Comparison

Tynker vs ScratchJr

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

ScratchJr

This app allows young children to create their own interactive stories and games by snapping together graphical programming blocks. It fosters problem-solving, creative expression, and develops early numeracy and literacy skills in a fun, motivating context.

Highlights
  • Program interactive stories
  • Create games
  • Snap-together programming blocks
  • Develop problem-solving skills
  • Foster creative expression
  • Learn coding fundamentals
Features
Read full description

With ScratchJr, young children (ages 5-7) learn important new skills as they program their own interactive stories and games. By snapping together graphical programming blocks, children can make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. In the process, children learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer. They also use math and language in a meaningful and motivating context, supporting the development of early-childhood numeracy and literacy. With ScratchJr, children don’t just learn to code, they code to learn. ScratchJr was inspired by the popular Scratch programming language (http://scratch.mit.edu), used by millions of people (ages 8 and up) around the world. The ScratchJr interface and programming language were redesigned to make them appropriate for younger children’s cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development. ScratchJr is a collaboration between the Lifelong Kindergarten research group at the MIT Media Lab, the Developmental Technologies research group at Tufts University, and the Playful Invention Company. The ScratchJr project has received generous financial support from the National Science Foundation (NSF DRL-1118664), Scratch Foundation, LEGO Foundation, and British Telecommunications. If you enjoy using this free app, please consider making a donation to the Scratch Foundation (www.scratchfoundation.org), a nonprofit organization that provides ongoing support for ScratchJr. We appreciate donations of all sizes, large and small.

Screenshots

Tynker4 screens
ScratchJr1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tynker at 4.6 against ScratchJr's 3.9. Tynker also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (18K vs 1.8K). ScratchJr's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (67% vs 56%). On price, ads and device support 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. ScratchJr asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tynker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 1.8K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of Tynker's written reviews are positive against 67% of ScratchJr's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, ScratchJr every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Tynker versus ScratchJr: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTynkerScratchJr
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings) — better3.9 (1.8K ratings)
Positive reviews56.1% of reviews66.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings18K — better1.8K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTynkerScratch Foundation, Inc.

Customer experience

Tynker

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

ScratchJr

All ratings1,812 ratings
Positive72.5%
Neutral7.1%
Negative20.4%
Written reviews584 reviews
Positive66.8%
Neutral10.8%
Negative22.4%

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

ScratchJr

From 1.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use for kids
  • 🚀 Great for coding and creating animations
  • 💡 Allows customization of characters and backgrounds
  • ⭐ Fun and engaging for young users

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Glitchy drawing/editing tools
  • 🔧 Limited number of frames/scenes per project
  • 🎨 Lack of color options and customization
  • 🔊 Poor audio quality and limited sound options

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

ScratchJr

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Freezing and crashing issues
  • Incorrect character movements and positioning
  • Saving and loading problems
  • Microphone and recording bugs

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more frames/scenes per project
  • Improve drawing/editing tools
  • Expand color and customization options
  • Enhance audio features and sound library
  • Integrate with the full Scratch platform

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

ScratchJr

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tynker free?
Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ScratchJr free?
ScratchJr is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tynker or ScratchJr?
Tynker is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while ScratchJr averages 3.9 from 1.8K ratings.
Do Tynker or ScratchJr have ads?
Neither Tynker nor ScratchJr shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tynker or ScratchJr?
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and ScratchJr every 6 months. Most recently, Tynker was updated on September 24, 2026 and ScratchJr on September 22, 2026.

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