Comparison

UWaterloo Portal vs Cube Algorithm Viewer

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

Head to head
About

UWaterloo Portal

Access personalized academic and campus information directly from your mobile device. This app offers a streamlined, native experience for managing class schedules, exam details, WatCard balances, and campus events.

Highlights
  • Class schedules and details
  • Exam dates and locations
  • WatCard balance and top-up
  • Personalized campus calendar
  • Campus navigation
  • Event browsing and registration
  • Appointment booking
Features
Read full description

Fully integrated with Portal web, the app provides direct, personalized content at your fingertips. Now, the app has been fully redeveloped to provide a streamlined, native experience for iOS. Content is organized in an easy-to-use platform with clear categories, which makes navigating a breeze. Our top-rated features include: • Classes – find detailed information about your class times, locations, professors • Exams – real-time data on dates, times and locations of your exams • WatCard – current balances, transaction history and access to top up funds • Calendar – all of your personalized and campus info in one place • Navigation – get directions to various locations on campus • Events – browse, register and attend a variety of events and workshops on campus • Appointment booking – get support from a variety of services on campus

About

Cube Algorithm Viewer

Features
Read full description

CubeAlg Viewer is a companion app for speedcubers learning and practicing OLL and PLL algorithms. Browse & Learn - Browse all 57 OLL and 21 PLL cases with visual pattern previews - Tap any case to see all algorithm variations - Watch algorithms animate step by step on an interactive 3D cube - Rotate the cube to any angle to follow moves from your preferred view - Adjust playback speed from 0.25x to 2x Build Your Collection - Add your own algorithm variations to any pattern - Mark favorites and bookmark patterns to focus your practice - Search patterns by name, shape, or bookmark status - Group OLL patterns by shape, dot count, or number; PLL by permutation name - Import and export your algorithm collection in YAML format Practice - Drill bookmarked OLL/PLL patterns in sequence or random order - Step through setup and solve for each case at your own pace WCA-Style Timer - Timed solves with random WCA scrambles - Supports DNF and +2 penalties - Tracks Ao5, Ao50, and Ao100 averages - Review solve history with full scramble details - Retry any past scramble or edit recorded times All data stored locally. No account required.

Screenshots

UWaterloo Portal4 screens
Cube Algorithm Viewer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: UWaterloo Portal at none against Cube Algorithm Viewer's 3. UWaterloo Portal also leads on iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). Cube Algorithm Viewer's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). On price, 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. Cube Algorithm Viewer sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. UWaterloo Portal asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

UWaterloo Portal ships an update every 2 months, Cube Algorithm Viewer every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
UWaterloo Portal versus Cube Algorithm Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUWaterloo PortalCube Algorithm Viewer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews23.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUniversity of WaterlooSiu Man Hsieh

Bugs and requests

UWaterloo Portal

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App crashes a lot
  • App resets every time it's closed
  • Keeps signing out frequently
  • Login issues (wrong account displayed)
  • Cannot launch the app
Show 10 more
  • Calendar/Schedule barely works
  • Update removed calendar functionality
  • Quiz seating not visible until day of quiz
  • App is slow
  • App is difficult to navigate
  • New version is a downgrade
  • App doesn't show class times reliably
  • App only shows current day's schedule, not tomorrow
  • App loads schedule slowly and requires refreshing
  • App shows weather when not needed

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add a reload WatCard function
  • Add a section for school events
  • Add ability to search or see office hours of any prof
  • Bring back old features/widgets (exam schedule, map, watcard balance, food places, free rooms, bus schedule)
  • Support iPhone X full screen
Show 1 more
  • Add dark mode option

Cube Algorithm Viewer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

UWaterloo Portal

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Cube Algorithm Viewer

One-time3
  • Small Tip$4.99
  • Medium Tip$9.99
  • Large Tip$19.99

Questions

Is UWaterloo Portal free?
UWaterloo Portal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cube Algorithm Viewer free?
Cube Algorithm Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do UWaterloo Portal or Cube Algorithm Viewer have ads?
Neither UWaterloo Portal nor Cube Algorithm Viewer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, UWaterloo Portal or Cube Algorithm Viewer?
UWaterloo Portal ships an update every 2 months, and Cube Algorithm Viewer every 2 days. Most recently, UWaterloo Portal was updated on October 1, 2026 and Cube Algorithm Viewer on September 20, 2026.

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