# Tynker vs Sphero Edu

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sphero Edu at none against Tynker's 4. Sphero Edu also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 56%). Tynker's advantage is ratings volume (18K vs 1.5K). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Tynker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Sphero Edu asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Tynker against 4.5 for Sphero Edu. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of Tynker's written reviews are positive against 65% of Sphero Edu's.

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tynker | Sphero Edu |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tynker-coding-for-kids/id805869467/reviews)** | [4.5 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu/id1017847674/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18K** | 1.5K |
| Positive reviews | 56.1% of reviews | **65.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 153 MB | 193 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tynker](https://appshunter.io/developer/805869470) | [Sphero, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/468699622) |

## What reviewers say

### Tynker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tynker-coding-for-kids/id805869467)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tynker Web + Mobile Plan | $24.99 | per month |
| Tynker Web + Mobile Plan | $59.99 | per 3 months |
| Yearly All-Access Plan | $119.99 | per year |
| Tynker Web + Mobile Plan | $314.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Coding made fun
- 👍 Great for learning
- 🎨 Customizable Minecraft mods
- 💡 Potential for more features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Paywall for full access
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🤔 Limited Minecraft functionality
- ⏱️ Slow project publishing

**Reported bugs**

- Minecraft mods not working as expected
- Syncing and publishing issues
- Disappearing projects and progress
- Compatibility problems with newer Minecraft versions

**Requested features**

- More Minecraft block and mob customization
- Offline access
- Improved community moderation
- Ability to save and restore projects


### Sphero Edu

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu/id1017847674)

This app allows users to learn and create with programmable robots. It offers multiple coding methods, from drawing paths to advanced text-based programming. Educators can manage classes and track student progress, making learning fun and interactive.

**Highlights:** Multiple programming modes (Draw, Block, Text), Access sensor data via graphs, Pre-made STEAM lessons, Robot driving mode, Assignment creation for educators, Google/Clever account integration

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Excellent for learning to code
- 🚀 Fun and engaging to use
- 👍 Great for kids and adults
- 👍 Supports various Sphero models
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection issues
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs after updates
- 🔋 Battery life problems
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with older devices
- 🐛 Unreliable performance

**Reported bugs**

- Programs not saving properly
- Firmware update issues
- Inability to connect to certain Sphero models
- Sign-in and registration problems

**Requested features**

- Add more coding blocks and functionality
- Improve community features and sharing
- Restore legacy app features (e.g., free drive mode)
- Provide better documentation and tutorials
- Allow custom sound and light effects


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tynker free?

Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Sphero Edu free?

Sphero Edu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Tynker or Sphero Edu?

Tynker is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Sphero Edu averages 4.5 from 1.5K ratings.

### Do Tynker or Sphero Edu have ads?

Neither Tynker nor Sphero Edu shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tynker or Sphero Edu?

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. Most recently, Tynker was updated on September 24, 2026 and Sphero Edu on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*