# ScratchJr vs Code Ninjas

The clearest difference is rating: Code Ninjas at 4.8 against ScratchJr's 3.9. ScratchJr's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 39%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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.

Code Ninjas holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.9K and 1.5K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of ScratchJr's written reviews are positive against 39% of Code Ninjas'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, Code Ninjas every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScratchJr | Code Ninjas |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scratchjr/id895485086/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-ninjas/id1633655761/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.9K** | 1.5K |
| Positive reviews | **66.9% of reviews** | 39.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 51 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 11.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Scratch Foundation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1066012912) | [CODE NINJAS, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1596958609) |

## 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


### Code Ninjas

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-ninjas/id1633655761)

This app allows members to manage their accounts and communicate with their local Code Ninjas. Users can receive important notifications and easily register for programs, events, and classes.

**Highlights:** Account management, Enhanced messaging, Receive notifications, Register for programs, Register for events, Register for classes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Friendly and knowledgeable staff
- 👍 Supportive environment for children
- 👍 Children enjoy the coding classes
- 👍 Helps build strong foundations in coding

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App issues (crashes, not loading, etc.)
- 🕰️ Limited scheduling flexibility
- 💰 Unfair charges even after quitting the program
- 🙍‍♀️ Poor customer service and management

**Reported bugs**

- App not loading or crashing
- Scheduling issues and unreliable class information
- Billing problems and unexpected charges

**Requested features**

- Calendar integration for class scheduling
- Ability to view session usage and carry-over hours
- Improved app design and user experience
- Removal of unnecessary features (e.g., Studio Code)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScratchJr free?

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

### Is Code Ninjas free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ScratchJr or Code Ninjas?

Code Ninjas is rated higher. ScratchJr averages 3.9 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while Code Ninjas averages 4.8 from 1.5K ratings.

### Do ScratchJr or Code Ninjas have ads?

Neither ScratchJr nor Code Ninjas shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ScratchJr or Code Ninjas?

ScratchJr ships an update every 6 months, and Code Ninjas every 5 months. Most recently, ScratchJr was updated on November 1, 2026 and Code Ninjas on October 30, 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.*