# ScratchJr vs PlayXylo

The clearest difference is rating: PlayXylo at 5.0 against ScratchJr's 3.9. PlayXylo also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 6 months). ScratchJr's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (1.9K vs 1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PlayXylo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ScratchJr asks for nothing beyond the download.

PlayXylo holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScratchJr has 1.9K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

ScratchJr ships an update every 6 months, PlayXylo every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScratchJr | PlayXylo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scratchjr/id895485086/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playxylo/id1543803593/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.9K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 66.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 51 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Scratch Foundation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1066012912) | [Carlos Jeurissen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1543382149) |

## 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


### PlayXylo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playxylo/id1543803593)

This app offers a distraction-free musical experience with authentic xylophone sounds. It's designed for all ages, featuring intuitive controls and educational modes like Solfege and chromatic scales. Explore community-shared videos for inspiration and learning.

**Highlights:** Real xylophone sound recordings, Distraction-free interface, Solfege and chromatic scale modes, Multi-device control support, Community learning videos, System theme adaptation (dark mode, language)

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro | $7.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScratchJr free?

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

### Is PlayXylo free?

PlayXylo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ScratchJr or PlayXylo?

PlayXylo is rated higher. ScratchJr averages 3.9 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while PlayXylo averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do ScratchJr or PlayXylo have ads?

Neither ScratchJr nor PlayXylo shows ads.

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

ScratchJr ships an update every 6 months, and PlayXylo every 6 weeks. Most recently, ScratchJr was updated on October 22, 2026 and PlayXylo on October 15, 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.*