Comparison

Photon Robot vs SAM Root

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

Head to head
About

Photon Robot

This educational app allows children to program a robot companion, unlocking new abilities and senses as they complete tasks. Progress is visualized, serving as a motivational tool for learning programming concepts.

Highlights
  • Robot programming
  • Unlockable abilities
  • Skill progression
  • Motivational learning
  • Interactive companion
Features
Read full description

The robot develops along his owner by gaining new abilities, senses and functionalities with each programming related task completed. Completing a quest to create a simple program may let the kid pick some sort of upgrade for Photon, like the ability to see or detect obstacles. This way, progress is visible right away and works as wonderful motivational tool. It's not just another toy, it's a true friend and companion.

About

SAM Root

Learn programming through interactive robotics with three progressive coding levels, from graphical blocks to Python 3. Control robots in real-time or test your code with a built-in 3D simulator.

Highlights
  • Three progressive coding levels
  • Graphical blocks to Python 3
  • Real-time robot control
  • Built-in 3D simulator
  • Seamless level switching
  • Bluetooth robot pairing
Read full description

SAM Root makes it easy and fun to learn programming through hands-on robotics! With three progressive coding levels—from graphical blocks to hybrid blocks to Python 3 syntax—you’ll be building real coding skills and controlling robots in no time. MASTER CODING WITH 3 LEARNING LEVELS No coding experience? No problem! SAM Root meets you where you are and grows with your skills: - LEVEL 1: Graphical Blocks – Start with drag-and-drop, graphical blocks to grasp the fundamentals of coding logic—no reading required. - LEVEL 2: Hybrid Blocks – Transition into more advanced coding structure with blocks that blend visuals and coding script. - LEVEL 3: Python Code Blocks – Discover the structure and syntax of professional coding languages with full-text Python 3 code blocks. SEAMLESSLY SWITCH BETWEEN LEVELS Change coding levels anytime with a tap. SAM Root automatically converts your code, so you can match your skill level and learn the professional Python syntax behind each block. CONNECT TO ROOT ROBOTS Pair with a Root coding robot via Bluetooth and bring your programs to life! Control movement, lights, sounds, sensors, and more—while watching your code run in real time. TEST WITH THE BUILT-IN SIMULATOR Use the built-in 3D simulator to test your programs, speed up execution, and try new ideas—all without needing hardware.

Screenshots

Photon Robot4 screens
SAM Root4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: SAM Root at 42 against Photon Robot's 3. SAM Root also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). 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 Photon Robot against 3.8 for SAM Root. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SAM Root has 42 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Photon Robot ships an update every 2 months, SAM Root monthly. The most recent releases landed on June 4, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Photon Robot versus SAM Root: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhoton RobotSAM Root
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)3.8 (42 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings342 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhoton Entertainment sp. z o.o.SAM Labs

Customer experience

Photon Robot

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

SAM Root

All ratings42 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral11.9%
Negative23.8%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%

In-app purchases

None

Photon Robot

No in-app purchases

None

SAM Root

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Photon Robot free?
Photon Robot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SAM Root free?
SAM Root is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Photon Robot or SAM Root?
SAM Root is rated higher. Photon Robot averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while SAM Root averages 3.8 from 42 ratings.
Do Photon Robot or SAM Root have ads?
Neither Photon Robot nor SAM Root shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Photon Robot or SAM Root?
Photon Robot ships an update every 2 months, and SAM Root monthly. Most recently, Photon Robot was updated on June 4, 2026 and SAM Root on September 7, 2026.

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