mBlock vs Rocksi

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.

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.