Comparison

mBlock vs MatataCode(Nous)

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

Head to head

mBlock

Coding for beginners

Free

📚 Education

★ 3.1152 ratingsView app →

for nous

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

MatataCode(Nous)

Features

Read full description

MatataCode (for Nous) is programming software designed for the Nous AI Set, featuring Blockly and Python programming. Leveraging Nous's comprehensive hardware functions, children can program through AI, servos, camera, sensors, and screens to bring their creative projects to life. The software also includes a wealth of teaching cases and a help center to support educators and children, ensuring a quick and easy start to their programming journey.

Screenshots

mBlock4 screens

MatataCode(Nous)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: MatataCode(Nous) at 13.0 against mBlock's 15.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

mBlock ships an update every 2 months, MatataCode(Nous) every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level

mBlock versus MatataCode(Nous): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter	mBlock	MatataCode(Nous)
Price	Free	Free
Rating	3.1 (152 ratings) — better	—
Positive reviews	33.9% of reviews	—
Number of ratings	152 — better	—
Update frequency	Every 2 months — better	Every 3 months
Ads	No	No
In-app purchases	No	No
Monetization	Free	—
Devices	iPhone, iPad, iPod	iPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS	15.0	13.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size	170 MB	200 MB
Age rating	4+	4+
Developer	Makeblock Co., Ltd.	MATATALAB 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

MatataCode(Nous)

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

mBlock

No in-app purchases

None

MatataCode(Nous)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is mBlock free?

mBlock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

Is MatataCode(Nous) free?

MatataCode(Nous) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

Do mBlock or MatataCode(Nous) have ads?

Neither mBlock nor MatataCode(Nous) shows ads.

Which is updated more often, mBlock or MatataCode(Nous)?

mBlock ships an update every 2 months, and MatataCode(Nous) every 3 months. Most recently, mBlock was updated on September 17, 2026 and MatataCode(Nous) on September 21, 2026.