Blue vs micro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Step-by-step programming
- Drag and drop interface
- Repeat commands
- 45-degree turns
- Obstacle challenges
- Customizable voice commands
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Blue | micro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.7 (7 ratings) — better | 3.3 (89 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | 43.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 7 | 89 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.4 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 130 MB | 59 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TTS Group Limited | Micro:bit Educational Foundation |
Customer experience
Blue
micro
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
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- 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
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- 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
Blue
No in-app purchases
micro
No in-app purchases








