Comparison

Blue vs micro

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

Head to head
About

Blue

This app allows children to create and execute algorithms for a robot. It offers step-by-step and drag-and-drop programming, with features like repeats and 45-degree turns. Challenge modes introduce obstacles and limited controls for added difficulty.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step programming
  • Drag and drop interface
  • Repeat commands
  • 45-degree turns
  • Obstacle challenges
  • Customizable voice commands
Features
Read full description

Blue-Bot is one of the many loved members of the TTS Floor Robot family. The Blue-Bot app enables you to write an algorithm, send it and then Blue-Bot will follow your instructions. There are numerous features, which make writing algorithms both fun and educational. Use explore mode to develop algorithms: Step by step programming. Drag and drop programming. Include repeats to add efficiency. Program 45 degree turns. Challenge mode will add complexity into the algorithm: Blue-Bot will add random obstacles, adding complexity to the algorithm needed One or even two directional buttons can be removed Children can also record themselves saying a command and can assign it to a button on Blue-Bot. As the algorithm progresses, they will hear themselves giving the instructions. Please note to control a Blue-Bot floor robot your device must have Bluetooth.

About

micro

This app is the essential companion for the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized programmable computer. It allows you to wirelessly beam programs to your micro:bit via Bluetooth and includes access to a block-based programming editor. Monitor sensor data and control your micro:bit in real-time.

Highlights
  • Wireless flashing of micro:bit hex files
  • Access to Microsoft MakeCode editor
  • Bluetooth beaming of programs
  • Real-time sensor data monitoring
  • Control micro:bit buttons and pins
  • Debug running program code
  • Store and manage HEX files
Features
Read full description

The micro:bit app is the essential companion to the BBC micro:bit, the pocket sized programmable computer. The app allows you to flash any micro:bit hex file to your device, as well as including online access to the Microsoft MakeCode editor for simple block-based programming. When your program is ready, the app beams it to the micro:bit via Bluetooth wirelessly. Easy-to-follow screens lead you through the process of pairing your iPad (or iPhone) to the micro:bit and then transferring your program code. Compared with previous versions, the micro:bit app Version 3.1 contains these additional features: • A simpler pairing and micro:bit discovery flow • The micro:bit V2 can be put into pairing mode by triple-tapping the reset button • Retrieval of the micro:bit data log files from off your micro:bit • Pair with any number of micro:bits • Choose which micro:bit is currently connected • Store HEX files in the app • Choose a HEX file for flashing • Export and delete HEX files • Import stored HEX files directly into JavaScript Blocks editor • Rapid download from JavaScript Blocks editor • Monitor data detected by micro:bit sensors • Use the range of micro:bit Bluetooth services in real time • Display messages on the micro:bit LEDs • Send control commands to the micro:bit buttons and pins • De-bug your program code while it is running in the micro:bit • Use a simulated gamepad to send commands to the micro:bit • View camera images ready for taking photos or video As well as providing more flexible handling of your program scripts and HEX files, a major addition in Version 3 is the Monitor and Control page. This lets you observe real-time data from the micro:bit sensors, send messages directly to the LEDs and control the micro:bit buttons and pins from your iPad or iPhone. Monitor is ideal for exploiting Bluetooth services in real time, and for de-bugging your program code while it is running in the micro:bit. The MakeCode code editor now requires iOS 13 or later.

Screenshots

Blue4 screens
micro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Blue at 3.7 against micro's 3.3. Blue also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 7 months). micro's advantage is ratings volume (89 vs 7). On price, review sentiment, 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

Blue holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: micro has 89 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 43% and 44% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Blue ships an update every 3 months, micro every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Blue versus micro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBluemicro
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (7 ratings) — better3.3 (89 ratings)
Positive reviews42.9% of reviews43.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings789 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.412.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size130 MB59 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTTS Group LimitedMicro:bit Educational Foundation

Customer experience

Blue

All ratings7 ratings
Positive71.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative28.6%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative42.9%

micro

All ratings89 ratings
Positive57.3%
Neutral2.2%
Negative40.4%
Written reviews112 reviews
Positive43.8%
Neutral9.8%
Negative46.4%

Bugs and requests

Blue

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

micro

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Bluetooth pairing fails or shows false success
  • App crashes when flashing code to micro:bit
  • Connection lost after code flashing
  • White screen display issue
  • Login fails with Google accounts
Show 9 more
  • Text strings display with extra characters
  • Arrow keys non-functional on iPad with Bluetooth
  • Pairing pattern entry buggy and unclear
  • Safari crashes on iPad 2
  • Keyboard blocks code naming on iPhone
  • App crashes when sending feedback
  • Screen freezes during use
  • Recent update broke existing micro:bit connections
  • Flashing takes excessive time (1+ minute)

Requested features

11 requests
  • Offline mode for iOS
  • Integrated IDE in app instead of Safari redirect
  • Support for multiple languages
  • Persistent Bluetooth connection after flashing
  • Mute audio functionality
Show 6 more
  • Better pairing instructions
  • USB cable connection alternative to Bluetooth
  • Improved project save/storage duration
  • WebKit Safari view controller integration
  • Support for actual MicroPython instead of MakeCode Python
  • Device statements for camera operations

In-app purchases

None

Blue

No in-app purchases

None

micro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Blue free?
Blue is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is micro free?
micro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Blue or micro?
Blue is rated higher. Blue averages 3.7 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while micro averages 3.3 from 89 ratings.
Do Blue or micro have ads?
Neither Blue nor micro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Blue or micro?
Blue ships an update every 3 months, and micro every 7 months. Most recently, Blue was updated on September 24, 2026 and micro on September 28, 2026.

Other comparisons