Photon Robot vs SAM Root
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Robot programming
- Unlockable abilities
- Skill progression
- Motivational learning
- Interactive companion
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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.
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.
- Three progressive coding levels
- Graphical blocks to Python 3
- Real-time robot control
- Built-in 3D simulator
- Seamless level switching
- Bluetooth robot pairing
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Photon Robot | SAM Root |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (3 ratings) | 3.8 (42 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 46.2% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 42 — better |
| 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 | 158 MB | 92 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Photon Entertainment sp. z o.o. | SAM Labs |
Customer experience
Photon Robot
SAM Root
In-app purchases
Photon Robot
No in-app purchases
SAM Root
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Photon Robot free?
Is SAM Root free?
Which has better reviews, Photon Robot or SAM Root?
Do Photon Robot or SAM Root have ads?
Which is updated more often, Photon Robot or SAM Root?
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