mBlock vs Virtual Robot Simulator
mBlock
makeblock.comVirtual Robot Simulator
vrobotsim.comSide by side
| Figure | mBlock | Virtual Robot Simulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Robotics Education Software | 8.8 (#3) | 6.9 (#25) |
| Audience | The maker describes mBlock 5 as intended for educators, students, makers, and kids. | The site describes VRS as designed for students, FTC teams, and educators, including beginners with no robotics experience. |
| Purpose | mBlock 5 is a coding platform for robotics, STEM, and coding learning. | VRS lets students write code, test autonomous routines, and practice driving in virtual FTC environments without hardware. |
| Support | The maker links to an mBlock user guide, downloads, and resources from its software page. | The simulator page links to a guidebook, usage lessons, and a feedback option. |
Plans
In their own words
mBlock
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.
Virtual Robot Simulator
Virtual Robot Simulator has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.