Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

codeSpark VS Snap

Compare codeSpark VS Snap and see what are their differences

codeSpark logo codeSpark

Teach young kids basic computer science with video games

Snap logo Snap

Snap (formerly BYOB) is a visual, drag-and-drop programming language.
  • codeSpark Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26
  • Snap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-21

codeSpark features and specs

  • Educational
    codeSpark is designed to teach children the basics of programming through interactive games and challenges, fostering an early interest in computer science.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform offers a simple and engaging user interface that is easy for young children to navigate and use, reducing the learning curve.
  • Creative Development
    codeSpark encourages creativity by allowing children to create their own games and projects, helping them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Parental Controls
    The platform offers strong parental controls, enabling parents to monitor their child's progress and ensure a safe online environment.
  • No Reading Required
    The games are designed in a way that does not require reading skills, making it accessible to preschool and early elementary school children.

Possible disadvantages of codeSpark

  • Limited Age Range
    codeSpark is primarily designed for children aged 5 to 9, limiting its usefulness for older kids or more advanced learners.
  • Subscription Cost
    The platform operates on a subscription model, which could be a financial burden for some families, especially if they are using multiple educational resources.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    As a beginner-oriented platform, codeSpark may lack advanced features and complexity that older or more experienced children might seek.
  • Device Compatibility
    While codeSpark is available on multiple devices, some users might experience compatibility issues or prefer platforms that offer offline capabilities.
  • Free Version Limitations
    The free version of codeSpark has limited functionality, which may not provide a comprehensive experience without a paid subscription.

Snap features and specs

  • Educational Value
    Snap! is designed to teach programming concepts to beginners, especially young students. It uses visual programming to make it easier to grasp abstract concepts.
  • Accessibility
    The platform is web-based and free to use, making it accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a modern web browser.
  • Visual Programming
    Snap! uses a drag-and-drop interface to create programs, which is intuitive and reduces the barrier to entry for beginners who might be intimidated by text-based coding.
  • Community and Resources
    There is a growing community and plenty of educational resources, including tutorials and example projects, to help learners get started and advance.
  • Integration with Other Tools
    Snap! can integrate with various physical computing devices, such as micro:bit and Arduino, allowing for hands-on learning and extending its capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Snap

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Snap! is excellent for beginners, it lacks some of the advanced features and flexibility found in professional-grade programming languages and environments.
  • Performance Issues
    Because it's web-based and relies on a high-level, graphical interface, Snap! may have performance issues with more complex projects or on less powerful devices.
  • Learning Curve for Traditional Coding
    Although Snap! is great for visual programming, the transition to text-based programming languages might require additional effort for learners used to its drag-and-drop interface.
  • Internet Dependency
    Snap! requires an internet connection to use, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity or for users who prefer offline tools.
  • Project Scalability
    Snap! may not be suitable for very large or complex projects due to its design and performance limitations, making it less ideal for advanced users or large-scale applications.

codeSpark videos

codeSpark Review | Best Reviews

More videos:

  • Review - codeSpark Academy Overview
  • Review - CodeSpark Academy Review

Snap videos

Snap Review (Rant)

More videos:

  • Review - Snap Spectacles 3 review: here we go again
  • Review - Wahoo Kickr SNAP Smart Trainer: Unboxing. Building. First Ride.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to codeSpark and Snap)
Online Learning
100 100%
0% 0
Game Development
0 0%
100% 100
Kids Education
29 29%
71% 71
Education
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using codeSpark and Snap. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare codeSpark and Snap

codeSpark Reviews

Best Educational Apps for Middle Schoolers
Finally, it’s worth noting that there’s a free version for educators. This version allows teachers to use codeSpark to explore math, science, and computer science with their students.
Source: bestreviews.net

Snap Reviews

16 Scratch Alternatives
Formerly known as the BYOB, Snap! refers to the solution program for the programming language based on drag & drop, visuals, and much more. This platform can let its users have the extended version so they can easily create their desired block in no time. It can even permit clients to access the services, such as first-class lists, first-class continuations, and procedures....

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Snap seems to be a lot more popular than codeSpark. While we know about 31 links to Snap, we've tracked only 2 mentions of codeSpark. 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.

codeSpark mentions (2)

  • Ontario unveils modernized science curriculum, will begin teaching coding in Grade 1
    That said, over the summer I taught her some of the basics of programming with a Botley toy, which is a little robot for kids to program. From there she did a bit of CodeSpark before moving onto ScratchJr which as I mentioned she is taking online classes for. I've been amazed at what she has managed to accomplish making things like a very basic Frogger game. Source: about 3 years ago
  • [Eurogamer] Game Builder Garage review: entertainment and education blend together
    I suggest looking into simpler stuff that is also programming. You can get him into Scratch JR with some cool activities or, if you want something more "techie", I suggest something like CodeSpark. Source: almost 4 years ago

Snap mentions (31)

  • Replicube: A puzzle game about writing code to create shapes
    Snap! https://snap.berkeley.edu/ Also, I heartily recommend the demoes that the author is giving regularly at FOSDEM. They're really fun to watch :). - Source: Hacker News / 17 days ago
  • Coding for Kids – Fun Way to Learn Programming
    Kids would probably have a better experience with Hedy https://hedy.org if they are young, and Pyret https://dcic-world.org if they are a little older. Once they know how to program python is obviously a fine choice, but starting beginners with Python is insane. Too many gotchas, incomprehensible error messages etc. Also why logo? Its not 1967 anymore. A far better choice is Snap! https://snap.berkeley.edu. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Ask HN: Platform for 11 year old to create video games?
    I upgraded my son from Scratch to Snap! (https://snap.berkeley.edu/). Snap has a much higher ceiling, including collections, first-class code pieces, higher-order functions etc. It pretty openly describes itself as a "Scheme disguised as Scratch" :-) A pragmatic pedagogical thing I love with Snap! Is the ease of creating custom blocks, including macros / custom "C-shaped" control structures. If you have some... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Ask HN: Modern Day Equivalent to HyperCard?
    Take a look at Snap. It was originally a scratch mod, but does allows for all sorts of advanced things. https://snap.berkeley.edu. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Yo wants to build a game, I'm lost. What can I do?
    There is also Snap! (https://snap.berkeley.edu/) which starts very much like Scratch but has higher ceiling. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing codeSpark and Snap, you can also consider the following products

Sonlight - Sonlight offers a complete Christian homeschool curriculum for PreK-12 that you can purchase for your kids.

Scratch - Scratch is the programming language & online community where young people create stories, games, & animations.

Time4Learning - Time4Learning provides Online Education for PreK-12th Grade covering various subjects, including Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and many more.

Blockly - Blockly is a library for building visual programming editors.

Homeschool Panda - Homeschool Panda is a social networking platform and app designed to help homeschoolers plan their entire year, and engage with other homeschoolers in a safe and secure way.

Instagram - Instagram is a mobile, desktop, and Internet-based photo-sharing application and service that allows users to share pictures and videos either publicly, or privately to pre-approved followers.