# VEXcode IQ vs ScratchUP

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | VEXcode IQ | ScratchUP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | [3.7 (38 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vexcode-iq/id1474811207/reviews) | **[4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scratchup/id1596380124/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **38** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 61.9% of reviews | **75.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 892 MB | 397 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [VEX Robotics, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1162973741) | [Ulrich PICAUD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1582663236) |

## What reviewers say

### VEXcode IQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vexcode-iq/id1474811207)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### ScratchUP

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scratchup/id1596380124)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


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