Comparison

Sphero Edu Jr vs VEXcode EXP

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Block programming interface
  • Customize lights, sounds, and movements
  • Create mazes and games
  • Learn basic programming logic
  • Classic and new drive modes
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Sphero Edu Jr4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

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

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Sphero Edu Jr versus VEXcode EXP: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSphero Edu JrVEXcode EXP
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (15 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews44.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size128 MB531 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSphero, Inc.VEX Robotics, Inc.

Customer experience

Sphero Edu Jr

All ratings15 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive44.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative55.6%

VEXcode EXP

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Sphero Edu Jr

No in-app purchases

None

VEXcode EXP

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sphero Edu Jr free?
Sphero Edu Jr is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VEXcode EXP free?
VEXcode EXP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Sphero Edu Jr or VEXcode EXP?
Sphero Edu Jr is rated higher. Sphero Edu Jr averages 3.6 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while VEXcode EXP averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Sphero Edu Jr or VEXcode EXP have ads?
Neither Sphero Edu Jr nor VEXcode EXP shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sphero Edu Jr or VEXcode EXP?
Sphero Edu Jr ships an update every 17 months, and VEXcode EXP every 6 weeks. Most recently, Sphero Edu Jr was updated on October 7, 2026 and VEXcode EXP on October 15, 2026.

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