Comparison

Geoboard, by MLC vs SAM Root

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

Head to head
About

Geoboard, by MLC

Explore mathematical concepts like perimeter, area, and fractions by stretching virtual bands around pegs to form shapes. This open-ended educational tool is ideal for elementary and middle school learners, offering multiple board types and drawing tools for interactive discovery.

Highlights
  • Create line segments and polygons
  • Multiple board types (square, rectangular, circular)
  • Shape duplication and transformation
  • Fill shapes with transparent color
  • Display grid lines with numbering
  • Drawing and annotation tools
  • Save and share work
Features
Read full description

Geoboard is a tool for exploring a variety of mathematical topics introduced in the elementary and middle grades. Learners stretch bands around the pegs to form line segments and polygons and make discoveries about perimeter, area, angles, congruence, fractions, and more. This virtual version of the manipulative is an open-ended educational tool, ideal for elementary classrooms and other learning environments. FEATURES • Create line segments and polygons by stretching bands around the Geoboard’s pegs. • Choose from 8 different band colors. • Fill individual shapes with a transparent color, or use the Fill All button to toggle all the bands between filled and unfilled. • Switch between the standard 25-peg square board, a rectangular board with 150 pegs, or a circular board with 13 pegs. The circular board enables explorations with angles, fractions, and time measurement. • Duplicate shapes then move, rotate, or flip them to explore symmetry and congruency. • Change the color of selected bands. • Display grid lines with or without numbering to more easily calculate area and identify shape locations. •Hide and reveal work with resizable covers to create your own problems and model strategies. • Use the drawing tools to annotate work and show understanding. • Add equations, expressions, and descriptions with the math text and writing tools. • Share your work by saving an image or providing a share code to others. MORE APPS For more Geoboard resources and other apps, visit:www.mathlearningcenter.org/apps LEARN MORE To learn about Bridges in Mathematics, an elementary curriculum that employs visual models such as the geoboard, please visit: www.mathlearningcenter.org/bridges/overview ABOUT US This app is brought to you by The Math Learning Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to K-12 math education since 1976. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Geoboard app was made possible by a generous donation from Dr. David Moursund. This app was crafted by Clarity Innovations. We help improve teaching and learning by creating solutions that match promising technologies with the needs of education.  Visit us at: www.clarity-innovations.com

About

SAM Root

Learn programming through interactive robotics with three progressive coding levels, from graphical blocks to Python 3. Control robots in real-time or test your code with a built-in 3D simulator.

Highlights
  • Three progressive coding levels
  • Graphical blocks to Python 3
  • Real-time robot control
  • Built-in 3D simulator
  • Seamless level switching
  • Bluetooth robot pairing
Read full description

SAM Root makes it easy and fun to learn programming through hands-on robotics! With three progressive coding levels—from graphical blocks to hybrid blocks to Python 3 syntax—you’ll be building real coding skills and controlling robots in no time. MASTER CODING WITH 3 LEARNING LEVELS No coding experience? No problem! SAM Root meets you where you are and grows with your skills: - LEVEL 1: Graphical Blocks – Start with drag-and-drop, graphical blocks to grasp the fundamentals of coding logic—no reading required. - LEVEL 2: Hybrid Blocks – Transition into more advanced coding structure with blocks that blend visuals and coding script. - LEVEL 3: Python Code Blocks – Discover the structure and syntax of professional coding languages with full-text Python 3 code blocks. SEAMLESSLY SWITCH BETWEEN LEVELS Change coding levels anytime with a tap. SAM Root automatically converts your code, so you can match your skill level and learn the professional Python syntax behind each block. CONNECT TO ROOT ROBOTS Pair with a Root coding robot via Bluetooth and bring your programs to life! Control movement, lights, sounds, sensors, and more—while watching your code run in real time. TEST WITH THE BUILT-IN SIMULATOR Use the built-in 3D simulator to test your programs, speed up execution, and try new ideas—all without needing hardware.

Screenshots

SAM Root4 screens

Verdict

The call

Geoboard, by MLC and SAM Root both sit at 3.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 81% of Geoboard, by MLC's written reviews are positive against 46% of SAM Root's. SAM Root's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 39 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.8 for Geoboard, by MLC against 3.7 for SAM Root. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 43 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Geoboard, by MLC's written reviews are positive against 46% of SAM Root's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Geoboard, by MLC ships an update every 39 months, SAM Root monthly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Geoboard, by MLC versus SAM Root: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGeoboard, by MLCSAM Root
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (20 ratings) — better3.7 (43 ratings)
Positive reviews81.3% of reviews — better46.2% of reviews
Number of ratings2043 — better
Update frequencyEvery 39 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB92 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Math Learning CenterSAM Labs

Customer experience

Geoboard, by MLC

All ratings17 ratings
Positive76.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.5%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive81.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.8%

SAM Root

All ratings42 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral11.9%
Negative23.8%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%

In-app purchases

None

Geoboard, by MLC

No in-app purchases

None

SAM Root

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Geoboard, by MLC free?
Geoboard, by MLC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SAM Root free?
SAM Root is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Geoboard, by MLC or SAM Root?
Geoboard, by MLC is rated higher. Geoboard, by MLC averages 3.8 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while SAM Root averages 3.7 from 43 ratings.
Do Geoboard, by MLC or SAM Root have ads?
Neither Geoboard, by MLC nor SAM Root shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Geoboard, by MLC or SAM Root?
Geoboard, by MLC ships an update every 39 months, and SAM Root monthly. Most recently, Geoboard, by MLC was updated on November 3, 2026 and SAM Root on November 3, 2026.

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