BugBotLab vs Wonder Workshop Blockly
BugBotLab
bugbotlab.comWonder Workshop Blockly
makewonder.comSide by side
| Figure | BugBotLab | Wonder Workshop Blockly |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £12.42/mo | $10.42/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 6 |
| Spec score · Robotics Education Software | 8.3 (#7) | 7.7 (#18) |
| Headquarters | The maker lists its registered office as 103 Ouseley Road, Wraysbury, Staines-Upon-Thames, TW19 5JJ. | 1420 Celebration Blvd, Ste 200, Celebration, FL 34747, USA |
| Purpose | BugBotLab offers a Python course in which students write programs to drive a robot in a browser simulator or on BugBot hardware. | Blockly lets children make programs for the Dash robot using coding challenges and a drag-and-drop visual programming interface. |
| Support | The terms say support is available by email or BugBot Teach's problem-reporting feature, with replies within two working days and faster replies for paid plans in term time. | The maker provides a help and support center and directs users with device compatibility questions to its customer support team. |
Plans
BugBotLab
- FreeFree
- Teacher plan£149 a year
- Founding school School plan£495 a year
- School planPrice not published
Wonder Workshop Blockly
- Free TierFree
- DistrictPriced on request
- STEM Homeschool$125 a year
- STEM Classroom$199 a year
- STEM Center$1,495 a year
- School$2,495 a year
In their own words
BugBotLab
BugBotLab is a browser-based Python course where students program a BugBot robot in a simulator or on BugBot hardware. The course lists 409 lessons, progressing from first code through vision and machine learning. Students join classes with a six-letter code and do not need email addresses or accounts. It runs in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari on school laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads. Teacher tools include live class views, progress boards, mark books, assignments, tests, certificates, lesson materials, and custom tasks. School sign-in supports Google or Microsoft accounts. A new teacher receives 30 days of School plan access without a card; after the trial, one class remains free. Paid plans include a 149.00 GBP yearly Teacher plan and school plans. BugBotLab says data is stored in London, deleted on request or after twelve months unused, and not sold or used to train AI models. The BugBot robot is listed separately at £199 each or £999 for five, ex VAT.
Wonder Workshop Blockly
Wonder Workshop Blockly is a visual programming app that lets children create programs for the Dash robot using coding challenges, puzzles, and creative projects. Its drag-and-drop interface introduces sequencing, loops, sensors, events, functions, variables, and conditionals, and the product is described as introducing coding to children as young as six. Blockly is available on iOS, Android, and Chrome. The Free Tier requires a physical Dash robot; a paid Make Wonder account adds Virtual Dash in Blockly on iOS and Chrome. Teachers with a Free Tier account or above can track student progress through Blockly Puzzles, including when students share devices. Blockly Pro is available on Chrome with a paid subscription and supports a transition from blocks to JavaScript while programming Dash. The apps do not require internet for use, but downloading requires internet, and Class Connect and web versions require an active connection. Listed paid plans include STEM Homeschool at $125 a year and STEM Classroom at $199 a year; the free tier is also listed.