Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Code.org VS Scratch

Compare Code.org VS Scratch and see what are their differences

Code.org logo Code.org

Code.org is a non-profit whose goal is to expose all students to computer programming.

Scratch logo Scratch

Scratch is the programming language & online community where young people create stories, games, & animations.
  • Code.org Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-24
  • Scratch Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-17

Code.org features and specs

  • Accessibility
    Code.org provides free resources and courses to ensure that computer science education is accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform has a highly intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which is especially beneficial for young learners and beginners.
  • Comprehensive Curriculum
    Code.org offers a wide range of courses that cover fundamental concepts in computer science, from basic coding to more advanced topics like artificial intelligence.
  • Interactive Learning
    The platform incorporates interactive elements such as puzzles and games to make learning more engaging and enjoyable for students.
  • Professional Development
    Code.org provides resources and training programs for teachers, helping them integrate computer science into their classroom curriculum.
  • Community Support
    The platform has strong community support, including forums and user groups, which allows for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.

Possible disadvantages of Code.org

  • Limited Depth
    While Code.org is excellent for beginners, it may not offer enough depth for advanced learners who seek more challenging content and robust problem-solving exercises.
  • Internet Dependency
    The platform requires a stable internet connection for most activities, which may not be feasible in areas with limited access to technology.
  • Standardized Curriculum
    The standardized curriculum may not fully align with the specific learning needs or interests of every student, making it less customizable.
  • Overemphasis on Visual Learning
    The heavy reliance on visual and interactive elements might not be suitable for all learning styles, particularly for those who prefer text-based or auditory learning.
  • Resource Limitations for Advanced Topics
    While the platform covers a broad range of topics, the depth and resources available for more specialized or advanced topics are limited compared to more specialized platforms.

Scratch features and specs

  • Engaging Interface
    Scratch offers a visually appealing and user-friendly interface that makes it accessible for kids and beginners to learn programming concepts.
  • Community Support
    The platform has a large and active community where users can share projects, get feedback, and collaborate with others, fostering a sense of community and support.
  • Educational Value
    Scratch is designed with a strong pedagogical foundation, helping users to develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and creativity.
  • Drag-and-Drop Programming
    The block-based coding in Scratch eliminates syntax errors and simplifies the process of learning programming logic, making it ideal for beginners.
  • Free to Use
    Scratch is completely free to use, which makes it accessible to a wide audience without any financial barriers.
  • Portable
    Being web-based, Scratch can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, providing ease of access and flexibility.

Possible disadvantages of Scratch

  • Limited Advanced Capabilities
    Scratch is mainly designed for beginners and might not offer the depth or complexities needed for more advanced programming projects.
  • Performance Issues
    Larger projects can sometimes become slow or unresponsive, particularly on less powerful devices.
  • Simplified Programming
    The drag-and-drop nature of Scratch, while educational, might limit exposure to the syntax and intricacies of written programming languages.
  • Internet Dependency
    Scratch primarily requires an internet connection, which could be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Age Focus
    The platform is highly targeted towards younger audiences, which might not be appealing or suitable for older learners or adults seeking beginner resources.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any online community, there are potential privacy and security risks, especially for younger users, which require careful monitoring and guidance.

Analysis of Code.org

Overall verdict

  • Code.org is a highly valuable resource for anyone looking to learn the basics of coding and computer science. Its structured courses and supportive community make it an excellent starting point for beginners of all ages, especially in educational settings.

Why this product is good

  • Code.org is a widely recognized nonprofit organization that aims to expand access to computer science education. It offers a variety of free curriculum and resources designed to introduce students of all ages to coding and computer science. The platform is praised for its engaging, interactive courses, which often use gamified lessons to make learning fun and accessible. Code.org also works to promote diversity in tech by reaching schools in underserved communities and encouraging participation from women and underrepresented minorities.

Recommended for

  • K-12 students
  • Educators seeking resources for teaching coding
  • Beginners interested in learning programming
  • Parents looking for educational activities for their children
  • Anyone interested in exploring computer science fundamentals

Analysis of Scratch

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Scratch is generally considered good for its intended purpose. It serves as an excellent introduction to programming for young learners and is praised for its simplicity, ease of use, and educational value.

Why this product is good

  • Scratch is a visual programming language designed primarily for children and beginners to learn the basics of coding and computational thinking. It promotes creativity, logic, and problem-solving skills in a user-friendly environment. Scratch provides a platform for users to create interactive stories, games, and animations, which can be shared within an active online community, fostering collaboration and feedback.

Recommended for

  • Children aged 8-16 who are interested in learning programming
  • Educators and parents seeking to introduce coding concepts
  • Beginners in programming who prefer a visual approach
  • Anyone looking to explore digital creativity through interactive media

Code.org videos

Programming For Kids: Scratch vs Code.org

More videos:

  • Review - What is code.org?
  • Review - Code.org Review and Short Description

Scratch videos

Scratch 3.0 Review: My Thoughts About Scratch 3.0

More videos:

  • Review - Numark PT01 Scratch Review
  • Review - Meguiar's scratch X 2.0 review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Code.org and Scratch)
Online Learning
100 100%
0% 0
Kids Education
16 16%
84% 84
Game Development
0 0%
100% 100
Education
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Code.org and Scratch. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Code.org and Scratch

Code.org Reviews

  1. Aaryan Mantri
    · policeman at hello.com ·
    Code.Org Review

    Code.org is much easier to use than Thunkable.First of all names say everything.Second,it has more modes than just "drag-and-drop".

    👍 Pros:    Pretty design|Price|Easy layout
    👎 Cons:    Unproffesional|Lack support by phone|No sign up cost

16 Scratch Alternatives
Code.org is an online marketplace that can empower students, specifically students, to get detailed knowledge regarding the principles of the computer sciences. This platform can let its users access the free coding lessons so that everyone with the seek can get their required data without paying anything. It can even permit schools to add more about computer science and the...
20 Best Scratch Alternatives 2023
Nevertheless, the platform has the stats to prove its dependability. More than 67 million people use Code.org, including over two million teachers. In addition, the platform records over 208 million projects so far.

Scratch Reviews

  1. Pratham shah
    · nothing at none ·
    TOO GOOD

    It is just awesome. you can make so many things WITHOUT A TEAM! If you are starting then this is an awesome place to start at.

    🏁 Competitors: Python, Java, Code.org
    👍 Pros:    Good UI|Remix|Works perfectly|100% free|Many, many languages

Top 15 educational software to streamline the learning process
Scratch lets students create interactive stories, games, and animations. The coding projects allow students to experiment and express their ideas, developing 21st-century skills like computational thinking and creativity. Scratch introduces students to programming, STEM and digital literacy in a fun way.
16 Scratch Alternatives
It can even permit anyone to access its junior program through which kids can learn how to make any app by taking their focus on the study related to programming. Scratch also comes with facilitating users with the permission to mix all the programming blocks so that they can create multiple characters for singing, jumping, dancing, moving, and more.
Coding Websites That Help Kids Learn Programming In A Fun Way in 2023
Scratch, created by MIT students, teaches coding by allowing students to create tales, games, and animations using programming blocks. There is a vibrant online community as well as a step-by-step tutorial to assist those who are just getting started. Students can also use an offline editor to revise their work. ScratchJr, a simplified version of the software, is targeted at...
20 Best Scratch Alternatives 2023
Unlike Scratch, Snap targets not only kids but also high school and college students. The platform provides a solution for serious computer science study, while Scratch focuses on just the basics.

Social recommendations and mentions

Scratch might be a bit more popular than Code.org. We know about 569 links to it since March 2021 and only 385 links to Code.org. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Code.org mentions (385)

  • Behold
    Code.org uses an extremely outdated version of javascript, It's so hard to access data in array, im basically forced to do this. Cant wait to ditch this shit. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Animation Software for Kids?
    I'm not sure if your 4.5yo is old enough to try Scratch[1] but nothing is too young these days. My elder got into Scratch around that time. These days, my younger one is into https://code.org and she make things go around, do stuffs, etc. 1. https://scratch.mit.edu. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Please help me with my code.org project. I cant post on the code.org forum bc its only for teachers
    So I am using code.org to make a platforming game, and if I am halfway off of a platform I slide off of it. Idk if this is a quirk with code.org or if I did something wrong. You can check the hitboxes by pressing debug sprites in the bottom right corner. Source: over 1 year ago
  • [Grade 9 Digital Literacy] How do I view the assessment on code.org
    My school hosts the unit tests for digital literacy on code.org as the "assessment day" at the bottom of the unit. Is there any way to view the test before it is unlocked by the teacher on a student account? Source: over 1 year ago
  • Advice for my autistic son
    My four year old was kicked out of his preschool class, and the school recommended I set him up with applied behavioral analysis. Though it hurt to read the email from the school, I don't blame them at all, he does have impulse control issues and doesn't always pay attention when others are talking to him. He sometimes also throws things and apparently pushed another student once. Outside of the social... Source: over 1 year ago
View more

Scratch mentions (569)

  • TikTok Is Harming Children at an Industrial Scale
    I anticipate my kid needing to live in a word with capitalism, it doesn't ncessarily mean that they need a Mastercard at 4 years old. Same with many other things: condoms, keys to a car, access to alcohol. There is a time for everything, and at the age of 4, a young human probably has not yet maxxed out on analog stimuli opportunities. I learned YouTube when it came out in 2006 and I was 21. I've got 19 years of... - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • How I Got Started in IT: My Journey to Becoming an Apprentice Support Engineer 🚀
    I've always been fascinated by the technology. I spent many hors playing video games and the first dive into the world of development was when I had to code a game on Scratch. The excercise looked pretty easy: Create a Tamagotchi-like game. Let me tell you - It wasn't easy at all for someone of a young age! There were many things that I needed to pay attention to: Things I have never heard of before! - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Principles of Educational Programming Language Design
    I would be surprised if your first program was C++? Specifically, getting a decent C++ toolchain that can produce a meaningful program is not a small thing? I'm not sure where I feel about languages made for teaching and whatnot, yet; but I would be remiss if I didn't encourage my kids to use https://scratch.mit.edu/ for their early programming. I remember early computers would boot into a BASIC prompt and I... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • There is no such thing as a global method (in Ruby)
    I've been teaching a teenager how to code with smalltalk (Scratch): https://scratch.mit.edu/. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Ask HN: Platform for 11 year old to create video games?
    A good place to start with kids that age is Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Code.org and Scratch, you can also consider the following products

Codecademy - Learn the technical skills you need for the job you want. As leaders in online education and learning to code, we’ve taught over 45 million people using a tested curriculum and an interactive learning environment.

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.

Free Code Camp - Learn to code by helping nonprofits.

GDevelop - GDevelop is an open-source game making software designed to be used by everyone.

CodeCombat - Learn programming with a multiplayer live coding strategy game.

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.