Starfall vs ScratchJr

Starfall8.6Visit ScratchJr7.9Visit

Higher score Starfall #4 in Kinder Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Starfall

vs

ScratchJr #8 in Kinder Apps 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit ScratchJr

• Starfall fits best

  Phonics and early reading practice

• ScratchJr fits best

  Free introductory coding and creative projects

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Side by side

Feature	Starfall 8.6/10 Visit ↗	ScratchJr 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	7.9
Ranking	#4 in Kinder Apps	#8 in Kinder Apps
Best for	Phonics and early reading practice	Free introductory coding and creative projects
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$35/yr	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	iOS, Android
Support	Email, Phone	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business
Features Starfall 0/2 · ScratchJr 0/2
Parental controls	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Progress reports	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Age range	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Not checked yet
Curriculum focus	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Child profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Builds from letter names and sounds into sequential phonics and a 15-book series Includes fiction and nonfiction activities for fluency and comprehension Works on web, iOS, and Android, with offline content in some apps	Children snap graphical blocks together to program characters. Multi-page projects combine stories, scenes, sounds, and photos. A paint editor and sample projects give children ways to create and explore.
Cons	The main Starfall App requires an internet connection Full access to activities, games, and books requires a paid membership School app deployment with Mobile Device Management is limited to the School Membership	Designed for tablet use rather than as a desktop-first coding environment. Programming is based on graphical blocks, not text-based code. Supplemental books and coding cards may be purchased separately.
Our verdict	Starfall is a children’s learning platform for families, teachers, classrooms, and schools supporting learners from Pre-K through grade 5. Its free Learn-to-Read sequence introduces letter sounds and phonics, then moves into fiction and… Read the review →	ScratchJr is a free introductory programming app for children ages 5–7. It lets young learners snap graphical blocks together to make characters move, jump, dance, and interact in their own stories and games. The app is aimed at families… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Starfall — where it wins

  • Builds from letter names and sounds into sequential phonics and a 15-book series
  • Includes fiction and nonfiction activities for fluency and comprehension
  • Works on web, iOS, and Android, with offline content in some apps

  Where it doesn't

  • The main Starfall App requires an internet connection
  • Full access to activities, games, and books requires a paid membership
  • School app deployment with Mobile Device Management is limited to the School Membership

• ScratchJr — where it wins

  • Children snap graphical blocks together to program characters.
  • Multi-page projects combine stories, scenes, sounds, and photos.
  • A paint editor and sample projects give children ways to create and explore.

  Where it doesn't

  • Designed for tablet use rather than as a desktop-first coding environment.
  • Programming is based on graphical blocks, not text-based code.
  • Supplemental books and coding cards may be purchased separately.

• Starfall8.6/10 · Free plan

  A phonics-led learning library for early readers, with free activities and annual memberships.

  Visit StarfallFull verdict →
• ScratchJr7.9/10 · Free plan

  A free tablet app for children ages 5–7 to make stories and games with coding blocks.

  Visit ScratchJrFull verdict →