nRF Edge Impulse vs CraftOS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
nRF Edge Impulse
Train and deploy embedded machine learning models on a Nordic Thingy:53 device. Upload sensor data to the cloud for training and deploy models back to the device via Bluetooth LE. Supports various onboard sensors for data collection and inference.
- Train and deploy embedded ML models
- Utilizes Edge Impulse Studio
- Supports Nordic Thingy:53
- Upload raw sensor data
- Deploy models via Bluetooth LE
- Collect data from multiple sensors
- Label data for training/testing
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nRF Edge Impulse app is developed in collaboration with Edge Impulse to train and deploy embedded machine learning models on the Nordic Thingy:53 using Edge Impulse Studio. Every Nordic Thingy:53 comes pre-installed with firmware compatible with the nRF Edge Impulse mobile app. The app allows you to upload raw sensor data via your mobile device to the cloud-based Edge Impulse Studio and deploy fully trained ML models to the Nordic Thingy:53 over Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE). The app allows you to choose between existing projects in Edge Impulse studio data or creating a new project and can collect sensor data from the following set of sensors on the Nordic Thingy:53: - Accelerometer - Microphone - Magnetometer - Light - Temperature, Pressure, Humidity and Air quality - Inertial (Accelerometer and Magnetometer) - Light and Environment - Light and Inertial - Environment and Inertial - Light and Environment and Inertial The collected sensor data can be labeled as training or testing data and may be inferenced directly in the app with machine learning model deployed to the Nordic Thingy:53. A free Edge Impulse account, which may created from the app or at www.edgeimpulse.com, is required to connect nRF Edge Impulse with Edge Impulse studio.
CraftOS
This app emulates a classic text-based computer environment, allowing you to write and run Lua programs. It's perfect for learning to code or exploring existing programs from a popular Minecraft mod, all within a retro terminal interface.
- Lua 5.2+ scripting environment
- 16-color text-based terminal
- Virtual filesystem
- Built-in shell
- Extensive APIs
- Compatibility with ComputerCraft programs
- Exclusive graphics mode
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CraftOS-PC is a fantasy terminal that allows you to write and run programs inside an ‘80s-style text console. CraftOS-PC emulates the popular Minecraft mod "ComputerCraft", which adds programmable computers to Minecraft using the Lua programming language. CraftOS-PC takes this experience outside Minecraft to allow you to run the same programs anywhere you go. CraftOS-PC provides a set of functions (called APIs) that make it super easy to do simple tasks such as write text to the screen, read files, and more. The simplicity of these functions makes CraftOS-PC great for new programmers, but their power makes it possible to write all sorts of complex programs with less code. If you aren’t ready to write programs yet, there’s already a large number of programs for ComputerCraft that will work in CraftOS-PC, ranging from simple games to whole graphical operating systems. These can be downloaded through the built-in Pastebin and GitHub Gist clients. • Full Lua 5.2+ scripting environment and command-line REPL • 16-color text-based terminal display • Expansive virtual filesystem for program and data storage • Built-in shell with syntax similar to most desktop shells • APIs to easily access terminal, filesystem, Internet, event queue, and more • Built-in programs make it easy to navigate & edit files without a single line of code • Plenty of help documents to assist programmers • Compatibility with thousands of existing ComputerCraft programs • Over 3x faster than Minecraft mod and comparable emulators • Emulation of all peripherals available in ComputerCraft • Easily access configuration from inside CraftOS • Exclusive graphics mode providing up to 256-color, pixel-based screen manipulation • Edit Lua scripts from CraftOS or other code editing apps • Open-source app makes it easy to suggest and contribute changes Documentation on all of the APIs that ComputerCraft provides are available at https://tweaked.cc, and CraftOS-PC’s unique APIs are described at https://www.craftos-pc.cc/docs/. Join the CraftOS-PC community at https://www.craftos-pc.cc/discord!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: CraftOS at 88% against nRF Edge Impulse's 0%. CraftOS also leads on ratings volume (17 vs 3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). nRF Edge Impulse's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, update cadence, ads 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. CraftOS sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. nRF Edge Impulse asks for nothing beyond the download.
nRF Edge Impulse holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CraftOS has 17 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of nRF Edge Impulse's written reviews are positive against 88% of CraftOS's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
nRF Edge Impulse ships an update every 3 months, CraftOS every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | nRF Edge Impulse | CraftOS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | 4.8 (17 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | 88.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 17 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nordic Semiconductor ASA | Jack Bruienne |
Customer experience
nRF Edge Impulse
CraftOS
In-app purchases
nRF Edge Impulse
No in-app purchases
CraftOS
- Plugin Collection 1$0.99
Questions
Is nRF Edge Impulse free?
Is CraftOS free?
Which has better reviews, nRF Edge Impulse or CraftOS?
Do nRF Edge Impulse or CraftOS have ads?
Which is updated more often, nRF Edge Impulse or CraftOS?
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