EV3

Coding platform comparison

LEGO® Education EV3 Classroom V1.5.3

LEGO® Education EV3 Classroom V1.4.2

LEGO® Education EV3 Classroom
Mobile App

VS Code (MicroPython with Pybricks)

Scratch 3.0

Microsoft MakeCode

Open Roberta Labs

CS-STEM Network
Virtual Robot

Text-Based

MicroPython

JavaScript

Blocks

Scratch Style Vertical

Old LEGO Style Horizontal

Scratch Style Vertical

Scratch Style

JavaScript

Windows

Win10 v1803+, Win11

Win 7, 8, 10, 11

Win 10, 11

Available on Browser

MacOS

Mojave 10.14+

10.6 - 10.14

MacOS 10.13+

Available on Browser

ChromeOS

Available on Browser

Linux

Available on Browser

iPadOS

iPadOS 13.0+

Android (Tablets)

USB

No Hub Connection

Bluetooth

No Hub Connection

Hub Simulation On Device

Simulation only

No additional firmware for HUB

EV3 MicroPython image (MicroSD Card)

Hub must be updated to 1.10E

Set up ease rating
0-5

2 - 3
(depends on familiarity with installing software)

2
(5 if update is needed)

1
‍

Pros

Scratch-style blocks are easy to pick up for students with experience with other Scratch-style programs

VS Code is a professional grade programming software and has a lot of functionality

MicroPython is one of the easier programming languages to learn and has a lot of functionality

Lots of Scratch-EV3 integration which can be fun for students that already know Scratch

Allows JavaScript code to be translated to block code and vice versa
‍
Has a simulation of the hub and any sensors or motors that you use in your code

Is capable of using 2D Arrays in block coding or in JS

JS coding is as easy as block coding thanks to the side bar with click to type lines of code

Includes a simulation for a car robot

Easy Access

Scratch Style Blocks

No Hub Needed

Tutorials for Coding are built in

Cons

No text-based coding

No text-based coding
‍
Unintuitive blocks compared to the Scratch-based

No text-based coding
‍
No USB connectivity

Requires a lot more steps to set up
‍
Higher barrier to entry

Limited EV3 coding capabilities

Available on Browser, But downloaded version works best

Setup and user interfaceare different from other programs on this list.

Connection instructions are hard to find and unclear

Simulation is only for a two motor car robot

It is unclear where to find the code editor

Setup and user interfaceare different from other programs

Connection instructions are hard to find and unclear

Simulation is only for a two motor car robot

It is unclear where to find the code editor

Can't change the robot in the simulation

Can't use the coding interface to program a real hub

Resources for LEGO^® Education MINDSTROMS^™ EV3

Launched in 2013, LEGO Education^® MINDSTORMS EV3 is the third version of LEGO’s MINDSTORMS robotics platform. It was launched in September 2013, and follows the RCX (1998) and the NXT (2006). The MINDSTORMS EV3 kit includes a programmable brick (also known as the EV3 brick), motors, sensors, and LEGO Technic parts. There are two versions of the kit: the Education EV3 Core Set (45544) that is aimed at schools, and the retail version, MINDSTORMS EV3 (31313), that is aimed at the home market.

EV3 Parts List