Comparison

PictoBlox vs Lumen

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

Head to head
About

PictoBlox

Learn to code with a block-based platform that integrates robotics, AI, and machine learning. Create games, animations, and control hardware using intuitive drag-and-drop Scratch blocks. Ideal for beginners to develop 21st-century skills.

Highlights
  • Block-based coding
  • Robotics control
  • AI and Machine Learning
  • IoT projects
  • Game and animation creation
  • Hardware interaction
Features
Read full description

PictoBlox is a block based coding app for students with enhanced hardware-interaction capabilities and emerging technologies such as robotics, AI and machine learning that make learning to code fun and engaging. Just drag and drop the Scratch coding blocks and make cool games, animations, interactive projects, and even control robots the way you want! ● 21st-Century Skills PictoBlox opens doors for beginners to learn creative and physical computing in an engaging way and thus helps in developing must-have skills of today’s technology-driven world such as: - Creativity - Logical reasoning - Critical thinking - Problem-solving ● Coding Skills With PictoBlox and its courses, beginners will learn important coding concepts such as: - Logic - Algorithms - Sequencing - Loops - Conditional statements ● AI and ML for beginners Beginners can learn Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concepts such as: - Face and text recognition - Speech Recognition and virtual assistant - Training ML models like image, pose, and audio - AI based games ● Extensions for Making Countless DIY Projects PictoBlox has dedicated extensions for making projects based on the Internet of Things (IoT), controlling Scratch projects using a mobile app via Bluetooth, programming actuators, sensors, display modules, NeoPixel RGB lights, robotic arm, humanoid robots, and much more. Boards Compatible with PictoBlox App: - evive - Quarky - Arduino Uno - Arduino Mega - Arduino Nano - ESP32 - T Watch - Boffin - TecBits Bluetooth Modules Compatible with PictoBlox: - HC-05 BT 2.0 - HC-06 BT 2.0 - HM-10 BT 4.0 BLE (or AT-09) Want to know more about PictoBlox? Visit: https://thestempedia.com/product/pictoblox Getting Started with PictoBlox: Projects that you can make:https://thestempedia.com/project/

About

Lumen

This app offers a personalized online learning experience with 24/7 access to course materials, live classes, and collaborative tools. Monitor your progress, interact with professors and peers, and manage your assignments and schedule all in one place.

Highlights
  • 24/7 online learning access
  • Live classes and professor interaction
  • Peer collaboration and discussions
  • Performance tracking and assessments
  • Offline content downloads
  • Assignment submission and reminders
Features
Read full description

Online learning made just for you – learn at your own pace, 24x7 accessibility, track your performance, interact, and collaborate with peers and professors. Lumen makes your online learning personalised and easy. The app enables customised end-to-end learning – monitor your performance, run assessments, seamless live interactions with professors, take part in polls, surveys, quizzes, collaborate on assignments with your batchmates, set reminders, chat with your friends. Inspired by the unit of light, Lumen denotes the power of e-learning. It is a self-paced learning management system that helps you stay connected with your campus 24x7. Online learning is a smart choice and Lumen empowers you to learn smart. Afterall bright learners need a brighter future! Access content 24x7, at your convenience Content available at one single source Easy downloads, to save and view offline on your device Capture notes, highlight, curate your quick read for later Bookmark and pick up where you left Attend live classes via the app – no other tool needed Interact with professors seamlessly Take live notes and save for later Doubt clarification Participate in live polls and quizzes Peer Engagement & Learning Doubt clarification during the live sessions – support each other Collaborate with your peers on assignments Engage in breakout rooms Instant messaging Participate in Discussions Start a new discussion or participate in one Voice your opinion on interesting topics Leverage this network Interact with Industry experts Your success & course completion made easy Submit assignments on time Recap videos Refer notes / Q&A Quick support and resolution Customised dashboard – be on top of your game Monitor your performance, real time Set reminders and plan your calendar – mark key announcements and deadlines Personalise your learning plan as per your schedule Leader board & loyalty points to keep you going Download Lumen and learn SMART! Happy Learning!!

Screenshots

PictoBlox4 screens
Lumen4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Lumen at every 2 weeks against PictoBlox's every 14 months. PictoBlox's advantage is review sentiment (48% vs 22%). 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PictoBlox ships an update every 14 months, Lumen every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PictoBlox versus Lumen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPictoBloxLumen
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (59 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews48.1% of reviews — better22.2% of reviews
Number of ratings59 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.313.0.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size178 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSTEMpediaUNext Learning Private Limited

Customer experience

PictoBlox

All ratings57 ratings
Positive56.1%
Neutral8.8%
Negative35.1%
Written reviews77 reviews
Positive48.1%
Neutral15.6%
Negative36.4%

Lumen

Written reviews27 reviews
Positive22.2%
Neutral7.4%
Negative70.4%

Bugs and requests

PictoBlox

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Birthday date not appearing during account creation
  • Purple screen and reset when saving project
  • Microphone activated unexpectedly
  • Space instead of left arrow in hat block
  • Projects not saving on iPad and laptops
Show 4 more
  • Arduino not connecting
  • Character and code deleted after saving and reopening project
  • App freezes and project disappears on refresh
  • Camera access concerns

Requested features

10 requests
  • Zoom in feature for drawing
  • Pixelated text option
  • Custom controls (thumbsticks, levers)
  • Move variables with finger
  • Drag code to other sprites
Show 5 more
  • Bigger window for code/stage
  • Add more extensions
  • Cloud variables for multiplayer
  • Dark mode
  • Full screen option

Lumen

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

PictoBlox

No in-app purchases

None

Lumen

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PictoBlox free?
PictoBlox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lumen free?
Lumen is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PictoBlox or Lumen have ads?
Neither PictoBlox nor Lumen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PictoBlox or Lumen?
PictoBlox ships an update every 14 months, and Lumen every 2 weeks. Most recently, PictoBlox was updated on October 24, 2026 and Lumen on October 30, 2026.

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