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NetsBlox
What NetsBlox is
NetsBlox is a free, cloud-based visual programming language for creating networked programs such as multiplayer games. Rooms and remote messaging let separate clients exchange structured messages online, while server-provided services allow programs to call remote procedures. Documented integrations include Google Maps, ThingSpeak, ParallelDots, and Azure Translation, with NOAA climate and OpenWeatherMap weather data available through services. PhoneIoT supports projects using phone sensors and custom widgets such as buttons, joysticks, and image displays. RoboScape Online is a free robotics simulator where students can build scenarios and collaborate in shared simulations. Users can create custom services that appear in the Community section of the call RPC block. An account is not required, although accounts enable saving projects on the cloud server. Projects may stay private or be shared publicly under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license. Self-hosting guidance recommends Docker and requires MongoDB plus filesystem access for blob storage. The service is a project of Vanderbilt University’s Institute for Software Integrated Systems. Cloud storage limits may apply.
Who it suits
NetsBlox mainly targets users ages 12–20, while welcoming other learners. It suits project-based computer science work involving visual programming, networking, robotics, phone sensors, and web services.
What it does well
- Free visual programming environment
- Networked messaging between clients
- Phone sensor and widget support
- Collaborative robotics simulator
- Custom service creation
What to know first
- Cloud storage limits may apply
- Self-hosting requires Docker and MongoDB
- Public projects use a specific Creative Commons license
- No free trial
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| NetsBlox | Free software; the site may set limits on cloud storage | Free |
As netsblox.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
NetsBlox combines visual programming with network communication, external services, phone projects, and robotics simulation. It offers account-free access, while cloud storage rules and self-hosting requirements shape how projects are managed.
Facts from NetsBlox's own pages
- Audience
- The terms say NetsBlox is targeted mainly at users ages 12–20, while welcoming everyone. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Custom services
- Users can create custom services, which appear under the Community section of the call RPC block. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Data sources
- Services provide access to datasets including climate data from NOAA and weather data from OpenWeatherMap. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Nashville, Tennessee, United States · netsblox.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Documented service integrations include Google Maps, ThingSpeak, ParallelDots, and Azure Translation. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Limits
- The terms say the site may set cloud storage limits and restrict storage to media intended for programming projects. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Maker
- NetsBlox is a project of the Institute for Software Integrated Systems at Vanderbilt University. · netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Networking
- Rooms and remote messaging let separate NetsBlox clients exchange structured messages over the internet. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Phone IoT
- PhoneIoT supports projects that use phone sensors and custom screen widgets such as buttons, joysticks, and image displays. · netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy and accounts
- An account and personal information are not required to use NetsBlox; accounts enable saving projects on its cloud server. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Project sharing
- Projects can be saved privately or shared publicly, and publicly shared work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Robotics
- RoboScape Online is a free robotics simulator where students can create scenarios and collaborate in shared simulations. · netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The installation guide recommends Docker and says NetsBlox requires MongoDB and filesystem access for blob storage. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Services
- Server-provided services let programs call remote procedures for third-party utilities and NetsBlox capabilities. · editor.netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- NetsBlox is a cloud-based visual programming language for creating networked programs such as multiplayer games. · netsblox.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where NetsBlox stands on Freedom251
- Coding Learning Software#23 of 42