ExploreLearning Gizmos vs Scratch

EGExploreLearning Gizmos9.2Visit Scratch8.8Visit

Higher score EG ExploreLearning Gizmos #1 in STEM Education Platforms 9.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit site

vs

Scratch #2 in STEM Education Platforms 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Scratch

• ExploreLearning Gizmos fits best

  K–12 math and science simulation lessons

• Scratch fits best

  Free creative coding for beginner learners

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	EGExploreLearning Gizmos 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Scratch 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.8
Ranking	#1 in STEM Education Platforms	#2 in STEM Education Platforms
Best for	K–12 math and science simulation lessons	Free creative coding for beginner learners
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Android
Support	Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features ExploreLearning Gizmos 0/6 · Scratch 0/6
Virtual labs	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Engineering projects	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Coding/robotics curriculum	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Teacher dashboard	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Standards alignment	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
VR support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Student seats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	More than 550 interactive math and science simulations, labs, and STEM Cases Guided investigations, lesson materials, and embedded formative assessments Progress reports, heatmaps, and rostering through OneRoster, Clever, or ClassLink	Build interactive stories, games, animations, art, music, and dance projects Starter projects and tutorials help learners explore by making Share projects and connect them to hardware or web services with extensions
Cons	Free access is limited to a rotating collection of Gizmos School and district subscriptions require a customized quote Focuses on math and science rather than a broad range of subjects	Its focus is introductory programming rather than broad STEM instruction Projects use Scratch's visual, block-based programming language Sharing and member feedback are tied to its online community
Our verdict	ExploreLearning Gizmos brings interactive math and science simulations, virtual labs, STEM Cases, and guided investigations into a browser-based platform for grades 3–12. It is designed for schools and districts that want students to… Read the review →	Scratch gives young people a visual, block-based way to learn programming by making interactive stories, games, animations, and other projects. Designed especially for ages 8 to 16, it combines a creation environment with an online… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• ExploreLearning Gizmos — where it wins

  • More than 550 interactive math and science simulations, labs, and STEM Cases
  • Guided investigations, lesson materials, and embedded formative assessments
  • Progress reports, heatmaps, and rostering through OneRoster, Clever, or ClassLink

  Where it doesn't

  • Free access is limited to a rotating collection of Gizmos
  • School and district subscriptions require a customized quote
  • Focuses on math and science rather than a broad range of subjects

• Scratch — where it wins

  • Build interactive stories, games, animations, art, music, and dance projects
  • Starter projects and tutorials help learners explore by making
  • Share projects and connect them to hardware or web services with extensions

  Where it doesn't

  • Its focus is introductory programming rather than broad STEM instruction
  • Projects use Scratch's visual, block-based programming language
  • Sharing and member feedback are tied to its online community

• EGExploreLearning Gizmos9.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A K–12 STEM platform pairing simulations with guided investigations and classroom assessment tools.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• Scratch8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free block-based coding environment for building and sharing creative projects.

  Visit ScratchFull verdict →