Junior Coding From Scratch vs JavaScript Starter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Junior Coding From Scratch
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Coding isn't just about writing commands β it's about thinking logically, building sequences, and finding creative solutions to problems. That's what our game is all about. Junior Coding From Scratch is an educational game that teaches the core principles of coding without writing a single line of text. WHO IS IT FOR? β’ Young future coders (5-12) β’ Absolute beginners with no experience (teens and adults) β’ Parents seeking educational screen time β’ Educators and STEM teachers β’ Gamers who love puzzle and strategy games β’ Anyone looking for a new hobby or a way to keep their mind sharp. Inspired by the visual Scratch coding language, our educational game makes the first step into computer science accessible, intuitive, and genuinely fun for everyone. We remove the complex syntax so you can focus on what really matters: learning to think like a coder. HOW IT WORKS Guide your cute animal character through a series of puzzle levels. The goal is simple: collect all the coins and reach the finish line. To do this, you'll need to arrange visual command blocks in the right order. You donβt write code β you build sequences. Youβll learn to analyze objectives, break them down into smaller tasks, and find the most efficient path using the commands available. WHAT YOUβLL LEARN β’ The Heart of Algorithms: Understand the step-by-step logic required to solve a problem. β’ Decomposition: Break down large, complex challenges into smaller, manageable actions. β’ Forward Thinking: Plan several steps ahead and visualize the outcome before running your code. β’ Core Programming Concepts: Naturally grasp essential ideas like sequencing, debugging, and efficiency as you progress. GRADUAL LEARNING At first, the tasks are simple. Gradually, step by step, you learn new commands, and the levels become more challenging. An important milestone is the introduction of functions. These are commands that already contain a sequence of actions inside them. Functions allow you to: - Reuse a set of actions multiple times - Simplify complex tasks with repeated actions into smaller, manageable sequences - Plan strategies more efficiently - Understand how real-world programming organizes code for readability and flexibility REWARDS & CUSTOMIZATION Learning is rewarding! Complete levels to earn in-game points, which you can spend to unlock new characters and expand your animal crew. Customize your heroes with fun accessories like glasses, hats, and headpieces, adding personality to your gameplay experience. Our app is designed to build a rock-solid programming foundation from scratch. By the time youβre ready to learn a text-based language like Python or JavaScript, youβll already have the most important skill: the ability to think like a programmer. We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Contact us at: info@playandlearngames.com Terms of Use: https://playandlearngames.com/termsofuse Privacy Policy: https://playandlearngames.com/privacy
JavaScript Starter
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JavaScript Starter is a coding and learning environment for exploring JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, web pages, and server development by writing and running real code. Write code, run programs, view web pages, and inspect output directly on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. No separate Node.js installation or development setup is required. Learn by Writing Code The included JavaScript Basics course provides 20 free lessons covering variables, conditions, loops, functions, strings, arrays, objects, error handling, and practical exercises. Learning Pro provides access to additional paid courses: - Introduction to Node.js Applications - Introduction to TypeScript - Introduction to HTML, CSS & JavaScript Development - Introduction to HTTP Services with Express - Introduction to HTTP Services with Hono - Web and Server Interaction Course content is available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese. Lessons are organized around clear learning points and include explanations, example code, editable exercises, and reference implementations. Local checks validate console output, page content, or HTTP behavior, while your exercise code and progress are saved. Explore Different Project Environments - JavaScript: Run console programs with bundled Node.js and V8. Explore modules, asynchronous code, file operations, and network requests. - TypeScript: Check types before running, locate errors, and compile your code to JavaScript for execution. - Web pages: Write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to learn DOM APIs, events, forms, and page interactions. - HTTP client and server: Build APIs with Express or Hono. Edit, run, and stop the client and server separately. - Web pages with a server: Connect browser pages to a local server through HTTP and WebSockets to explore data exchange and real-time updates. A Practical Coding Workspace - Switch between source code, console output, and web pages - Select and edit source files in multi-file projects - Prepare standard input or enter input interactively - View program output, type errors, and runtime exceptions - Work in a separate server workspace - Save code automatically - Browse built-in offline API notes and examples - Create multiple projects and duplicate, rename, delete, and restore them with IDE Pro Local Execution and Privacy No account is required. Source code is stored on your device, and TypeScript compilation and program execution happen locally without relying on developer servers to run your code. The app does not upload source code or input to developer servers for compilation or execution. Network requests in your programs and remote resources loaded by your pages connect to their respective services. Free Features and Optional Purchases JavaScript Starter includes one editable local project, the JavaScript Basics course, and the built-in API reference for free. IDE Pro is an optional one-time purchase that provides multiple local projects and complete project management features. Learning Pro offers optional 1-, 3-, and 12-month access periods for all paid courses available in your region. It does not renew automatically. IDE Pro and Learning Pro are purchased separately. About the Runtime The app bundles Node.js, TypeScript, Express, Hono, and WebSocket support. Web pages run in WebKit; browser and Node.js environments provide different APIs. Installing arbitrary npm packages and using native addons are not currently supported. Compatibility with every existing project is not guaranteed. Servers are intended for learning and testing within the app, not continuous background hosting. From your first script to interactive pages and local servers, JavaScript Starter helps you learn through practice. Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
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Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: JavaScript Starter at every 3 weeks against Junior Coding From Scratch's every 9 months. Junior Coding From Scratch's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Junior Coding From Scratch sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and JavaScript Starter sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Junior Coding From Scratch ships an update every 9 months, JavaScript Starter every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Junior Coding From Scratch | JavaScript Starter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Every 3 weeks β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 β better | 17.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 63 MB | 150 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | PLAY AND LEARN EDUCATIONAL GAMES FOR KIDS PLEI END LERN EDYUKESHINAL GEIMS FO KIDS, TOO | Dozen Network Technology Co., Ltd. |
In-app purchases
Junior Coding From Scratch
- 100 Coins$2.99
- 500 Coins$4.99
- Remove Forced Ads$5.99
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- 1000 Coins$5.99
JavaScript Starter
- Learning Pro β 1 Month$0.99
- Learning Pro β 3 Months$2.99
- JavaScript Starter IDE Pro$2.99
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- Learning Pro β 12 Months$9.99
Questions
Is Junior Coding From Scratch free?
Is JavaScript Starter free?
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Which is updated more often, Junior Coding From Scratch or JavaScript Starter?
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