Alice
Alice is a free, block-based programming environment for creating 3D animations, interactive narratives, and simple games.
What Alice is
Alice is a free, block-based programming environment for creating 3D animations, interactive narratives, and simple games. It introduces logical and computational thinking alongside programming fundamentals. Alice 2 focuses on those introductory skills, while Alice 3 emphasizes object-oriented concepts as part of a first programming experience. All versions are available as free downloads, and an Alice 3 guide describes a universal zip for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The project provides supplemental teaching materials for different ages and subject areas, with educator questions and requests directed to its teaching mailing list or GitHub project. Alice 3 is also intended to make it easier for organizations with VR headsets to create virtual reality worlds. Alice supports mixed learning and project-based learning, covers computer science topics, and lists Alice and Java as programming languages. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows; mobile apps are not available. The project dates to 1995.
Good
- Free downloads for all versions
- Creates 3D animations, narratives, and simple games
- Supports Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Includes supplemental teaching materials
Watch out
- No mobile apps
- Alice 2 may have macOS 13 Ventura compatibility issues
Who it suits
Alice suits learners beginning with programming fundamentals or computational thinking, and educators looking for a project-based teaching tool. Its desktop versions are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Verdict
Alice offers a free, visual way to introduce programming concepts through creative projects. Learners and educators should consider the desktop-only availability and the stated Alice 2 compatibility note.
Plans and prices
From Alice's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Alice 3 | Free | Free software download · desktop or laptop · Windows, Mac, and Linux |
The facts
Each one read from Alice's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Alice 2
- Alice 2 is presented as a tool for learning logical and computational thinking and programming fundamentals.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Alice 3
- Alice 3 emphasizes object-oriented concepts as part of a first programming experience.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Compatibility note
- A 2023 post said the team hoped to update Alice 2 to address compatibility issues with macOS 13 Ventura.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Download
- The Alice 3 guide says all Alice versions are free and available for download from alice.org.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Educator support
- The Alice team directs people with questions or requests to its teaching mailing list or GitHub project.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Learning goals
- Alice is designed to teach logical and computational thinking, programming fundamentals, and introductory object-oriented programming.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Professional development
- A 2023 post invited educators to virtual professional development workshops for bringing Alice 3 into classrooms.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Project affiliation
- A 2023 post identifies Carnegie Mellon University and The Alice Project as recipients of Oracle Giving grant funding for Alice work.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The guide describes a universal Alice 3 zip that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Teaching resources
- The Alice Project provides supplemental tools and materials for teaching with Alice across ages and subject areas.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Virtual reality
- A 2023 Alice team post says Alice 3 is making it easier to create VR worlds for organizations with VR headsets.checked 8 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Alice is a block-based programming environment for creating 3D animations, interactive narratives, and simple games.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1995checked 28 Sep 2026
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