Comparison

Blockly for Dash & Dot robots vs Sphero Edu

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Blockly for Dash & Dot robots

Learn coding fundamentals through interactive play with robots. This app uses a visual drag-and-drop interface to create programs for Dash and Dot robots, offering challenges and creative freedom for young learners.

Highlights
  • Visual drag-and-drop coding
  • Robot programming challenges
  • Create custom robot behaviors
  • Learn coding concepts (sequencing, loops, variables)
  • Bluetooth connectivity to robots
  • Playful storylines and puzzles
Features
Read full description

PLEASE NOTE: This app requires a Wonder Workshop robot (Dash or Dot) to play. To find out more, please visit our website: https://www.makewonder.com. This app is FREE to play. Blockly is a visual drag-and-drop programming tool developed by Google that allows children to snap together commands like puzzle pieces. This app includes dozes of coding challenges for kids to tackle. They can also invent their own creations using Blockly to program Dash & Dot! Learn concepts like sequencing, events, loops, algorithms, operations, and variables through self-directed play and guided challenges. A series of puzzles teach the concepts of coding through playful storylines, allowing kids to learn and explore all on their own. Kids can confidently embark on their own coding adventures with their newfound knowledge, a dash of creativity, and robot buddy - Dash. For ages 6 and up. As seen on the New York Times, USA TODAY, WIRED, Engadget, BBC, and more. “Thoroughly absorbing.” - New York Times “Both kids begged me to take out the robots and start playing with them again.” - Business Insider “Wonder Workshop's notion that kids need to learn twenty-first century skills (and can have fun doing it) flips the industry paradigm on its head, putting kids first.” - James Oppenheim "They are designed to encourage kids to explore and be curious while also learning problem solving." - VentureBeat HOW TO PLAY - Connect Dash and/or Dot to the Blockly app using Bluetooth Smart/4 - Start with a sample project or start your own projects from scratch - Navigate Dash through a maze or around the room, using object detection to avoid walls - Dash knows when it's being picked up and moved. Program Dash to sound the alarm when there is a disturbance! - Program Dash to do synchronized dance moves with lights, motion, and sounds If you have any questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at any time at https://help.makewonder.com. ABOUT WONDER WORKSHOP Wonder Workshop, an award-winning creator of educational toys and applications for children, was founded in 2012 by three parents on a mission to make learning to code meaningful and fun for children. Through open-ended play and learning experiences, we hope to instill a sense of wonder while helping kids develop their creative problem solving skills. We play test with children throughout our product and app development process to make sure our experiences are frustration free and fun. Wonder Workshop takes children's privacy very seriously. Our apps do not include any third-party advertising or collect any personal information. For more details, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Privacy Policy: https://www.makewonder.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.makewonder.com/TOS Make Wonder: https://www.makewonder.com/make-wonder

About

Sphero Edu

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
Read full description

Sphero Edu is your hub to create, contribute, and learn with Sphero robots. Go beyond code by incorporating unique STEAM lessons to complete with your bot. Designed for learner progression, Sphero Edu beginners can give robots commands by drawing a path in the app for their robot to follow. Intermediate coders can use Scratch blocks to learn more advanced logic, while pros can use text programming and write their own JavaScript or Python code. Sphero Edu is built for makers, learners, educators, and parents. The interactive platform allows you to keep track of your class or group from one easy place. Anyone can save their progress, jump from device to device, and continue the discovery from anywhere. Preparing for the future has never been so fun. SPHERO EDU FEATURES PROGRAMS: Program your bots in 3 ways with Draw, Block, and Text modes. Start with the basics and grow. SENSOR DATA: See location, accelerometer, gyroscope, velocity, and distance sensor data through visual graphs. LESSONS: Program a painting. Navigate a maze. Mimic the solar system. The only limit is your imagination. TAKE A DRIVE: Need a brain break? Set LED colors on your robot and zoom around in Drive mode. ASSIGNMENTS: Are you a teacher? Monitor progress by creating lessons and assigning them to your students. INTEGRATIONS: Simplify classroom use by signing in and syncing classrooms with Google and Clever accounts. COMPATIBILITY Supported Robots: Sphero BOLT+, Sphero BOLT, Sphero RVR/RVR+, Sphero SPRK+, Sphero SPRK Edition, Sphero 2.0, Sphero Mini, Ollie, BB-8, BB-9E, R2-D2, R2-Q5 Unsupported Robots: Sphero Original, Force Band, Lightning McQueen, Spider-Man, indi

Screenshots

Blockly for Dash & Dot robots4 screens
Sphero Edu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Blockly for Dash & Dot robots at free against Sphero Edu's free with in-app purchases. Blockly for Dash & Dot robots also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Sphero Edu's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (65% vs 53%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sphero Edu holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Edu has 1.5K ratings behind it against 168, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Blockly for Dash & Dot robots's written reviews are positive against 65% of Sphero Edu's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Blockly for Dash & Dot robots ships an update every 2 months, Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Blockly for Dash & Dot robots versus Sphero Edu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlockly for Dash & Dot robotsSphero Edu
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (168 ratings)4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.3% of reviews65.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1681.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size142 MB193 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMORAVIA Consulting, spol. s r.o.Sphero, Inc.

Customer experience

Blockly for Dash & Dot robots

All ratings168 ratings
Positive82.7%
Neutral1.2%
Negative16.1%
Written reviews92 reviews
Positive53.3%
Neutral12.0%
Negative34.8%

Sphero Edu

All ratings1,531 ratings
Positive86.9%
Neutral3.5%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews274 reviews
Positive65.3%
Neutral7.7%
Negative27.0%

Bugs and requests

Blockly for Dash & Dot robots

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Sphero Edu

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

In-app purchases

None

Blockly for Dash & Dot robots

No in-app purchases

None

Sphero Edu

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Blockly for Dash & Dot robots free?
Blockly for Dash & Dot robots 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, Blockly for Dash & Dot robots or Sphero Edu?
Sphero Edu is rated higher. Blockly for Dash & Dot robots averages 4.3 out of 5 from 168 ratings, while Sphero Edu averages 4.5 from 1.5K ratings.
Do Blockly for Dash & Dot robots or Sphero Edu have ads?
Neither Blockly for Dash & Dot robots nor Sphero Edu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Blockly for Dash & Dot robots or Sphero Edu?
Blockly for Dash & Dot robots ships an update every 2 months, and Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. Most recently, Blockly for Dash & Dot robots was updated on September 9, 2026 and Sphero Edu on September 23, 2026.

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