Comparison

SAM Root vs OctoStudio

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

Head to head
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.

About

OctoStudio

Create animations and games using coding blocks on your mobile device. Bring your own photos and sounds to life, and share your interactive projects with others. Developed by the creators of Scratch at MIT, it's a free and fun way to learn coding.

Highlights
  • Create animations and games
  • Use coding blocks
  • Incorporate photos and sounds
  • Interactive project features
  • Share projects as video or GIF
  • Offline project creation
  • Learn coding through play
Read full description

With OctoStudio, you can create animations and games on your mobile phone or tablet. Made by the creators of Scratch at MIT. Code an animated story or game using your own artwork, sounds, and ideas. OctoStudio is completely free of charge - with no ads, no in-app purchases, and no data collected. Create projects without needing an internet connection. Available in more than 30 languages. OctoStudio is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten group, the MIT Media Lab team that invented Scratch, the world’s most popular coding language for kids. Create • Create animations, games, and anything else you can imagine • Combine emojis, photos, drawings, sounds, and movement • Make your projects come alive with coding blocks Interact • Make interactive games you can play by tilting your phone • Shake your phone or use a magnet to start your project • Make your projects speak aloud • Code your phone to buzz or turn on and off the flashlight • Collaborate across phones using the beam block Share • Record your project as a video or animated GIF • Export your project file for others to play • Send to family and friends Learn • Get started with intro videos and ideas • Explore and remix sample projects • Develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills • Learn to code in a playful and meaningful way OctoStudio has been designed in collaboration with educators in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, United States, and other countries around the world. To learn more about OctoStudio or share your feedback, please visit us at www.octostudio.org

Screenshots

SAM Root4 screens
OctoStudio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: OctoStudio at 4.8 against SAM Root's 3.8. OctoStudio also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 46%). SAM Root's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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

OctoStudio holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 64 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of SAM Root's written reviews are positive against 83% of OctoStudio's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SAM Root versus OctoStudio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSAM RootOctoStudio
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (42 ratings)4.8 (64 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4264 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSAM LabsMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Customer experience

SAM Root

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

OctoStudio

All ratings64 ratings
Positive95.3%
Neutral1.6%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral4.2%
Negative12.5%

In-app purchases

None

SAM Root

No in-app purchases

None

OctoStudio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SAM Root free?
SAM Root is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is OctoStudio free?
OctoStudio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SAM Root or OctoStudio?
OctoStudio is rated higher. SAM Root averages 3.8 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while OctoStudio averages 4.8 from 64 ratings.
Do SAM Root or OctoStudio have ads?
Neither SAM Root nor OctoStudio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SAM Root or OctoStudio?
SAM Root ships an update monthly, and OctoStudio monthly. Most recently, SAM Root was updated on September 7, 2026 and OctoStudio on September 29, 2026.

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