Comparison

Tynker vs Programming for kids

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

Programming for kids

This educational game introduces children to the fundamentals of coding through engaging robot operation puzzles. It fosters logical thinking and problem-solving skills without requiring actual programming code. Designed for interactive play with parents, it offers progressive challenges across various levels.

Highlights
  • Robot operation puzzles
  • Develops logical thinking
  • No programming code required
  • Progressive difficulty levels
  • Collect stars for applied skill
  • Parent-child interactive play
Read full description

The first step in programming learning! Children enjoy the basics of coding. Children learn Logical thinking as Programming. This is a learning application of coding. But there is no programming code. It is a game that operates the robot and leads to the goal. By trial and error children can acquire logical thinking skills. Please enjoy with parents and children. 【contents】 ■Beginner Introduction of basic operation. ▼Difficulty There are Levels 1 to 3. It has 24 stages each. ●Level 1 Map of 5*5. Operating a robot. ●Level 2 Map of 6*6. Operating a ship. The difficulty level will rise. ●Level 3 Map of 7*7. Operating a space ship. Use the Function command. The difficulty level will rise further. ■Collect Stars This is a game that collects as many stars as possible. It is a test of applied skill. * No banner advertisement on this app. * Some contains in-app purchases. ◆privacy policy / terms of service https://amgm.jp/privacy_en.html

Screenshots

Tynker4 screens
Programming for kids4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tynker at 4.6 against Programming for kids's 2.0. Tynker also leads on ratings volume (18K vs 4) and review sentiment (56% vs 40%). Programming for kids's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 and Programming for kids sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tynker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 4, 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 40% of Programming for kids's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, Programming for kids every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Tynker versus Programming for kids: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTynkerProgramming for kids
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings) — better2.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews56.1% of reviews — better40.0% of reviews
Number of ratings18K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTynkerAMGAMES Inc.

Customer experience

Tynker

All ratings18,334 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral4.4%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews789 reviews
Positive56.1%
Neutral11.0%
Negative32.8%

Programming for kids

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%

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

Programming for kids

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
1 purchases

Programming for kids

One-time1
  • Additional contents$2.99

Questions

Is Tynker free?
Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Programming for kids free?
Programming for kids is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tynker or Programming for kids?
Tynker is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Programming for kids averages 2.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Tynker or Programming for kids have ads?
Neither Tynker nor Programming for kids shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tynker or Programming for kids?
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Programming for kids every 2 months. Most recently, Tynker was updated on September 24, 2026 and Programming for kids on June 1, 2026.

Other comparisons