Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit
Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit: A free, focused micro:bit editor with blocks, JavaScript, Python, and browser simulation. Ranked #7 of 23 in Diy Makers by our editors (7.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for making programs and projects with micro:bit.
At a glance
- Editor score7.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forMaking programs and projects with micro:bit
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Customization depthAdvanced
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Move between block-based code and JavaScript, or write in Python.
- Simulate and compile programs in the browser before transferring them.
- Send programs over WebUSB or download them as .hex files.
Where it doesn't
- The editor is focused on micro:bit rather than broader hardware projects.
- Direct WebUSB transfer requires a compatible browser and connection.
- Offline work starts only after the editor has loaded.
Our verdict on Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit
Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit is a free programming environment for making programs and interactive hardware projects with the BBC micro:bit. It suits learners and makers who want a guided place to start, with block-based programming, JavaScript, and Python available in one editor. Starter projects, examples, and courses give newcomers material to explore, while the simulator offers a way to check a program in the browser before moving it to a device.
Its strongest fit is the progression between coding styles and the micro:bit workflow. Users can convert between blocks and JavaScript, write in Python, simulate programs, and compile them in the browser. Finished programs can be transferred to a micro:bit using WebUSB or downloaded as .hex files for transfer over USB. The editor can also work offline after it has loaded, which is useful when connectivity is intermittent. MakeCode is open source, and the product is available on the web; a Windows app is listed for MakeCode generally, while the micro:bit editor itself is browser-based.
The focus is also the main constraint: this is for micro:bit projects, not a general-purpose environment for a wide range of maker boards. Its free pricing and learning resources make it a practical pick for solo makers and small projects that center on this device. Choose another tool if your work needs a broader hardware scope or an editor that does not depend on a browser-based core. The published product details emphasize documentation as the support channel, so users seeking other support routes may prefer an alternative.
Your product? Our editors can test Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit pricing
Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Project templates | Yes |
| Customization depth | Advanced |
| Export formats | HEX |
| Commercial use | Not verified |
| Team collaboration | Not verified |
| Platforms | Web browser; Windows app |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | makecode.microbit.org |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit
- TinkercadA free browser-based workspace for 3D models, circuit simulation, and block coding.8.8
- Arduino IDEA focused, open-source desktop IDE for writing, debugging, and uploading Arduino sketches.8.7
- Brother CanvasWorkspaceFree design software for preparing patterns to transfer to compatible Brother ScanNCut machines.8.4
See all Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit alternatives →
Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit vs the competition
- Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit vs Tinkercad
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- Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit vs Brother CanvasWorkspace
- Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit vs MIT App Inventor
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- Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit vs BlocksCAD
Compare Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit with any tool side by side →
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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