Synthiam ARC vs VEXcode V5
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Synthiam ARC
Control your Synthiam-compatible robot remotely from your iPhone or iPad. This app allows you to load projects created on a PC, offering features like visual programming, movement controls, and autonomous navigation.
- Remote robot control
- Visual programming (RoboScratch, Blockly)
- Movement controls
- WiiMote emulator
- Audio recording and playback
- Streaming audio/video
- Autonomous navigation
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Take your Synthiam compatible robot anywhere you go! Control your robot from iPhone or iPad.. ARC Mobile is the world's most versatile and powerful Mobile Robot Application that fits in your pocket. The mobile version of ARC loads projects that have been created with ARC PC and has been saved to the Synthiam Cloud. Portable - Take your robot with you anywhere with the power of ARC on your mobile device. Features - Easy to Use Interface - RoboScratch and Blockly Visual Programming - Movement Controls - WiiMote Emulator - Record Microphone Audio and Playback Through Robot Speaker - Streaming Audio/Video - Shares Files Online with EZ-Cloud - Autonomous Self-Navigation - Customizate JavaScript - Design your own custom robot interface with ARC on Windows PC - And More! Explore compatible robot products at https://synthiam.com
VEXcode V5
This coding environment helps students of all ages learn programming through a user-friendly interface. It supports a consistent experience across different learning levels and robot platforms, making computer science accessible and engaging.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Consistent experience across learning levels
- Robot control and sensor integration
- Built-in video tutorials
- Multilingual block support
- Example projects for learning
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From elementary school through college, VEXcode is a coding environment that meets students at their level. The intuitive layout of VEXcode allows students to get started quickly and easily. VEXcode is consistent across Blocks and Text, across VEX IQ and VEX V5. As students progress from elementary, middle, and high school, they never have to learn a different blocks, code, or toolbar interface. As a result, students can focus on creating with technology, not trying to navigate a new layout. Drive Forward is the new Hello World We all know that robots attract kids to learn. VEX Robotics and VEXcode are providing opportunities for students of all ages to participate in learning the code that makes these robots work. VEX makes computer science come to life through collaborations, hands-on projects, and engaging experiences. From classrooms to competitions, VEXcode helps to create the next generation of innovators. Drag. Drop. Drive. VEXcode Blocks is the perfect platform for those new to coding. Students use the simple drag and drop interface to create functioning programs. Each block's purpose can easily be identified using the visual cues like its shape, color, and label. We've designed VEXcode Blocks to allow those who are new to robotics to get their robot up and running faster. Now, students can focus on being creative and learning computer science concepts, not stuck trying to figure out the interface. More accessible than ever VEXcode even helps across language barriers, allowing student to read blocks and comment programs in their native language. Drag & Drop. Powered by Scratch Blocks. Students and Teachers will feel instantly at home with this familiar environment. Video Tutorials. Grasp concepts faster. Built-in tutorials cover every aspect needed to get up to speed fast. And more tutorials are coming. Help is always there. Getting information on blocks is fast and easy. These resources were written by educators, in a form both teachers and students will grasp quickly. Drivetrain Blocks. A breakthrough in simplicity. From driving forward, making precise turns, setting speed, and stopping precisely, VEXcode makes it easier than ever to control a robot. Setup your VEX robot. Fast. VEXcode's device manager is simple, flexible, and powerful. In no time at all you can setup your robot's drivetrain, controller features, motors, and sensors. 40+ Example projects to choose from. Jumpstart your learning by starting with an existing project, covering every aspect of coding, controlling robots, and learning to use sensors.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Synthiam ARC at 4.4 against VEXcode V5's 2.6. Synthiam ARC also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 23%) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, ratings volume, 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.
Synthiam ARC holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 22 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Synthiam ARC's written reviews are positive against 23% of VEXcode V5's.
Synthiam ARC ships an update every 8 days, VEXcode V5 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Synthiam ARC | VEXcode V5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (8 ratings) — better | 2.6 (22 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 23.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 22 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 48 MB | 777 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Synthiam Inc. | VEX Robotics, Inc. |
Customer experience
Synthiam ARC
VEXcode V5
In-app purchases
Synthiam ARC
No in-app purchases
VEXcode V5
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Synthiam ARC free?
Is VEXcode V5 free?
Which has better reviews, Synthiam ARC or VEXcode V5?
Do Synthiam ARC or VEXcode V5 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Synthiam ARC or VEXcode V5?
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