Comparison

Sphero Play vs LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+

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

Head to head
About

Sphero Play

Control and play with various Sphero robots using a single application. Explore multiple drive modes, engage in robot-controlled games, and learn basic programming through a block-based interface.

Highlights
  • Multiple drive modes (joystick, tilt, voice)
  • Robot-controlled games
  • Block Drive programming
  • Sports-themed drive modes
  • Voice control
Features
Read full description

Drive and play games from ONE app with your Sphero Mini, Sphero 2.0, SPRK, SPRK+, BOLT, and BOLT+. Connect and control your robots with several exciting drive modes, use your robot as a controller to play games, or try out Block Drive for an intro to programming with colorful blocks. Features include: DRIVE MODES Drive your robots several ways with the Sphero Play app. Use the joystick and slingshot controls, tilt your device, or use your voice. Our sports-themed drive modes keep things fun with the ability to swing your device to "golf"*, or flick to "kick" your robot. BLOCK DRIVE PROGRAMMING Learn programming basics by controlling your robot with colorful movement and light blocks. GAMES Use your robot as a controller to shoot your way through space, race your vehicle through a tunnel avoiding obstacles and scoring points, or rotate your ball to destroy a polygon of bricks. Need robots? We know a guy. Visit sphero.com and order today. *This mode is not available on iPads.

About

LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+

Enhance your LEGO Technic building experience with realistic driving controls and interactive features. Engage in challenges, unlock achievements, and enjoy authentic sound effects for a new level of play.

Highlights
  • Realistic multi-function control mode
  • One-touch screen control schemes
  • Challenges and achievements
  • Unlockable badges
  • Inspiring videos
  • Authentic sound effects
  • Real-time data
Features
Read full description

"Take your LEGO® Technic™ experience to a new level of awesome realism: • Get a uniquely designed experience for each LEGO Technic CONTROL+ model. • Drive your models with razor-sharp realism with the multi-function control mode. • Try alternative control schemes with the one-touch screen. • Test your handling skills, complete challenges, unlock badges and watch inspiring videos in Challenges & Achievements mode. • Enjoy authentic sound effects, controls, features and functions – plus real-time data. Here are some models you can connect to the CONTROL+ app... • LEGO Technic Batmobile™ Tumbler (42239) • LEGO Technic Lamborghini Revuelto Super Sports Car (42214) • LEGO Technic Porsche GT4 e-Performance Race Car (42176) • LEGO Technic Off-Road Buggy (42124) • LEGO Technic 6x6 Volvo Articulated Hauler (42114) • LEGO Technic App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car (42109) • LEGO Technic Liebherr R 9800 (42100) • LEGO Technic 4X4 X-Treme Off-Roader (42099) … and the list keeps growing! (Remember that each of these sets is sold separately.) Every model gets its own unique CONTROL+ experience. Whether it’s a rally car, a 4X4, or even a six-wheeler – and whether it has a boom, an arm, or a bucket – you’ll be able to command it with incredible precision and realism. Is your device compatible? Please go to LEGO.com/devicecheck to check if your device is compatible. Ask your parents’ permission before going online. For app support, contact LEGO Consumer Service. For contact details, refer to http://service.LEGO.com/contactus The Dark Knight Trilogy and all related characters and elements are © & ™ DC and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. The “Lamborghini” and “Lamborghini Bull and Shield” trademarks, copyrights, designs and models are used under license from Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A, Italy. © 2025 Gameloft. All Rights Reserved. All manufacturers, cars, names, brands and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. Porsche GT4 e-Performance under license of Porsche AG. BBC logo™ and © BBC 1996. Top Gear logo™ and © BBC 2005. Licensed by BBC Studios. “Liebherr” is a trademark of Liebherr-International AG, used under license by LEGO System A/S. The Volvo trademarks (word and device) are registered trademarks of Volvo Trademark Holding AB and are used pursuant to a license. We will utilize your personal information to manage your account and review anonymized data to provide a safe, contextualized and excellent LEGO experience. You can learn more here: https://www.LEGO.com/privacy-policy - https://www.LEGO.com/legal/notices-and-policies/terms-of-use-for-lego-apps/ Our privacy policy and terms of use for apps are accepted if you download this app. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2025 The LEGO Group."

Screenshots

Sphero Play4 screens
LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Sphero Play at 37K against LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+'s 9.3K. On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 — 4.8 for Sphero Play against 4.7 for LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 37K and 9.3K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 69% and 69% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Sphero Play versus LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSphero PlayLEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (37K ratings) — better4.7 (9.3K ratings)
Positive reviews69.0% of reviews69.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings37K — better9.3K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size193 MB2.0 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSphero, Inc.LEGO

Customer experience

Sphero Play

All ratings36,681 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral2.1%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews516 reviews
Positive69.0%
Neutral6.2%
Negative24.8%

LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+

All ratings9,297 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews529 reviews
Positive69.2%
Neutral12.3%
Negative18.5%

User reviews

Sphero Play

From 37K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fun and engaging app
  • 👍 Great controls and customization
  • 🎮 Enjoyable games and activities
  • 💡 Compatibility with multiple Sphero products

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connectivity issues
  • 🔧 Limited features compared to older apps
  • 🔋 Concerns about battery life and durability

LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+

From 9.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Seamless Bluetooth connection
  • 👍 Great for little children and adults
  • 👍 Realistic sounds and missions
  • 👍 Onboard sensors provide useful feedback

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues and app crashes
  • 🐛 Buggy controls and calibration problems
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔒 Lacks Bluetooth permission access
  • 👎 Limited customization options

Bugs and requests

Sphero Play

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Joystick controls not working as expected
  • Alignment issues causing unexpected movement

Requested features

4 requests
  • More games and activities
  • Support for additional Sphero products (e.g. Ollie, BB-8)
  • Improved aiming and control precision
  • Camera integration to see the Sphero's view

LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App gets stuck in firmware update loop
  • Incorrect motor activation during calibration
  • Bluetooth connection randomly drops
  • Steering and throttle controls are swapped
  • App crashes when losing a battle race

Requested features

5 requests
  • Custom control profiles for user-built models
  • Support for MFi controllers
  • Ability to edit saved movements
  • Configurable control schemes
  • Improved firmware update process

In-app purchases

None

Sphero Play

No in-app purchases

None

LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sphero Play free?
Sphero Play is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+ free?
LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Sphero Play or LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+?
Sphero Play is rated higher. Sphero Play averages 4.8 out of 5 from 37K ratings, while LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+ averages 4.7 from 9.3K ratings.
Do Sphero Play or LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+ have ads?
Neither Sphero Play nor LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sphero Play or LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+?
Sphero Play ships an update every 2 months, and LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+ every 2 months. Most recently, Sphero Play was updated on October 17, 2026 and LEGO® TECHNIC® CONTROL+ on October 17, 2026.

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