# Tynker vs PictoBlox

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.

Both are free to download. Tynker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. PictoBlox asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, PictoBlox every 14 months. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tynker | PictoBlox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tynker-coding-for-kids/id805869467/reviews)** | [3.4 (57 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pictoblox-coding-robots-and-ai/id1554839634/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18K** | 57 |
| Positive reviews | **56.1% of reviews** | 48.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 14 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 153 MB | 178 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tynker](https://appshunter.io/developer/805869470) | [STEMpedia](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472734454) |

## What reviewers say

### Tynker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tynker-coding-for-kids/id805869467)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tynker Web + Mobile Plan | $24.99 | per month |
| Tynker Web + Mobile Plan | $59.99 | per 3 months |
| Yearly All-Access Plan | $119.99 | per year |
| Tynker Web + Mobile Plan | $314.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Coding made fun
- 👍 Great for learning
- 🎨 Customizable Minecraft mods
- 💡 Potential for more features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Paywall for full access
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🤔 Limited Minecraft functionality
- ⏱️ Slow project publishing

**Reported bugs**

- Minecraft mods not working as expected
- Syncing and publishing issues
- Disappearing projects and progress
- Compatibility problems with newer Minecraft versions

**Requested features**

- More Minecraft block and mob customization
- Offline access
- Improved community moderation
- Ability to save and restore projects


### PictoBlox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pictoblox-coding-robots-and-ai/id1554839634)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Zoom in feature for drawing
- Pixelated text option
- Custom controls (thumbsticks, levers)
- Move variables with finger
- Drag code to other sprites


## Frequently asked 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 25, 2026 and PictoBlox on September 25, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*