# Kodable Basics vs PBS KIDS ScratchJr

The clearest difference is rating: Kodable Basics at 4.7 against PBS KIDS ScratchJr's 4.0. Kodable Basics also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 12 months) and ratings volume (21K vs 289). PBS KIDS ScratchJr's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Kodable Basics sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. PBS KIDS ScratchJr asks for nothing beyond the download.

Kodable Basics holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kodable Basics has 21K ratings behind it against 289, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of Kodable Basics's written reviews are positive against 62% of PBS KIDS ScratchJr's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Kodable Basics ships an update monthly, PBS KIDS ScratchJr every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Kodable Basics | PBS KIDS ScratchJr |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (21K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kodable-basics/id577673067/reviews)** | [4.0 (289 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-kids-scratchjr/id1047840202/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **21K** | 289 |
| Positive reviews | 54.8% of reviews | **62.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 12 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 422 MB | 138 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SurfScore, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/577654768) | [PBS KIDS](https://appshunter.io/developer/324323339) |

## What reviewers say

### Kodable Basics

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kodable-basics/id577673067)

This app teaches children aged 4-10 foundational computer science concepts through engaging, game-based activities. It helps kids develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by guiding them through mazes and allowing them to create their own games. The curriculum is designed to transition from basic logic to writing real code.

**Highlights:** Game-based learning approach, Develops critical thinking, Teaches coding concepts, Builds foundational computer science skills, Creative activities, Seasonal events

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kodable Monthly Plan | $24.99 | per month |
| Kodable Yearly Plan | $119.99 | per year |
| 3-day Parent Trial | Free | one-time |
| Fuzzes to Support Computer Science | $4.99 | one-time |
| Pre-Trial Parent Plan | $19.99 | one-time |
| Parent Plan | $29.99 | one-time |
| Kodable Lifetime Plan | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Fun and educational coding game
- 👍 Helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- 🚀 Engaging for kids of various ages
- 🎨 Ability to create custom characters and games

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription-based model with high costs
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Misleading trial period and automatic subscription
- 📉 Declining quality and value over time

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to access app after subscription cancellation
- Persistent crashes at certain levels or stages
- Syncing and progress issues across devices
- Unresponsive controls and UI elements

**Requested features**

- More free content and levels
- Improved stability and performance
- Customization options for parents/teachers
- Better customer support and communication


### PBS KIDS ScratchJr

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbs-kids-scratchjr/id1047840202)

This app allows children ages 5-8 to create their own interactive stories and games using simple programming blocks. Kids can make characters move, jump, and sing, while learning foundational coding concepts and problem-solving skills. It features beloved PBS KIDS characters and offers creative tools like painting and voice recording.

**Highlights:** Create interactive stories and games, Learn basic coding concepts, Use colorful programming blocks, Incorporate PBS KIDS characters, Paint and edit characters/backgrounds, Record voice for projects, Utilize story starters for inspiration

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👨‍👧‍👦 Great for teaching kids to code
- 🎨 Fun creative storytelling and animation features
- 🎭 PBS Kids characters and themed content
- 💰 Free app with no paywall
- 📚 Educational value for young learners

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent bugs and glitches
- ❌ Limited coding blocks compared to original ScratchJr
- 🎭 Character roster hasn't been updated in years
- ⚠️ Drawing/text tools produce poor quality output
- 🔊 Sound and voice recording features broken or missing

**Reported bugs**

- Home button causes character to revert to previous position
- Projects fail to load when creating or opening
- Voice recording feature not working or missing
- How-to tutorial videos don't play
- Drawing tool corrupts custom characters

**Requested features**

- Add more PBS Kids shows (Let's Go Luna, Dinosaur Train, Elinor Wonders Why, Hero Elementary, Wordgirl, Rosie's Rules, Alma's Way)
- Unlimited pages/slides instead of 4-slide limit
- More coding blocks from original Scratch (text-to-speech, etc.)
- Custom character creation on blank canvas
- Level maker and world maker features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Kodable Basics free?

Kodable Basics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PBS KIDS ScratchJr free?

PBS KIDS ScratchJr is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Kodable Basics or PBS KIDS ScratchJr?

Kodable Basics is rated higher. Kodable Basics averages 4.7 out of 5 from 21K ratings, while PBS KIDS ScratchJr averages 4.0 from 289 ratings.

### Do Kodable Basics or PBS KIDS ScratchJr have ads?

Neither Kodable Basics nor PBS KIDS ScratchJr shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Kodable Basics or PBS KIDS ScratchJr?

Kodable Basics ships an update monthly, and PBS KIDS ScratchJr every 12 months. Most recently, Kodable Basics was updated on September 24, 2026 and PBS KIDS ScratchJr on September 23, 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.*