BLExAR vs Tinkercad
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BLExAR
This app enables iOS devices to communicate with Arduino boards via Bluetooth Low Energy. It allows real-time control of Arduino pins, data logging with GPS coordinates, and serial text communication for makers and students.
- Real-time control of Arduino digital and analog pins
- Real-time data plotting
- Data logging to CSV files
- Capture GPS coordinates for data points
- Serial text communication terminal
Read full descriptionHide full description
BLExAR turns your iPhone or iPad into a pocket bench instrument for Arduino-class boards over Bluetooth Low Energy. Connect to a board with an HM-10 style UART module (CC2541, AT-09, JDY-08, SH-M08), an nRF52840 MakerBLE board or a Seeed XIAO ESP32-C6, then switch pins, stream sensor values, plot and record them, all without writing an app of your own. BLExAR 3.0 is a complete rewrite that keeps working with the sketches and tutorials written for earlier versions: the same commands, the same pins and the same CSV files. CONTROL • Switch digital pins and set PWM from pin tiles laid out like your board's header • Analog sliders for the A-pins • Board profiles for Arduino Uno, Arduino Nano, MakerBLE (nRF52840), Seeed XIAO ESP32-C6 and the classic 2.7 layout • TX/RX activity lights show every message to and from the board DATA • Live chart of the comma-separated values your board sends, with Run/Hold and 10 s, 1 min and 10 min windows • Readout cards with min, max and standard deviation for each series, plus the incoming stream rate • Record sessions to CSV, optionally with your location on each row, and keep recording in the background • Browse, reopen and share recorded sessions; they also appear in the Files app CONSOLE • Serial terminal to send and receive text, with a hex view and quick command keys PANELS • Build your own control dashboards with buttons, toggles, sliders, a joystick and gauges bound to your board's commands and data columns • Share panels with others as files ALWAYS AT HAND • Live Activity on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island while connected or recording • Control Center controls to toggle a pin without opening the app • Scan list puts UART-ready boards first, ordered by signal strength • Automatic reconnect after a dropped link • Light and dark appearance and Dynamic Type BLExAR is made for makers, students, teachers and engineers. Tutorials and example sketches are at makersportal.com.
Tinkercad
This app empowers aspiring designers and engineers with essential skills in 3D design, electronics, and coding. Learn through hands-on projects, build confidence, and bring your creations to life in the real world. It's a safe, ad-free environment for all ages to explore innovation.
- 3D design optimized for mobile
- Circuit simulation with Arduino/micro:bit
- 3D design from code (Codeblocks)
- AR viewer for designs
- Import/export various file formats
- Educational tools for teachers
Read full descriptionHide full description
Tinkercad is a free app that equips the next generation of designers and engineers with the foundational skills for innovation: 3D design, electronics, and coding. • FREE FOR EVERYONE: No strings attached. Start creating from the first click. • LEARN BY DOING: Build confidence, persistence, and problem-solving skills. • SAFE FOR ALL AGES: Ad-free. kidSAFE certified. Privacy first. KEY FEATURES • Easily build 3D with controls optimized for your device. • Connect, code, and simulate circuit components with Arduino and micro:bit microcontrollers. • Make 3D designs from code using Tinkercad Codeblocks. • Bring your designs into the real world with the Tinkercad AR viewer. • Import STL, OBJ and SVG files into the 3D design space to build on an existing design. • Export your files including STL, OBJ, USDZ, and SVG or send them to other programs. • All you need is a device and an internet connection. • Apple Pencil compatible. FOR EDUCATORS • Tinkercad Classrooms allows teachers to assign Activities, send and receive assignments, invite co-teachers, and monitor student progress—all from your dashboard. • Tinkercad Lesson Plans and starters available for students to get started with 3D CAD design, electronics simulation, and block-based programming. • Compatible with Google Classroom. Tinkercad is a free product from Autodesk, a leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software. Tomorrow's innovators start here. Children’s Privacy Statement: https://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks/privacy-statement/childrens-privacy-statement
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Tinkercad at Free against BLExAR's $4.99. Tinkercad also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (20K vs 14). BLExAR's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 59%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Tinkercad is free to download; BLExAR costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Tinkercad holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tinkercad has 20K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of BLExAR's written reviews are positive against 59% of Tinkercad's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
BLExAR ships an update every 3 months, Tinkercad every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BLExAR | Tinkercad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.0 (14 ratings) | 4.6 (20K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better | 58.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 14 | 20K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Maker Portal LLC | Autodesk Inc. |
Customer experience
BLExAR
Tinkercad
Bugs and requests
BLExAR
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Tinkercad
Reported bugs
4 issues- Login issues and lost connection problems
- Dimensions box repeatedly appearing
- Designs reverting to earlier versions
- Overlapping UI elements
Requested features
5 requests- Add support for Apple Pencil and trackpad
- Improve alignment and grouping tools
- Provide offline functionality
- Expand library of shapes and templates
- Implement better tutorial and documentation
In-app purchases
BLExAR
No in-app purchases
Tinkercad
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is BLExAR free?
Is Tinkercad free?
Which has better reviews, BLExAR or Tinkercad?
Do BLExAR or Tinkercad have ads?
Which is updated more often, BLExAR or Tinkercad?
Other comparisons















