Report updated Apr 3, 2026
Sphero Edu
v8.3.2Students, educators, and parents looking for a progressive STEAM learning platform that scales from beginner drawing commands to professional text-based coding.
What Is Sphero Edu?
Launched Jul 31, 2015
Updated Mar 2026
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
Progressive coding environment offering Draw, Block (Scratch), and Text (JavaScript/Python) modes.
Visualizes telemetry including accelerometer, gyroscope, velocity, and location data.
Tools for teachers to create lessons, assign tasks, and monitor student progress.
Manual remote control functionality with customizable LED color settings.
Seamless sign-in and classroom syncing with Google and Clever accounts.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate educational value and robot compatibility, but report app stability and crashes and loss of legacy support.”
What Users Love
This is an amazing app for kids to learn programming.
Great app for kids and adults wanting to learn to program Sphero.
I love using this with all my robots connects fast and still works 2025
I’m glade they kept the legacy robots as well.
Pain Points
Can’t even load the app because it immediately crashes.
The app seems to hang (loading screen forever) when trying to load coding views.
I’m really disappointed by how they removed that app and forced us to use Sphero Edu that is of no use for robots like the Droids.
Sphero removed functionality for the Star Wars bots. R2D2 connects but will not work.
App registration is broken. Asks for email... and then complains about ‘@‘ symbol in email address.
It kept on saying forbidden whitespace character and it was the @symbole
High confidence · 1.5K reviews available
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- Progressive learning path (Draw -> Block -> Text)
- Real-time sensor data visualization
- Strong classroom and LMS integration (Google/Clever)
- Broad hardware support for current Sphero lineup
Cons
- Critical stability issues and launch crashes
- Broken registration flow (email validation bug)
- Removal of support for legacy Star Wars droids
- Declining user sentiment trend
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Expansion into AI-focused curriculum
- Deeper integration into non-CS science labs using sensor data
- Web-based coding environment to bypass app stability issues
- Capturing the high school market with advanced Python features
Market Threats
- LEGO Education's dominant market share in K-12
- Loss of user trust due to hardware obsolescence
- Churn to more stable platforms like Ozobot or Tynker
- Emerging AR/VR robotics competitors like Kai's Clan
Who competes with Sphero Edu?
The Nemesis
Why it's a threat
Contenders
micro:bit
★3.2 (82)Micro:bit Educational Foundation
A major hardware-coding competitor in schools focusing on sensor-based projects and portable computing.
A major hardware-coding competitor in schools focusing on sensor-based projects and portable computing.
RoboMaster
★4.3 (67)DJI
High-end educational robotics platform focusing on AI, sensor data, and advanced Python programming.
High-end educational robotics platform focusing on AI, sensor data, and advanced Python programming.
Peers
Creative coding platform used by makers and learners to build games and art.
Word-Free Visual Coding
K-5 coding curriculum provider that overlaps with Sphero's school-based user base.
KODE (Kid Optimized Developer Environment)
ScratchJr
★4.0 (2K)Scratch Foundation, Inc.
The foundational block-coding app used in the same early-elementary classrooms as Sphero.
The foundational block-coding app used in the same early-elementary classrooms as Sphero.
Sololearn: Learn to Code
★4.8 (80K)Sololearn Inc
Competes for the 'Pro' users looking to master JavaScript and Python through mobile-first lessons.
Competes for the 'Pro' users looking to master JavaScript and Python through mobile-first lessons.
New Kids on the Block
Photon Robot
★3.7 (3)Photon Entertainment sp. z o.o.
Fast-growing European robotics platform with a strong focus on interdisciplinary STEAM lessons.
Fast-growing European robotics platform with a strong focus on interdisciplinary STEAM lessons.
What are the key takeaways?
Sphero Edu is a divisive education app that is completely free. With a 4.5/5 rating from 1.5K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate educational value, though app stability and crashes remains a common concern.
Best for: Students, educators, and parents looking for a progressive STEAM learning platform that scales from beginner drawing commands to professional text-based coding.
How much does it cost?
Model: free
The app serves as a free ecosystem hub to drive hardware sales; monetization is focused on the physical robot products rather than software subscriptions.