Comparison

Makeblock-Play STEM 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

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

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
Read full description

Makeblock APP is a robot control software in smart devices. Everyone can directly control Makeblock robots using official controller in the software, or creates and programs a specific controller to achieve richer robotic functionality. Makeblock APP gives the user a way to grow. You can use the controller function to control directly, you can also drag the control to create a different multi-function console; advanced users can even programmatically through the control to achieve more complex functions. Features: -Brand New UI Design, User-Friendly Interface. -Stronger Controllability, Simpler Way to Learn STEM:STEM education becomes easy & fun as you can also master robot freely to sing, dance or light. -Create Customized Robot Controller with Graphical Programming: Realize your imagination and control your robot by simply dragging, dropping and programming the command blocks. -Supporting Makeblock Robots: Codey Rocky, MotionBlock, mBot、mBot Ranger、Airblock、Starter、Ultimate2.0 . -Multi-Language User Interface :Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Croatian,Polish,Romanian. Support: -You can visit the official website: www.makeblock.com for more information -support email: support@makeblock.cc -Support forum: we.makeblock.com

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

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots4 screens
Sphero Edu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sphero Edu at 4.5 against Makeblock-Play STEM Robots's 3.7. Sphero Edu also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 47%) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 202). Makeblock-Play STEM Robots's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). 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 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Edu has 1.5K ratings behind it against 202, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Makeblock-Play STEM Robots's written reviews are positive against 65% of Sphero Edu's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots ships an update every 6 weeks, Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Makeblock-Play STEM Robots versus Sphero Edu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMakeblock-Play STEM RobotsSphero Edu
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (202 ratings)4.5 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.6% of reviews65.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2021.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size458 MB193 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMakeblock Co., Ltd.Sphero, Inc.

Customer experience

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

All ratings202 ratings
Positive66.3%
Neutral6.4%
Negative27.2%
Written reviews131 reviews
Positive46.6%
Neutral3.8%
Negative49.6%

Sphero Edu

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

Bugs and requests

Makeblock-Play STEM 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

Makeblock-Play STEM Robots

No in-app purchases

None

Sphero Edu

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Makeblock-Play STEM Robots free?
Makeblock-Play STEM 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, Makeblock-Play STEM Robots or Sphero Edu?
Sphero Edu is rated higher. Makeblock-Play STEM Robots averages 3.7 out of 5 from 202 ratings, while Sphero Edu averages 4.5 from 1.5K ratings.
Do Makeblock-Play STEM Robots or Sphero Edu have ads?
Neither Makeblock-Play STEM Robots nor Sphero Edu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Makeblock-Play STEM Robots or Sphero Edu?
Makeblock-Play STEM Robots ships an update every 6 weeks, and Sphero Edu every 5 weeks. Most recently, Makeblock-Play STEM Robots was updated on September 17, 2026 and Sphero Edu on September 29, 2026.

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