FinchBlox vs SaySpark
FinchBlox
learn.birdbraintechnologies.comSaySpark
sayspark.caSide by side
| Figure | FinchBlox | SaySpark |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Robotics Education Software | 8.9 (#2) | 8.2 (#9) |
| Curriculum | BirdBrain provides more than 30 classroom activities, teacher courses, tutorials, and printable resources for Finch. | Curriculum lessons are organized by age band and include XP, badges and a visible learning path. |
| Founded | 2010 | The founder's portfolio dates SaySpark's founding and early-access launch to 2026. |
| Headquarters | Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States | The privacy policy identifies Windsor, Ontario, Canada as SaySpark's location. |
| 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. | SaySpark identifies Ahmad Ali as its founder and describes the venture as founder-built end to end. |
| Privacy | BirdBrain says its software is designed for children under 13 and that personal information is never transmitted to BirdBrain. | SaySpark says browser demo conversations remain in server memory for the session, are not linked to identity or written to its database, and are not used to train a model. |
| Support | The FinchBlox course directs users with questions to [email protected]. | SaySpark says support requests normally receive a human response within one business day. |
| What it does | FinchBlox is an icon-based programming app for controlling the Finch Robot 2.0. | SaySpark combines a voice AI tutor, 3D robotics simulator, curriculum and classroom tools for children, families and schools. |
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.
SaySpark
SaySpark is a robotics education platform for children, available through the web, Windows 10 or 11, and an Android companion. Children speak requests to the Spark AI tutor, hear its plan in plain language, and ask follow-up questions. The Spark Mini robot adds a microphone, speaker, camera, ultrasonic sensor, and motion sensor for spoken interaction, vision, distance measurement, and turns. It can tackle unfamiliar mazes, explain decisions at junctions, and use its camera to confirm an exit. A browser simulator provides challenges, a sandbox, world builder, and WASD controls, with five prompts available without an account. Lessons are arranged by age band with XP, badges, and a visible learning path. Classroom activities use class codes; teachers receive rosters, leaderboards, and assessments. The Windows download includes more than 20 guided challenges across five domains. Early access is free, with every feature unlocked; Spark Mini is separate hardware.