Comparison

Tynker vs Thunkable Live

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 comprehensive platform for children to learn coding and AI through interactive tutorials, game creation, and Minecraft modding. It transitions from visual blocks to text-based languages like Python and JavaScript, making coding an engaging adventure.

Highlights
  • Block-to-text coding transition
  • AI and Machine Learning exploration
  • Minecraft modding and game creation
  • Augmented Reality (AR) app development
  • Robotics and physical computing
  • Coding Arenas for competitive play
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

Thunkable Live

Build your own mobile applications using a visual, block-based programming language. This platform offers tutorials and resources to guide you through creating your projects and controlling your device.

Highlights
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Block-based programming
  • Mobile device control
  • In-app tutorials
  • Live testing
Features
Read full description

Thunkable is a drag and drop platform where anyone can use a blocks based programming language to control their mobile device. In addition to using the tutorials in the app, you can follow us for more extensive video tutorials and documentation to make your own Thunkable project.

Screenshots

Tynker4 screens
Thunkable Live4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tynker at 4.6 against Thunkable Live's 4.1. Tynker also leads on ratings volume (18K vs 328). Thunkable Live's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, review sentiment, 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. Thunkable Live asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tynker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 328, 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 53% of Thunkable Live's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, Thunkable Live weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 14, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Tynker versus Thunkable Live: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTynkerThunkable Live
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings) — better4.1 (328 ratings)
Positive reviews55.9% of reviews — better53.2% of reviews
Number of ratings18K — better328
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB119 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTynkerThunkable

Customer experience

Tynker

All ratings18,398 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral4.4%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews794 reviews
Positive55.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative33.0%

Thunkable Live

All ratings326 ratings
Positive76.4%
Neutral4.3%
Negative19.3%
Written reviews444 reviews
Positive53.2%
Neutral5.2%
Negative41.7%

User reviews

Tynker

From 18K App Store ratings

What 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

Thunkable Live

From 328 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to create apps
  • 🚀 Instant live testing
  • 💡 Innovative learning platform
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 👍 Versatile for all skill levels

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS devices
  • 🐛 Laggy performance and glitches
  • 🐛 Unreliable live testing and preview
  • 🐛 Confusing navigation and UI

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

Thunkable Live

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Login screen freezes or crashes
  • White screen issues and app not loading
  • Inability to view or edit code
  • Inconsistent behavior between web and mobile versions
  • Firebase integration problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved code editor and customization tools
  • Better integration with external services
  • More comprehensive documentation and tutorials
  • Ability to test apps on multiple devices

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

Thunkable Live

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tynker free?
Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Thunkable Live free?
Thunkable Live is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tynker or Thunkable Live?
Tynker is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Thunkable Live averages 4.1 from 328 ratings.
Do Tynker or Thunkable Live have ads?
Neither Tynker nor Thunkable Live shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tynker or Thunkable Live?
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Thunkable Live weekly. Most recently, Tynker was updated on November 14, 2026 and Thunkable Live on November 13, 2026.

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