<p>Note that the Education version doesn't come with any software - if you want to use the full features of the Education EV3 brick (mostly around Data Logging), you will need to purchase the Education version of the software - thus making the price about £70-85 higher (which may still be cheaper than purchasing the Retail edition and <a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/1820/56">adding the extra components</a>).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-12T14:48:37.493Z
2013-11-12T14:48:37.493Z
2017-04-13T12:47:56.390Z
Zhaph - Ben Duguid
<p>Edu version is better. You can use Home software with it and it has more and better sensors (2 touch instead of 1 and ultrasound instead of infrared). It has better mechanical parts - better tracks and metal ball to use as third wheel.</p>

<p>It is also cheaper for some reason. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-29T21:34:23.727Z
I believe it's cheaper because originally to use all the sensors you had to purchase the Education version of the software as well... I believe the more recent updates to the home software now support the additional sensors in the kit, so it's just the data logging you're missing out on.
Zhaph - Ben Duguid
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-25T21:30:11.667Z
2014-12-25T21:30:11.667Z
stilgar
<p>There are other questions that list the differences in the retail and educational version but I cannot judge which one I should buy (educational or retail).</p>

<p>I am buying Mindstorms for the first time, The educational kit looks more appealing to me as it has more parts, gyro sensor (I need this) and it is also $10 less than the retail version.</p>

<p>I am 27 year old and want to buy the best value for money and one I can get most out it. Any add-on suggestion will be also great as it is not available in my country and I would like to buy most of the stuff in one go.</p>

<ev3><education>
Should I buy the retail or education version of Mindstroms EV3?
DevC
# Should I buy the retail or education version of Mindstroms EV3?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-11-12)

There are other questions that list the differences in the retail and educational version but I cannot judge which one I should buy (educational or retail).

I am buying Mindstorms for the first time, The educational kit looks more appealing to me as it has more parts, gyro sensor (I need this) and it is also $10 less than the retail version.

I am 27 year old and want to buy the best value for money and one I can get most out it. Any add-on suggestion will be also great as it is not available in my country and I would like to buy most of the stuff in one go.

**Tags:** ev3, education


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-11-12. Score: 3

Note that the Education version doesn't come with any software - if you want to use the full features of the Education EV3 brick (mostly around Data Logging), you will need to purchase the Education version of the software - thus making the price about £70-85 higher (which may still be cheaper than purchasing the Retail edition and [adding the extra components](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/a/1820/56)).


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-12-25. Score: 2

Edu version is better. You can use Home software with it and it has more and better sensors (2 touch instead of 1 and ultrasound instead of infrared). It has better mechanical parts - better tracks and metal ball to use as third wheel.

It is also cheaper for some reason.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I believe it's cheaper because originally to use all the sensors you had to purchase the Education version of the software as well... I believe the more recent updates to the home software now support the additional sensors in the kit, so it's just the data logging you're missing out on.  

---

