Comparison

Tynker vs mBlock Blockly-STEM education

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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?

About

mBlock Blockly-STEM education

This app offers a fun, game-based approach to learning robotic programming for children. Users can learn coding fundamentals through interactive challenges and then apply their new skills to personalize robots. It's designed to foster problem-solving and creative thinking for future innovators.

Highlights
  • Game-based learning for robotics
  • Graphical programming with building blocks
  • Step-by-step curriculum
  • Creative mode for robot personalization
  • Bluetooth robot connection
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

mBlock Blockly, renamed from the mBlock App, is a graphical programming software made by Makeblock for STEAM education. It introduces users to the world of robotic programming. Without any prior knowledge, users can start programming robots by playing through games; then they can personalize their mBots with newly-learnt programming skills. mBlock Blockly opens up new minds for children: by means of programming, mBlock Blockly introduces program solving strategies and ways to design a project. mBlock Blockly nurtures creative thinkers of the future with communications and hands-on projects. Features: * Learn programming at home, 10 minutes a day: have fun with mBot and courses as game levels designed by education professionals. * Easy, straightforward graphical programming: code as easy as playing with building blocks, with the globally-received graphical-programming language customized for the mBot. * Exciting game-based learning: complete challenging tasks, experience the joy of victory in a series of coding games, and fall in love with programming. * Scientific system for step-by-step learning: Learn step-by-step following our well-designed curriculum for robotics and programming. * Bring your mBot to life: turn your mBot into your personal robot with the Creative Mode and your powerful programming & robotic skills. And there's more: * Based on Blockly: the well-received graphical programming language * Mobile Exclusive: Support iPhone and iPad devices * Bluetooth Connection: Connect your robot by simple touching it * Offline Support: Work without Internet connection * Online Updates: Receive new course content automatically when connected to the Internet * Language support: for mBot: English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese, Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Chinese Traditional;for mBot Ranger: English, German, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese, Ukrainian, Simplified Chinese, Chinese Traditional * Professional Content Team: Professional game-based learning team designs and continually updates course content. * Professional Technical Team: Continuous software optimization ensures a stable user experience.

Screenshots

Tynker4 screens
mBlock Blockly-STEM education4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tynker at 4.6 against mBlock Blockly-STEM education's 3.7. Tynker also leads on ratings volume (18K vs 126) and review sentiment (56% vs 37%). mBlock Blockly-STEM education's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads and device support 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. Tynker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. mBlock Blockly-STEM education asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tynker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 126, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Tynker's written reviews are positive against 37% of mBlock Blockly-STEM education's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, mBlock Blockly-STEM education every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Tynker versus mBlock Blockly-STEM education: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTynkermBlock Blockly-STEM education
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings) — better3.7 (126 ratings)
Positive reviews55.9% of reviews — better36.5% of reviews
Number of ratings18K — better126
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTynkerMakeblock Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Tynker

All ratings18,334 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral4.4%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews794 reviews
Positive55.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative33.0%

mBlock Blockly-STEM education

All ratings125 ratings
Positive64.0%
Neutral7.2%
Negative28.8%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive36.5%
Neutral15.4%
Negative48.1%

Bugs and requests

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

mBlock Blockly-STEM education

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Tynker

Subscriptions3
  • 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
One-time1
  • Tynker Web + Mobile Plan$314.99
None

mBlock Blockly-STEM education

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tynker free?
Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is mBlock Blockly-STEM education free?
mBlock Blockly-STEM education is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tynker or mBlock Blockly-STEM education?
Tynker is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while mBlock Blockly-STEM education averages 3.7 from 126 ratings.
Do Tynker or mBlock Blockly-STEM education have ads?
Neither Tynker nor mBlock Blockly-STEM education shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tynker or mBlock Blockly-STEM education?
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and mBlock Blockly-STEM education every 6 weeks. Most recently, Tynker was updated on October 31, 2026 and mBlock Blockly-STEM education on October 26, 2026.

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