# VEXcode GO vs SAM Studio

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SAM Studio at 100% against VEXcode GO's 50%. SAM Studio also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.2). VEXcode GO's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (22 vs 3). 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.

SAM Studio holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VEXcode GO has 22 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of VEXcode GO's written reviews are positive against 100% of SAM Studio's.

VEXcode GO ships an update every 2 months, SAM Studio every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on July 5, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VEXcode GO | SAM Studio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vexcode-go/id1501754061/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-studio/id1582863218/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **22** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 727 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [VEX Robotics, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1162973741) | [SAM Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1033131753) |

## What reviewers say

### VEXcode GO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vexcode-go/id1501754061)

This coding environment offers a consistent, intuitive interface for students of all ages to learn programming through robotics. It simplifies robot control and programming with a drag-and-drop block system, making computer science accessible and engaging.

**Highlights:** Consistent interface across devices and levels, Drag-and-drop block coding, Robot control and programming, Built-in video tutorials, Cross-language support for blocks and comments, Educator-written help resources

**In-app purchases:** none


### SAM Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-studio/id1582863218)

This platform offers tools and curriculum-aligned lesson plans for engaging STEAM and coding education. It features intuitive visual coding apps and wireless electronic blocks to bring computational thinking to life in the classroom.

**Highlights:** Curriculum-aligned lesson plans, Intuitive visual flow-based and block-based coding, Wireless Bluetooth electronic blocks, Lesson Builder tool, Teacher support and training, Support for various sensors and motors

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VEXcode GO free?

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

### Is SAM Studio free?

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

### Which has better reviews, VEXcode GO or SAM Studio?

SAM Studio is rated higher. VEXcode GO averages 3.2 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while SAM Studio averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do VEXcode GO or SAM Studio have ads?

Neither VEXcode GO nor SAM Studio shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VEXcode GO or SAM Studio?

VEXcode GO ships an update every 2 months, and SAM Studio every 5 months. Most recently, VEXcode GO was updated on July 5, 2026 and SAM Studio on June 1, 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.*