# ScratchJr vs Makeblock－Play STEM Robots

The clearest difference is update cadence: Makeblock－Play STEM Robots at every 6 weeks against ScratchJr's every 6 months. ScratchJr's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 47%) and ratings volume (1.8K vs 202). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

ScratchJr holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ScratchJr has 1.8K ratings behind it against 202, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of ScratchJr's written reviews are positive against 47% of Makeblock－Play STEM Robots's.

ScratchJr ships an update every 6 months, Makeblock－Play STEM Robots every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ScratchJr | Makeblock－Play STEM Robots |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scratchjr/id895485086/reviews)** | [3.7 (202 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/makeblockplay-stem-robots/id918804737/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | 202 |
| Positive reviews | **66.8% of reviews** | 46.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 51 MB | 458 MB |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Scratch Foundation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1066012912) | [Makeblock Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1002364464) |

## 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


### Makeblock－Play STEM Robots

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/makeblockplay-stem-robots/id918804737)

Control and program robots with a user-friendly interface. Design custom controllers and explore STEM education through interactive robot play. Supports a variety of robot models and multiple languages.

**Highlights:** Robot control via official controller, Create custom robot controllers, Graphical programming for complex functions, User-friendly interface, Supports multiple Makeblock robot models, Multi-language support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ScratchJr free?

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

### Is Makeblock－Play STEM Robots free?

Makeblock－Play STEM Robots is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, ScratchJr or Makeblock－Play STEM Robots?

ScratchJr is rated higher. ScratchJr averages 3.9 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Makeblock－Play STEM Robots averages 3.7 from 202 ratings.

### Do ScratchJr or Makeblock－Play STEM Robots have ads?

Neither ScratchJr nor Makeblock－Play STEM Robots shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ScratchJr or Makeblock－Play STEM Robots?

ScratchJr ships an update every 6 months, and Makeblock－Play STEM Robots every 6 weeks. Most recently, ScratchJr was updated on October 13, 2026 and Makeblock－Play STEM Robots on October 8, 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.*