Comparison

StartSOLE vs Planbook Mobile

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

Head to head
About

StartSOLE

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
Read full description

The StartSOLE app gives you everything you need to bring inquiry based learning into your classroom. In the app you will find thousands of questions aligned to state standards, integrated lesson plans, tools for facilitating and reflecting in your class, and the opportunity to connect with a global community of educators. What's SOLE? A SOLE takes place in three parts: asking a big question, collaborating to research in groups, and then each group presenting their findings. By design SOLE requires only one internet enabled device per group and takes about 45 minutes to an hour, perfectly suited to be completed in a single class period. SOLEs focus on the process of learning and prepares learners for the future by infusing 21st century skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. This concept was pioneered by Dr. Sugata Mitra, winner of the 2013 TED prize for his ‘Hole in the Wall’ Experiment. StartSOLE is designed to make this concept easy for teachers to implement anywhere, anytime. What does this app do? • Big Questions - Thousands of big questions aligned to state standards are available for your next SOLE, or you can submit your own big question to share with the community. • Lesson Planning - Create a Charlotte Danielson-aligned lesson plan in minutes, delivered to your inbox • Facilitation Tool - An easy timer and guided observation tool allows you to record key moments during your SOLE as they happen • Guided Reflection - A brief guided reflection designed to improve your practice and provide support if needed • Certification - Receive free continuing education units from Cleveland State University for your work with SOLE • Tutorials - Guides & tips from other teachers, along with an introduction to the research frameworks behind SOLE. • News feed - view SOLE sessions from around the world and connect with other SOLE educators • Resources - Dozens of printable resources from other teachers available to use with your students: rubrics, worksheets, posters and more!

About

Planbook Mobile

This is a comprehensive online lesson planning tool designed for educators. It offers a wide array of features, meticulous student learning standards, and excellent support. A free trial is available to experience its capabilities.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive lesson planning
  • Meticulous student learning standards
  • Extensive features for educators
  • Outstanding support and tutorials
  • Continuous improvement based on feedback
Read full description

Welcome to Planbook! With over one million teachers and one billion lessons, Planbook is the established leader in online lesson planning! Why is Planbook preferred by educators? * We offer the most features for teachers and schools * At $20 per year, we offer the best value on the market * Outstanding support plus knowledge base and tutorials * Our student learning standards are meticulous * Our product is always improving thanks to educator feedback Download and take advantage of our 90 day free trial!

Screenshots

StartSOLE4 screens
Planbook Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

StartSOLE and Planbook Mobile both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of StartSOLE's written reviews are positive against 51% of Planbook Mobile's. StartSOLE also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Planbook Mobile's advantage is ratings volume (7.2K vs 6). On price, rating, ads 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. Planbook Mobile sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. StartSOLE asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

StartSOLE holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Planbook Mobile has 7.2K 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 51% of Planbook Mobile's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StartSOLE ships an update fortnightly, Planbook Mobile every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
StartSOLE versus Planbook Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStartSOLEPlanbook Mobile
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better4.8 (7.2K ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.6% of reviews
Number of ratings67.2K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB83 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLudiVita OGPlanbook Inc.

Customer experience

StartSOLE

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Planbook Mobile

All ratings6,987 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative2.2%
Written reviews85 reviews
Positive50.6%
Neutral10.6%
Negative38.8%

Bugs and requests

StartSOLE

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Planbook Mobile

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to add school year dates
  • Login page issues (keyboard blocking screen)
  • Inability to use Gmail account for sign-up
  • Lesson plans deleted without explanation

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add copy and paste feature
  • Improve mobile app experience (e.g., biometric login, portrait mode)
  • Enhance integration with other platforms (e.g., Canvas)

In-app purchases

None

StartSOLE

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Planbook Mobile

One-time3
  • 1-Year Planbook Subscription$20.00
  • 2-Year Planbook Subscription$36.00
  • 3-Year Planbook Subscription$48.00

Questions

Is StartSOLE free?
StartSOLE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Planbook Mobile free?
Planbook Mobile is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, StartSOLE or Planbook Mobile?
StartSOLE is rated higher. StartSOLE averages 5.0 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Planbook Mobile averages 4.8 from 7.2K ratings.
Do StartSOLE or Planbook Mobile have ads?
Neither StartSOLE nor Planbook Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StartSOLE or Planbook Mobile?
StartSOLE ships an update fortnightly, and Planbook Mobile every 2 months. Most recently, StartSOLE was updated on October 15, 2026 and Planbook Mobile on October 16, 2026.

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