Mini App Central vs Sensor Playground
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Mini App Central
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Your Instant Mini App Playground StackLive: Mini App Central lets you discover and launch mini apps immediately — no installs, no waiting. Browse a growing catalog of curated interactive experiences and open them in one tap.
Sensor Playground
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Sensor Playground turns your phone into a live dashboard for DIY sensor nodes built on the ESP32 or a Raspberry Pi class single-board computer. Flash the free companion firmware onto your board, wire up a supported sensor, and the app finds the node automatically on your local network or via Bluetooth LE — no cloud, no account, no registration. Readings appear as clear cards and live charts, updated in real time. CONTINUOUSLY GROWING Development is ongoing: updates ship regularly, and support for new sensors is added continuously. If your favourite sensor is not on the list yet, chances are it will arrive in one of the next updates. HIGHLIGHTS • Automatic discovery of sensor nodes over Wi-Fi (LAN) and Bluetooth LE • Live cards and charts for every measured quantity • Air-quality rating derived from IAQ, CO₂ or eCO₂/TVOC readings • Dedicated screens for gesture, distance and contact sensors • Send bitmaps to an SSD1306 OLED display node • Signal-strength badge for Bluetooth nodes • °C/°F switch, English and German, screen-reader friendly • Everything stays on your own network: TLS-encrypted and API-key protected — no cloud involved SUPPORTED SENSORS (and counting) • Environment & air quality: BME680, BME280, SCD30, SGP30, MCP9808, SHT31, SHT41, AHT10/AHT20, CozIR-A • Light & optical: SI1145 (sunlight/UV), TCS34725 (color), analog light sensor • Motion & orientation: IMU 10DOF, MPU6050, MMA7660 • Infrared temperature: MLX90615 (non-contact) • Positioning: Air530 GNSS/GPS • Event-driven: PAJ7620 gesture, VL53L0X laser distance, button, hall sensor, magnetic switch, PIR motion, vibration • Display: SSD1306 OLED (128×64) GOOD TO KNOW • You need at least one sensor node: an ESP32 or a Raspberry Pi class board running the free, open companion firmware. Arduino sketches and Python scripts are available for every supported sensor. • A built-in simulated sensor lets you explore the app before any hardware is connected. • Scanning and discovery are free for all sensors. Data visualisation for a few selected sensors requires a one-time in-app licence purchase, which supports the ongoing development. Whether you are a maker, a teacher, a student or simply curious about the air in your room — Sensor Playground makes hardware experiments visible.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mini App Central at none against Sensor Playground's 1. 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
Both are free to download. Sensor Playground sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Mini App Central asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Mini App Central | Sensor Playground |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | — | Every 3 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Sibin Lukose | Peter Sauer |
In-app purchases
Mini App Central
No in-app purchases
Sensor Playground
- Licence$0.99
Questions
Is Mini App Central free?
Is Sensor Playground free?
Do Mini App Central or Sensor Playground have ads?
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