Tynker vs ScratchUP
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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?
ScratchUP
This app allows users to learn, teach, and play with code. It offers a variety of features for creating educational activities, including sensor integration, machine learning capabilities, and math tools. Compatible with Scratch files, it provides an offline coding experience for students and educators.
- Scratch file compatibility (.sb2, .sb3)
- Sensor event integration (touch, keyboard, camera, Bluetooth)
- Machine learning for object and sound recognition
- Body detection, Handpose, and Facemesh
- QRCode scanner
- Math tools for learning
- Offline app functionality
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ScratchUP is the perfect app for students, teachers, and anyone who wants to learn coding. Use it in the classroom or at home to create interactive projects, explore programming concepts, and design educational activities with endless possibilities. Scratch-compatible: open and save .sb2 and .sb3 files with ease. Build richer projects by combining touch events, keyboard input, camera features, and Bluetooth sensor data. A fullscreen offline app packed with powerful features: - Virtual keyboard for managing key events - Bluetooth connection to devices such as micro:bit - Body Detection, Hand Pose, and Face Mesh powered by machine learning - QR code scanner - Train your own object recognition models with machine learning - Import Teachable Machine models to recognize objects and sounds - Built-in math tools for easier learning - Control the front and back cameras directly in code - New Function extension for creating more advanced programs - New option to hide blocks in the interface and in scripts for a cleaner workspace - Native iPadOS export to share projects instantly via AirDrop or email - Export scripts as images to easily add them to worksheets, lessons, or other documents Code, learn, teach, and play — all in one app. Enjoy!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Tynker at Free against ScratchUP's $0.99. Tynker also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 9 months). ScratchUP's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (75% vs 56%). On ads 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
Tynker is free to download; ScratchUP costs $0.99 up front. Tynker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. ScratchUP asks for nothing beyond the download.
Tynker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. 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 complicate that: 56% of Tynker's written reviews are positive against 75% of ScratchUP's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, ScratchUP every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tynker | ScratchUP |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.6 (18K ratings) — better | 4.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 56.1% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 18K — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 153 MB | 397 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tynker | Ulrich PICAUD |
Customer experience
Tynker
ScratchUP
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
ScratchUP
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Tynker
- 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
- Tynker Web + Mobile Plan$314.99
ScratchUP
No in-app purchases









