GameSalad vs Pocket Code

GameSalad Creator is a visual programming tool for making mobile and web games. GameSalad describes its approach as no-code, and says creators and learners ages 12 and beyond can use it. Creator downloads are available for macOS and Windows; iOS and Android Viewer apps support native-device previews. Publishing depends on the plan: Basic subscribers can use Creator’s behaviors and functions, preview with Viewer, and publish to GameSalad Arcade. Pro subscribers get access to all publishing platforms, including iOS App Store, Android App Store and HTML5 publishing, as well as priority technical support. Plans include GameSalad Basic at $19 a month and GameSalad Pro at $29 a month. Education options include lesson plans, tutorials, classroom management and student progress views through a teacher dashboard. App store publishing requires separate store processes, credentials and fees, which are not included in the education license. GameSalad is based in Austin, Texas, and launched in 2010.

Pocket Code is a free Android and iOS app for building programs, games, animations, and stories with visual, Lego-like Catrobat programming bricks. Its blocks include if-else statements, loops, variables, mathematical functions, and access to phone sensors. Users can browse, download, review, and remix community programs in the Explore section and on pocketcode.org. Hardware extensions connect Arduino boards, LEGO Mindstorms robots, Phiro robots, and Raspberry Pi projects. Arduino works over Bluetooth for changing digital and PWM pins and reading analog pins. Mindstorms connects robots over Bluetooth for programming and control, while Raspberry Pi bricks read and set pins for IoT programs. Catrobat presents the app for constructive learning and classroom use, with project-based learning and computer-science topics. A wiki and free English- and German-language MOOC provide learning support. Project hosting is no longer offered as a service, although the media library remains available through the wiki. The nonprofit open-source project is driven by the International Catrobat Association and Graz University of Technology’s Institute of Software Technology.