Tynker is a popular online coding platform for K–12 students. It offers self-paced lessons and coding games for kids (ages ~7–14) to learn programming. In this article we compare Tynker’s user feedback, services, and pricing with other options. We aim to help college-level students and parents evaluate Tynker among tutoring and edtech platforms in 2025.
Tynker Reviews and Testimonials
Apple App Store: Tynker’s iOS app has about 17,400 ratings with an average 4.6/5. Many parents say their children “love” the coding activities and find them engaging. The high rating indicates strong approval, though some young users note occasional limited content or tech hiccups.
Google Play Store: On Android, Tynker’s app has 621 reviews with a 2.5/5 rating. Reviews mention the app is fun and a good coding tutor, but several users report lag, crashes, and missing features in complex projects. In short, Android users find it useful but note performance and update issues.
Trustpilot: Tynker has only a few reviews on Trustpilot (around 5 reviews, TrustScore ~2.5/5). This low trust score comes from a small sample. There isn’t enough data to draw strong conclusions, but it suggests some users had mixed experiences (mostly technical, not safety) on that site.
Tynker’s Website (Testimonials): Tynker’s own site features many parent and teacher quotes. For example, a Philadelphia teacher says a student “got an A+” with Tynker and was “so proud of his accomplishments”. Parents also emphasize it is “safe for kids” and fun. All on-site testimonials are positive by design, highlighting the platform’s ease of use and learning value.
Is Tynker legit? Yes. Tynker is a well-established company used by millions of students worldwide. We found no signs of fraud; criticisms mainly concern software bugs or pricing. Its acquisition by a major education tech firm further supports its legitimacy.
Summary: Overall, feedback on Tynker is mixed. Its iOS app and official testimonials are very positive, noting fun and learning gains. However, some Android and web users report performance issues and limited depth. No serious trust problems were reported. Common themes Tynker delivers engaging coding lessons for kids but can have technical glitches.
Tynker Pricing
Pricing Range
Tynker uses a subscription model. Plans typically cost about USD $10–28 per month, depending on commitment length and number of children. For one child, a 1-year Individual plan is about $180/year (≈$15/month), while a family plan (up to 3 kids) is about $225/year. Lifetime access (one-time fee) is roughly $360 (individual) or $540 (family). These plans include all courses and apps. (For details, see Tynker’s pricing page.)
What students say about Tynker pricing
There is little direct feedback on pricing. In general, paying ~$10–20 a month for unlimited coding lessons is comparable to other coding platforms. Some parents feel it is reasonable for children’s coding education. By contrast, one-on-one tutors (like on MEB) often charge $20–30 per hour. So Tynker’s flat monthly fee can be more affordable for casual learners, though it is paid per family rather than per hour.
Hidden costs
Tynker charges up front and has no additional hidden fees beyond the subscription. There is no separate registration fee or per-class fee. If you cancel within the first 30 days, you can get a full refund. After 30 days, they charge the remainder of the paid term. We saw no extra “addon” fees noted. (One forum poster did warn of a surprise charge after a short trial, implying users should watch timing closely.)
How Tynker’s pricing works
Payment is via credit card through the website or app store. You pay the full term up front (e.g. yearly) and can cancel anytime, but you get access through that period. No hourly billing or subscriptions for individual tutors exist – it’s all-access courses. Group discounts are built-in: each subscription covers up to 3 children. There are no special discounts for educators or low-income users listed. Promo codes occasionally appear during sales events (e.g. “60% off” holidays). Students do not chat with tutors, so there’s no per-session fee.
Free Trial
You can start for free with Tynker to sample the platform. They also include a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans. In practice, this means you can sign up, explore the courses, and if you’re not satisfied within 30 days, request a full refund. (After 30 days, cancellations do not get a refund.)
Refund policy
Tynker’s official policy is a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you cancel within 30 days of purchase, they refund the full price. After 30 days, they will not refund, though they may prorate unused months if you cancel early. Some users reported frustration with refunds. For example, one user posted that customer support did not respond when they sought a refund. We did not see evidence of deliberate overcharging beyond the terms, but quick support responses appear limited. No students reported hidden upgrade fees or unexpected charges besides the known policy.
Tynker Alternatives
Students may look for Tynker alternatives if they want different teaching styles, age ranges, or live help. Below are several popular options and how they compare to Tynker’s coding platform.
Khan Academy
Pros: Free of charge for all content, covering a wide range of subjects (math, science, and some coding). It includes interactive programming exercises and tracks progress. Teachers and schools widely use Khan Academy, so it’s well-respected. There are no ads or upsells, and its resources are very extensive for basic skills.
Cons: Khan Academy’s coding section is less game-like and mostly text-based. It has no gamification or story-driven games like Tynker, so some kids find it less engaging. It also has no live tutoring; all learning is self-guided. In short, Khan Academy is completely free and covers many subjects, but it isn’t a playful coding game environment like Tynker.
Codecademy
Pros: Interactive coding platform for beginners through advanced learners. Codecademy offers free and paid courses in many real languages (Python, JavaScript, etc.) The platform provides an in-browser code editor and instant feedback. It’s well-structured for learning actual programming languages in depth.
Cons: Codecademy is aimed at teens and adults, not young children. It has very little gamification or visual puzzle content, so it feels like a standard online course. Its full access requires a paid “Pro” subscription (around $20–40/mo), which is more expensive than Tynker’s family plans. Also, there are no live tutors on Codecademy. It’s strong for learning languages, but kids who prefer game-like lessons may find it dry.
Chegg Tutors
Pros: Chegg is an online tutoring marketplace (now merged with Pearson, but still active) that covers many subjects including computer science. Students can schedule 1:1 live tutoring sessions around the clock. Tutors include college grads and experts, and Chegg offers help with homework problems. It has a large base of tutors and 24/7 availability. It’s not limited to kids; college students use it too.
Cons: Chegg tutoring is relatively expensive, typically around $30+ per hour. The quality of tutors can vary since anyone can sign up. It also has no game-based curriculum: it’s live help on demand. There are no permanent courses or coding games. In essence, Chegg is good for getting quick answers or human help, but unlike Tynker, it’s paid per session and not focused solely on teaching kids programming step-by-step.
My Engineering Buddy
Pros: My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is a 1:1 online tutoring service in STEM subjects, including coding and engineering topics. It specializes in higher-level subjects (AP, college engineering, etc.) that Tynker does not cover. MEB tutors set their own rates (many between $15–$30/hr), which can be lower per hour than classroom tutors. The platform boasts high ratings (around 4.8/5) and quick tutor matching. Students praise its personalized attention and 24/7 WhatsApp support. It also offers a $1 trial and money-back guarantees, emphasizing human help over self-study.
Cons: MEB is not designed for young children or game-based learning. It offers no free coding games or visual puzzles. There is no guaranteed gamification or on-demand project content. Scheduling a live tutor session requires planning, and the experience depends on tutor quality. Compared to Tynker’s millions of users, MEB is a smaller platform. It’s best when students need targeted help on college-level topics rather than general K-12 coding practice.
How it Works?
For Students
Students sign up on Tynker.com (or via the app) to create an account. A basic account is free, and parents can upgrade to a subscription at any time. After logging in, students pick coding courses or games and start learning at their own pace. There are no live tutors to connect with; instead, Tynker provides guided lessons and interactive challenges. Scheduling is completely flexible: kids can log in whenever they want and work on lessons. In short, students use Tynker like a self-study app rather than booking sessions.
For Tutors
Unlike a tutoring marketplace, Tynker does not let external tutors sign up to teach. It’s a course platform, not a private tutoring service. There is no “become a tutor” process. So if someone wants to teach coding on Tynker, they would need to work directly for Tynker or develop content internally. In other words, independent tutors cannot register on Tynker to find students. (Tynker is geared toward kids learning on their own or in schools, not hiring one-on-one tutors.)
Can tutors set their own fee or is it fixed by the company?
Tynker does not use freelance tutors, so there is no tutor-set fee. All pricing is fixed by Tynker’s subscription plans. Tutors do not set or charge hourly rates on this platform.
How much can a tutor expect to earn on an hourly basis?
This question is not applicable to Tynker, as it does not pay hourly tutoring fees. Tynker uses subscription fees and does not compensate individual tutors.
How many hours of work can a tutor get per month?
Not applicable. Tynker is not a tutoring site, so there is no hourly work to be had. Students learn independently through the software.
Is it easy to get students?
Not applicable. Since Tynker does not connect tutors with students, this concept doesn’t apply.
Tips on how to get more students on Tynker:
Not applicable. Tynker has no feature for tutors to acquire students.
What tutors like about Tynker:
Since Tynker doesn’t have tutors as users, tutors generally don’t use this platform. However, educators who implement Tynker in classrooms appreciate its structured curriculum and safety. In contrast to tutor marketplaces, it is not a source of personal teaching jobs.
What tutors do not like about Tynker:
Again, tutors typically don’t work on Tynker. One drawback from an education perspective is that Tynker is focused on kids and has no advanced teaching tools for high-school or college tutoring. Thus, it is not useful for tutors seeking to teach older students or complex topics.
Tynker: Company Information
Tynker was founded in 2012 by Krishna Vedati, Srinivas Mandyam, and Kelvin Chong. It is headquartered in Mountain View, California. The company’s mission is to give every child a solid foundation in computer science and critical thinking (their vision is described as “educating the creators of tomorrow”). By 2022, Tynker reported that over 100 million students in 150,000+ schools worldwide had used its platform. Its operations are global (across ~150 countries) but primarily English-based. Tynker offers online coding courses through its web platform and mobile apps (Tynker, Tynker Junior, and Mod Creator).
Tynker’s services include self-paced lesson modules, interactive story-based games, and coding challenges. It teaches a wide range of coding subjects beginning block programming up through real languages like Python and JavaScript. Students can learn game design, animation, web design, robotics, and even data science and image processing. Unique features include its visual, game-like curriculum and progress-tracking dashboard. Tynker’s platform was one of the first approved for Apple’s “Everyone Can Code” initiative. It emphasizes a kid-friendly environment: for example, its web interface is certified by kidSAFE. Tynker also lists partnerships with companies like Apple, Google, NASA, and Mattel (Barbie), and it produces branded content (e.g. Minecraft mods).
USP of Tynker
- Massive reach and recognition: Tynker is used by tens of millions of kids globally. It won awards and was featured by Apple. Parents and educators trust its curriculum.
- Comprehensive coding curriculum: Over 5,000 step-by-step coding lessons cover block-based coding up to real languages like Python and JavaScript. Topics include game design, robotics, web dev, etc. This breadth fulfills its promise of complete coding education.
- Engaging, gamified learning: Lessons are story-driven and game-like, which keeps kids motivated. Tynker often highlights its “creative” approach. Reviews and testimonials confirm that many students enjoy the interactive puzzles and games (e.g. a teacher noted a student earned an A+ and “was so proud”).
- Safe, kid-friendly platform: The Tynker student area is certified as safe for children. No inappropriate content appears, which some parents appreciate. The platform also includes progress dashboards so parents/teachers can monitor learning.
Drawbacks of Tynker
- Technical issues: Some users report bugs and performance lag, especially on the Android app. Reviews mention that projects can crash or run slowly when they get complex.
- Limited age range: Tynker is designed for elementary/middle grades. It does not offer high school or college-level content. Older or advanced learners may find it too basic.
- No live tutoring: Tynker has no 1:1 help. Students cannot ask tutors questions – they only use automated lessons. This can be a drawback for learners who need personalized guidance.
- Refund/pay policies: While Tynker has a 30-day guarantee, some customers complained about unexpected charges after a short trial. The refund rules are strict, and customer support can be slow.
Comparison with My Engineering Buddy
My Engineering Buddy (MEB) excels where Tynker’s platform does not. MEB provides live 1:1 tutoring, while Tynker only offers self-study. MEB covers advanced STEM subjects (engineering, math, coding) at the college level, whereas Tynker focuses on K–8 coding games. MEB tutors set rates (often $15–$30/hr), which is typically lower than private tutors and makes targeted help affordable. MEB also has a 24/7 WhatsApp support chat and a strong money-back guarantee, whereas Tynker offers only email support. Students report that MEB is reliable for difficult homework: for example, one user said late-night math tutoring raised a grade from 78 to 89. Overall, for higher-level courses and personal attention, MEB is a great alternative to Tynker’s kid-centric program.
Customer Support and Policies
Tynker offers support mainly by email (support@tynker.com) and a help center. There is no live chat. Some users have noted delays in getting responses. They promise a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions. In practice, students find that refunds are only given within 30 days and otherwise not granted. By comparison, MEB advertises 24/7 instant support via WhatsApp and an explicit money-back policy. Thus, MEB may provide quicker assistance and a clearer refund promise, whereas Tynker’s support is more limited and slower.
Global Reach and Localization
Tynker’s platform is global. It’s used in about 150 countries and is aimed at English speakers worldwide. There is no special support for other languages (the content is English-based). My Engineering Buddy similarly serves a worldwide student base (over 18,000 students from the US, UK, Gulf, etc). Like Tynker, MEB primarily provides services in English, but because tutors are international, some students find language flexibility. Neither platform offers built-in multilingual interfaces at this time.
Tynker’s future plans
Tynker is investing in AI and new content. For example, it recently launched an AI coding assistant called “Tynker Copilot” (an LLM-powered help tool). It is also rolling out new AI-focused courses where kids learn image recognition and machine learning basics. Beyond AI, Tynker continues to add features to keep kids engaged it introduced weekly coding challenges and rewards, and even a plan for multiple children at one price. The company recently surpassed 100 million students and became the official coding partner of events like the 2024 Scripps Spelling Bee. These moves show Tynker is expanding content and integration with education trends.
FAQs About Tynker
How does Tynker compare to My Engineering Buddy? Tynker is a kid-focused, game-based coding platform, whereas MEB is live one-on-one tutoring for advanced STEM topics. MEB covers high school and college subjects with real tutors, while Tynker provides self-study coding lessons for younger students. They serve different needs.
What age group is Tynker designed for? Tynker is mainly for children (roughly elementary to middle school age). It is not meant for college or advanced learners. Teens may use it for fun coding practice, but the core audience is younger kids.
What subjects or courses does Tynker cover? Tynker focuses on computer science and coding. It teaches block-based and text-based programming, including game design, animation, web design, robotics, plus real languages like Python, JavaScript, and even data science basics. The platform does not cover general school subjects like math or English.
Is Tynker free or is there a trial? Tynker allows a free basic account and offers some free beginner courses. Most features require a paid subscription. They do provide a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans, so you can effectively try it risk-free. In practice, you can sign up, explore content, and if you cancel within 30 days you get a refund.
Is Tynker safe for kids? Yes. Tynker’s student area is certified by the kidSAFE Seal program, meaning it meets safety standards for children. The platform contains no ads or inappropriate material. Many parents and educators praise it as a safe learning tool.
Is Tynker suitable for older students or beginners? Tynker is aimed at beginners, specifically young beginners. It is not geared toward older or college-level students. In fact, it is often described as “not for high school”. It’s an easy entry point for kids who have never coded before, but older teens or adults may find it too basic.
Conclusion
In summary, Tynker’s strengths are its large, interactive curriculum and kid-friendly design. It works well for young students to start coding. Its weaknesses are technical issues (app performance) and a lack of advanced content or tutoring. For college-level homework or complex subjects, My Engineering Buddy is a better fit: it offers personalized attention, 24/7 support, and tutors in advanced topics. Students needing intensive help or higher math/science tutoring will likely prefer MEB, while Tynker is ideal for younger kids learning coding basics in a fun way.
