Freedom251 › Robotics Education Software
BugBotLab
What BugBotLab is
BugBotLab is a browser-based Python course where students write programs to control a robot in a simulator or on BugBot hardware. The homepage describes 409 lessons, covering topics from introductory code through vision and machine learning. Students can enter a class with a six-letter code and do not need an email address or account. The course runs in a browser and is described as working on school laptops, Chromebooks and iPads.
Teachers can use classroom tools including a live class view, progress board, mark book, assignments, tests, certificates, lesson materials and custom tasks. The School plan supports sign-in with school Google or Microsoft accounts. A new teacher account gets 30 days of School plan access, starting when the teacher creates their first class; no card or order is required. After the trial, one class remains free. The maker says class data is stored in London on Google Cloud, is deleted on request or after twelve months unused, and is not sold or used to train AI models. Each school receives a signed data processing agreement, including during free use, and a pre-filled impact assessment. BugBotLab Ltd is a UK company founded by Dr Jerome Graves.
Who it suits
BugBotLab suits teachers who want students to learn Python through robot programming, with lessons and classroom management tools. It also fits students who need browser access on school laptops, Chromebooks or iPads and can join a class using a short code.
What it does well
- Course includes 409 lessons, from first code through vision and machine learning.
- Students can join a class without an email address or account.
- Teacher tools include assignments, tests, certificates and a progress board.
- Runs in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
- Schools receive a signed data processing agreement, including during free use.
What to know first
- The course’s robot hardware is BugBot.
- The free plan leaves one class after the School trial.
- The Teacher plan excludes school view and school sign-in management.
Limits
After the 30-day School plan trial, one class stays free. The Teacher plan is for one named teacher and excludes school view and school sign-in management.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Lessons, simulator, competitions, class codes and live class view · one class stays free after trial | Free |
| Teacher plan | Paid yearly in advance by card; ex VAT · One named teacher · any number of their own classes and students · excludes school view and school sign-in management | £149 a year |
| Founding school School plan | First year; renews at standard price · ex VAT · For schools committing before 31 December 2026 | £495 a year |
| School plan | Paid yearly in advance; ex VAT · Every teacher and student at one school site · includes school view | On request |
As bugbotlab.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://www.bugbotlab.com/ in a supported browser.
- Create a teacher account and make a first class to begin the 30-day School plan trial.
- Share the six-letter class code so students can join without an email address or account.
- Use the browser simulator, or use BugBot hardware.
- Choose the Free, Teacher or School plan for ongoing use.
Verdict
Choose BugBotLab if you want a browser-based Python course built around programming a robot, with options for teacher tools and school sign-in. Look elsewhere if your students need a robot other than BugBot or you need school view and sign-in management on an individual Teacher plan.
Questions
Does BugBotLab have a free plan or trial?
Yes. One class stays free after the trial. Each new teacher account gets 30 days of School plan access, beginning when the teacher creates their first class, with no card or order required.
How much do the paid plans cost?
The pricing note says paid plans start at £249/yr. The listed Teacher plan is £149 per year, paid yearly in advance by card and ex VAT. School plan prices are also listed, with the founding school offer applying to schools committing before 31 December 2026.
Which devices and browsers can students use?
The course runs in a browser and is described as working on school laptops, Chromebooks and iPads. Listed browsers are Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
Do students need an account or email address?
No. Students can join a class with a six-letter code without an email address or account.
Can schools use Google or Microsoft sign-in?
Yes. The School plan supports sign-in with school Google or Microsoft accounts.
Who makes BugBotLab?
The maker identifies itself as BugBotLab Ltd, a UK company founded by Dr Jerome Graves.
Facts from BugBotLab's own pages
- Browser support
- The maker says the course runs in a browser and works on school laptops, Chromebooks and iPads. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Buying
- Schools can pay by invoice with a purchase order or by card, and invoice plans do not renew without a new order. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Classroom tools
- Paid teacher tools include a live class view, progress board, mark book, assignments, tests, certificates, lesson materials and custom tasks. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Course
- The homepage describes 409 lessons covering topics from first code through vision and machine learning. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Data protection
- The maker says every school receives a signed data processing agreement, including during free use, and provides a pre-filled impact assessment. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- The maker lists its registered office as 103 Ouseley Road, Wraysbury, Staines-Upon-Thames, TW19 5JJ. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The School plan supports sign-in with school Google or Microsoft accounts. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The maker identifies itself as BugBotLab Ltd, a UK company founded by Dr Jerome Graves. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- BugBotLab offers a Python course in which students write programs to drive a robot in a browser simulator or on BugBot hardware. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Robot availability
- The BugBot robot is listed at £199 each or £999 for a set of five, ex VAT, with shipping stated for March 2027. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Security and data
- BugBotLab says class data is stored in London on Google Cloud, deleted on request or after twelve months unused, and not sold or used to train AI models. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Student access
- Students can join a class with a six-letter code and do not need an email address or account. · bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The terms say support is available by email or BugBot Teach's problem-reporting feature, with replies within two working days and faster replies for paid plans in term time. · teach.bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Trial
- Every new teacher account gets 30 days of the School plan free, starting when the teacher makes their first class, with no card or order required. · teach.bugbotlab.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where BugBotLab stands on Freedom251
- Robotics Education Software#8 of 26