Scratch
Create stories, games, and animations. Share with others around the world.
Overview
Scratch is a free programming language and online community where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations. It is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It is provided free of charge. Scratch is designed especially for ages 8 to 16 but is used by people of all ages. Millions of people are creating Scratch projects in a wide variety of settings, including homes, schools, museums, libraries, and community centers.
✨ Key Features
- Visual, block-based coding
- Online community for sharing and collaboration
- Extensive library of sprites, sounds, and backdrops
- Supports over 70 languages
- Works offline
- Integrates with hardware like micro:bit and LEGO MINDSTORMS
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Completely free with no ads or in-app purchases
- Massive and active online community for project sharing and inspiration
- Developed and maintained by the MIT Media Lab, a reputable non-profit
Unique Value: Provides a completely free, highly accessible, and creative environment for kids to learn computational thinking and coding fundamentals within a massive global community.
🎯 Use Cases (5)
✅ Best For
- Used by millions of children worldwide for learning coding fundamentals.
- Integrated into school curricula globally for computer science education.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Developing commercial-grade software
- Advanced text-based programming
- Building complex, performance-intensive games
🏆 Alternatives
Unlike many competitors that operate on a freemium model, Scratch is entirely free. Its focus is more on creative expression and less on a structured, linear curriculum.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🔌 Integrations
🛟 Support Options
- ✓ Email Support
🔒 Compliance & Security
💰 Pricing
Free tier: None, Scratch is completely free.
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