LightUp Learning vs VEXcode IQ
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
LightUp Learning
Build and learn about electronic circuits using magnetic blocks. Visualize electricity flow and program projects with drag-and-drop coding. Requires a physical LightUp kit.
- Magnetic circuit block assembly
- Visualize electricity flow
- Drag-and-drop coding interface
- Project building guides
- X-ray vision for circuits
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This is a companion app for the LightUp Edison and Tesla Kit. Build and learn about electronic circuits with LightUp kits and the LightUp Learning app. Magnetically snap together circuit blocks to build cool projects without needing to use wires, breadboards, or soldering irons. Take a photo and the LightUp Learning app will help out when you need a hand. It even gives you x-ray vision, letting you see the electricity flowing around your circuit! Ready to code? Simply drag and drop code blocks on your iPad to make a Music Box, Alarm and more! Purchase your very own LightUp kit at www.lightup.io.
VEXcode IQ
This coding environment is designed for students of all ages to learn programming through robotics. Its intuitive interface, consistent across different levels and platforms, allows users to focus on creation rather than navigation. It makes computer science accessible and engaging through hands-on projects and collaborations.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Consistent across Blocks and Text
- Robot drivetrain control blocks
- Device manager for robot setup
- Built-in video tutorials
- Example projects for learning
- Multilingual block support
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From elementary school through college, VEXcode is a coding environment that meets students at their level. The intuitive layout of VEXcode allows students to get started quickly and easily. VEXcode is consistent across Blocks and Text, across VEX IQ and VEX V5. As students progress from elementary, middle, and high school, they never have to learn a different blocks, code, or toolbar interface. As a result, students can focus on creating with technology, not trying to navigate a new layout. Drive Forward is the new Hello World We all know that robots attract kids to learn. VEX Robotics and VEXcode are providing opportunities for students of all ages to participate in learning the code that makes these robots work. VEX makes computer science come to life through collaborations, hands-on projects, and engaging experiences. From classrooms to competitions, VEXcode helps to create the next generation of innovators. Drag. Drop. Drive. VEXcode Blocks is the perfect platform for those new to coding. Students use the simple drag and drop interface to create functioning programs. Each block's purpose can easily be identified using the visual cues like its shape, color, and label. We've designed VEXcode Blocks to allow those who are new to robotics to get their robot up and running faster. Now, students can focus on being creative and learning computer science concepts, not stuck trying to figure out the interface. More accessible than ever VEXcode even helps across language barriers, allowing student to read blocks and comment programs in their native language. Drag & Drop. Powered by Scratch Blocks. Students and Teachers will feel instantly at home with this familiar environment. Video Tutorials. Grasp concepts faster. Built-in tutorials cover every aspect needed to get up to speed fast. And more tutorials are coming. Help is always there. Getting information on blocks is fast and easy. These resources were written by educators, in a form both teachers and students will grasp quickly. Drivetrain Blocks. A breakthrough in simplicity. From driving forward, making precise turns, setting speed, and stopping precisely, VEXcode makes it easier than ever to control a robot. Setup your VEX robot. Fast. VEXcode's device manager is simple, flexible, and powerful. In no time at all you can setup your robot's drivetrain, controller features, motors, and sensors. 40+ Example projects to choose from. Jumpstart your learning by starting with an existing project, covering every aspect of coding, controlling robots, and learning to use sensors.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: VEXcode IQ at 3.7 against LightUp Learning's 3.0. VEXcode IQ also leads on review sentiment (62% vs 32%) and ratings volume (38 vs 10). LightUp Learning's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.1 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
VEXcode IQ holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 38 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of LightUp Learning's written reviews are positive against 62% of VEXcode IQ's.
LightUp Learning ships an update every 2 months, VEXcode IQ every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 19, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | LightUp Learning | VEXcode IQ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (10 ratings) | 3.7 (38 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 31.6% of reviews | 61.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 10 | 38 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.1 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 143 MB | 892 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | LightUp | VEX Robotics, Inc. |
Customer experience
LightUp Learning
VEXcode IQ
In-app purchases
LightUp Learning
No in-app purchases
VEXcode IQ
No in-app purchases








