Comparison

CodeQuest vs VEXcode 123

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

Head to head
About

CodeQuest

An interactive game teaches coding logic to young students through grid-based challenges. It helps develop computational thinking skills and is accessible to blind and visually impaired learners.

Highlights
  • Teaches coding logic and computational thinking
  • Grid-based challenges with increasing difficulty
  • Accessible with VoiceOver for visually impaired students
  • Introduces concepts like sequencing and looping
  • Develops problem-solving and pattern recognition skills
  • Tactile graphic design files available for download
Read full description

CodeQuest is an interactive game designed to teach coding logic to preschool and early elementary students. Students learn new skills as they navigate a series of grids that increase in difficulty as the game progresses. CodeQuest was created for use by blind, visually impaired, and sighted students alike, making it ideal for use by an entire class! CodeQuest is easy to learn. Players help an astronaut return to his ship by devising a series of commands to guide him. The solution with the least number of steps earns the highest possible score. The grids get increasingly complex as the game progresses. This allows for the introduction of concepts like sequencing and looping. In addition to all the game fun and coding concepts, students also benefit from the computational thinking used throughout CodeQuest. This includes the ability to: develop a solution to a problem; to recognize patterns and trends; and to identify the best among multiple possible solutions to a problem. Tactile graphic design files of the grids are available for download. Go to www.aph.org and search “CodeQuest” to find them. You will also find design files of three tactile grid boards and several manipulatives including the astronaut, rocket ship, alien, and arrow tiles that can be laser-cut or 3D-printed. Features: * Fun and easy to use for young students. * Fully compatible with VoiceOver. * Integrates fundamental coding concepts such as sequencing and looping into game play. * Allows students to work on orientation concepts including up, down, left, and right. * Motivates students to practice problem solving, planning, and computational thinking skills. * Great for visually impaired students to learn access technology through game play. * Great for blind students to practice tactile graphic reading skills.

About

VEXcode 123

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 123, 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

CodeQuest2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: VEXcode 123 at every 4 months against CodeQuest's every 17 months. CodeQuest's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). On price, 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

CodeQuest ships an update every 17 months, VEXcode 123 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CodeQuest versus VEXcode 123: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodeQuestVEXcode 123
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (85 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings85 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB408 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAmerican Printing House for the Blind (APH)VEX Robotics, Inc.

In-app purchases

None

CodeQuest

No in-app purchases

None

VEXcode 123

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CodeQuest free?
CodeQuest is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VEXcode 123 free?
VEXcode 123 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CodeQuest or VEXcode 123 have ads?
Neither CodeQuest nor VEXcode 123 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CodeQuest or VEXcode 123?
CodeQuest ships an update every 17 months, and VEXcode 123 every 4 months. Most recently, CodeQuest was updated on October 10, 2026 and VEXcode 123 on October 13, 2026.

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