Comparison

Aktiv Learning vs Coursicle

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

Head to head
About

Aktiv Learning

This platform offers dynamic problems and interactive tools for college-level chemistry and math. It helps students visualize abstract STEM concepts and provides instructors with real-time insights into class understanding. Features include a mobile-friendly Lewis structure drawing tool and over 250 practice questions.

Highlights
  • Interactive Lewis structure drawing tool
  • Dynamic STEM problems
  • Real-time class results
  • Over 250 built-in practice questions
  • Create in-class or homework assignments
  • Isoform recognition for answers
Read full description

Aktiv Learning is an active learning platform built specifically for college-level chemistry and mathematics. Say goodbye to static content and generic multiple choice questions and hello to dynamic problems that are designed to help students learn and visualize abstract concepts in STEM. Aktiv Learning allows chemistry instructors to ask students engaging questions, such as drawing Lewis structures, and receive real-time information on what structures the class is drawing. The app features a custom-built tool that allows students and instructors to quickly and intuitively draw Lewis structures on mobile devices. Additionally, both students and instructors have access to over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. Features: • Intuitive Lewis structures drawing tool built specifically for mobile devices - Use as engaging demonstration for your students to show example Lewis structures and reinforce concepts such as the octet rule, formal charge, and VSEPR. Students can take advantage of the drawing tool to visualize the relationship between Lewis structures and molecular shapes. • Create in-class or homework assignments - Perfect for clicker, recitation, or review problems. Students receive push notifications to alert and remind them of pending assignments. • Assign or practice with over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. • Real-time class results - Quickly find common incorrect structures to address student misunderstanding before exams. • Isoform recognition - Aktiv’s technology recognizes correct answers independent of the drawn structure orientation. • Export student activity - Student participation and performance exported in a tap of a button. • Easy sign-up - Students and instructors can create accounts and join courses all within the app in a few steps. • School IT and device independent - Assign, work, and review from any mobile device and over any network connection. More content and features coming soon!

About

Coursicle

This academic planner helps college students organize their coursework. It syncs with major learning platforms, provides timely reminders for assignments and classes, and offers features like professor reviews and backup schedule creation.

Highlights
  • Syncs with Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle
  • Assignment and class reminders
  • Class seat opening notifications
  • Professor reviews
  • Schedule building and backup schedules
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Coursicle is an all-in-one academic planner: • Sync and color code assignments from Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace D2L, Moodle, and more • Get reminders of upcoming classes and about all of your assignments, quizzes, projects, and exams • Get notified when classes have open seats • Read reviews of your professors • Build your schedule and create backup schedules for class registration Millions of students use Coursicle to manage classes, track assignments, and plan ahead. Terms of Use & Privacy Policy: coursicle.com/terms/

Screenshots

Aktiv Learning4 screens
Coursicle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Coursicle at 4.8 against Aktiv Learning's 3.1. Coursicle also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 3 weeks) and chart position (#180 vs unranked). Aktiv Learning's advantage is review sentiment (73% vs 38%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Aktiv Learning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Coursicle sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Coursicle holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 185 and 780 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Aktiv Learning's written reviews are positive against 38% of Coursicle's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aktiv Learning ships an update every 3 weeks, Coursicle every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Aktiv Learning versus Coursicle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAktiv LearningCoursicle
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (185 ratings)4.8 (780 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.5% of reviews — better38.0% of reviews
Number of ratings185780 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#180 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTop Hat MonocleCoursicle, Inc.

Customer experience

Aktiv Learning

All ratings184 ratings
Positive53.8%
Neutral2.7%
Negative43.5%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive72.5%
Neutral2.2%
Negative25.3%

Coursicle

All ratings749 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews245 reviews
Positive38.0%
Neutral8.6%
Negative53.5%

User reviews

Aktiv Learning

From 185 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 📱 Works seamlessly on both mobile and desktop
  • 💡 Interactive problem-solving tools (Lewis structures, dimensional analysis)
  • 🎯 Multiple attempts per question reduce fear of failure
  • 📚 Detailed explanations and step-by-step solutions

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing
  • ⏱️ Extremely slow loading times
  • 🔐 Login and authentication issues
  • 📱 Drag-and-drop functionality malfunctions on iPad
  • ❌ Confusing and unclear question directions

Coursicle

From 780 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Helpful for getting into classes
  • 🚀 Notifications about class openings
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Great customer service

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive premium subscription
  • 🐛 Delayed or inaccurate notifications
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 🔒 No account system to sync across devices

Bugs and requests

Aktiv Learning

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Pop-up warnings flicker and disappear too quickly
  • Drag-and-drop fails 70% of the time on iOS
  • App crashes on specific problems with no recovery
  • Login errors and password reset failures
  • Users locked out of questions permanently
Show 5 more
  • Window resizing issues on iPad 12.9in
  • Questions don't load properly or display incompletely
  • Subscripts/superscripts not displaying on Mac
  • Split-screen functionality disabled
  • Inconsistent performance between app and web versions

Requested features

10 requests
  • In-app notification system for assignment reminders
  • Ability to sign up for courses on mobile app
  • Split-screen functionality on iPad
  • Zoom capability for periodic table
  • Reset button for Lewis structure questions
Show 5 more
  • Full solutions displayed after using all attempts
  • Better hints and guidance for dimensional analysis
  • School login integration on mobile app
  • Improved question clarity and directions
  • Subscript and superscript display on web version

Coursicle

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Classes shown as open when they are actually full
  • App crashes or freezes when trying to add classes
  • Referral system not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to track classes for multiple semesters
  • More customizable notification settings
  • Schedule planning and visualization tools
  • Support for summer courses

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Aktiv Learning

One-time1
  • Chem101 Course Activation$29.99
6 purchases

Coursicle

Subscriptions2
  • Coursicle Premium$4.991 Month
  • Coursicle Premium$29.991 Year
One-time4
  • Premium4 variants$4.99
  • Premium8 variants$6.99
  • Premium2 variants$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Coursicle Premium$99.99

Questions

Is Aktiv Learning free?
Aktiv Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Coursicle free?
Coursicle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aktiv Learning or Coursicle?
Coursicle is rated higher. Aktiv Learning averages 3.1 out of 5 from 185 ratings, while Coursicle averages 4.8 from 780 ratings.
Do Aktiv Learning or Coursicle have ads?
Neither Aktiv Learning nor Coursicle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aktiv Learning or Coursicle?
Aktiv Learning ships an update every 3 weeks, and Coursicle every 9 days. Most recently, Aktiv Learning was updated on October 23, 2026 and Coursicle on October 22, 2026.

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