Sphero Edu Jr vs VEXcode EXP
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sphero Edu Jr
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.
- Block programming interface
- Customize lights, sounds, and movements
- Create mazes and games
- Learn basic programming logic
- Classic and new drive modes
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With Sphero Edu Jr you can connect to your indi and customize its behavior with simple yet powerful programming blocks. By coding the lights, sounds, and movements of indi, you can create unique mazes, play games, write simple songs, and ultimately learn the basic logic of programming. Features include: • All new block programming experience, designed for the uniqueness of indi. • Drive modes, including the classic Sphero driving experience and a new mode designed specifically for indi.
VEXcode EXP
This coding environment helps students of all ages learn to program robots through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It offers a consistent experience across different VEX robot platforms and age groups, making computer science accessible and engaging.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Consistent across VEX robot platforms
- Supports multiple programming languages (Blocks/Text)
- Built-in video tutorials
- Extensive example projects
- Device manager for robot setup
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From elementary school through college, VEXcode is a coding environment that meets students at their level. The intuitive layout of VEXcode allows students to get started quickly and easily. VEXcode is consistent across Blocks and Text, across VEX 123, VEX GO, VEX IQ, VEX EXP, and VEX V5. As students progress from elementary, middle, and high school, they never have to learn a different blocks, code, or toolbar interface. As a result, students can focus on creating with technology, not trying to navigate a new layout. Drive Forward is the new Hello World We all know that robots attract kids to learn. VEX Robotics and VEXcode are providing opportunities for students of all ages to participate in learning the code that makes these robots work. VEX makes computer science come to life through collaborations, hands-on projects, and engaging experiences. From classrooms to competitions, VEXcode helps to create the next generation of innovators. Drag. Drop. Drive. VEXcode Blocks is the perfect platform for those new to coding. Students use the simple drag and drop interface to create functioning programs. Each block's purpose can easily be identified using the visual cues like its shape, color, and label. We've designed VEXcode Blocks to allow those who are new to robotics to get their robot up and running faster. Now, students can focus on being creative and learning computer science concepts, not stuck trying to figure out the interface. More accessible than ever VEXcode even helps across language barriers, allowing student to read blocks and comment programs in their native language. Drag & Drop. Powered by Scratch Blocks. Students and Teachers will feel instantly at home with this familiar environment. Video Tutorials. Grasp concepts faster. Built-in tutorials cover every aspect needed to get up to speed fast. And more tutorials are coming. Help is always there. Getting information on blocks is fast and easy. These resources were written by educators, in a form both teachers and students will grasp quickly. Drivetrain Blocks. A breakthrough in simplicity. From driving forward, making precise turns, setting speed, and stopping precisely, VEXcode makes it easier than ever to control a robot. Setup your VEX robot. Fast. VEXcode's device manager is simple, flexible, and powerful. In no time at all you can setup your robot's drivetrain, controller features, motors, and sensors. 60+ Example projects to choose from. Jumpstart your learning by starting with an existing project, covering every aspect of coding, controlling robots, and learning to use sensors. VEXcode Privacy Policy: https://www.vexrobotics.com/software-privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: VEXcode EXP at 100% against Sphero Edu Jr's 44%. VEXcode EXP also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 17 months). Sphero Edu Jr's advantage is rating (3.6 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (15 vs 2). 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.
Sphero Edu Jr holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Edu Jr has 15 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of Sphero Edu Jr's written reviews are positive against 100% of VEXcode EXP's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Sphero Edu Jr ships an update every 17 months, VEXcode EXP every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sphero Edu Jr | VEXcode EXP |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.6 (15 ratings) — better | 3.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 44.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 128 MB | 531 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sphero, Inc. | VEX Robotics, Inc. |
Customer experience
Sphero Edu Jr
VEXcode EXP
In-app purchases
Sphero Edu Jr
No in-app purchases
VEXcode EXP
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sphero Edu Jr free?
Is VEXcode EXP free?
Which has better reviews, Sphero Edu Jr or VEXcode EXP?
Do Sphero Edu Jr or VEXcode EXP have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sphero Edu Jr or VEXcode EXP?
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