Comparison

Tynker vs PictoBlox

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

PictoBlox

Learn to code with a block-based platform that integrates robotics, AI, and machine learning. Create games, animations, and control hardware using intuitive drag-and-drop Scratch blocks. Ideal for beginners to develop 21st-century skills.

Highlights
  • Block-based coding
  • Robotics control
  • AI and Machine Learning
  • IoT projects
  • Game and animation creation
  • Hardware interaction
Features
Read full description

PictoBlox is a block based coding app for students with enhanced hardware-interaction capabilities and emerging technologies such as robotics, AI and machine learning that make learning to code fun and engaging. Just drag and drop the Scratch coding blocks and make cool games, animations, interactive projects, and even control robots the way you want! ● 21st-Century Skills PictoBlox opens doors for beginners to learn creative and physical computing in an engaging way and thus helps in developing must-have skills of today’s technology-driven world such as: - Creativity - Logical reasoning - Critical thinking - Problem-solving ● Coding Skills With PictoBlox and its courses, beginners will learn important coding concepts such as: - Logic - Algorithms - Sequencing - Loops - Conditional statements ● AI and ML for beginners Beginners can learn Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concepts such as: - Face and text recognition - Speech Recognition and virtual assistant - Training ML models like image, pose, and audio - AI based games ● Extensions for Making Countless DIY Projects PictoBlox has dedicated extensions for making projects based on the Internet of Things (IoT), controlling Scratch projects using a mobile app via Bluetooth, programming actuators, sensors, display modules, NeoPixel RGB lights, robotic arm, humanoid robots, and much more. Boards Compatible with PictoBlox App: - evive - Quarky - Arduino Uno - Arduino Mega - Arduino Nano - ESP32 - T Watch - Boffin - TecBits Bluetooth Modules Compatible with PictoBlox: - HC-05 BT 2.0 - HC-06 BT 2.0 - HM-10 BT 4.0 BLE (or AT-09) Want to know more about PictoBlox? Visit: https://thestempedia.com/product/pictoblox Getting Started with PictoBlox: Projects that you can make:https://thestempedia.com/project/

Screenshots

Tynker4 screens
PictoBlox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tynker at 4.6 against PictoBlox's 3.4. Tynker also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (18K vs 57). PictoBlox's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. PictoBlox asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tynker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 57, 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 48% of PictoBlox's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, PictoBlox every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Tynker versus PictoBlox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTynkerPictoBlox
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings) — better3.4 (57 ratings)
Positive reviews56.1% of reviews — better48.1% of reviews
Number of ratings18K — better57
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB178 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTynkerSTEMpedia

Customer experience

Tynker

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

PictoBlox

All ratings57 ratings
Positive56.1%
Neutral8.8%
Negative35.1%
Written reviews77 reviews
Positive48.1%
Neutral15.6%
Negative36.4%

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

PictoBlox

From 57 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for learning AI
  • 👍 Good for robotics
  • 👍 Intuitive block interface
  • 👍 Fun for beginners
  • 👍 Good for short projects

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and glitches
  • 🐛 Projects not saving
  • 🐛 Freezes and crashes
  • 🐛 Lagging issues
  • 🐛 Difficult to navigate

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

PictoBlox

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Birthday date not appearing during account creation
  • Purple screen and reset when saving project
  • Microphone activated unexpectedly
  • Space instead of left arrow in hat block
  • Projects not saving on iPad and laptops
Show 4 more
  • Arduino not connecting
  • Character and code deleted after saving and reopening project
  • App freezes and project disappears on refresh
  • Camera access concerns

Requested features

10 requests
  • Zoom in feature for drawing
  • Pixelated text option
  • Custom controls (thumbsticks, levers)
  • Move variables with finger
  • Drag code to other sprites
Show 5 more
  • Bigger window for code/stage
  • Add more extensions
  • Cloud variables for multiplayer
  • Dark mode
  • Full screen option

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

PictoBlox

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tynker free?
Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PictoBlox free?
PictoBlox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tynker or PictoBlox?
Tynker is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while PictoBlox averages 3.4 from 57 ratings.
Do Tynker or PictoBlox have ads?
Neither Tynker nor PictoBlox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tynker or PictoBlox?
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and PictoBlox every 14 months. Most recently, Tynker was updated on September 24, 2026 and PictoBlox on September 25, 2026.

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