Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CodeMonkey VS Swift Playgrounds

Compare CodeMonkey VS Swift Playgrounds and see what are their differences

CodeMonkey logo CodeMonkey

Learn to code. Eat Bananas. Save the World.

Swift Playgrounds logo Swift Playgrounds

Learn serious code on your iPad in a seriously fun way
  • CodeMonkey Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-11

Codemonkey is an interactive online platform designed to make learning code fun for kids from 5-14 years old. Through engaging games and challenges, it introduces programming concepts in a clear and accessible way. As children write code to help a monkey complete different tasks and puzzles, they develop essential skills like logical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding algorithms. With step-by-step instructions and immediate feedback, Codemonkey provides a supportive and enjoyable environment that makes getting started with coding both easy and exciting.

  • Swift Playgrounds Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-24

CodeMonkey features and specs

  • Engaging Learning Environment
    CodeMonkey offers a game-based learning platform that makes coding fun and engaging for children. The interactive nature helps maintain student interest and motivation.
  • Structured Curriculum
    It provides a well-organized curriculum that follows a clear learning path, ensuring that students build their coding skills progressively, from basic to more advanced levels.
  • No Previous Experience Required
    CodeMonkey is designed for users with no prior coding knowledge, making it accessible and easy to start for beginners.
  • Multiple Programming Languages
    Students can learn different programming languages, including CoffeeScript, Python, and others, broadening their overall coding proficiency.
  • Teacher Resources and Support
    The platform offers extensive resources for educators, including lesson plans, grading tools, and progress tracking, which can simplify teaching logistics.
  • Free Trial and Subscription Plans
    CodeMonkey provides a free trial period along with various subscription options, allowing users to explore the platform before committing financially.

Swift Playgrounds features and specs

  • Engaging Interface
    Swift Playgrounds offers a visually appealing and interactive user interface that makes learning to code enjoyable and engaging for beginners, especially younger audiences.
  • iPad and Mac Support
    It is available on both iPad and Mac, providing flexibility for learners to practice coding on different Apple devices.
  • Interactive Learning
    The platform provides hands-on exercises and real-time feedback, which helps learners understand coding concepts through practical implementation.
  • Comprehensive Curriculum
    Swift Playgrounds includes a well-structured curriculum that covers basic to advanced Swift programming concepts, making it suitable for a wide range of learners.
  • Swift Language Focus
    The tool is dedicated to teaching Swift, Apple's powerful and intuitive programming language, which is widely used for developing iOS and macOS applications.
  • Free to Use
    Swift Playgrounds is available for free, which removes any financial barriers to entry for those interested in learning to code.

Possible disadvantages of Swift Playgrounds

  • Apple Ecosystem
    Swift Playgrounds is limited to Apple's ecosystem, requiring an iPad or Mac, which can exclude users who prefer or only have access to other platforms.
  • Swift Exclusivity
    The focus on Swift can be a limitation for learners who wish to explore other programming languages or need a more versatile coding education.
  • Limited Professional Depth
    While great for beginners, Swift Playgrounds may lack the depth and advanced features that more experienced developers or those seeking to build professional-grade applications might require.
  • Peripheral Requirements
    Some advanced projects might require additional peripherals and resources, such as access to hardware features or external libraries, which may not be readily available.

Analysis of Swift Playgrounds

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Swift Playgrounds is a good platform, especially for certain audiences.

Why this product is good

  • Swift Playgrounds provides an interactive and engaging way to learn Swift programming. It offers a hands-on approach through coding exercises and challenges, which can help reinforce understanding and foster a deeper grasp of programming concepts. Additionally, it is designed with an educational focus, making it accessible for younger audiences and beginners. The clean interface and integration with Appleโ€™s ecosystem add to its appeal, providing a seamless experience for users familiar with Apple products.

Recommended for

  • Beginners looking to learn programming
  • Educators seeking tools for teaching coding
  • Young learners interested in technology
  • Anyone who enjoys gamified learning experiences
  • Swift developers wanting to practice skills in a playful setting

CodeMonkey videos

Webinar for Teachers | Getting Started with your CodeMonkey Pilot

More videos:

  • Demo - CodeMonkey: Teach code with the best coding solution
  • Review - Tour of CodeMonkey Courses

Swift Playgrounds videos

Swift Playgrounds for Mac is Here!

More videos:

  • Review - Getting started with Swift Playgrounds
  • Review - Programming toys with Apple's Swift Playgrounds | First Look

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CodeMonkey and Swift Playgrounds)
Development
74 74%
26% 26
Developer Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Text Editors
60 60%
40% 40
Kids Education
100 100%
0% 0

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing CodeMonkey and Swift Playgrounds.

What makes your product unique?

CodeMonkey's answer

CodeMonkey stands out by teaching real programming languages like CoffeeScript and Python through fun, game-based challenges. Unlike many platforms that rely only on block coding, it gradually transitions students to text-based coding for a more authentic experience. Its engaging storyline, where kids help a monkey complete tasks by writing code, keeps learners motivated and invested. The platform also supports educators with detailed lesson plans, progress tracking, and classroom management tools. With its global accessibility and step-by-step guidance, CodeMonkey makes coding approachable and enjoyable for children everywhere.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

CodeMonkey's answer

CodeMonkey is a great choice because it makes learning to code fun and exciting through interactive games and real coding languages. Unlike some other platforms that stick to just drag-and-drop blocks, CodeMonkey helps kids start writing real code early on. Itโ€™s super easy to use, with step-by-step instructions and instant feedback to keep learners on track. Teachers and parents also love it because it comes with ready-made lessons and tools to track progress. Plus, itโ€™s used all over the world and available in different languages, so anyone can jump in and start coding!

How would you describe your primary audience?

CodeMonkey's answer

CodeMonkeyโ€™s primary audience is children, typically aged 5 to 14, who are just starting to explore the world of coding. Itโ€™s designed for young learners who enjoy games and interactive challenges that make learning feel like play. The platform is also a great fit for educators and parents looking for a fun, structured way to teach programming. With content suitable for beginners and more advanced students, it appeals to a wide range of skill levels. Overall, CodeMonkey is perfect for curious kids who love solving puzzles and want to build real coding skills in a fun, supportive environment.

What's the story behind your product?

CodeMonkey's answer

CodeMonkey was founded in 2014 by Jonathan Schor, Ido Schor, and Yishai Pinchover, inspired by their experiences teaching kids to code through playful activities. They envisioned a platform that would make coding accessible and enjoyable for children, blending real programming languages with engaging, game-based learning. Launched in Israel, CodeMonkey quickly gained global traction, reaching over 34 million students in 206 countries by 2024 . In 2018, it was acquired by TAL Education Group but continues to operate independently, expanding its offerings to include courses in AI, data science, and digital literacy. Today, CodeMonkey remains committed to empowering young learners worldwide through fun and effective coding education.

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CodeMonkey and Swift Playgrounds

CodeMonkey Reviews

We have no reviews of CodeMonkey yet.
Be the first one to post

Swift Playgrounds Reviews

  1. Terrible online training course

    The lowest available rating score is 1, but if there were a zero, I would rate this program a zero. There are no pros to this programming course. The lessons are so brief that I cannot understand them. Before I gave up for good on this programming course, I was writing tons of messages to people on Youtube asking them to explain things to me, and I hated the constant hassle of having to write online messages asking for explanations for the simplest of things that the lessons did not explain. This programming course is NOT a do-it-yourself training course by any means --- and it should not be used by schoolteachers as student homework assignments, as I recently advised a 13-year-old who was having trouble with the lessons and nothing was being helpful to him. This training course should be accompanied not by brief and intelligible on-screen lessons, but it should be accompanied by a detailed high school-style textbook complete with images. By the way, I have Asperger's syndrome, I have all kinds of problems with learning and with executing tasks, and I cannot participate in gainful employment in ANY profession for this reason.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Swift Playgrounds seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. 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.

CodeMonkey mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of CodeMonkey yet. Tracking of CodeMonkey recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Swift Playgrounds mentions (5)

  • Bitrig (YC S25) โ€“ Build Swift Apps on Your iPhone
    There's the excellent Swift Playground for iOS, requires an iPad: https://developer.apple.com/swift-playground/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • iPhone DevOps
    You can code in Swift and even submit to the App Store using Swift Playground using an iPad [1]. [1]: https://developer.apple.com/swift-playground/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Claude Code is all you need
    There are plenty of free models available; many that rival their paid counterparts. So that kid interested in trying stuff can use Qwen Coder for free [1]. If the kid's school has Apple Silicon Macs (or iPads), this fall, each one of them will have Apple's 3 billion parameter Foundation Models available to them for free [2]. Swift Playground [3] is a free download; Apple has an entire curriculum for schools. I... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Ask HN: I'm a rookie building an app and need advice. Can you help?
    > Iโ€™m using AI to assist me and Iโ€™m building an app Vibe coding is a myth, it will take you only so far and will require manual fixes and refactoring before MVP. Learn the basics of and keep learning, say, Swift. https://developer.apple.com/swift-playground/ > Should I actually use a completely blank iPhone for this instead? Does not make any difference. Every app runs in its own separate environment. Only iOS... - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • ๐Ÿš€ iOS vs Android Development: Which One Should You Learn First? (The Truth No One Tells You!)
    ๐Ÿ’ก Want to see real-world examples? Check out Apple's Swift Playground: Swift Playground. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CodeMonkey and Swift Playgrounds, you can also consider the following products

Tynker - Game Worlds for Kids to Learn Programming

GitHub Codespaces - GItHub Codespaces is a hosted remote coding environment by GitHub based on Visual Studio Codespaces integrated directly for GitHub.

CloudShell - Cloud Shell is a free admin machine with browser-based command-line access for managing your infrastructure and applications on Google Cloud Platform.

CodeTasty - CodeTasty is a programming platform for developers in the cloud.

StackHive - Design, develop or publish websites right from your browser

CodeAbbey - Programming problems to practice and learn for beginners