# Cortex 5.0 vs Sphero Edu Jr

The clearest difference is rating: Cortex 5.0 at 5.0 against Sphero Edu Jr's 3.6. Cortex 5.0 also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). Sphero Edu Jr's advantage is ratings volume (15 vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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.

Cortex 5.0 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sphero Edu Jr has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Cortex 5.0 ships an update every 20 months, Sphero Edu Jr every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cortex 5.0 | Sphero Edu Jr |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cortex-50/id940894725/reviews)** | [3.6 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu-jr/id1545146776/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **15** |
| Positive reviews | — | 44.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 20 months | **Every 17 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 83 MB | 128 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PCS Edventures!](https://appshunter.io/developer/920195647) | [Sphero, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/468699622) |

## What reviewers say

### Cortex 5.0

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cortex-50/id940894725)

This app provides a drag-and-drop interface for programming robotics kits, generating Arduino code. It allows users to build and program robots that interact with their environment using sensors and various building systems. The user-friendly, game-like environment is ideal for learning programming and Arduino coding.

**Highlights:** Drag-and-drop programming interface, Generates Arduino code, Supports multiple building systems (fischertechnik, LEGO, K'NEX, VEX), Robot interaction with sensors, Game-like learning environment, iPad compatible

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sphero Edu Jr

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphero-edu-jr/id1545146776)

This app allows users to connect to a robot and customize its actions using visual programming blocks. Create mazes, play games, and compose music while learning fundamental coding logic.

**Highlights:** Block programming interface, Customize lights, sounds, and movements, Create mazes and games, Learn basic programming logic, Classic and new drive modes

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cortex 5.0 free?

Cortex 5.0 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sphero Edu Jr free?

Sphero Edu Jr is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Cortex 5.0 or Sphero Edu Jr?

Cortex 5.0 is rated higher. Cortex 5.0 averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Sphero Edu Jr averages 3.6 from 15 ratings.

### Do Cortex 5.0 or Sphero Edu Jr have ads?

Neither Cortex 5.0 nor Sphero Edu Jr shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cortex 5.0 or Sphero Edu Jr?

Cortex 5.0 ships an update every 20 months, and Sphero Edu Jr every 17 months. Most recently, Cortex 5.0 was updated on November 1, 2026 and Sphero Edu Jr on November 3, 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.*