Scratch is a programming platform for making interactive stories, games, and animations, then sharing those projects with its online community. It uses project-based learning to encourage creative thinking, systematic reasoning, and collaboration. Scratch is designed especially for ages 8 to 16, though people of all ages use it. The platform is free, and its app can also be used offline; projects created offline are not accessible by Scratch. The app download information lists Windows 10+, macOS 10.13+, ChromeOS, and Android tablets running Android 6.0+, alongside web access and Android, macOS, and Windows platforms. Extensions add blocks that connect projects to hardware devices or web services. Scratch says it is used in more than 150 countries and is available in more than 40 languages. It is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. Optional memberships include early or exclusive content, tutorials, merchandise, and store discounts. Annual Membership is 35.00 USD per year, and Lifetime Membership is 150.00 USD per once.
Who it is for
Scratch suits young people learning programming through creative projects, especially ages 8 to 16. Its community and sharing tools also suit people of any age who want to make and share interactive projects.
What is good
- Free platform for creating and sharing projects
- Supports stories, games, and animations
- Offline app use is available
- Extensions connect projects to hardware or web services
What to know first
- Offline projects are not accessible by Scratch
- App downloads list specific minimum operating system versions
- Optional memberships cost 35.00 USD per year or 150.00 USD per once
Verdict
Scratch combines project-based programming with a community for sharing creations. The free platform covers core creation, while optional memberships add exclusive content and other benefits.
Scratch plans and pricing
All plansCompared on coding playgrounds
- Free plan
- Yes
