Comparison

Osmo Coding Duo vs Thames & Kosmos Sidekick

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

Head to head
About

Osmo Coding Duo

This app offers a collaborative coding adventure where two players team up to solve logic puzzles and rescue pets. It introduces real-world coding concepts through engaging challenges and a fun narrative.

Highlights
  • Multistep logic problems
  • Collaborative play for two
  • Coding concept introduction
  • Pet rescue adventure
  • Osmo character interaction
Read full description

Team up with a friend to solve coding puzzles and rescue pets! The most advanced game in Osmo’s Coding Family, Coding Duo uses multistep logic problems to introduce kids to real-world coding concepts. FEATURES: Advanced Puzzles for Coding Fans Get challenged by multistep logic problems that will stretch minds and introduce them to coding concepts that are used in the real world. Collaborative Play Friends and family can play together side by side to solve coding puzzles. Use teamwork and strategy to work together towards a common goal. A Fun Rescue Adventure with Osmo Characters A scientist has lost his pets and needs your help to find them. Solve the coding challenges using your favorite Osmo characters and rescue pets across several islands and return them to their home. NOTES: * Requires the Osmo Base and Coding Blocks. Each sold separately or as part of Osmo Coding Starter Kit or Osmo Coding Family Bundle. * Compatible with most iPads. Please see our device compatibility list here: https://support.playosmo.com/hc/articles/115010156067 *About Osmo Osmo is using the screen to create a new healthy, hands-on learning experience that promotes creativity, problem-solving and social interaction. We do this with our reflective artificial intelligent technology.

About

Thames & Kosmos Sidekick

Build and program a customizable robotic friend that transforms between a rover and a robot. Control its movements, sounds, and facial expressions, and learn coding through a visual interface or simulator. Explore robotics with interactive games and real-world examples.

Highlights
  • Build and code robotic pal
  • Transforms from rover to robot
  • Learn coding with block-based interface
  • Program movement, sounds, expressions
  • Remote control and programming modes
  • Includes maze game components
Features
Read full description

This app is used to control and program the robot and rover built using the Robotics: Smart Machines – Sidekick kit from Thames & Kosmos. Build and program an amazing robotic buddy! Discover the world of robotics — an exciting, interdisciplinary field combining physics, engineering, and computer science. This kit gives kids a simple, fun, and customizable introduction to robotics. Choose between the four-wheeled rover or the two-wheeled robot Sidekick, and get programming! Transform your Sidekick into its other mode any time you want. As soon as your Sidekick is assembled, you can begin programming its movements directly on a built-in keypad. Download the free Sidekick app to unlock all of the Sidekick’s capabilities. You control your Sidekick’s movements, sounds, and even facial expressions. Have fun and drive your Sidekick by remote control or by using your device as a gyroscope. Code programs for your Sidekick using an easy, visual interface or the simulator, which are both included in the app. Your Sidekick is tons of fun! It can even play music and dance. Choose from several styles of music and watch your Sidekick bust a move. Sidekick’s microcontroller — the robot’s “brain” — has separate inputs for LED lights, a speaker, two motors (left and right), a battery, and an infrared sensor that helps the Sidekick know where it is in the included maze game. As you assemble this robot, you will learn how the Sidekick’s functions relate to each of these elements. Learn about the history of robotics and real-word roving explorers and humanoid robots. A full-color, 36-page step-by-step illustrated manual helps kids assemble both of the models and use all of the functions of the app — all while teaching them about robotics in the real world. • Build and code your own robotic pal • 2-in-1! Transforms from rover to robot and back again! • Learn to code! Easy, block-based coding app with dozens of cool functions • Program movement, sounds, and facial expressions • Remote control and programming modes • Includes components for a fun maze game ***** Questions or suggestions for improvements: Contact us: https://thamesandkosmos.zendesk.com/hc/en-us We are looking forward to your feedback! *****

Screenshots

Osmo Coding Duo4 screens
Thames & Kosmos Sidekick4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Osmo Coding Duo at 3.9 against Thames & Kosmos Sidekick's 2.4. Osmo Coding Duo also leads on review sentiment (53% vs 13%) and ratings volume (145 vs 22). Thames & Kosmos Sidekick's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Osmo Coding Duo holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Osmo Coding Duo has 145 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Osmo Coding Duo's written reviews are positive against 13% of Thames & Kosmos Sidekick's.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Osmo Coding Duo versus Thames & Kosmos Sidekick: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOsmo Coding DuoThames & Kosmos Sidekick
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (145 ratings) — better2.4 (22 ratings)
Positive reviews52.6% of reviews — better12.5% of reviews
Number of ratings145 — better22
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size309 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTangible PlayFranckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG

Customer experience

Osmo Coding Duo

All ratings145 ratings
Positive71.7%
Neutral2.1%
Negative26.2%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive52.6%
Neutral5.3%
Negative42.1%

Thames & Kosmos Sidekick

All ratings22 ratings
Positive31.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative59.1%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative75.0%

In-app purchases

None

Osmo Coding Duo

No in-app purchases

None

Thames & Kosmos Sidekick

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Osmo Coding Duo free?
Osmo Coding Duo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Thames & Kosmos Sidekick free?
Thames & Kosmos Sidekick is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Osmo Coding Duo or Thames & Kosmos Sidekick?
Osmo Coding Duo is rated higher. Osmo Coding Duo averages 3.9 out of 5 from 145 ratings, while Thames & Kosmos Sidekick averages 2.4 from 22 ratings.
Do Osmo Coding Duo or Thames & Kosmos Sidekick have ads?
Neither Osmo Coding Duo nor Thames & Kosmos Sidekick shows ads.

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