Comparison

VEXcode 123 vs Sphero Edu Jr

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

Head to head
About

VEXcode 123

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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 123, VEX GO, 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 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 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. VEXcode Privacy Policy: https://www.vexrobotics.com/software-privacy-policy

About

Sphero Edu Jr

This app allows users to connect to a robot and customize its actions using visual programming blocks. Create mazes, play games, and compose music while learning fundamental coding logic.

Highlights
  • Block programming interface
  • Customize lights, sounds, and movements
  • Create mazes and games
  • Learn basic programming logic
  • Classic and new drive modes
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With Sphero Edu Jr you can connect to your indi and customize its behavior with simple yet powerful programming blocks. By coding the lights, sounds, and movements of indi, you can create unique mazes, play games, write simple songs, and ultimately learn the basic logic of programming. Features include: • All new block programming experience, designed for the uniqueness of indi. • Drive modes, including the classic Sphero driving experience and a new mode designed specifically for indi.

Screenshots

Sphero Edu Jr4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: VEXcode 123 at every 4 months against Sphero Edu Jr's every 17 months. Sphero Edu Jr's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VEXcode 123 ships an update every 4 months, Sphero Edu Jr every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
VEXcode 123 versus Sphero Edu Jr: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVEXcode 123Sphero Edu Jr
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.6 (15 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—44.4% of reviews
Number of ratings—15 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size408 MB128 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVEX Robotics, Inc.Sphero, Inc.

In-app purchases

None

VEXcode 123

No in-app purchases

None

Sphero Edu Jr

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is VEXcode 123 free?
VEXcode 123 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sphero Edu Jr free?
Sphero Edu Jr is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do VEXcode 123 or Sphero Edu Jr have ads?
Neither VEXcode 123 nor Sphero Edu Jr shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VEXcode 123 or Sphero Edu Jr?
VEXcode 123 ships an update every 4 months, and Sphero Edu Jr every 17 months. Most recently, VEXcode 123 was updated on October 13, 2026 and Sphero Edu Jr on October 21, 2026.

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