Comparison

VEXcode IQ vs Scratch Tutorial

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

Head to head
About

VEXcode IQ

This coding environment is designed for students of all ages to learn programming through robotics. Its intuitive interface, consistent across different levels and platforms, allows users to focus on creation rather than navigation. It makes computer science accessible and engaging through hands-on projects and collaborations.

Highlights
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
  • Consistent across Blocks and Text
  • Robot drivetrain control blocks
  • Device manager for robot setup
  • Built-in video tutorials
  • Example projects for learning
  • Multilingual block support
Features
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 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 Blocks 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 Blocks 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. Setup your VEX robot. Fast. VEXcode's device manager is simple, flexible, and powerful. In no time at all you can setup your robot's drivetrain, controller features, motors, and sensors. 40+ Example projects to choose from. Jumpstart your learning by starting with an existing project, covering every aspect of coding, controlling robots, and learning to use sensors.

About

Scratch Tutorial

This app offers an innovative, step-by-step programming course designed for children aged 4-14. It uses engaging content to foster a love for coding and allows kids to create their own games while learning fundamental programming concepts.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step programming guidance
  • Interactive learning system
  • Create own programming games
  • Courses designed by experts
  • Gradual concept mastery
Read full description

The latest scratch course - easy to use, let children fall in love with programming. ----Innovative design intelligent system guides children to learn step by step. 4-14-year-old children can easy to accept, and they will learn as soon as they learn. ----Interesting programming courses stimulate children's interest in learning and let them design their own programming games while learning and playing. Love programming, learn to program. ----Senior program designer and educator cooperate to design the course, and gradually master the programming concept from shallow to deep. New intelligent programming course, open the road of children's programming enlightenment!

Screenshots

Scratch Tutorial4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Scratch Tutorial at 4.2 against VEXcode IQ's 3.7. Scratch Tutorial also leads on ratings volume (4.6K vs 38) and device support (4 vs 1). VEXcode IQ's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (62% vs 35%). On price, update cadence and ads 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. Scratch Tutorial sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. VEXcode IQ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Scratch Tutorial holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scratch Tutorial has 4.6K ratings behind it against 38, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of VEXcode IQ's written reviews are positive against 35% of Scratch Tutorial's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VEXcode IQ ships an update every 6 weeks, Scratch Tutorial every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
VEXcode IQ versus Scratch Tutorial: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVEXcode IQScratch Tutorial
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (38 ratings)4.2 (4.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.9% of reviews — better34.6% of reviews
Number of ratings384.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size892 MB254 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVEX Robotics, Inc.海涛 赵

Customer experience

VEXcode IQ

All ratings38 ratings
Positive65.8%
Neutral2.6%
Negative31.6%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive61.9%
Neutral4.8%
Negative33.3%

Scratch Tutorial

All ratings4,632 ratings
Positive78.2%
Neutral6.9%
Negative14.9%
Written reviews231 reviews
Positive34.6%
Neutral5.2%
Negative60.2%

Bugs and requests

VEXcode IQ

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Scratch Tutorial

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Lessons get stuck or freeze
  • Inability to edit or correct mistakes

Requested features

3 requests
  • Allow more free-form coding
  • Improve compatibility with latest Scratch version
  • Add more game-making options

In-app purchases

None

VEXcode IQ

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Scratch Tutorial

One-time1
  • Scratch lessons$4.99

Questions

Is VEXcode IQ free?
VEXcode IQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scratch Tutorial free?
Scratch Tutorial is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, VEXcode IQ or Scratch Tutorial?
Scratch Tutorial is rated higher. VEXcode IQ averages 3.7 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Scratch Tutorial averages 4.2 from 4.6K ratings.
Do VEXcode IQ or Scratch Tutorial have ads?
Neither VEXcode IQ nor Scratch Tutorial shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VEXcode IQ or Scratch Tutorial?
VEXcode IQ ships an update every 6 weeks, and Scratch Tutorial every 4 weeks. Most recently, VEXcode IQ was updated on September 28, 2026 and Scratch Tutorial on October 3, 2026.

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