Comparison

Tynker vs Glider Guide

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

Glider Guide

Explore five real-world terrains in the US and learn about various land and water features. Test your knowledge with in-game assessments after each flight. Offers both first-person and top-down perspectives for immersive learning.

Highlights
  • Explore real-world US terrains
  • Learn about 11 land/water features
  • First-person and top-down views
  • In-game knowledge assessments
  • Educational simulation
Features
Read full description

Soar above five real world terrains in the United States while learning about different types of land and water features. Observe eleven different land and water features including: mountains, plains, lakes, oceans, and mesas. View terrain maps from first-person and top-down view. Test your knowledge of land and water features after every flight with an in-game assessment.

Screenshots

Tynker4 screens
Glider Guide3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Glider Guide at none against Tynker's 4. Glider Guide also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 15.0). Tynker's advantage is ratings volume (18K vs 3). On price, update cadence, 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. Glider Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Glider Guide holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, Glider Guide every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Tynker versus Glider Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTynkerGlider Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings18K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.07.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB534 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTynkerSmithsonian Institution

Customer experience

Tynker

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

Glider Guide

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Glider Guide

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

Glider Guide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tynker free?
Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Glider Guide free?
Glider Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tynker or Glider Guide?
Glider Guide is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Glider Guide averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Tynker or Glider Guide have ads?
Neither Tynker nor Glider Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tynker or Glider Guide?
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Glider Guide every 2 weeks. Most recently, Tynker was updated on October 31, 2026 and Glider Guide on October 29, 2026.

Other comparisons