# FinchBlox vs SAM Root

The clearest difference is update cadence: SAM Root at monthly against FinchBlox's every 5 months. SAM Root also leads on ratings volume (42 vs 1). FinchBlox's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.8) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 13.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

FinchBlox holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SAM Root has 42 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

FinchBlox ships an update every 5 months, SAM Root monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FinchBlox | SAM Root |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/finchblox/id1455231117/reviews)** | [3.8 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-root/id1524652548/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **42** |
| Positive reviews | — | 46.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 119 MB | 92 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.3** | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BirdBrain Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1012525349) | [SAM Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1033131753) |

## What reviewers say

### FinchBlox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/finchblox/id1455231117)

This app allows children ages 5-9 to code a Finch Robot using an icon-based programming language. It introduces foundational computer science skills through three levels of increasing complexity, teaching concepts like sequencing, parameters, and loops.

**Highlights:** Icon-based programming, Three learning levels, Teaches sequencing, Introduces parameters, Supports loops, Requires Finch Robot 2.0

**In-app purchases:** none


### SAM Root

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-root/id1524652548)

Learn programming through interactive robotics with three progressive coding levels, from graphical blocks to Python 3. Control robots in real-time or test your code with a built-in 3D simulator.

**Highlights:** Three progressive coding levels, Graphical blocks to Python 3, Real-time robot control, Built-in 3D simulator, Seamless level switching, Bluetooth robot pairing

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FinchBlox free?

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

### Is SAM Root free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FinchBlox or SAM Root?

FinchBlox is rated higher. FinchBlox averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while SAM Root averages 3.8 from 42 ratings.

### Do FinchBlox or SAM Root have ads?

Neither FinchBlox nor SAM Root shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FinchBlox or SAM Root?

FinchBlox ships an update every 5 months, and SAM Root monthly. Most recently, FinchBlox was updated on October 3, 2026 and SAM Root on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*