# Popsicle Sticks: Teacher Picks — user reviews

> 71 indexed App Store user reviews of Popsicle Sticks by Neil Daly, rated 4.60/5 from 1,287 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/popsicle-sticks-teacher-picks/id1139826444/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/popsicle-sticks-teacher-picks/id1139826444.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 1,043 · 4★ 131 · 3★ 51 · 2★ 17 · 1★ 45

## What do users think of Popsicle Sticks?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Great for elementary music teachers
- 🤩 Randomized grouping tool
- 🚀 Useful and fun app
- 🚀 Intuitive to set up and easy to learn
- 🚀 Awesome tool creates awesome student engagement

**Cons**

- 💰 Hidden cost
- 💰 Expensive
- 💰 Deceptive about costs
- 🐛 Crashes when picking a student
- 🐛 Import glitches
- 🐛 Deleting students/classes not intuitive
- 🔒 Not user-friendly when removing students and archiving classes

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes when picking a student
- Import glitches
- Deleting students/classes not intuitive
- Asks for reviews too often

**Most requested features**

- Ability to edit voice/pronunciation of names
- Ability to mark students absent so they're not randomly selected
- Ability to rotate iPad to landscape mode
- Support for Slide Over and/or Side-by-Side apps
- Ability to remove students on a tournament-by-tournament basis
- Ability to mix groups by gender
- Ability to set custom group colors

## Newest reviews (14 of 71)

### 4/5 — Saves time

*2026-06-04, version 6.4.0*

This is a great way to call random names and assign visibly random groups! I use it for multiple classes, and even selecting next class awards. I wish there was a way to delete names or class lists though.

### 2/5 — Good but

*2025-09-24, version 6.2.0*

I like the app I like all the stuff but of course every app now have to have a premium or something to buy with and and you have to upgrade it to premium to get more than random groupings and to make more than one classes it’s really weird and I do not like it. That’s why I’m giving it two stars

### 3/5 — Some drawbacks

*2025-08-04, version 6.1.4*

The app is wonderful,however,it’s not user friendly when removing students and archiving classes.  There’s no where to show to do that with the app.

### 4/5 — It’s great just I have one complaint

*2025-03-01, version 6.0.4*

This is a great app just I was clicking on groups and it said I had reached my limit and I had to pay if I wanted to continue which was annoying but otherwise it is great!

### 2/5 — Warning: Hidden Cost

*2025-01-15, version 6.0.4*

You get hooked into using it (for free) and then suddenly you have to pay $13 or it won’t work in the middle of your lesson. You think it’s free, but it’s really just a free trial and for $13 is it worth it? 

That may be too expensive if you just wanted it for the random name function. 

If this is your app please consider lowering the price and offer the pay option instead of surprising people.

### 4/5 — Good

*2024-11-19, version 6.0.4*

I love it but it but it does say names wrong sometimes and then my students say that’s not my name are they talking about me and I have to explain to them not everything can’t say your name

### 2/5 — Problem deleting

*2024-09-05, version 6.0.2*

Would be a great app if I could figure out how to delete the students that leave my class.  If someone knows, please advise.  Thanks

### 4/5 — Works great, once you set it up

*2024-08-06*

I really enjoyed this last year. It worked well and the students laughed at how their names were pronounced. Some of the add on stuff has been fun too
Now it’s a new school year and I need to delete the old classes to make new ones. There isn’t an easy way to do that! This is a short term frustration of course. I can replace the names individually. But a way to clear it out at the beginning of the year would be nice.

### 2/5 — Deleting Students from a Class

*2024-01-11, version 5.0.2*

I like using this app, but every time a student leaves my class, I hate that it is more difficult to remove a student from a class than it is to add them.  It is not an intuitive process.  And today as I am trying to adjust classes at the beginning of the semester, I almost hate the app.

### 2/5 — Import glitches

*2022-03-08*

I will update after I actually get to try the app. Right now I’m frustrated because the app keeps crashing during the import process. 2 classes worked fine, but the third list crashes the app as soon as I try to scroll and confirm the list. I’m annoyed so far & hope the experience improves. 

I’m off to type in 31 names….

### 4/5 — Just new but loving it

*2021-10-15, version 3.3.3*

I see a lot of potential in the classroom and am gradually getting more confident with the features. I would like to be able to save a tournament as a template or duplicate as it takes me a long time to set it up how I want and I’d definitely repeat.

### 4/5 — edits

*2021-08-18, version 3.3.0*

I would like to be able to edit the voice with my own because some of the names are not pronounced correctly. Otherwise I enjoy the app, especially the ease of creating groups

### 3/5 — Would be awesome with accessibility updates

*2020-09-28*

I am a blind user who utilizes screen reader technology on an iPhone. This app is great and mostly accessible. I would love to see future updates that include accessibility for screen reader in a Gratian. For example, some buttons are not labeled and therefore, the screen reader just reads it as button. This makes it impossible to know what the function does. Other buttons are labeled in a clunky fashion such as rubric five… Rubric six… Again, it is impossible to know what the function is.

**Developer response:** Hi Blimdy girl, thanks for the review. The newest version of Popsicle Sticks (3.1.0) includes added support for voice over. I hope you find it helpful. Let me know if you have any suggestions or other ideas (neiledaly@msn.com). Neil

### 2/5 — Disappointed

*2020-09-06, version 2.0.3*

It’s hard to believe the steps to import a class don’t work. I wish I read some reviews before I bought it. I’ve used the stick pick app for years and love it. This app had some additional features so thought I would give it a try. I have 160 students and am not about to manually add each student.  I could’ve spent $5 on something else.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Terrible App

*2024-02-02, version 5.0.2*

Although it started off great I began using it too much and it ended up ruining my life because it would put people in groups that would ruin their grades and at my house we used it to separate chores. It also glitches and sometimes adds random people that you don't even know into groups. I hate this app and do not recommend using it for anything.

### 1/5 — Cash Grab

*2023-09-20, version 5.0.2*

I literally had gotten no actual use out of this app, but it has potential. So I put it to the test the first time, and bam, it refuses to create random groups until I pay it. I’ve got 11 girls learning soccer who need to be grouped and this app is extorting me in my minute of need. 
Cannot be trusted.

### 1/5 — Asks for reviews too often.

*2023-03-29, version 5.0.0*

I would give this app five stars, but it asks for reviews too often. So, I gave it one star.

### 1/5 — Crashing

*2021-03-02, version 3.2.5*

App crashes when using CSV importing on iPhone.

### 1/5 — Crashes when picking a student

*2020-09-17, version 3.0.3*

Every time I try to pick a random student or get a random list, the app crashes. I downloaded this and purchased the in-app upgrade, and this app doesn’t perform its basic function. Not cool, Neil.

### 1/5 — Bad app

*2020-09-04, version 2.0.3*

It is the worst I trod to slobs 
 It and I could not put my class in it is the worst

### 1/5 — Unusable

*2020-02-15, version 2.0.3*

Every time I try to add one class it asks me if I want to upgrade to the paid version. Just a loop

### 1/5 — Free version now disabled

*2018-07-19, version 1.8.1*

I don’t need extra features, just random name selection, but I’m no longer able to use the free app for this. It just keeps offering the paid version when I try to start a list of names.

### 1/5 — Expensive!!!!

*2017-10-01*

I agree with the previous reviewer of the additional costs adding up quickly. With 100 students, free random lists, random groups, and scored discussions are used quickly. Not worth more than the initial $2.99. I now have $9 in this app and haven't used scored discussions yet. Not budget friendly, nor is any app more deceiving about it's cost.

I'm happy others have the ability to purchase the unlimited version for $2.99, but it doesn't change the fact I paid too much.

**Developer response:** The paid (full) version now costs $4.99, and is, I think, well worth it. There are no other costs.

### 1/5 — Deceptive

*2017-09-26, version 1.5.1*

Beware: you have to keep paying for things in an unexpected way.

Also, the Group Discussion part does not work well. If you make a mistake, there is no way to change it. I had a rubric of 4/4, and I accidentally put input for the same student twice. Her grade promptly became 8/8. I could not change it, could not go back and start over, nothing.

Very disappointed, and wish I had not spent what I've already spent on this.

It's a great idea, and I understand why a couple of reviewers gave high marks. However, I can assure you that they did not use the app long before they wrote the review.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Love

*2026-02-06*

I seriously love this app. It helps with picking students to call on, grouping and so much more! I never review apps, but I’ve had this one for a few years now and wanted people to know this one was worth every penny!

### 5/5 — Great for elementary music teachers

*2024-01-23*

I teach elementary music on a cart, meaning I push in to 10 classes every day to teach them music. My time is split between two schools, meaning I teach music to around 700 kids every week.

I put all their names in at the beginning of the school year. Not only am I able to randomly select kids to help me during each class, but it has also helped me to learn their names quicker. I think this app is a valuable resource to any teacher, but it has been especially valuable to me.

I don’t use all the features on this app, but I use the random name picking almost every day. I cannot believe how helpful it has been. Plus, I always tell my students to get mad at the app, not me if they don’t get picked.

### 5/5 — Math Teacher

*2023-12-30, version 5.0.2*

Love popsicle sticks to randomly select students for any activity.  Also takes the stress away from placing students in groups, since popsicle sticks does it for you.

### 5/5 — 🤩 Randomized Grouping Tool 🤩

*2023-10-01*

Wow, what an amazing randomized color-coded grouping tool made easier for me to use to create my teams. Including the other features that I plan on using. Now I can randomize my groups weekly/daily and make any changes to my groups anytime. The auto-save feature is cool so you’ll never lose any changes you make. What a great one-time purchase filled with features that are great for teachers to use.

### 5/5 — No need for pronouns.

*2022-08-10, version 4.1.0*

No need for pronouns. Otherwise very useful

### 5/5 — Perfect multifaceted teacher tool

*2022-07-27*

I’ve been using this app for three years and I’ve always been happy with it. I use the list feature to keep track of my “mystery walker” in the hallway and I don’t have to depend on my memory to track who has already been selected. I use the random name selector all the time, the dice roll, and of course grouping students is a great one. I recommend this app to all my colleagues. I’m excited to try out additional features, especially the new math game.

### 5/5 — Can’t delete or edit students or classes

*2022-01-31*

I love this app but the functionality is frustratingly limited when I need to move a student to a different class and all I can do is rename the student. I also cannot for the life of me edit the names of the classes. When students leave in the middle of the year, I have no way to delete students. I was hoping the update would help but it did not address this issue.

Edit: I just needed to swipe from right to left on the student or the class. Functionality is restored.

**Developer response:** Hi c.p.0., to edit a class name, tap "Classes" from the main screen. Then swipe left of the class name. You'll have the option to delete the class or to rename it. To delete a student, tap on the name of the student's class. Then swipe left on the student's name. There isn't currently a way to move a student from one class to a different class (other than reentering the student's name), but that's a good idea and I'll work on it. You can drop me an email at neiledaly@msn.com if you have other questions or suggestions. - Neil

### 5/5 — The best

*2021-09-11*

I just wrote this app upon a resource share in my Ed masters program.  Every teacher could use this effectively and it will help you group easily.  With 200+ students I can pretend I have only a few!  Worth it.

### 5/5 — Great customer service.

*2021-05-26, version 3.2.5*

Useful and fun app.  Developer was very responsive in helping troubleshoot a .csv file import question. Thanks!

### 5/5 — Favorite App I’ve added this school year!

*2021-02-26*

Whoever designed this app knows kids! It’s been perfect for my 3rd grade class, but would work for any age. We mainly use it to choose teams at recess (I play with a different sport with them each day), partners or groups for class, and to choose who will do their presentation next in class. The kids love it! You can even enter their birthdays in order to get a reminder but also has some special features for the bday child.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*