# ScratchJr vs Sphero Edu

The clearest difference is rating: Sphero Edu at 4.5 against ScratchJr's 3.9. Sphero Edu also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 6 months). ScratchJr's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Sphero Edu holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.8K and 1.5K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of ScratchJr's written reviews are positive against 65% of Sphero Edu's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

ScratchJr ships an update every 6 months, Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScratchJr | Sphero Edu |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scratchjr/id895485086/reviews) | **[4.5 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu/id1017847674/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 1.5K |
| Positive reviews | **66.8% of reviews** | 65.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 51 MB | 194 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Scratch Foundation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1066012912) | [Sphero, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/468699622) |

## What reviewers say

### ScratchJr

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scratchjr/id895485086)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Sphero Edu

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu/id1017847674)

This app allows users to learn and create with programmable robots. It offers multiple coding methods, from drawing paths to advanced text-based programming. Educators can manage classes and track student progress, making learning fun and interactive.

**Highlights:** Multiple programming modes (Draw, Block, Text), Access sensor data via graphs, Pre-made STEAM lessons, Robot driving mode, Assignment creation for educators, Google/Clever account integration

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Excellent for learning to code
- 🚀 Fun and engaging to use
- 👍 Great for kids and adults
- 👍 Supports various Sphero models
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection issues
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs after updates
- 🔋 Battery life problems
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with older devices
- 🐛 Unreliable performance

**Reported bugs**

- Programs not saving properly
- Firmware update issues
- Inability to connect to certain Sphero models
- Sign-in and registration problems

**Requested features**

- Add more coding blocks and functionality
- Improve community features and sharing
- Restore legacy app features (e.g., free drive mode)
- Provide better documentation and tutorials
- Allow custom sound and light effects


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScratchJr free?

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

### Is Sphero Edu free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ScratchJr or Sphero Edu?

Sphero Edu is rated higher. ScratchJr averages 3.9 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Sphero Edu averages 4.5 from 1.5K ratings.

### Do ScratchJr or Sphero Edu have ads?

Neither ScratchJr nor Sphero Edu shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ScratchJr or Sphero Edu?

ScratchJr ships an update every 6 months, and Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. Most recently, ScratchJr was updated on October 14, 2026 and Sphero Edu on October 13, 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.*