# StartSOLE vs Beanstack Tracker

The clearest difference is review sentiment: StartSOLE at 100% against Beanstack Tracker's 67%. StartSOLE also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Beanstack Tracker's advantage is ratings volume (102K vs 6) and chart position (#207 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

StartSOLE holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Beanstack Tracker has 102K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of StartSOLE's written reviews are positive against 67% of Beanstack Tracker's.

StartSOLE ships an update fortnightly, Beanstack Tracker every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | StartSOLE | Beanstack Tracker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startsole/id1097411683/reviews)** | [4.8 (102K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beanstack-tracker/id1360324277/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **102K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#207** |
| Size | 68 MB | 60 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LudiVita OG](https://appshunter.io/developer/848249133) | [Zoobean, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1360324276) |

## What reviewers say

### StartSOLE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startsole/id1097411683)

This app facilitates inquiry-based learning in classrooms by providing a framework for collaborative research and presentation. It offers thousands of questions aligned to state standards, lesson planning tools, and a community for educators to connect and share resources.

**Highlights:** Thousands of big questions aligned to state standards, Integrated lesson plans, Facilitation and reflection tools, Global educator community, Continuing education units, Printable resources

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Beanstack Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beanstack-tracker/id1360324277)

**Currently charting:** #207 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

This app encourages reading for all ages through engaging challenges and easy progress tracking. It allows family profiles, individual logging, and offers features like barcode scanning and reading timers. It prioritizes user privacy by not selling data or showing ads.

**Highlights:** Motivating reading challenges, Easy reading progress tracking, Barcode scanner for titles, Reading timer and logging, Streaks and badges, Reading recommendations, Friend leaderboards, Reading fundraisers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient for tracking reading
- 🚀 Barcode scanning feature
- 👍 Ability to track multiple readers
- 👍 Motivating with achievements and badges

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent logging and tracking issues
- 🤔 Confusing user interface and navigation
- 🤔 Limited customization and personalization options
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches, especially with timers and syncing
- 🤔 Cumbersome process for logging books and reading

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect logging of reading sessions and progress
- Inability to edit or remove previously logged books
- Compatibility issues on tablets and iPads
- Timezone-related bugs causing lost reading streaks

**Requested features**

- Ability to backdate reading sessions
- Calendar view to easily see monthly reading progress
- Option to log quantity of books read instead of just time
- Personalized book recommendations based on reading history
- Improved syncing and data management across devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StartSOLE free?

StartSOLE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Beanstack Tracker free?

Beanstack Tracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, StartSOLE or Beanstack Tracker?

StartSOLE is rated higher. StartSOLE averages 5.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Beanstack Tracker averages 4.8 from 102K ratings.

### Do StartSOLE or Beanstack Tracker have ads?

Neither StartSOLE nor Beanstack Tracker shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, StartSOLE or Beanstack Tracker?

StartSOLE ships an update fortnightly, and Beanstack Tracker every 3 weeks. Most recently, StartSOLE was updated on September 30, 2026 and Beanstack Tracker on October 14, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*