Comparison

VEXcode IQ vs ScratchUP

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

ScratchUP

This app allows users to learn, teach, and play with code. It offers a variety of features for creating educational activities, including sensor integration, machine learning capabilities, and math tools. Compatible with Scratch files, it provides an offline coding experience for students and educators.

Highlights
  • Scratch file compatibility (.sb2, .sb3)
  • Sensor event integration (touch, keyboard, camera, Bluetooth)
  • Machine learning for object and sound recognition
  • Body detection, Handpose, and Facemesh
  • QRCode scanner
  • Math tools for learning
  • Offline app functionality
Read full description

ScratchUP is the perfect app for students, teachers, and anyone who wants to learn coding. Use it in the classroom or at home to create interactive projects, explore programming concepts, and design educational activities with endless possibilities. Scratch-compatible: open and save .sb2 and .sb3 files with ease. Build richer projects by combining touch events, keyboard input, camera features, and Bluetooth sensor data. A fullscreen offline app packed with powerful features: - Virtual keyboard for managing key events - Bluetooth connection to devices such as micro:bit - Body Detection, Hand Pose, and Face Mesh powered by machine learning - QR code scanner - Train your own object recognition models with machine learning - Import Teachable Machine models to recognize objects and sounds - Built-in math tools for easier learning - Control the front and back cameras directly in code - New Function extension for creating more advanced programs - New option to hide blocks in the interface and in scripts for a cleaner workspace - Native iPadOS export to share projects instantly via AirDrop or email - Export scripts as images to easily add them to worksheets, lessons, or other documents Code, learn, teach, and play — all in one app. Enjoy!

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: VEXcode IQ at Free against ScratchUP's $0.99. VEXcode IQ also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (38 vs 4). ScratchUP's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.7) and review sentiment (75% vs 62%). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

VEXcode IQ is free to download; ScratchUP costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ScratchUP holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VEXcode IQ has 38 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of VEXcode IQ's written reviews are positive against 75% of ScratchUP's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VEXcode IQ ships an update every 6 weeks, ScratchUP every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on August 28, 2026 and June 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
VEXcode IQ versus ScratchUP: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVEXcode IQScratchUP
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating3.7 (38 ratings)4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.9% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings38 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size892 MB397 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVEX Robotics, Inc.Ulrich PICAUD

Customer experience

VEXcode IQ

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

ScratchUP

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

VEXcode IQ

No in-app purchases

None

ScratchUP

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VEXcode IQ free?
VEXcode IQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ScratchUP free?
ScratchUP costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, VEXcode IQ or ScratchUP?
ScratchUP is rated higher. VEXcode IQ averages 3.7 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while ScratchUP averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do VEXcode IQ or ScratchUP have ads?
Neither VEXcode IQ nor ScratchUP shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VEXcode IQ or ScratchUP?
VEXcode IQ ships an update every 6 weeks, and ScratchUP every 9 months. Most recently, VEXcode IQ was updated on August 28, 2026 and ScratchUP on June 22, 2026.

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