Comparison

Tynker vs Bug World by Kodable

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

Bug World by Kodable

Embark on a coding adventure to defeat slimes using object-oriented programming and JavaScript skills. Build, upgrade, and deploy heroes to defend Bug World, learning essential coding concepts and soft skills in a fun, engaging environment.

Highlights
  • Object-oriented programming concepts
  • JavaScript coding
  • Hero building and upgrading
  • Real-time code updates
  • Problem-solving and creativity
  • Drag-and-drop coding interface
Features
Read full description

Are you ready for a new coding adventure? The fuzzFamily have landed on Bug World but some unwanted slimes came along with them! It’s up to you to use your object-oriented programming and javascript skills to help defeat the slimes in Bug World by Kodable! Bug World, a new coding game from the award-winning team behind Kodable, is designed to help kids learn and level up their programming skills in a fun and engaging way. Use real code to build, upgrade, and deploy your own heroes to push back the slimes all while exploring the captivating levels of Bug World. WHAT THEY LEARN Bug World features age-appropriate games and activities to introduce and reinforce coding concepts that will have kids thinking like programmers and writing real code using Kodable’s built-for-kids coding interface. Coding skills learned through Bug World include: Object-oriented programming Javascript Classes/Objects Properties Functions Arrays Inheritance CODE YOUR DEFENSE Use one of Bug World’s seven heroes, or your own creations, to set up your defenses against the incoming waves of slimes. Need an extra boost to take down a tricky slime? You can drag and drop one hero onto another similar hero to merge them into a super-defender using code to update their stats in real-time. Need more help? Place a rune on the field to use their special coding properties to slow down or defeat the slimes in a certain area. There’s no one right way to defeat the slimes, so use your creativity to help code your defenses on Bug World! WHY CODE WITH BUG WORLD? Kodable is trusted by more than 50% of US Elementary Schools because of our commitment to making computer science education accessible for everyone. Bug World is the next step in Kodable and your child’s coding journey by giving them a whole new world of possibilities to explore while developing object-oriented programming and javascript skills. In addition to programming concepts, kids also learn incredibly important ‘soft skills’ such as Problem solving skills Executive thinking skills Creativity Collaboration skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills KODABLE PRO MEMBERSHIPS Kodable PRO memberships offer access to all content across Kodable’s suite of learning apps. Use your same login across all Kodable apps to access PRO content. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION – Payment will be charged to iTunes Account – Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period – Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal – Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase – Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable

Screenshots

Tynker4 screens
Bug World by Kodable4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Tynker at 18K against Bug World by Kodable's 805. On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 and Bug World by Kodable sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Tynker against 4.7 for Bug World by Kodable. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 805, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of Tynker's written reviews are positive against 59% of Bug World by Kodable's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, Bug World by Kodable every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 1, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Tynker versus Bug World by Kodable: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTynkerBug World by Kodable
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings)4.7 (805 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.1% of reviews59.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings18K — better805
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB337 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTynkerSurfScore, Inc

Customer experience

Tynker

All ratings18,334 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral4.4%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews791 reviews
Positive56.1%
Neutral11.0%
Negative32.9%

Bug World by Kodable

All ratings805 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral3.2%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive59.1%
Neutral4.5%
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

Bug World by Kodable

From 805 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎮 Highly addictive and fun gameplay
  • 🎨 Unique and appealing visual style
  • 📚 Educational content for kids
  • 🆓 No ads in the application
  • 🏆 Engaging level progression and badges

Room to improve

  • ⏳ Infinite loading screens on startup
  • 🐛 Glitchy gameplay experience
  • 💰 Misleading free trial monetization
  • 📝 Math problems don't register correctly
  • ⏱️ Limited content (only 3 levels)

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

Bug World by Kodable

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Infinite loading screens preventing game access
  • Math problem answers not registering
  • General glitchiness affecting gameplay
  • Startup issues with no game experience possible

Requested features

3 requests
  • More levels and content beyond the initial 3
  • Improved difficulty scaling for advanced players
  • Clearer monetization and subscription information upfront

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
3 purchases

Bug World by Kodable

Subscriptions2
  • Kodable Monthly Plan7 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • Kodable Yearly Plan7 Days trial$119.991 Year
One-time1
  • Kodable Lifetime Plan$199.99

Questions

Is Tynker free?
Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bug World by Kodable free?
Bug World by Kodable is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tynker or Bug World by Kodable?
Bug World by Kodable is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Bug World by Kodable averages 4.7 from 805 ratings.
Do Tynker or Bug World by Kodable have ads?
Neither Tynker nor Bug World by Kodable shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tynker or Bug World by Kodable?
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Bug World by Kodable every 5 weeks. Most recently, Tynker was updated on October 1, 2026 and Bug World by Kodable on October 1, 2026.

Other comparisons