Comparison

mBlock vs ICQbot

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

ICQbot

This app offers a graphical programming interface to control hardware via Bluetooth. Users can program hardware to interact with stage characters, enabling two-way interaction between software and physical devices.

Highlights
  • Graphical programming interface
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Hardware control
  • Stage character interaction
  • Software-hardware two-way interaction
Read full description

图形化编程,连接蓝牙,可以通过编程控制硬件,也可以通过硬件控制舞台角色,实现软硬件双向互动。

Screenshots

mBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ICQbot at 5.0 against mBlock's 3.1. ICQbot also leads on iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15.0). mBlock's advantage is ratings volume (152 vs 1) and device support. On price, 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

ICQbot holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: mBlock has 152 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
mBlock versus ICQbot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermBlockICQbot
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (152 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings152 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — better—
Requires iOS15.09.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB96 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMakeblock Co., Ltd.I Create Robot Technology Co., LTD

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

ICQbot

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

mBlock

No in-app purchases

None

ICQbot

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is mBlock free?
mBlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ICQbot free?
ICQbot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, mBlock or ICQbot?
ICQbot is rated higher. mBlock averages 3.1 out of 5 from 152 ratings, while ICQbot averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

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