FinchBlox vs Ozobot Classroom
FinchBlox
learn.birdbraintechnologies.com
Ozobot Classroom
classroom.ozobot.comSide by side
| Figure | FinchBlox | Ozobot Classroom |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Robotics Education Software | 8.9 (#2) | 8.6 (#5) |
| Company founding | BirdBrain Technologies was founded in 2010 at Carnegie Mellon University's CREATE Lab. | LinkedIn lists Ozobot as founded in 2012. |
| Headquarters | Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States | Newport Beach, California, United States |
| Rating on Apple App Store | 4.0 out of 5 from 1 rating | 4.6 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings |
| Support | The FinchBlox course directs users with questions to [email protected]. | Ozobot lists [email protected] and +1 (310) 318-0070 for help and provides a Classroom Help page with setup and Color Code resources. |
| What it does | FinchBlox is an icon-based programming app for controlling the Finch Robot 2.0. | Ozobot Classroom is a K–12 STEAM lesson portal and companion software for Ozobot robots, supporting coding with or without screens. |
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.
Ozobot Classroom
Ozobot Classroom is a free K–12 STEAM lesson portal and companion software for Ozobot robots used in schools. Its library offers about 700 standards-aligned lessons across grades K–12 in computer science, math, ELA, science and social-emotional learning. Lessons use screen-free Color Codes or on-screen Ozobot Blockly coding. Teachers can use pacing guides with up to 30 lessons per grade, create and share lessons, and set up and manage devices. Boosted Bluetooth can update up to 18 bots at once. The web application requires no download; teachers use Chromebook, Mac or Windows 10 computers with Chrome or Edge. Students can use Color Codes without a screen or OzoBlockly on a computer or tablet, including iPads and Android tablets. Teachers can share lesson links through Google Classroom or another LMS, but importing rosters through the former Classes feature is no longer available. Ozobot says Classroom is FERPA- and COPPA-compliant, collects no student data and does not allow educators to create student accounts. Bit robots cannot connect to Classroom devices because they are not Bluetooth-enabled, so some features are unavailable with Bit.