Comparison

SAM Root vs LEGO® Education Coding Canvas

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

LEGO® Education Coding Canvas

This app uses block coding to teach computer science and AI concepts to students in kindergarten through 8th grade. It connects wirelessly with compatible LEGO hardware to bring creations to life, fostering collaboration and problem-solving in a safe, offline environment.

Highlights
  • Intuitive block coding for K-8
  • Connects with LEGO hardware
  • Hands-on computer science and AI learning
  • Safe by design, no logins
  • Scaffolded, inquiry-based experiences
  • Classroom-friendly setup
Read full description

LEGO® Education Coding Canvas is an intuitive, block coding app that powers hands-on computer science and AI learning from kindergarten through grade 8. It pairs seamlessly with LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI kits to turn classrooms into hubs for collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. Key features: - Block coding that grows with learners across K–8 - Lesson pins for fast, classroom-friendly setup - Safe by design: No logins; student work is saved locally. No sharing of student data - Wireless connection to compatible LEGO® Education hardware to bring builds to life - Scaffolded, inquiry-based CS and AI experiences aligned to grade-band needs For getting-started materials, facilitation notes, and classroom-ready presentations, visit the LEGO® Education Teacher Portal at teach.legoeducation.com Ready to make coding tangible for every learner? Open Coding Canvas, connect, and start building real-world skills.

Screenshots

SAM Root4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SAM Root at 3.8 against LEGO® Education Coding Canvas's 3.0. SAM Root also leads on ratings volume (42 vs 3) and review sentiment (46% vs 33%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

SAM Root holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.0. 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 33% of LEGO® Education Coding Canvas's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SAM Root ships an update monthly, LEGO® Education Coding Canvas every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SAM Root versus LEGO® Education Coding Canvas: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSAM RootLEGO® Education Coding Canvas
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (42 ratings) — better3.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings42 — better3
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB152 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSAM LabsLEGO Education

Customer experience

SAM Root

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

LEGO® Education Coding Canvas

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

SAM Root

No in-app purchases

None

LEGO® Education Coding Canvas

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SAM Root free?
SAM Root is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LEGO® Education Coding Canvas free?
LEGO® Education Coding Canvas is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SAM Root or LEGO® Education Coding Canvas?
SAM Root is rated higher. SAM Root averages 3.8 out of 5 from 42 ratings, while LEGO® Education Coding Canvas averages 3.0 from 3 ratings.
Do SAM Root or LEGO® Education Coding Canvas have ads?
Neither SAM Root nor LEGO® Education Coding Canvas shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SAM Root or LEGO® Education Coding Canvas?
SAM Root ships an update monthly, and LEGO® Education Coding Canvas every 3 weeks. Most recently, SAM Root was updated on September 22, 2026 and LEGO® Education Coding Canvas on October 6, 2026.

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