Comparison

mBlock vs VEXcode GO

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

VEXcode GO

This coding environment offers a consistent, intuitive interface for students of all ages to learn programming through robotics. It simplifies robot control and programming with a drag-and-drop block system, making computer science accessible and engaging.

Highlights
  • Consistent interface across devices and levels
  • Drag-and-drop block coding
  • Robot control and programming
  • Built-in video tutorials
  • Cross-language support for blocks and comments
  • Educator-written help resources
Read full description

From elementary school through college, VEXcode is a coding environment that meets students at their level. The intuitive layout of VEXcode allows students to get started quickly and easily. VEXcode is consistent across Blocks and Text, across VEX GO, VEX IQ, and VEX V5. As students progress from elementary, middle, and high school, they never have to learn a different blocks, code, or toolbar interface. As a result, students can focus on creating with technology, not trying to navigate a new layout. Drive Forward is the new Hello World We all know that robots attract kids to learn. VEX Robotics and VEXcode are providing opportunities for students of all ages to participate in learning the code that makes these robots work. VEX makes computer science come to life through collaborations, hands-on projects, and engaging experiences. From classrooms to competitions, VEXcode helps to create the next generation of innovators. Drag. Drop. Drive. VEXcode is the perfect platform for those new to coding. Students use the simple drag and drop interface to create functioning programs. Each block's purpose can easily be identified using the visual cues like its shape, color, and label. We've designed VEXcode to allow those who are new to robotics to get their robot up and running faster. Now, students can focus on being creative and learning computer science concepts, not stuck trying to figure out the interface. More accessible than ever VEXcode even helps across language barriers, allowing student to read blocks and comment programs in their native language. Drag & Drop. Powered by Scratch Blocks. Students and Teachers will feel instantly at home with this familiar environment. Video Tutorials. Grasp concepts faster. Built-in tutorials cover every aspect needed to get up to speed fast. And more tutorials are coming. Help is always there. Getting information on blocks is fast and easy. These resources were written by educators, in a form both teachers and students will grasp quickly. Drivetrain Blocks. A breakthrough in simplicity. From driving forward, making precise turns, setting speed, and stopping precisely, VEXcode makes it easier than ever to control a robot. VEXcode Privacy Policy: https://www.vexrobotics.com/software-privacy-policy

Screenshots

mBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

mBlock and VEXcode GO both sit at 3.1 stars, but that hides the real split: 50% of VEXcode GO's written reviews are positive against 34% of mBlock's. mBlock's advantage is ratings volume (152 vs 22) and device support (3 vs 1). 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 — 3.1 for mBlock against 3.2 for VEXcode GO. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: mBlock has 152 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 34% of mBlock's written reviews are positive against 50% of VEXcode GO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and July 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
mBlock versus VEXcode GO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermBlockVEXcode GO
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (152 ratings)3.2 (22 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.9% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings152 — better22
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB727 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMakeblock Co., Ltd.VEX Robotics, Inc.

Customer experience

mBlock

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

VEXcode GO

All ratings21 ratings
Positive52.4%
Neutral4.8%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

VEXcode GO

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

mBlock

No in-app purchases

None

VEXcode GO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is mBlock free?
mBlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VEXcode GO free?
VEXcode GO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, mBlock or VEXcode GO?
VEXcode GO is rated higher. mBlock averages 3.1 out of 5 from 152 ratings, while VEXcode GO averages 3.2 from 22 ratings.
Do mBlock or VEXcode GO have ads?
Neither mBlock nor VEXcode GO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, mBlock or VEXcode GO?
mBlock ships an update every 2 months, and VEXcode GO every 2 months. Most recently, mBlock was updated on September 17, 2026 and VEXcode GO on July 5, 2026.

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