# OctoStudio: Coding for Kids

> Create games & animations! Offline STEM coding app for kids & schools by MIT.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/edu.mit.octostudio](https://chrome-stats.com/d/edu.mit.octostudio)

## Overview

- **ID:** `edu.mit.octostudio`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** MIT
- **Category:** EDUCATION
- **Downloads:** 530,622
- **Rating:** 4.04 / 5 (1,238 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.1.3
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-01
- **First published:** 2023-09-26
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 24 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-14
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.mit.octostudio)
- **Website:** [https://octostudio.org](https://octostudio.org/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://octostudio.org/privacy-app](https://octostudio.org/privacy-app)

## Description

**OctoStudio** is a free, offline coding app for kids, families, and schools from the creators of Scratch at MIT. Children can make games, animations, interactive stories, and digital art using coding blocks, photos, drawings, emojis, sounds, and movement—without ads, in-app purchases, or data collection.

Designed for creative STEM learning, OctoStudio supports phone and tablet interactions such as tilting, shaking, magnets, voice, vibration, and the flashlight. Kids can explore sample projects, remix ideas, record videos or GIFs, export projects, and share their creations. The app includes introductory resources, supports more than 30 languages, and works on Android devices and Chromebooks.

## Rankings

- #96,969 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_ADVERTISE`
- `android.permission.BLUETOOTH_SCAN`
- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `edu.mit.octostudio.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

Overall, reviewers praise Octostudio as a beginner-friendly, ad-free way to learn block coding with a large library of blocks and a Scratch-like mobile experience. Many users cite it as educational for kids and a strong stepping stone into programming, with tutorials and community resources mentioned. However, recurring concerns include a lack of advanced blocks (e.g., cloning, go-to), bugs and performance issues (projects failing to load or misbehaving), and a desire for more animation and design tools.

### Pros

- Beginners-friendly and educational for kids, with many reviewers noting it helped learn block coding.
- Large, versatile block library allowing creation of a wide range of games.
- Scratch-like mobile experience; easy to pick up for those familiar with Scratch and Scratch Jr.
- Ad-free and generally easy to use.

### Cons

- Missing advanced blocks and features (e.g., cloning blocks, go-to, sensors) that limit complex projects.
- Bugs and reliability issues (projects failing to load, incorrect behavior when moving sprites).
- Limited animation, drawing, and design features; requests for costumes, backdrops painting, more animation options.
- Perceived limited options/tools beyond basic blocks; some users want more options and tweaks.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Scratcho](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.mmh.scratcho) — 62 users
- [Scratch](https://chrome-stats.com/d/org.scratch) — 3,876,515 users, 3.83 / 5
- [Code Teens: Coding for Kids](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.learnyland.codelandteens) — 23,812 users, 3.58 / 5
- [OB SCratch](https://chrome-stats.com/d/ob.bright.gz.app.blefly) — 1,001 users
- [Piximakey Studio](https://chrome-stats.com/d/dk.spilvaerk.piximakeystudio) — 9,236 users
- [Pocket Code: Learn programming](https://chrome-stats.com/d/org.catrobat.catroid) — 4,803,769 users, 3.33 / 5
- [Osmo Coding Jam](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.tangibleplay.osmo.codingsuperstar) — 1,150 users
- [PingPongScratch](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.roborisen.pingpongscratch) — 1,812,777 users, 3.60 / 5
- [Pixel Studio: pixel art editor](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.PixelStudio) — 9,490,462 users, 4.61 / 5
- [ScratchJr](https://chrome-stats.com/d/org.scratchjr.android) — 16,635,653 users, 3.84 / 5
- [Tynker Junior](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.tynker.TynkerIconCoding) — 51,626 users, 3.47 / 5
- [CodiPlay](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.codiplay.codiplay) — 13,208 users

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/edu.mit.octostudio)