Comparison

Election Explorer vs Brief the Chief

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

Head to head
About

Election Explorer

Features
Read full description

Election Explorer is an iPad application that visualizes the results of the 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 elections for the U.S. House of Representatives. Election results may be viewed for the entire country of for an individual state. It also allows the user to simulate the effect on those elections of election rules different from those used in the United States.

About

Brief the Chief

Step into the role of a presidential advisor and navigate historical challenges. Consult with confidants, gather evidence, and present reasoned counsel to historical figures like Lincoln and Jefferson. Discover the outcomes of your decisions.

Highlights
  • Advise historical presidents
  • Explore 3 presidencies
  • Engage with 6 historical challenges
  • Interview stakeholders
  • Collect and use evidence
  • Discover historical outcomes
  • Spanish translation and voiceover
Features
Read full description

Should LBJ run for a second term? How might President Lincoln respond to the situation at Ft. Sumter? What can President Jefferson do about the Port of New Orleans? Take on the job of advising the president through historical challenges by talking to people in and around the White House. Consult with confidants within the White House and use evidence-based reasoning to provide the president with counsel. Game Features: -Select from three presidencies: Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Lyndon B. Johnson -Choose from 6 historical challenges -Interview stakeholders and collect notes -Make an informed position and present it for consideration -Discover the historical outcomes of each challenge For English Language Learners: This game offers a support tool, Spanish translation, voiceover, and glossary. Teachers: Visit the iCivics "teach" page to check out classroom resources for Brief the Chief! Learning Objectives: -Explain the structure, functions, and processes of the executive branch of government. -Compare and contrast historical, cultural, economic, and political perspectives -Question and use inquiry to construct arguments using evidence from multiple sources Made in partnership with The White House Historical Association

Screenshots

Brief the Chief4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Brief the Chief at every 2 days against Election Explorer's every 26 months. Brief the Chief also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Election Explorer's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Election Explorer ships an update every 26 months, Brief the Chief every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Election Explorer versus Brief the Chief: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElection ExplorerBrief the Chief
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.7 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyEvery 26 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB203 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThomas MalloyiCivics, Inc.

In-app purchases

None

Election Explorer

No in-app purchases

None

Brief the Chief

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Election Explorer free?
Election Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Brief the Chief free?
Brief the Chief is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Election Explorer or Brief the Chief have ads?
Neither Election Explorer nor Brief the Chief shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Election Explorer or Brief the Chief?
Election Explorer ships an update every 26 months, and Brief the Chief every 2 days. Most recently, Election Explorer was updated on October 26, 2026 and Brief the Chief on October 24, 2026.

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