higher. Encode averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6.4K ratings, while SideMe averages 4.6 from 270 ratings.
Do Encode or SideMe have ads?
Encode shows ads; SideMe does not.
Which is updated more often, Encode or SideMe?
Encode ships an update every 2 weeks, and SideMe fortnightly. Most recently, Encode was updated on September 20, 2026 and SideMe on September 22, 2026.

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