mBlock vs BuildInstruction
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
Read full descriptionHide 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
BuildInstruction
This app provides clear, step-by-step visual guides for building robotics projects. It currently offers 18 detailed instructions perfect for learning robotics and coding concepts.
- Step-by-step building instructions
- Large, clear pictures
- 18 building guides included
- Supports robotics learning
- Aids coding education
Read full descriptionHide full description
Building instructions are ideal as a support material for learning Robotics and Coding. At the moment the application contains 18 building instructions. These instructions are clear and easy to follow. They have large step-by-step pictures. DISCLAIMER: - This is an UNOFFICIAL APP and presented with an indirect name to emphasize that. - The instructions were made by me.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: BuildInstruction at 4.5 against mBlock's 3.1. mBlock's advantage is review sentiment (34% vs 0%). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
BuildInstruction holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 152 and 108 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 34% of mBlock's written reviews are positive against 0% of BuildInstruction's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
| Parameter | mBlock | BuildInstruction |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (152 ratings) | 4.5 (108 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 33.9% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 152 — better | 108 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | — |
| Ads | No | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 14.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 170 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Makeblock Co., Ltd. | Lukasz Neumann |
Customer experience
mBlock
BuildInstruction
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
BuildInstruction
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
mBlock
No in-app purchases
BuildInstruction
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is mBlock free?
Is BuildInstruction free?
Which has better reviews, mBlock or BuildInstruction?
Other comparisons
