Comparison

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer vs Arduino Science Journal

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer

This app uses your device's accelerometer to measure and graph G-Force and acceleration over time. It allows you to record and export data as a CSV file, making it useful for analyzing motion in vehicles, vibrations, and educational physics experiments.

Highlights
  • Measures G-Force and acceleration
  • Graphs G-Force vs. Time
  • Graphs Acceleration vs. Time
  • Records and exports data as CSV
  • Analyzes motion in vehicles and vibrations
  • Useful for classroom physics experiments
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into a motion laboratory. Physics Toolbox Accelerometer reads the accelerometer built into your device and shows exactly what it measures — live, in three dimensions, in units you can check. MEASURE • G-Force — the ratio of normal force to gravity, in X, Y, Z and total magnitude • Linear Acceleration — the same motion with gravity removed, in m/s² • Spectrum — a live FFT that finds the dominant frequency in a vibration RECORD AND ANALYSE • Record any run to CSV, then replay it with duration, maximum and average • Import CSV files recorded elsewhere and analyse them the same way • Share a recording straight from the app BUILT FOR TEACHING Each mode explains the physics behind it: how a piezoresistive cantilever bends under acceleration, how a capacitive accelerometer varies the electric potential across its plates, and why an object in free fall reads zero g. PRO A single lifetime purchase unlocks the signal filters — moving average, Kalman and low-pass — and analysis of saved and imported recordings. Works on iPhone and iPad, in light and dark, with VoiceOver throughout.

About

Arduino Science Journal

Transform your smartphone into a science notebook. Use your device's sensors and connect external hardware to gather real-time data, conduct experiments, and analyze findings. Ideal for students to explore the world scientifically.

Highlights
  • Use smartphone sensors
  • Connect external Arduino sensors
  • Record and analyze real-time data
  • Conduct interactive experiments
  • Enhance lesson plans
  • Cross-platform support
Features
Read full description

The Arduino Science Journal (formerly Science Journal, an initiative by Google) is free and allows you to gather data about the world around you by harnessing the sensors in your smartphone as well as sensors connected to Arduino. The Science Journal transforms smartphones and tablets into science notebooks that encourage students to explore their world. The Arduino Science Journal app is recommended for students from 10 to 18 years of age. About Arduino Science Journal With the Arduino Science Journal, you can learn interactively, conduct experiments and iterate on findings. • Enhance your existing lesson plans: use the Science Journal with activities and assignments you have already prepared • Classroom & home-school friendly: you don’t have to be in a classroom setting to start exploring. The Arduino Science Journal can be used to run experiments straight away, as long as you have your smartphone or tablet with you! • Move learning outside: the use of mobile devices along with the types of experiments we offer encourage students to get out of their seats and open their eyes to the world around them through the power of science • Science and data have no secrets: you can easily record your observations, store your data sensors in real-time and analyse them, just as a proper scientist! • Connect the digital and the physical world from your pocket: go through a series of simple tutorials and start having fun with science With built-in device sensors as well as external hardware, you can measure light, sound, movement, and much more. You can also compare results, and even set triggers. Together with the external hardware, (not included with the app), students are enabled to conduct more complex experiments, and advance in their scientific studies. As long as the external sensors are compatible with a Bluetooth-connecting device such as a microcontroller, there is no end to what experiments the students can make. Some popular sensors that the app can work with are: light, conductivity, temperature, force, gas, heart rate, respiration, radiation, pressure, magnetism, and many more. The app is classroom-friendly, since students can sign in on any device and access their experiments to continue exploring the world, wherever they are! Permissions notice: • Bluetooth: needed to scan for Bluetooth sensor devices. • Camera: needed to take pictures to document experiments and for the brightness sensor. • Photo Library: needed to store pictures taken to document experiments and for adding existing photos from your library to experiments. • Microphone: needed for sound intensity sensor. • Push notifications: needed to inform you of recording status when backgrounding the app. Benefits of using the Arduino Science Journal • It’s free and simple to use • Easy setup: download the app and start exploring with your phone’s built-in sensors • Cross-platform support • Portable: enhance your home learning or bring your device outside to study the world around you • Fully compatible with Arduino hardware: keep experimenting with the Arduino Science Kit Physics Lab, as well as the Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense board • Google Drive integration, as well as local download --- Terms and Conditions: https://www.arduino.cc/en/sj-terms-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.arduino.cc/en/privacy-policy Children's Privacy Policy: https://www.arduino.cc/en/privacy-policy/children-privacy-policy

Screenshots

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer4 screens
Arduino Science Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Arduino Science Journal at 4.4 against Physics Toolbox Accelerometer's 2.0. Arduino Science Journal also leads on ratings volume (1.1K vs 5) and review sentiment (59% vs 38%). Physics Toolbox Accelerometer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, ads, monetization model and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Arduino Science Journal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Physics Toolbox Accelerometer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Arduino Science Journal holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arduino Science Journal has 1.1K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Physics Toolbox Accelerometer's written reviews are positive against 59% of Arduino Science Journal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer ships an update every 8 months, Arduino Science Journal every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Physics Toolbox Accelerometer versus Arduino Science Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhysics Toolbox AccelerometerArduino Science Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (5 ratings)4.4 (1.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews38.5% of reviews58.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings51.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB58 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperChrystian VieyraArduino LLC

Customer experience

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive38.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative53.8%

Arduino Science Journal

All ratings1,109 ratings
Positive86.0%
Neutral3.4%
Negative10.6%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive58.7%
Neutral5.3%
Negative36.0%

Bugs and requests

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Arduino Science Journal

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App often crashes when trying to add sensors
  • Sensor selection menu doesn't work
  • Freezes on loading dashboards with blank screen
  • Stopped working after iOS 15 update

Requested features

5 requests
  • iCloud sync
  • CSV export for data analysis
  • Velocity sensors using GPS
  • Arduino sensor integration
  • Buzzer with variable range

In-app purchases

None

Physics Toolbox Accelerometer

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Arduino Science Journal

Subscriptions2
  • Teacher Monthly Plan1 Month trial$7.991 Month
  • Yearly Teacher Plan1 Month trial$63.991 Year

Questions

Is Physics Toolbox Accelerometer free?
Physics Toolbox Accelerometer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Arduino Science Journal free?
Arduino Science Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Physics Toolbox Accelerometer or Arduino Science Journal?
Arduino Science Journal is rated higher. Physics Toolbox Accelerometer averages 2.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Arduino Science Journal averages 4.4 from 1.1K ratings.
Do Physics Toolbox Accelerometer or Arduino Science Journal have ads?
Neither Physics Toolbox Accelerometer nor Arduino Science Journal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Physics Toolbox Accelerometer or Arduino Science Journal?
Physics Toolbox Accelerometer ships an update every 8 months, and Arduino Science Journal every 3 months. Most recently, Physics Toolbox Accelerometer was updated on October 9, 2026 and Arduino Science Journal on October 13, 2026.

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