Comparison

Kodable Basics vs Scribble N’ Play

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

Head to head
About

Kodable Basics

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
Read full description

The coding curriculum used in over 50% of U.S. elementary schools, now at home! Kids go from solving their first maze at age 4 to writing real JavaScript by 5th grade, through games they actually ask to play. LOVED BY KIDS, TRUSTED BY SCHOOLS Rated 4.7 stars by 21,000+ families. Over 25 million downloads. Built with elementary teachers for more than a decade, and aligned to Common Core and CSTA standards, the same curriculum kids use in class. WHAT KIDS LEARN Ages 4-6 (no reading required): sequencing, patterns, and problem-solving through maze puzzles. This is the logic underneath all programming. Ages 7-10: conditions, loops, functions, and variables, leading to real typed JavaScript Every level builds critical thinking they'll use far beyond the screen MORE THAN LESSONS Kids design their own characters, build and share their own games, and jump into seasonal events. Creativity keeps them coming back long after the lesson ends. USING KODABLE AT SCHOOL? Sign in with your school account and your child's progress comes home with them. Some class content carries over free; Kodable Pro unlocks the full library at home. BUILT FOR FAMILIES No ads. Ever. Works offline for road trips, flights, and waiting rooms Designed to meet the strict privacy standards schools require TEACHERS: A complete K-5 STEM curriculum with 80+ scripted lesson plans and Google Classroom, Clever, and roster integrations is available at kodable.com. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION – Payment will be charged to iTunes Account – Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period – Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal – Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase – Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.

About

Scribble N’ Play

This app allows children to capture their drawings from a special writing tablet using their mobile device's camera. Users can then edit and enhance their creations with various drawing tools. It requires a separate physical writing tablet to function.

Highlights
  • Scan drawings with mobile camera
  • Edit and draw on creations
  • Save digital versions of artwork
  • Requires physical writing tablet
Read full description

Boogie Board® Scribble n’ Play™ is a fun electronic writing tablet that lets kids doodle and play in vivid rainbow colors! The free Scribble n’ Play app makes it easy to save and edit your Scribble n’ Play creations! CAPTURE YOUR CREATIVITY The Scribble n’ Play app uses your mobile device camera to scan your Scribble n’ Play writing surface. EDIT YOUR CREATION The Scribble n’ Play app includes tools to draw and edit your creation! FEEDBACK OR HELP? E-mail us anytime at customerservice@buffalogames.com Requires use of a Scribble n’ Play writing tablet, sold separately in stores.

Screenshots

Kodable Basics4 screens
Scribble N’ Play3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Kodable Basics at 55% against Scribble N’ Play's 6%. Kodable Basics also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.0) and update cadence (monthly vs every 12 months). Scribble N’ Play's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Kodable Basics sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Scribble N’ Play asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Kodable Basics holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kodable Basics has 21K ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of Kodable Basics's written reviews are positive against 6% of Scribble N’ Play's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kodable Basics ships an update monthly, Scribble N’ Play every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Kodable Basics versus Scribble N’ Play: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKodable BasicsScribble N’ Play
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (21K ratings) — better2.0 (22 ratings)
Positive reviews54.8% of reviews — better5.6% of reviews
Number of ratings21K — better22
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 12 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size422 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSurfScore, IncBuffalo Games LLC

Customer experience

Kodable Basics

All ratings21,410 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews409 reviews
Positive54.8%
Neutral5.4%
Negative39.9%

Scribble N’ Play

All ratings22 ratings
Positive13.6%
Neutral22.7%
Negative63.6%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive5.6%
Neutral16.7%
Negative77.8%

Bugs and requests

Kodable Basics

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

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

Scribble N’ Play

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Kodable Basics

Subscriptions2
  • Kodable Monthly Plan7 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Kodable Yearly Plan7 Days trial$119.991 Year
One-time5
  • 3-day Parent TrialFree
  • Fuzzes to Support Computer Science$4.99
  • Pre-Trial Parent Plan$19.99
Show 2 more
  • Parent Plan$29.99
  • Kodable Lifetime Plan$199.99
None

Scribble N’ Play

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Kodable Basics free?
Kodable Basics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Scribble N’ Play free?
Scribble N’ Play is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Kodable Basics or Scribble N’ Play?
Kodable Basics is rated higher. Kodable Basics averages 4.7 out of 5 from 21K ratings, while Scribble N’ Play averages 2.0 from 22 ratings.
Do Kodable Basics or Scribble N’ Play have ads?
Neither Kodable Basics nor Scribble N’ Play shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kodable Basics or Scribble N’ Play?
Kodable Basics ships an update monthly, and Scribble N’ Play every 12 months. Most recently, Kodable Basics was updated on September 24, 2026 and Scribble N’ Play on June 28, 2026.

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