Sphero Play vs Barkware
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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
Barkware
This app connects to a smart device to enhance your dog's playtime. Customize play modes, lighting, and sound to suit your pet's preferences. Features include quick search and a do not disturb option for quiet times.
- Connect to Barkware devices
- Switch between play modes
- Customize lighting and sound
- Save preferred settings
- One Tap Search for device
- Do Not Disturb mode
Read full descriptionHide full description
Barkware is the companion app for Barkware devices. Connect your device, switch between play modes, and customize how it behaves so it matches your dog. You can control features like lighting and sound, save your preferred settings, and use quick tools like One Tap Search and Do Not Disturb when you want things quiet. Features include • Switch between play modes • Customize and save modes • Control lighting and sound • One Tap Search to find your device • Do Not Disturb Compatible Barkware device required.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Sphero Play at 37K against Barkware's 1. 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Barkware holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Play has 37K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Sphero Play ships an update every 2 months, Barkware every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sphero Play | Barkware |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (37K ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 69.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 37K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 193 MB | 66 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sphero, Inc. | BARKWARE LLC |
Customer experience
Sphero Play
Barkware
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
Barkware
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Sphero Play
No in-app purchases
Barkware
No in-app purchases
