Kodable Basics vs Tynker
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Game-based learning approach
- Develops critical thinking
- Teaches coding concepts
- Builds foundational computer science skills
- Creative activities
- Seasonal events
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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.
Tynker
This app offers a fun and engaging platform for children to learn coding and artificial intelligence. It guides them from visual block coding to text-based languages like Python and JavaScript, with opportunities to mod Minecraft and create AR apps.
- Block-to-text coding transition
- AI and Machine Learning basics
- Minecraft modding and creation
- Augmented Reality (AR) app development
- Coding tutorials and game building
- Robotics programming
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TYNKER: THE #1 CODING & AI APP FOR KIDS Empower your child’s future with the world’s most advanced coding platform. Tynker makes learning to code an adventure. From building their first game to mastering AI and Python, our award-winning curriculum is used by over 100 million children and 150,000+ schools worldwide. Whether your child is a complete beginner or an aspiring developer, Tynker provides the tools to turn screen time into creative time. WHY CHOOSE TYNKER? * Block-to-Text Transition: Start with intuitive visual blocks and move to Python, Swift, JavaScript and Java. * AI-Ready Learning: Explore the basics of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. * Minecraft modding, mobs, skins, items * Official Partnerships: Exclusive coding paths featuring Barbie™, LEGO®, and Minecraft. * Cross-Platform: One subscription unlocks full access on iPad, iPhone, and Web. KEY FEATURES * 200+ Coding Tutorials Solve puzzles and build multi-level games while learning logic and sequencing. Master loops, variables, and functions through interactive play. Create Augmented Reality (AR) apps that bring code into the real world. * Minecraft Modding (iPad Exclusive) Design custom skins, mobs, and blocks with ease. Use code to build instant structures or change mob behaviors. Deploy your mods directly to Minecraft for endless play. * Crystal Clash: Coding Arenas The ultimate "Code-to-Win" battles! Write scripts to cast spells, avoid obstacles, and outsmart opponents in a real-time arena. * Robotics & Physical Computing Program LEGO® WeDo, and micro:bit. TRUSTED BY EXPERTS Apple: Selected for the "Everyone Can Code" program. Parents’ Choice: Gold Award Winner. Common Sense Media: 5-Star Rating for Engagement. USA Today: Rated “Best for ages 8-14.” PRIVACY TERMS Privacy Policy: https://www.tynker.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.tynker.com/terms Start your child's coding journey today. What will they create?
Screenshots
Verdict
Kodable Basics and Tynker are too close to call on the numbers: across 10 compared parameters — price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Kodable Basics sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month and Tynker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Kodable Basics against 4.6 for Tynker. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 21K and 18K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 55% of Kodable Basics's written reviews are positive against 56% of Tynker's.
Kodable Basics ships an update monthly, Tynker every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Kodable Basics | Tynker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (21K ratings) — better | 4.6 (18K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 54.8% of reviews | 56.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 21K — better | 18K |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 422 MB | 153 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SurfScore, Inc | Tynker |
Customer experience
Kodable Basics
Tynker
User reviews
Kodable Basics
From 21K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 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
Room to improve
- 💰 Subscription-based model with high costs
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Misleading trial period and automatic subscription
- 📉 Declining quality and value over time
Tynker
From 18K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Coding made fun
- 👍 Great for learning
- 🎨 Customizable Minecraft mods
- 💡 Potential for more features
Room to improve
- 🔒 Paywall for full access
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🤔 Limited Minecraft functionality
- ⏱️ Slow project publishing
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
Tynker
Reported bugs
4 issues- Minecraft mods not working as expected
- Syncing and publishing issues
- Disappearing projects and progress
- Compatibility problems with newer Minecraft versions
Requested features
4 requests- More Minecraft block and mob customization
- Offline access
- Improved community moderation
- Ability to save and restore projects
In-app purchases
Kodable Basics
- Kodable Monthly Plan7 Days trial$24.991 Month
- Kodable Yearly Plan7 Days trial$119.991 Year
- 3-day Parent TrialFree
- Fuzzes to Support Computer Science$4.99
- Pre-Trial Parent Plan$19.99
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- Parent Plan$29.99
- Kodable Lifetime Plan$199.99
Tynker
- Tynker Web + Mobile Plan7 Days trial$24.991 Month
- Tynker Web + Mobile Plan7 Days trial$59.993 Months
- Yearly All-Access Plan$119.991 Year
- Tynker Web + Mobile Plan$314.99







