Comparison

Tynker vs Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

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

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

Control and program robots with a user-friendly interface. Design custom controllers and explore STEM education through interactive robot play. Supports a variety of robot models and multiple languages.

Highlights
  • Robot control via official controller
  • Create custom robot controllers
  • Graphical programming for complex functions
  • User-friendly interface
  • Supports multiple Makeblock robot models
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

Makeblock APP is a robot control software in smart devices. Everyone can directly control Makeblock robots using official controller in the software, or creates and programs a specific controller to achieve richer robotic functionality. Makeblock APP gives the user a way to grow. You can use the controller function to control directly, you can also drag the control to create a different multi-function console; advanced users can even programmatically through the control to achieve more complex functions. Features: -Brand New UI Design, User-Friendly Interface. -Stronger Controllability, Simpler Way to Learn STEM:STEM education becomes easy & fun as you can also master robot freely to sing, dance or light. -Create Customized Robot Controller with Graphical Programming: Realize your imagination and control your robot by simply dragging, dropping and programming the command blocks. -Supporting Makeblock Robots: Codey Rocky, MotionBlock, mBot、mBot Ranger、Airblock、Starter、Ultimate2.0 . -Multi-Language User Interface :Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Croatian,Polish,Romanian. Support: -You can visit the official website: www.makeblock.com for more information -support email: support@makeblock.cc -Support forum: we.makeblock.com

Screenshots

Tynker4 screens
Makeblock-Play STEM Robots4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tynker at 4.6 against Makeblock-Play STEM Robots's 3.7. Tynker also leads on ratings volume (18K vs 202) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Makeblock-Play STEM Robots's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). 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. Makeblock-Play STEM Robots asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tynker holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tynker has 18K ratings behind it against 202, 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 47% of Makeblock-Play STEM Robots's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, Makeblock-Play STEM Robots every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Tynker versus Makeblock-Play STEM Robots: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTynkerMakeblock-Play STEM Robots
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (18K ratings) — better3.7 (202 ratings)
Positive reviews56.1% of reviews — better46.6% of reviews
Number of ratings18K — better202
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size153 MB458 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTynkerMakeblock Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Tynker

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

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

All ratings202 ratings
Positive66.3%
Neutral6.4%
Negative27.2%
Written reviews131 reviews
Positive46.6%
Neutral3.8%
Negative49.6%

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

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Tynker free?
Tynker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Makeblock-Play STEM Robots free?
Makeblock-Play STEM Robots is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Tynker or Makeblock-Play STEM Robots?
Tynker is rated higher. Tynker averages 4.6 out of 5 from 18K ratings, while Makeblock-Play STEM Robots averages 3.7 from 202 ratings.
Do Tynker or Makeblock-Play STEM Robots have ads?
Neither Tynker nor Makeblock-Play STEM Robots shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tynker or Makeblock-Play STEM Robots?
Tynker ships an update every 3 weeks, and Makeblock-Play STEM Robots every 6 weeks. Most recently, Tynker was updated on October 1, 2026 and Makeblock-Play STEM Robots on September 17, 2026.

Other comparisons