mBlock vs Tynker Junior
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
mBlock
This app enables students to learn coding through a block-based interface or Python. It supports creating games, animations, and programming robots, incorporating AI, IoT, and data science for advanced computer science education.
- Graphical programming with drag-and-drop blocks
- Python programming support
- Create games and animations
- Program robots
- AI, IoT, and data science features
- Cloud storage for projects
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With mBlock, students can easily create games, animations, and program robots by dragging and dropping blocks, or through writing Python. Moreover, mBlock comes with AI, IoT, data science features for cutting-edge computer science learning, making it the perfect helper for coding educators and learners. Features: - Graphical programming: The app allows users to create projects with the most popular graphical programming language and program robots to do things as they can imagine. It makes programming as easy as blocks building. - Game-based learning: Children learn to code in completing tasks and know how it feels to accomplish something. - Cloud storage: Users can store their projects in the cloud, syncing the projects across devices. It’s safe and convenient. - Compatible with Makeblock robots: mBot, mBot Ranger, Codey Rocky, Neuron - Support multiple languages: Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, Polish, and Korean. Contact us: - For more information, please visit the official website: https://www.mblock.cc - Contact us via email: support@makeblock.com - Join Facebook group: Makeblock Talk & Share
Tynker Junior
This app introduces children aged 4-7 to coding concepts through engaging, word-free picture blocks. It helps them develop problem-solving, logic, and critical thinking skills through interactive coding adventures. Designed for young learners, it makes learning to code fun and accessible.
- Word-free picture block coding
- Problem-solving and logic development
- Music and art creation
- 200+ coding challenges
- Tap-based interface
- Voiceovers for guidance
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The Ultimate Coding Playground for Kids Ages 4-7! Tynker Junior is the award-winning app specifically designed for young learners, including pre-readers who haven’t even started school yet. Through vibrant, word-free picture blocks, your child will learn to solve problems, compose music, and create art—all with the power of code. Why Parents and Teachers Love Tynker: * Trusted Globally: Used by 1 out of every 3 U.S. K-8 schools and 100,000+ schools worldwide. * Proven Success: Over 60 million kids in 150 countries have started their STEM journey with Tynker. * Designed for Little Hands: A tap-based interface with friendly voiceovers and no complex dragging or reading required. 5 EPIC CODING ADVENTURES With 200+ coding challenges, your child will explore: Ocean Odyssey: Master sequencing and patterns while helping Gillie the Goldfish. Robots: Learn about events and parameters as you fix a wacky robot factory. Wild Rumble: Help endangered animals using counting loops and delays. Puffball Panic: Navigate dynamic environments using conditional logic. Super Squad: Defeat villains and retrieve stolen treasure using advanced problem-solving. WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN Tynker Junior transforms screen time into a brain-building workout. Your child will master: Logic & Sequencing: Understanding cause and effect. Critical Thinking: Solving complex puzzles step-by-step. Programming Concepts: Loops, conditional logic, and debugging. 21st Century Skills: Resilience, focus, and algorithmic thinking—the same foundations used in professional languages like Swift and Python. Privacy & Terms: Privacy Policy: https://www.tynker.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.tynker.com/terms/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Tynker Junior at 4.5 against mBlock's 3.1. Tynker Junior also leads on review sentiment (59% vs 34%) and ratings volume (4.2K vs 152). mBlock's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, update cadence, ads 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
Both are free to download. Tynker Junior sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. mBlock asks for nothing beyond the download.
Tynker Junior holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker Junior has 4.2K ratings behind it against 152, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of mBlock's written reviews are positive against 59% of Tynker Junior's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | mBlock | Tynker Junior |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (152 ratings) | 4.5 (4.2K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 33.9% of reviews | 58.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 152 | 4.2K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 170 MB | 396 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Makeblock Co., Ltd. | Tynker |
Customer experience
mBlock
Tynker Junior
User reviews
mBlock
From 152 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Good for coding robots
- 👍 Works well with Codey Rocky
- 👍 Great for learning programming
- 👍 Similar to Scratch
- 👍 Bluetooth connection works
Room to improve
- 🐛 Does not support mBot2/mBot Neo
- 🐛 Connection issues (Bluetooth)
- 🐛 App is glitchy
- 🐛 Upload mode not working on iPad
- 🐛 Live mode not working
Tynker Junior
From 4.2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Fun and engaging for kids
- 💡 Good introduction to coding concepts
- 🚀 Easy to use interface
Room to improve
- 🐛 Glitchy code and bugs
- 💰 Limited access without subscription
- 🤔 Misleading about subscription details
Bugs and requests
mBlock
Reported bugs
26 issues- mBot2/mBot Neo not supported
- Bluetooth connection fails or is unstable
- App crashes or freezes
- Upload mode not functional on iPad
- Live mode unresponsive
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- Sprites cannot be moved correctly
- Key blocks not functioning as expected
- Saving and syncing issues lead to data loss
- Cannot upload programs
- Firmware update required via PC, not Bluetooth
- Translation errors in blocks and interface
- Tutorials are glitchy or do not work
- Fixed rotation issues
- No zoom in/out for blocks
- iPad development appears to be halted
- Cannot grant Bluetooth permissions on iPad
- Parts of the app interface disappear
- Cannot create variables on specific devices
- Incompatibility with older iOS versions
- Some sensors are not controllable via the app
- Quad RGB sensor library is not fully translated
- Costume editor lacks copy-paste and image/sound import
- Line follower functionality not working
- Code execution results in no robot action
- App requires re-login frequently
- Web version updates break iPad version compatibility
Requested features
18 requests- Add mBot2/mBot Neo support
- Improve Bluetooth connectivity
- Add local storage for programs
- Implement zoom functionality
- Add more examples for Codey Rocky
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- Enable Arduino coding in the app
- Improve translation of blocks and interface
- Add copy-paste functionality in costume editor
- Allow adding photos and sounds in costume editor
- Fix variable creation on iPhone X/iPad
- Update Scratch 3 features
- Add more sprites/photos
- Improve tutorial functionality
- Add dark mode
- Enable firmware updates via Bluetooth
- Improve compatibility with older Makeblock controllers
- Add full French language support
- Allow sharing projects
Tynker Junior
Reported bugs
3 issues- Levels/games not progressing properly
- Login and account issues
- Compatibility problems on certain devices
Requested features
3 requests- Add more advanced coding lessons
- Improve customer support and responsiveness
- Integrate with full Tynker app for seamless experience
In-app purchases
mBlock
No in-app purchases
Tynker Junior
- Individual Monthly$4.991 Month
- Tynker Jr. Web + Mobile Plan7 Days trial$24.991 Month
- Individual Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
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- Tynker Jr. Web + Mobile Plan7 Days trial$59.993 Months
- Tynker Jr. Web + Mobile Plan$119.991 Year
- Tynker Jr. Web + Mobile Plan$314.99
