Comparison

mBlock vs Tinkercad

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Tinkercad

This app empowers aspiring designers and engineers with essential skills in 3D design, electronics, and coding. Learn through hands-on projects, build confidence, and bring your creations to life in the real world. It's a safe, ad-free environment for all ages to explore innovation.

Highlights
  • 3D design optimized for mobile
  • Circuit simulation with Arduino/micro:bit
  • 3D design from code (Codeblocks)
  • AR viewer for designs
  • Import/export various file formats
  • Educational tools for teachers
Read full description

Tinkercad is a free app that equips the next generation of designers and engineers with the foundational skills for innovation: 3D design, electronics, and coding. • FREE FOR EVERYONE: No strings attached. Start creating from the first click. • LEARN BY DOING: Build confidence, persistence, and problem-solving skills. • SAFE FOR ALL AGES: Ad-free. kidSAFE certified. Privacy first. KEY FEATURES • Easily build 3D with controls optimized for your device. • Connect, code, and simulate circuit components with Arduino and micro:bit microcontrollers. • Make 3D designs from code using Tinkercad Codeblocks. • Bring your designs into the real world with the Tinkercad AR viewer. • Import STL, OBJ and SVG files into the 3D design space to build on an existing design. • Export your files including STL, OBJ, USDZ, and SVG or send them to other programs. • All you need is a device and an internet connection. • Apple Pencil compatible. FOR EDUCATORS • Tinkercad Classrooms allows teachers to assign Activities, send and receive assignments, invite co-teachers, and monitor student progress—all from your dashboard. • Tinkercad Lesson Plans and starters available for students to get started with 3D CAD design, electronics simulation, and block-based programming. • Compatible with Google Classroom. Tinkercad is a free product from Autodesk, a leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software. Tomorrow's innovators start here. Children’s Privacy Statement: https://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks/privacy-statement/childrens-privacy-statement

Screenshots

mBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tinkercad at 4.6 against mBlock's 3.1. Tinkercad also leads on ratings volume (19K vs 152) and review sentiment (58% vs 34%). mBlock's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Tinkercad holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tinkercad has 19K 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 58% of Tinkercad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

mBlock ships an update every 2 months, Tinkercad every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
mBlock versus Tinkercad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermBlockTinkercad
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (152 ratings)4.6 (19K ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.9% of reviews58.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15219K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 13 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMakeblock Co., Ltd.Autodesk Inc.

Customer experience

mBlock

All ratings152 ratings
Positive48.7%
Neutral9.2%
Negative42.1%
Written reviews186 reviews
Positive33.9%
Neutral14.0%
Negative52.2%

Tinkercad

All ratings19,423 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral3.9%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews640 reviews
Positive58.4%
Neutral8.8%
Negative32.8%

User reviews

mBlock

From 152 App Store ratings

What 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

Tinkercad

From 19K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Powerful 3D modeling capabilities
  • 💡 Lots of built-in shapes and templates
  • 👍 Good for beginners
  • 👍 Smooth performance on iPad

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Buggy controls and UI issues
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems on some devices
  • 🐛 Unreliable saving and loading of designs
  • 🐛 Lack of advanced modeling tools

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
Show 21 more
  • 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
Show 13 more
  • 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

Tinkercad

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues and lost connection problems
  • Dimensions box repeatedly appearing
  • Designs reverting to earlier versions
  • Overlapping UI elements

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for Apple Pencil and trackpad
  • Improve alignment and grouping tools
  • Provide offline functionality
  • Expand library of shapes and templates
  • Implement better tutorial and documentation

In-app purchases

None

mBlock

No in-app purchases

None

Tinkercad

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is mBlock free?
mBlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tinkercad free?
Tinkercad is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, mBlock or Tinkercad?
Tinkercad is rated higher. mBlock averages 3.1 out of 5 from 152 ratings, while Tinkercad averages 4.6 from 19K ratings.
Do mBlock or Tinkercad have ads?
Neither mBlock nor Tinkercad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, mBlock or Tinkercad?
mBlock ships an update every 2 months, and Tinkercad every 13 months. Most recently, mBlock was updated on September 28, 2026 and Tinkercad on October 2, 2026.

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