SAM Root vs KUBO Play
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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 descriptionHide 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.
KUBO Play
This app offers an interactive digital simulation of a hands-on coding robot, designed for young learners. It provides over 100 tasks across three modes to explore coding concepts through puzzle-solving and storytelling.
- Digital simulation of physical robot
- Interactive coding tasks
- Three learning modes
- Standards-aligned curriculum
- Puzzle-solving gameplay
- Immediate feedback
Read full descriptionHide full description
KUBO Play – The Easiest Way to Start Coding! Give your students a personalized, one-on-one coding journey with KUBO Play, a digital simulation of our award-winning hands-on, screen-free robot. Designed for early-age learners, KUBO Play makes it fun and simple to explore coding concepts in a classroom or home setting. With over 100 interactive tasks across three learning modes, KUBO Play offers a certified, standards-aligned curriculum (available for free at portal.kubo.education). Whether used digitally or as part of a blended learning experience, it seamlessly integrates computer science, storytelling, and cross-curricular activities into daily teaching. Why Educators Love KUBO Play: 1) Unique coding experience – Experience KUBO’s unique TagTiles®, just like with the physical robot. 2) Immediate Feedback – Students see instant results, reinforcing the connection between code and action. 4) Easy & Engaging – Coding is as simple as puzzle solving! Empower your students with a fun, intuitive, and interactive way to start coding today with KUBO Play!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: KUBO Play at 100% against SAM Root's 46%. KUBO Play also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.8). SAM Root's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (42 vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
KUBO Play holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SAM Root has 42 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of SAM Root's written reviews are positive against 100% of KUBO Play's.
SAM Root ships an update monthly, KUBO Play every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SAM Root | KUBO Play |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (42 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 42 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 92 MB | 400 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SAM Labs | KUBO Education ApS |
Customer experience
SAM Root
KUBO Play
In-app purchases
SAM Root
No in-app purchases
KUBO Play
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SAM Root free?
Is KUBO Play free?
Which has better reviews, SAM Root or KUBO Play?
Do SAM Root or KUBO Play have ads?
Which is updated more often, SAM Root or KUBO Play?
Other comparisons















