FinchBlox vs mBlock
FinchBlox
learn.birdbraintechnologies.commBlock
makeblock.comSide by side
| Figure | FinchBlox | mBlock |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Robotics Education Software | 8.9 (#2) | 8.8 (#3) |
| Audience | The app is designed for children age five and older, including pre-readers. | The maker describes mBlock 5 as intended for educators, students, makers, and kids. |
| Founded | 2010 | 2013 |
| Funding | Crunchbase lists National Science Foundation grants among BirdBrain Technologies' funding rounds. | Crunchbase lists Makeblock as private, headquartered in Shenzhen and having completed a Series C round with 10 investors. |
| Rating on Apple App Store | 4.0 out of 5 from 1 rating | 3.1 out of 5 from 155 ratings. |
| Support | The FinchBlox course directs users with questions to [email protected]. | The maker links to an mBlock user guide, downloads, and resources from its software page. |
| What it does | FinchBlox is an icon-based programming app for controlling the Finch Robot 2.0. | mBlock is a Scratch-based coding platform for creating games, animations and robot programs with blocks or Python. |
Plans
In their own words
FinchBlox
FinchBlox is BirdBrain Technologies’ block-based coding app for programming the Finch Robot 2.0. Its three levels build from sequencing the robot’s motors, lights, and buzzer to using parameters, sensors, loops, and concurrent sequences. Students can change code while it runs and remain connected to the robot. The app is free, but connecting the Finch requires a micro:bit with a specific Bluetooth .hex file, placed there using a computer with a USB port. FinchBlox is listed for Windows, Mac, Chrome/Chromebook, iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire. BirdBrain provides tutorials, block descriptions, classroom activities, and a teacher video course; activities include math, mazes, drawing, dance, and stories. The maker says its software is designed for children under 13, requests only permissions needed to function, and does not transmit personal information to BirdBrain. Bluetooth permission is required, and Android also requires location permission for Bluetooth.
mBlock
mBlock 5 is a free coding platform for robotics, STEM, and coding learning. It supports block-based coding and Python, with a one-click switch between the two. Users can create games and animations, then program Makeblock robots and other open-resource hardware. The platform includes AI and IoT features, with integrations described for Microsoft Cognitive Services and Google deep learning. Supported devices listed include CyberPi, mBot Neo/mBot2, mBot, mBot Ranger, Ultimate 2.0, mBot Mega, mTiny, Codey Rocky, and xLight. The Extension Builder allows third parties to develop device and sprite extensions. mBlock is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. The web version supports direct Bluetooth or serial connections, but not the Bluetooth dongle. The mBlock Python editor programs devices only for CyberPi, and its Upload mode uses MicroPython rather than third-party Python 3 libraries. The Extension Builder works only in Google Chrome.