Comparison

Tynker vs VR Magic

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

VR Magic

Explore magic tricks and illusions in augmented and virtual reality. Learn techniques like misdirection and suggestion, then follow step-by-step instructions to perform over 30 classic tricks. Requires a physical book to activate the AR experiences.

Highlights
  • Augmented and virtual reality magic illusions
  • Learn misdirection and suggestion techniques
  • Step-by-step AR instructions
  • Over 30 classic magic tricks
  • Interactive AR book activation
Features
Read full description

ABACUS HQ: Step on stage with Professor Maxwell to explore amazing magic tricks and illusions that come alive in augmented and virtual reality! Learn the techniques behind the tricks including misdirection, sleight of hand and the power of suggestion before watching the tricks performed in integrated AR and VR. Once you’ve seen how it’s done, follow the AR step-by-step instructions to learn over 30 classic tricks, all in Professor Maxwell’s VR Magic! To activate the experiences, simply download the app and hold your phone over the book included in the kit to see Professor Maxwell come to life!

Screenshots

Tynker4 screens
VR Magic3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: VR Magic at 100% against Tynker's 56%. VR Magic also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Tynker's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (18K vs 18). 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. VR Magic asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tynker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of Tynker's written reviews are positive against 100% of VR Magic's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, VR Magic every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Tynker versus VR Magic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTynkerVR Magic
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings) — better4.3 (18 ratings)
Positive reviews56.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings18K — better18
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB1.7 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTynkerAbacus

Customer experience

Tynker

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

VR Magic

All ratings18 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral5.6%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
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

VR Magic

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

VR Magic

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tynker free?
Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VR Magic free?
VR Magic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tynker or VR Magic?
Tynker is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while VR Magic averages 4.3 from 18 ratings.
Do Tynker or VR Magic have ads?
Neither Tynker nor VR Magic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tynker or VR Magic?
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and VR Magic every 9 months. Most recently, Tynker was updated on September 24, 2026 and VR Magic on September 20, 2026.

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