# SAM Root vs Sphero Edu Jr

The clearest difference is update cadence: SAM Root at monthly against Sphero Edu Jr's every 17 months. SAM Root also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

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

SAM Root holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 15 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of SAM Root's written reviews are positive against 44% of Sphero Edu Jr's.

SAM Root ships an update monthly, Sphero Edu Jr every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SAM Root | Sphero Edu Jr |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.8 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-root/id1524652548/reviews)** | [3.6 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu-jr/id1545146776/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **42** | 15 |
| Positive reviews | **46.2% of reviews** | 44.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 17 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 92 MB | 128 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SAM Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1033131753) | [Sphero, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/468699622) |

## What reviewers say

### SAM Root

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-root/id1524652548)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sphero Edu Jr

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu-jr/id1545146776)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SAM Root free?

SAM Root 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.

### Which has better reviews, SAM Root or Sphero Edu Jr?

SAM Root is rated higher. SAM Root averages 3.8 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while Sphero Edu Jr averages 3.6 from 15 ratings.

### Do SAM Root or Sphero Edu Jr have ads?

Neither SAM Root nor Sphero Edu Jr shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SAM Root or Sphero Edu Jr?

SAM Root ships an update monthly, and Sphero Edu Jr every 17 months. Most recently, SAM Root was updated on September 7, 2026 and Sphero Edu Jr on September 21, 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.*