# Tynker vs Lightbot

The clearest difference is rating: Tynker at 4.6 against Lightbot's 4.1. Tynker also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (18K vs 242). Lightbot's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (80% vs 56%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Tynker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 242, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of Tynker's written reviews are positive against 80% of Lightbot'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, Lightbot every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tynker | Lightbot |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tynker-coding-for-kids/id805869467/reviews)** | [4.1 (242 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightbot-code-hour/id873943739/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18K** | 242 |
| Positive reviews | 56.1% of reviews | **79.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 153 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **5.1.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tynker](https://appshunter.io/developer/805869470) | [SpriteBox LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/517384301) |

## 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


### Lightbot

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightbot-code-hour/id873943739)

This programming puzzle game introduces players to coding logic through interactive challenges. Guide a robot using commands to solve levels, learning concepts like procedures, loops, and conditionals. It's designed for beginners, making coding accessible and fun for students.

**Highlights:** Programming puzzle gameplay, Introduces programming logic, Teaches procedures, loops, conditionals, 20 levels for beginners, Multiplayer progress tracking, Supports multiple languages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great level design
- 🤩 Fun and addictive
- 🧠 Helps develop coding skills
- 🎓 Good for kids and beginners
- 🏆 Awesome game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Levels too difficult
- 🤏 Not enough space for code
- 🕰️ Game too short
- 🙄 Unclear tutorial
- 🎵 Bad music

**Reported bugs**

- Level 1-7 impossible to complete
- Procedures level 5 glitched
- Robot not moving as expected

**Requested features**

- More levels and content
- Ability to create own games
- Better tutorial and instructions
- More music options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tynker free?

Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Lightbot free?

Lightbot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Tynker or Lightbot?

Tynker is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Lightbot averages 4.1 from 242 ratings.

### Do Tynker or Lightbot have ads?

Neither Tynker nor Lightbot shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tynker or Lightbot?

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Lightbot every 6 months. Most recently, Tynker was updated on October 6, 2026 and Lightbot on September 29, 2026.

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