# ScratchJr vs ARpedia

The clearest difference is update cadence: ARpedia at every 3 weeks against ScratchJr's every 6 months. ScratchJr's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 50%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

ScratchJr ships an update every 6 months, ARpedia every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScratchJr | ARpedia |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scratchjr/id895485086/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | — |
| Positive reviews | **66.8% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 51 MB | 472 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Scratch Foundation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1066012912) | [Woongjin Thinkbig Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1614968450) |

## 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


### ARpedia

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arpedia/id1537350275)

This app uses augmented reality to bring stories and learning experiences to life for children. It transforms ordinary surfaces into interactive canvases for educational adventures, allowing for hands-free engagement with virtual elements.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality storytelling, Interactive learning experiences, Hands-free AR engagement, Transforms surfaces into learning canvases, Immersive educational adventures

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScratchJr free?

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

### Is ARpedia free?

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

### Do ScratchJr or ARpedia have ads?

Neither ScratchJr nor ARpedia shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ScratchJr or ARpedia?

ScratchJr ships an update every 6 months, and ARpedia every 3 weeks. Most recently, ScratchJr was updated on September 24, 2026 and ARpedia on September 10, 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.*