Comparison

AMES Phone vs Mia & Codie

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

Head to head
About

AMES Phone

This app is designed for researchers to assess executive functions and delay of gratification in children. It features two tasks specifically developed for this purpose and has been tested with children aged 4-12 across different countries.

Highlights
  • Executive function assessment
  • Delay of gratification tasks
  • Designed for researchers
  • Tested with children ages 4-12
  • Cross-cultural testing
Features
Read full description

The Assessment of Motivation, Effort, and Self-Regulation (AMES) is a mobile app for researchers. It includes two tasks designed to assess executive functions and delay of gratification in children. The app has been tested extensively with children ages 4 to 12 in the U.S., Ivory Coast, Ghana, Bangladesh, Brazil, and other countries.

About

Mia & Codie

This app introduces children aged 3-7 to coding, storytelling, and problem-solving through interactive episodes and challenges. It requires no reading and can be paired with physical blocks for a hands-on coding experience.

Highlights
  • 20 full educational episodes
  • 40 interactive coding challenges
  • Free-play coding area
  • Supports 2 child profiles
  • Works with Codie Dock-n + Blocks
  • No reading required
  • Parent setup
Features
Read full description

From Classrooms to Living Rooms — Coding Made Friendly Mia & Codie brings the same trusted classroom experience that teachers love into homes everywhere. Kids ages 3–7 can now explore the joy of coding, storytelling, and creative problem-solving — no reading required! Watch the Stories, Then Run the Code Watch all 20 full episodes of the PBS Member Station series Mia & Codie right inside the app. Each episode introduces real computer-science ideas through friendship, curiosity, and play — then invites kids to build and run their own code. Build Code You Can See Pair the app with your Codie Dock-n- + Blocks. Kids snap Blocks into the Dock, hit “Run the Code,” and see Codie respond in real time. They’ll quickly grasp sequencing, logic, and debugging — the building blocks of computational thinking and AI literacy. Inside the App • 20 full Mia & Codie episodes • 40 interactive coding challenges + free-play area • Supports 2 child profiles (perfect for siblings) • Works seamlessly with the Codie Dock-n + Blocks • No reading required • No ads or in-app purchases • Parent setup in minutes Classroom Roots, Home-Ready Design Until now, only teachers could access Codie Blocks. Now, families everywhere can experience the same trusted system — simplified for home play but powered by the same research-based learning. Recognized by Common Sense Media with a 4 star rating review and awarded the Common Sense Selection for Families seal, Mia & Codie has been praised for its high-quality design, learning impact, and accessibility for young children. Skills Kids Build • Sequencing & problem-solving • Early math, logic, and pattern recognition • Computational thinking • AI literacy — understanding how digital systems “think” • Creativity, persistence, and collaboration Trusted by Experts and Educators Mia & Codie is Scratch Approved, Common Sense Media Family-Selected, and trusted by PBS Member Stations nationwide — giving parents confidence that their children are learning through safe, meaningful play. How to Get Started 1. Connect your Dock-n-Blocks Block Dock via Bluetooth. 2. Build your sequence with Codie Blocks. 3. Tap “Run the Code!” and watch the magic unfold. 4. Explore challenges, episodes, and creative play. Loved by Kids, Backed by Research Developed by the Emmy-winning creator of WordWorld and grounded in early childhood research and computer-science standards, Mia & Codie makes coding intuitive and joyful — preparing children for a digital future through the power of play. Mia & Codie — Run the Code and Feel the Joy of Coding!

Screenshots

AMES Phone4 screens
Mia & Codie4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Mia & Codie at every 10 days against AMES Phone's every 22 months. AMES Phone's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for AMES Phone against 5.0 for Mia & Codie. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AMES Phone ships an update every 22 months, Mia & Codie every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
AMES Phone versus Mia & Codie: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAMES PhoneMia & Codie
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 22 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB270 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStanford UniversityCodie LLC

In-app purchases

None

AMES Phone

No in-app purchases

None

Mia & Codie

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AMES Phone free?
AMES Phone is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mia & Codie free?
Mia & Codie is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AMES Phone or Mia & Codie?
AMES Phone and Mia & Codie are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do AMES Phone or Mia & Codie have ads?
Neither AMES Phone nor Mia & Codie shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AMES Phone or Mia & Codie?
AMES Phone ships an update every 22 months, and Mia & Codie every 10 days. Most recently, AMES Phone was updated on November 4, 2026 and Mia & Codie on October 30, 2026.

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