Comparison

Basic Programming Language vs LEGO® Play

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

Head to head
About

Basic Programming Language

Learn and run classic Basic programming code on your mobile device. This app offers a code editor with syntax highlighting and provides online references and samples for learning. It's ideal for studying, calculations, and entertainment.

Highlights
  • Compile and run Basic programs
  • Text input and output
  • Syntax highlighting editor
  • Line numbers and color themes
  • Online language reference
  • Program samples
Features
Read full description

The classic Basic programming language for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Programming language is a perfect tool for studying, complex mathematical calculation, entertainment and many other useful tasks. The application is especially useful for learning the Basic programming language. You have to buy compilations inside the application. Internet connection is required. - The great programming tool on the AppStore. - Your programming language for iOS is amazing! * FEATURES * - Compile and run your program. - Text input before program run and text output. - Enhanced source code editor with syntax highlighting, line numbers, color themes and additional keyboard. - Online language reference and several program samples. * LIMITATIONS * - Internet connection is required to compile and run a program. - Graphics, network, file system and real-time input are not supported. - Maximum running time of a program is 15 seconds. - Only the simplest Basic syntax is supported. Look for the "Visual Basic Programming Language" on the AppStore too. Thanks for using the application! ==================================== Basic is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages whose design philosophy emphasizes ease of use - the name is an acronym from Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. The original Dartmouth Basic was designed in 1964 by John George Kemeny and Thomas Eugene Kurtz at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, USA to provide computer access to non-science students. At the time, nearly all use of computers required writing custom software, which was something only scientists and mathematicians tended to do. The language and its variants became widespread on microcomputers in the late 1970s and 1980s, when it was typically a standard feature, and often actually built into the firmware of the machine. Basic remains popular to this day in a handful of highly modified dialects and new languages influenced by Basic such as Microsoft Visual Basic. In 2006, 59% of developers for the .Net Framework used Visual Basic .Net as their only programming language. Before the mid-1960s, computers were extremely expensive and used only for special-purpose tasks. A simple batch processing arrangement ran only a single "job" at a time, one after another. But during the 1960s faster and more affordable computers became available. and as prices decreased newer computer systems supported time-sharing, a system which allows multiple users or processes to use the CPU and memory. In such a system the operating system alternates between running processes, giving each one running time on the CPU before switching to another. The machines had become fast enough that most users could feel they had the machine all to themselves. By this point the problem of interacting with the computer was a concern. In the batch processing model, users never interacted with the machine directly, instead they tended their jobs to the computer operators. Under the time-sharing model the users were given individual computer terminals and interacted directly. The need for system to simplify this experience, from command line interpreters to programming languages was an area of intense research during the 1960s and 70s.

About

LEGO® Play

This app offers a safe digital space for creative expression through building, art, and storytelling. Users can design avatars, build virtual homes, create stop-motion films, and share their work with a moderated community. It also includes fun mini-games and inspiring video content.

Highlights
  • Creative Canvas tool
  • Stop-Motion Studio
  • Brick Builder tool
  • Pattern Designer tool
  • Avatar customization
  • Digital home design
  • LEGO minigames
  • LEGO video content
Read full description

LEGO® Play is the safe creative app for all brick lovers, builders, and creators! Step into a world of digital creativity tools where you can create, experiment, and explore your imagination. Play your way! Explore creative ideas Got a passion? Express your creativity with fun tools designed for kids. From drawing and storytelling, to making videos and building with LEGO® bricks, there's no limit to what you can imagine. • Whether you're into building, art, drawing, photography or comics, the Creative Canvas tool is where your ideas come to life. • Want to make a film? Use the Stop-Motion Studio and be your own director! • Master builder? The Brick Builder tool lets you make your own fun 3D LEGO® creations. • Love art and design? The Pattern Designer tool lets you create everything from colorful patterns to characters and creatures. Make it yours A creative app that you can make your own. Style your avatar, your space, your vibe. It’s your world to express yourself in. • Design your own LEGO® avatar and choose fun outfits and accessories. • Create a custom username. • Showcase all your creative builds on your profile. • Get ready for home design! Create and personalize your dream digital home with brick-built furniture and decorations. • Build multiple homes and create your very own LEGO® neighborhood! Search for inspiration with LEGO® Play Discover a safe and creative space to find inspiration for your next build. • Explore new ideas and skills for your own builds. • See unique digital art, stop-motion animations and LEGO® builds. • Search and discover creations related to your interests. Enjoy creative games for kids Explore a growing collection of safe games for kids. Race awesome vehicles, blast off into space, take on sports challenges, and meet amazing animals in fun games designed for creativity and play. Discover LEGO® stories and characters Explore adventures, challenges and creative content from your favorite LEGO® themes and characters. • Follow adventures featuring your favorite LEGO® characters and heroes. • Explore content inspired by LEGO® City, LEGO® Friends, LEGO® NINJAGO®, LEGO® Star Wars™ and other popular themes. • Complete fun challenges, watch videos and unlock new ideas for building and play. Play & explore safely LEGO® Play is a secure, moderated app for kids to explore creative ideas and LEGO® content safely. • Verified Parental Consent is required to unlock the full LEGO® Play creative building experience. • All content is moderated before appearing in the app. Unlock the full experience with LEGO® Insiders Club Get full access to all LEGO® Play content, with a LEGO® Insiders Club membership — it’s free and easy to sign up! Ask a parent or guardian to help you sign up. Important information: • The app is FREE and there are no in-app purchases or third-party advertising. • To help create a safe and creative space for kids, verification is required to access some functionality. Verification needs to be given by an adult. Verified Parental Consent is free, and we will not store your personal details. We use your personal information to manage your account and (with parental consent) to improve your experience. We review anonymized data to provide a safe, contextualized, and excellent LEGO® building and learning experience for kids. • You can learn more here: https://www.lego.com/privacy-policy and here: https://www.lego.com/legal/notices-and-policies/terms-of-use-for-lego-apps/. • For app support, please contact LEGO® Customer Service: www.lego.com/service. • Check if your device is compatible at: https://www.lego.com/service/device-guide. LEGO®, the LEGO® logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO® Group. ©2026 The LEGO® Group.

Screenshots

Basic Programming Language4 screens
LEGO® Play4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: LEGO® Play at 4.5 against Basic Programming Language's 2.3. LEGO® Play also leads on review sentiment (43% vs 7%) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). Basic Programming Language's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.4). On price, ads and device support 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. Basic Programming Language sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. LEGO® Play asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LEGO® Play holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LEGO® Play has 12K ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 7% of Basic Programming Language's written reviews are positive against 43% of LEGO® Play's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Basic Programming Language ships an update every 12 months, LEGO® Play weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Basic Programming Language versus LEGO® Play: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBasic Programming LanguageLEGO® Play
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (12 ratings)4.5 (12K ratings) — better
Positive reviews6.8% of reviews42.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1212K — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB155 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAnastasia KovbaLEGO System A/S

Customer experience

Basic Programming Language

All ratings12 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews73 reviews
Positive6.8%
Neutral4.1%
Negative89.0%

LEGO® Play

All ratings12,226 ratings
Positive86.4%
Neutral5.6%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews1,079 reviews
Positive42.5%
Neutral15.3%
Negative42.2%

Bugs and requests

Basic Programming Language

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

LEGO® Play

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Difficulty logging in and creating accounts
  • Inability to change avatar or username
  • Posting issues and long moderation times
  • Disappearing posts and comments

Requested features

5 requests
  • Bring back Lego Life
  • Add more games and activities
  • Allow posting of videos
  • Implement a friends list and notifications
  • Restore the trending page and community groups

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Basic Programming Language

One-time2
  • 100 Compilations for Basic Programming Language$0.99
  • Unlimited Compilations for Basic Programming Language$2.99
None

LEGO® Play

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Basic Programming Language free?
Basic Programming Language is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LEGO® Play free?
LEGO® Play is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Basic Programming Language or LEGO® Play?
LEGO® Play is rated higher. Basic Programming Language averages 2.3 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while LEGO® Play averages 4.5 from 12K ratings.
Do Basic Programming Language or LEGO® Play have ads?
Neither Basic Programming Language nor LEGO® Play shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Basic Programming Language or LEGO® Play?
Basic Programming Language ships an update every 12 months, and LEGO® Play weekly. Most recently, Basic Programming Language was updated on October 4, 2026 and LEGO® Play on October 15, 2026.

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