Scratch vs Typing.com
Scratch
scratch.mit.edu
Typing.com
typing.comSide by side
| Figure | Scratch | Typing.com |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2.92/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 3 |
| Spec score · Coding Education Platforms | 8.1 (#7) | 6.9 (#23) |
| Privacy | Scratch says it does not sell or rent account information, and limits information collected during signup and made public on the website. | The privacy policy says the free version is ad-supported and may share aggregated, anonymized usage information with advertisers, while paid users’ personal information is not provided to advertisers. |
| Security | Scratch says it uses administrative, physical, and technical safeguards, including SSL/TLS for data transfers and restricted access to its servers. | Typing.com says it uses AWS, a cybersecurity framework, least-privilege employee access, and private networks for databases; it does not guarantee absolute security. |
| Support | Parents can contact Scratch staff through the Contact Us link and ask questions in the discussion forums. | The free edition lists email-only support; PLUS lists priority phone and email support. |
Plans
Scratch
- Scratch platformFree
- Annual Membership$35 a year
- Lifetime Membership$150, paid once
Typing.com
- FREE EditionFree
- PLUS EditionPriced on request
- PLUS for one personPrice not published
In their own words
Scratch
Scratch is a free programming platform for making and sharing interactive stories, games and animations. Its visual projects are built with Scratch, and project-based learning aims to develop creative thinking, systematic reasoning and collaboration. It is designed especially for ages 8 to 16, though people of all ages use it. Scratch runs on the web and on Android, macOS and Windows; app downloads are listed for Windows 10+, macOS 10.13+, ChromeOS and Android tablets running Android 6.0+. The app works offline, but projects made offline are not accessible by Scratch. Extensions add blocks for connecting projects to hardware or web services. Scratch says it is used in more than 150 countries and is available in more than 40 languages. The platform is free. Optional Annual Membership is $35 a year, and Lifetime Membership is $150, paid once; both are donations that include early or exclusive content, tutorials, merchandise and store discounts.
Typing.com
Typing.com is a web-based typing tutor and digital literacy platform for schools, teachers, and students from kindergarten through high school. Its free edition provides grade-based typing lessons, tests, and games. PLUS adds digital citizenship, AI literacy, computer applications, coding, and test preparation, along with assignments, customizable grading thresholds, progress monitoring, benchmarks, and daily practice goals. The platform supports guided lessons, adaptive practice, skill diagnostics, personalized drills, and 30 keyboard layouts.
Teachers can use sign-in or rostering options for Google, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Clever, ClassLink, and Schoology; selected Google Classroom classes and students can also be synced manually. Typing.com works in recent Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge browsers on laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets. It requires an internet connection and has no offline mode or installation requirement. The free edition is ad-supported, retains data for 70 days, and lists email-only support. PLUS is ad-free with unlimited data retention and priority support. A 30-day trial is listed, but prices for PLUS plans are not.