# microbitBLE vs PictoBlox Junior Blocks

The clearest difference is rating: PictoBlox Junior Blocks at 3.0 against microbitBLE's 2.0. PictoBlox Junior Blocks also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

PictoBlox Junior Blocks holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

microbitBLE ships an update every 2 months, PictoBlox Junior Blocks every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 21, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | microbitBLE | PictoBlox Junior Blocks |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microbitble/id1635024315/reviews) | **[3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pictoblox-junior-blocks/id6738577184/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **2** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 2 MB | 314 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 | **14** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Atsushi Yamada](https://appshunter.io/developer/301497489) | [STEMpedia](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472734454) |

## What reviewers say

### microbitBLE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microbitble/id1635024315)

Connect your smartphone to a micro:bit device via Bluetooth. Send text from your keyboard to display on the micro:bit's LED, and receive messages sent from the micro:bit. Ideal for interactive coding projects and learning.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth UART connection, Send text to micro:bit LED, Receive messages from micro:bit, Button press triggers messages, Interactive coding projects

**In-app purchases:** none


### PictoBlox Junior Blocks

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pictoblox-junior-blocks/id6738577184)

This app introduces beginners to coding through a fun, block-based interface. Explore AI, robotics, and create games, animations, and interactive projects. Develop essential 21st-century skills like creativity and logical reasoning.

**Highlights:** Block-based coding interface, AI and Machine Learning exploration, Robotics and hardware interaction, Create games and animations, Develop 21st-century skills, Logic and algorithm concepts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is microbitBLE free?

microbitBLE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PictoBlox Junior Blocks free?

PictoBlox Junior Blocks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, microbitBLE or PictoBlox Junior Blocks?

PictoBlox Junior Blocks is rated higher. microbitBLE averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while PictoBlox Junior Blocks averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do microbitBLE or PictoBlox Junior Blocks have ads?

Neither microbitBLE nor PictoBlox Junior Blocks shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, microbitBLE or PictoBlox Junior Blocks?

microbitBLE ships an update every 2 months, and PictoBlox Junior Blocks every 3 weeks. Most recently, microbitBLE was updated on June 21, 2026 and PictoBlox Junior Blocks on September 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*