Comparison

Kodable Basics vs Programming for kids

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

Programming for kids

This educational game introduces children to the fundamentals of coding through engaging robot operation puzzles. It fosters logical thinking and problem-solving skills without requiring actual programming code. Designed for interactive play with parents, it offers progressive challenges across various levels.

Highlights
  • Robot operation puzzles
  • Develops logical thinking
  • No programming code required
  • Progressive difficulty levels
  • Collect stars for applied skill
  • Parent-child interactive play
Read full description

The first step in programming learning! Children enjoy the basics of coding. Children learn Logical thinking as Programming. This is a learning application of coding. But there is no programming code. It is a game that operates the robot and leads to the goal. By trial and error children can acquire logical thinking skills. Please enjoy with parents and children. 【contents】 ■Beginner Introduction of basic operation. ▼Difficulty There are Levels 1 to 3. It has 24 stages each. ●Level 1 Map of 5*5. Operating a robot. ●Level 2 Map of 6*6. Operating a ship. The difficulty level will rise. ●Level 3 Map of 7*7. Operating a space ship. Use the Function command. The difficulty level will rise further. ■Collect Stars This is a game that collects as many stars as possible. It is a test of applied skill. * No banner advertisement on this app. * Some contains in-app purchases. ◆privacy policy / terms of service https://amgm.jp/privacy_en.html

Screenshots

Kodable Basics4 screens
Programming for kids4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Kodable Basics at 4.7 against Programming for kids's 2.0. Kodable Basics also leads on ratings volume (21K vs 4) and review sentiment (55% vs 40%). Programming for kids's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, 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. Kodable Basics sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month and Programming for kids sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

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 4, 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 40% of Programming for kids's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kodable Basics ships an update monthly, Programming for kids every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Kodable Basics versus Programming for kids: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKodable BasicsProgramming for kids
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (21K ratings) — better2.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews54.8% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings21K — better4
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size422 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSurfScore, IncAMGAMES Inc.

Customer experience

Kodable Basics

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

Programming for kids

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%

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

Programming for kids

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
1 purchases

Programming for kids

One-time1
  • Additional contents$2.99

Questions

Is Kodable Basics free?
Kodable Basics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Programming for kids free?
Programming for kids is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Kodable Basics or Programming for kids?
Kodable Basics is rated higher. Kodable Basics averages 4.7 out of 5 from 21K ratings, while Programming for kids averages 2.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Kodable Basics or Programming for kids have ads?
Neither Kodable Basics nor Programming for kids shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kodable Basics or Programming for kids?
Kodable Basics ships an update monthly, and Programming for kids every 2 months. Most recently, Kodable Basics was updated on September 24, 2026 and Programming for kids on June 1, 2026.

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