Comparison

BLExAR vs Arduino Programming Tutorial

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

BLExAR is an integrated app that uses Bluetooth Low Energy to convert an Arduino board into an iOS-compatible device. BLExAR allows the iOS user to control all digital and analog pins on most Arduino-based boards using just a CC2541 (HM-10, AT-09, JDY-08, SH-M08) Bluetooth board. Some features include: real-time control of all Arduino pins, data plotting in real time, data logging to a comma-separated file, capturing GPS coordinates of data points, and serial text communication using a terminal window. The BLExAR app is intended for makers, students, and engineers interested in communicating between their Arduino and smartphone, whether for hobby or professional purposes. The app allow users to interact with their Arduino board, but also receive data from sensors and log precise measurements in time and space with GPS coordinates.

About

Arduino Programming Tutorial

Learn Arduino programming with over 200 lessons, circuit diagrams, and code examples. Covers electronics, components, and C++ essentials for beginners and advanced users. Available in 14 languages.

Highlights
  • 200+ practical lessons
  • Circuit diagrams and wiring guides
  • Ready-to-use code examples
  • Interactive quiz questions
  • Covers 14 languages
  • Detailed component explanations
  • C++ programming essentials
Features
Read full description

Learn Arduino programming from scratch with 200+ practical lessons, circuit diagrams, and ready-to-use code examples. For beginners, students, hobbyists, and engineers looking to learn Arduino from scratch or advance their skills — build real projects, understand electronics, and master Arduino. The app includes a wide collection of electronic components, analog and digital sensors, and external modules used with Arduino. Each topic includes: • Clear, detailed explanations of how components work • Step-by-step wiring instructions and circuit guidance • Integration steps with practical usage tips • Ready-to-use Arduino code examples • Interactive quiz questions Available in 14 Languages: • English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese — study in your native language! The application provides detailed lessons and wiring guides for a wide range of hardware components commonly used with Arduino, including: • GPIO, buttons, LEDs • ADC, PWM • UART, I2C, SPI communication • Distance, motion, and infrared sensors • Temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors • Light, sound, gas, and touch sensors • LCD and OLED displays • Motors, relays, and actuators • Accelerometers and gyroscopes • Real-time clock modules These examples include wiring diagrams, explanations, and ready-to-use Arduino code. The built-in programming course covers essential C++ topics used in Arduino development: • Data types and variables • Operators and expressions • Control structures and loops • Arrays and strings • Functions and scope • Math and random functions • Bitwise operations • Preprocessor directives All lessons, component descriptions, and quizzes are regularly updated and expanded in every new app version. "Arduino" and all other mentioned trade names are trademarks of their respective owners. This app is an independent educational product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or associated with Arduino or any other company.

Screenshots

BLExAR4 screens
Arduino Programming Tutorial4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Arduino Programming Tutorial at Free against BLExAR's $3.99. Arduino Programming Tutorial also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). BLExAR's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (75% vs 45%). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Arduino Programming Tutorial is free to download; BLExAR costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BLExAR ships an update every 3 months, Arduino Programming Tutorial every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
BLExAR versus Arduino Programming Tutorial: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBLExARArduino Programming Tutorial
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (14 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better45.5% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB44 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMaker Portal LLCALG Software Lab

Customer experience

BLExAR

All ratings14 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral7.1%
Negative21.4%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Arduino Programming Tutorial

Written reviews22 reviews
Positive45.5%
Neutral18.2%
Negative36.4%

In-app purchases

None

BLExAR

No in-app purchases

None

Arduino Programming Tutorial

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BLExAR free?
BLExAR costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Arduino Programming Tutorial free?
Arduino Programming Tutorial is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do BLExAR or Arduino Programming Tutorial have ads?
Arduino Programming Tutorial shows ads; BLExAR does not.
Which is updated more often, BLExAR or Arduino Programming Tutorial?
BLExAR ships an update every 3 months, and Arduino Programming Tutorial every 6 weeks. Most recently, BLExAR was updated on October 2, 2026 and Arduino Programming Tutorial on October 6, 2026.

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