Comparison

Aktiv Learning vs Macmillan Learning eBook

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

Macmillan Learning eBook

Access and study digital textbooks on your iPad or iPhone with a comprehensive, digital-first experience. Download books for offline reading, customize your study tools with notes and flashcards, and personalize the reading environment for easier learning.

Highlights
  • Offline reading
  • Note-taking and highlighting
  • Flashcard creation
  • Customizable reading settings
  • Read Aloud feature
  • Cross-device syncing
  • Accessibility features
Features
Read full description

Use Macmillan® Learning eBook to enjoy a digital-first, comprehensive study experience from the convenience of your iPad or iPhone. Download and access digital textbooks to study anytime, anywhere. Features: • Download books to your iOS device for 100% offline reading. • Customize highlighters and add notes for a rich study experience. • Create flashcards with text and images to learn concepts faster. • Personalize font, font size, and background colors to make reading easier. • Listen to your books and learn on the go with Read Aloud. • Sync your current reading position and all your work across devices so you can easily pick up where you left off. • Built with accessibility in mind.

Screenshots

Aktiv Learning4 screens
Macmillan Learning eBook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aktiv Learning at 73% against Macmillan Learning eBook's 11%. Aktiv Learning also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). Macmillan Learning eBook's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Macmillan Learning eBook asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Macmillan Learning eBook holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Macmillan Learning eBook has 2.2K ratings behind it against 184, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Aktiv Learning's written reviews are positive against 11% of Macmillan Learning eBook'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, Macmillan Learning eBook every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Aktiv Learning versus Macmillan Learning eBook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAktiv LearningMacmillan Learning eBook
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (184 ratings)4.3 (2.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.5% of reviews — better11.1% of reviews
Number of ratings1842.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB183 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTop Hat MonocleHPHLP

Customer experience

Aktiv Learning

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

Macmillan Learning eBook

All ratings2,194 ratings
Positive81.9%
Neutral4.0%
Negative14.1%
Written reviews108 reviews
Positive11.1%
Neutral3.7%
Negative85.2%

User reviews

Aktiv Learning

From 184 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

Macmillan Learning eBook

From 2.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📚 Easy access to textbooks
  • 🔊 Useful read-aloud feature
  • 💻 Works well on desktop

Room to improve

  • 🔑 Login issues across devices
  • 🐛 Buggy and unstable app
  • 💾 Disappearing or lost content
  • 🔍 Poor search and navigation
  • 📝 Limited annotation and note-taking

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

Macmillan Learning eBook

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Login credentials not recognized
  • Frequent app crashes
  • Textbooks disappearing from library

Requested features

3 requests
  • Integrate with popular reading apps
  • Improve annotation and note-taking tools
  • Provide a universal e-reader option

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Aktiv Learning

One-time1
  • Chem101 Course Activation$29.99
None

Macmillan Learning eBook

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Aktiv Learning free?
Aktiv Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Macmillan Learning eBook free?
Macmillan Learning eBook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Aktiv Learning or Macmillan Learning eBook?
Macmillan Learning eBook is rated higher. Aktiv Learning averages 3.2 out of 5 from 184 ratings, while Macmillan Learning eBook averages 4.3 from 2.2K ratings.
Do Aktiv Learning or Macmillan Learning eBook have ads?
Neither Aktiv Learning nor Macmillan Learning eBook shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aktiv Learning or Macmillan Learning eBook?
Aktiv Learning ships an update every 3 weeks, and Macmillan Learning eBook every 3 months. Most recently, Aktiv Learning was updated on October 14, 2026 and Macmillan Learning eBook on October 19, 2026.

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