Comparison

mBlock vs Scratch Tutorial

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

Scratch Tutorial

This app offers an innovative, step-by-step programming course designed for children aged 4-14. It uses engaging content to foster a love for coding and allows kids to create their own games while learning fundamental programming concepts.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step programming guidance
  • Interactive learning system
  • Create own programming games
  • Courses designed by experts
  • Gradual concept mastery
Read full description

The latest scratch course - easy to use, let children fall in love with programming. ----Innovative design intelligent system guides children to learn step by step. 4-14-year-old children can easy to accept, and they will learn as soon as they learn. ----Interesting programming courses stimulate children's interest in learning and let them design their own programming games while learning and playing. Love programming, learn to program. ----Senior program designer and educator cooperate to design the course, and gradually master the programming concept from shallow to deep. New intelligent programming course, open the road of children's programming enlightenment!

Screenshots

mBlock4 screens
Scratch Tutorial4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Scratch Tutorial at 4.2 against mBlock's 3.1. Scratch Tutorial also leads on ratings volume (4.6K vs 152) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). mBlock's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, review sentiment, 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. Scratch Tutorial sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. mBlock asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Scratch Tutorial holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scratch Tutorial has 4.6K ratings behind it against 152, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 34% and 35% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

mBlock ships an update every 2 months, Scratch Tutorial every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
mBlock versus Scratch Tutorial: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermBlockScratch Tutorial
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (152 ratings)4.2 (4.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.9% of reviews34.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1524.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB254 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMakeblock Co., Ltd.海涛 赵

Customer experience

mBlock

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

Scratch Tutorial

All ratings4,632 ratings
Positive78.2%
Neutral6.9%
Negative14.9%
Written reviews231 reviews
Positive34.6%
Neutral5.2%
Negative60.2%

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

Scratch Tutorial

From 4.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Helpful tutorials
  • 🤗 Good for learning to code
  • 😊 Fun and engaging

Room to improve

  • 💰 Paywall for advanced content
  • 🤔 Outdated or incompatible blocks
  • 😕 Repetitive and restrictive
  • 🙄 Poor graphics and UI

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

Scratch Tutorial

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Lessons get stuck or freeze
  • Inability to edit or correct mistakes

Requested features

3 requests
  • Allow more free-form coding
  • Improve compatibility with latest Scratch version
  • Add more game-making options

In-app purchases

None

mBlock

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Scratch Tutorial

One-time1
  • Scratch lessons$4.99

Questions

Is mBlock free?
mBlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scratch Tutorial free?
Scratch Tutorial is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, mBlock or Scratch Tutorial?
Scratch Tutorial is rated higher. mBlock averages 3.1 out of 5 from 152 ratings, while Scratch Tutorial averages 4.2 from 4.6K ratings.
Do mBlock or Scratch Tutorial have ads?
Neither mBlock nor Scratch Tutorial shows ads.
Which is updated more often, mBlock or Scratch Tutorial?
mBlock ships an update every 2 months, and Scratch Tutorial every 4 weeks. Most recently, mBlock was updated on September 17, 2026 and Scratch Tutorial on September 25, 2026.

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