FinchBlox vs Rocksi
FinchBlox
learn.birdbraintechnologies.comRocksi
rocksi.netSide by side
| Figure | FinchBlox | Rocksi |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Robotics Education Software | 8.9 (#2) | 7.6 (#21) |
| Headquarters | Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States | Hannover, Germany |
| Maker | BirdBrain Technologies says it was founded in 2010 at Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE Lab and is now part of the CreXo family of STEM brands. | The imprint identifies Robokind Stiftung as the responsible organization and gives its address as Appelstraße 30, 30167 Hannover, Germany. |
| Privacy | BirdBrain says its software is designed for children under 13 and that personal information is never transmitted to BirdBrain. | The privacy policy says server logs may include browser and operating system details, visited pages, visit time and IP address, and are normally deleted within seven days. |
| Support | The FinchBlox course directs users with questions to [email protected]. | The homepage provides [email protected] for updates and feedback. |
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.
Rocksi
Rocksi is a browser-based simulator for programming a 3D virtual robot with block-based code. It is free, requires no registration, and runs in modern browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, and Safari without a download or installation. Listed robot models include Franka, Niryo NED, Sawyer, and Robotiq grippers. The maker says Rocksi was created with education in mind, for settings such as school classes, university lectures, workshops, and fairs; its stated learner level is mixed. Its software page names Blockly and JS-Interpreter among the programming libraries, as well as three.js, cannon-es, urdf-loaders, and xacro-parser among the 3D libraries. Supported platforms also include iPhone, iPad, iOS, Android, Linux, and Windows. The project is described as MIT-licensed in its source repository. Robokind Stiftung, based in Hannover, Germany, is identified as the responsible organization and privacy data controller. The privacy policy says server logs may contain browser and operating system details, pages visited, visit times, and IP addresses, normally deleted within seven days. The homepage provides an email address for updates and feedback.