Sphero Play vs Ugears AR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Multiple drive modes (joystick, tilt, voice)
- Robot-controlled games
- Block Drive programming
- Sports-themed drive modes
- Voice control
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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.
Ugears AR
Experience intricate 3D wooden puzzles in augmented reality. Bring detailed models to life on any flat surface, collect virtual creations, and impress friends with immersive AR technology.
- Augmented reality technology
- Scan unique 3D puzzles
- View models on flat surfaces
- Collect virtual 3D models
- Interactive AR experience
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Ugears AR is a free mobile application where we use augmented reality technology. With this application, you can scan unique 3D puzzles created by a well-known manufacturer of high quality UGears plywood. You can view your favorite gears using AR technology right on your desk, floor or other flat surfaces. Collect virtual 3D models and surprise your friends with the magic of augmented reality.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sphero Play at 69% against Ugears AR's 13%. Sphero Play also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.2) and ratings volume (37K vs 11). Ugears AR's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sphero Play holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Play has 37K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Sphero Play's written reviews are positive against 13% of Ugears AR's.
Sphero Play ships an update every 2 months, Ugears AR monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sphero Play | Ugears AR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (37K ratings) — better | 3.2 (11 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 69.1% of reviews — better | 13.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 37K — better | 11 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 193 MB | 263 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sphero, Inc. | Live Animations Corp. |
Customer experience
Sphero Play
Ugears AR
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
Ugears AR
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Sphero Play
No in-app purchases
Ugears AR
No in-app purchases
