The PocketLab vs LeafByte
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
The PocketLab
This app connects to a physical sensor to bring science learning to life. It allows students, educators, and makers to explore STEM concepts through hands-on lessons and data analysis. Visualize and record measurements, create graphs, and integrate data with other software for a comprehensive science experience.
- Connects to PocketLab sensors
- Streams real-time measurement data
- Data recording and analysis
- Graph creation
- Data integration with other software
- STEM curriculum and lessons
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The PocketLab app brings together science curriculum, hands-on lessons, and data sensors for science learning. We built PocketLab for the curious explorers, educators, students, and makers to bring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to life like never before. PocketLab sensors connect with a single button to your iPhone or iPad and instantly stream measurement data that you can see and record. PocketLab sensors are designed for investigating physics, biology, chemistry, Earth science, environmental science, and engineering. Using the PocketLab app, you can easily analyze your data, create graphs, and integrate your data with other software. PocketLab has the same features as lab equipment that costs thousands of dollars but is low cost and intuitive to use. NOTE: The PocketLab app is designed to pair with a PocketLab sensor. Order your sensor at thepocketlab.com.
LeafByte
This application allows users to quickly and accurately measure leaf area and herbivory by taking photos. It supports various leaf types and conditions, and saves data to spreadsheets. Features include freehand drawing for reconstruction and automatic skew correction.
- Measure leaf area and herbivory
- Save data to spreadsheets
- Analyze leaves of any size
- Reconstruct missing leaf margins
- Measure dark or light plant material
- Read barcodes
- Correct photo skew
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LeafByte measures leaf area and herbivory quickly and accurately. Take a picture of a leaf and a scale to measure total leaf area and leaf area consumed. - Saves your data in a convenient spreadsheet on your phone or in Google Drive - Analyzes leaves of almost any size or shape - Uses freehand drawing to reconstruct missing leaf margins - Can measure dark plant material (such as leaves) on a white background or light plant material (such as petals) on a dark background - Reads and records all major barcodes - Automatically corrects skew in photos taken at an angle
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: LeafByte at 4.8 against The PocketLab's 3.1. LeafByte also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 59%) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 14.5). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
LeafByte holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of The PocketLab's written reviews are positive against 100% of LeafByte's.
The PocketLab ships an update every 3 months, LeafByte every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | The PocketLab | LeafByte |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (12 ratings) | 4.8 (13 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 58.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 13 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.5 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 21 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Myriad Sensors | Abigail Getman-Pickering |
Customer experience
The PocketLab
LeafByte
In-app purchases
The PocketLab
No in-app purchases
LeafByte
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is The PocketLab free?
Is LeafByte free?
Which has better reviews, The PocketLab or LeafByte?
Do The PocketLab or LeafByte have ads?
Which is updated more often, The PocketLab or LeafByte?
Other comparisons
